December 1, 2024 • 12 mins
Steelers Historian Bob Labriola sits down with head coach Mike Tomlin ahead of the Steelers week 13 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
He's the Mike Tomlin Gen Day Podcast with Steelers Digest
editor Bob Labriola. Okay, coach, you used one of the
allotted regular season practices in pads this week. Was that
a response to the performance in Cleveland? Or was it
because of the layoff of the mini by following a
Thursday night game?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
It was really because of the layoff coming off of
a mini buy. It's a way of getting their attention.
Oftentimes at tire has an effect on the approach to business,
and it was a back to business day for us,
and sometimes you put them in past to send that messaging.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
You have no control over the weather during the game,
and it is the same for both teams. But during
the course of a game played in bad weather, are
there things that you do or don't do, plays that
you call or don't call because of the conditions.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Certainly, and really anticipating conditions. We attempted a long field goal,
for instance, Thursday night early in the game because you know,
I didn't know what the weather might be later in
the game. He had to take an opportunity to get points,
for example. And so not only current weather affects your
decision making, but the potential of future weather may also
(01:10):
affect your decision making.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
When talking about bad weather, we usually think of cold
or wet or windy, But what about visibility?
Speaker 2 (01:18):
You know, I really don't, you know, get caught up
in a whole bunch of visibility. Obviously, it can be
an issue at times, but as you mentioned, if it's
an issue for one squad, it's an issue for both,
and you know, from that standpoint, it's a level playing field.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
We have talked a lot about what's required to have
Joey Porter Junior shadow a receiver all over the field
in terms of the demands on the other players on
defense to make it work. If you wanted to move TJ.
Watt around the formation to make it more difficult for
defenses to double team and chip him on his way
to the quarterback, what would be required from the other
players on defense for that to be successful.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
You know, it's really very similar to the cornerback travel discussion.
You know, if we're moving him around, it requires others
to be flexible. But largely, particularly in terms of the front,
that's not a significant endeavor, to be quite honest with you,
in terms of guys being able to flop sides and
so forth. For instance, Herbic is a swing back up.
(02:16):
He's happened to be playing right edge right now, but
he has left edge capable, and so really I think
is really probably less of an issue for the rushman
than it is for the corners.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
One of the intended byproducts of a package for Justin
fields is the time it requires opponents to spend preparing
for it. But how much time is but how much
time is required for your offense to devise a package
and then practice it?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
You know, It's just probably a component of what we do.
Justin's been here all year obviously, and we always want
to highlight individual skill sets, and so I don't know
that the things that we're running present day regarding his
package is anything new for us. Most of these concepts
we've been working since the spring, and so it is
not a significant endeavor for us. It's just simply getting
(03:05):
them into the game and identifying a package of plays
relative to the opponent that we want to execute.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
What does replay assist and how is it utilized?
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It's a tool used by officiating to be more accurate,
to help administer the game and without disrupting the game.
I think is a major component of it, and so
it helps with you know, things like spotting of the
football and things of that nature. You know, clear and
obvious things, and they communicate with headsets to the officiating
(03:38):
crew and sometimes the viewer doesn't even know what's transpired.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
What about the coaches. Do they keep you guys in
the loop on that when it's happening.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
No question, And I'm really sensitive to it obviously because
I'm on the competition committee. But they do a pretty
good job of communicating oftentimes, though it's a little bit.
It's a little bit tricky because you might start the
process of your decision making prior to you getting the clarification,
and so we got to be light on our feet
sometimes because the fluidity of the communication at times gets
(04:10):
challenged just depending on how long it takes them to
identify an issue and correct it.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Now, you mentioned spotting of the ball would be something
that use it for what other kind of things?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Clear and obvious things, catch, no catch, erroneous penalties and
things of that nature might assist the officiating crew in
terms of picking up a flag and things of that nature.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
But like penalties, for example, are not subject to replay,
they cannot add a penalty.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
They can help taking egregious or erroneous penalty off the ground.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Okay, how are defensive players coached to deal with stiff
arms when it comes to tackling running backs or receivers.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
You know, we work it pretty routinely. You got to
knock it down and pull it to you. You know,
we play some guys that are that are that are
known for guys like Derrick Henry. We put an increased
emphasis on it in weeks like that, but but it's
part of our normal routine. Uh. In terms of tackling technique. Uh,
And most positional groups do it at least once a
(05:17):
week at some point during Wednesday, Thursday or Friday's practice.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
You mentioned Derrick Henry any other players are especially effective
when it's when it comes to utilizing stuff arms.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
You know, I think I think he is. He is
the standard bearer right now in today's game in terms
of it. But obviously a lot of players, particularly the
bigger ones, it is. It is weapon number one in
terms of warding off would be tacklers.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
What's meant by the term max protection?
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Usually it means using between seven and eight offensive guys
to protect a quarterback in a one dimensional, pass and circumstance.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
So it's it's all about the numbers.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
It's all about the numbers. It's usually seven or eight
that we classify as max protection, so it's not.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
A question of having one more than what they're bringing.
It's seven or eight. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Yeah, it's a loose term to describe seven or eight
man protection.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
When it comes to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, what would
you cite as his difference making characteristic?
Speaker 2 (06:22):
His ability to extend and create plays without negativity is
probably a calling card of his and the same with
Pat Mahomes. I think it's what separates them from a
lot of people. Oftentimes, when the play gets extended, the
potential for big plays go up on both sides. Big
plays offense, big plays defense. Those two in particular, they
(06:47):
have a knack for extending plays without the negativity oftentimes
that comes with it from an offensive perspective. They make
good judgment, they protect the ball, they see the field,
they don't throw the ball to opposing teams under those circumstances.
