The Man, Coach Tomlin has Become

The offensive line appeared to be suspect even before it lost perennial Pro Bowler Alan Faneca to free agency. Depth is a major concern for a defense that went from very good to middling in 2007 following the late-season loss of Aaron Smith.
“We’ve got,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, “a bunch of questions to be answered.”

The Steelers embark on what essentially is a fact-finding mission today, when the players report to training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.

No one is on the hook more than their second-year coach if answers aren’t found to pressing questions such as, will Ben Roethlisberger get ample protection this season, and what happens if Travis Kirschke, Nick Eason or Ryan McBean is thrust into a starting role because of an injury?

Such is the reality for an NFL head coach. Tomlin is particularly attuned to how heightened expectations are in Pittsburgh since he walks past a display that boasts five Lombardi Trophies when he is at the Steelers’ South Side practice facility.
Tomlin won 10 games and a division title in his inaugural season. Yet fans may have grumbled more about the fact that the Steelers lost four of their final five games, culminating with a 31-29 setback to Jacksonville in the playoffs.

Fans will demand more from Tomlin in his second season.

“When you lose, you’re always subject to judgment,” Tomlin said. “I don’t shy away from that. I embrace that.”

There is a reason why Tomlin is unfazed - and it stems from his understanding of pressure.