I would view that as a calling card, the ability
to extend plays and make plays without the potential of negativity.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
So how is his ability to extend plays different from Lamar's.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
You know, I don't know that it is dramatically different.
I know when Lamar was younger, he was more definitive
runner once he went downhill into the pocket. But in
recent years Lamar still sees the entire feel and is
a capable thrower as he extends. And so you know,
they're both challenging in that, particularly when you rushing them
(07:35):
with four to contain them, to get them on the ground,
to prevent them from extending plays and seeing the full
feel and having your zones if your end zone break
down and dissolve, is a challenge.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
During your news conference, you talked about the need for
having enough defense for Burrow.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
What does that mean? You can't run out of schematics.
You know, I learned this lesson in a real clear
way years ago.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Man.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
We're playing Detroit up in Detroit against Matt Stafford, and
we had a relatively tight menu. And when you play
in a quarterback, that's a part of a system that
they're really comfortable in that they know inside and out.
Then they can focus their energies on what it is
you're doing. And when you get later in the game
(08:20):
and you don't want to run out of schematics, meaning
you don't want them to get comfortable with what they're
looking at. That's when you see the veteran quarterback come
storming back late in the games, and you think about
the games that the Bengals have been in. Sometimes they
don't start with great fluidity, but they're always storming back
at the opposing defense late in the game. They're producing
points in the fourth quarter, they moving the ball, and
(08:42):
it's because regardless of what's transpired, Joe is getting really
comfortable with what it is that he's seeing. And so
for us, we got to just carry enough defense. Our
menu is probably a little bit bigger than it normally
is in the effort toward that component of his attack off.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
So what's more effective a big menu in terms of
how you come after him or a big menu in
terms of how you cover?
Speaker 2 (09:07):
You know, I just think you're gonna need all of
the above. You know, as I mentioned, Man, you're gonna
need man zone, relatable zones, spot drop zones, pressures. When
you play these continuity quarterbacks. Man, these guys that know
what it is they're doing, that have been in their
systems in their elite golf Stafford Borough Lamar, you better
(09:31):
carry enough defense because if not, if you have a
real tight menu, or they'll come storming back at you
late in the game, regardless of what's transpired.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Cincinnati has a potent pair of wide receivers and Jamar
Chase and t Higgins. How would you compare contrast them
in terms of skill sets and how they are utilized.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
You know, I'll start first with T. T is a
big backside matchup guy. He runs big boy routes, as
we say in the business, slants and so forth. He
is a combat catcher. He's a tough tackle.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
You know.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Chase has it all. He's probably the premier guy at
the position in the game right now. There's no route
that he can't run. They move him around a lot
in an effort to feature him and to get him
in favorable matchups and get him away from schematics and
so T is more of a stationary guy. You kind
of know where he is. You understand his style of
(10:27):
play and the type of ball that he plays weekend
and week out. Man, with Chase, you gotta laysher up
your bootstraps. You never know what you're gonna get.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
The Bengals defense has nineteen sacks as a unit defensive
en Trey Hendrickson has eleven and a half. How does
he defeat what must be constant double teams?
Speaker 2 (10:46):
You know, like all the other elites, you know, I
think that's just a component of being an elite rushman.
To be quite honest with you, You're gonna see schematics
to minimize you. But those that are elite, they still
find a way to get get the job done. And
you definitively can put him into that category. With guys
that see schematics week in and week out but routinely defeated,
(11:07):
it's really no different than the work that TJ does
weekend and week out, or Miles Garrett or any of
the other guys that you could describe as a leader
in our business. It is routine for them to see
and beat double teams.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
After Hendrickson, who's the Bengals main guy on defense?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
You know, Logan Wilson is a homegrown guy. They draft
him in the third round in twenty twenty. He plays
in all circumstances and situations. He's got a new wrinkle
this year, a third and five plus man. He's a
component of the rush. Oftentimes he's the fourth or fifth
rusher they getting dime thirty two and he becomes a
component of the rush. He's a really good and versatile player,
(11:49):
and it's done a nice job evolving over his time
in Cincinnati, So I would definitively describe him as as
a key and central figure and what they do on defense.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
That's the Mike Tomlin gay Day Podcast. Subscribe and download
new episodes every week and check out all of the
other shows we have to offer on the Steelers Podcast Network.
That's available on the Steelers Mobile app, the iHeartRadio app,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
He's the Mike Tomlin Gen Day Podcast with Steelers Digest
editor Bob Labriola. Okay, coach, you used one of the
allotted regular season practices in pads this week. Was that
a response to the performance in Cleveland? Or was it
because of the layoff of the mini by following a
Thursday night game?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
It was really because of the layoff coming off of
a mini buy. It's a way of getting their attention.
Oftentimes at tire has an effect on the approach to business,
and it was a back to business day for us,
and sometimes you put them in past to send that messaging.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
You have no control over the weather during the game,
and it is the same for both teams. But during
the course of a game played in bad weather, are
there things that you do or don't do, plays that
you call or don't call because of the conditions.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Certainly, and really anticipating conditions. We attempted a long field goal,
for instance, Thursday night early in the game because you know,
I didn't know what the weather might be later in
the game. He had to take an opportunity to get points,
for example. And so not only current weather affects your
decision making, but the potential of future weather may also
(01:10):
affect your decision making.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
When talking about bad weather, we usually think of cold
or wet or windy, But what about visibility?
Speaker 2 (01:18):
You know, I really don't, you know, get caught up
in a whole bunch of visibility. Obviously, it can be
an issue at times, but as you mentioned, if it's
an issue for one squad, it's an issue for both,
and you know, from that standpoint, it's a level playing field.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
We have talked a lot about what's required to have
Joey Porter Junior shadow a receiver all over the field
in terms of the demands on the other players on
defense to make it work. If you wanted to move TJ.
Watt around the formation to make it more difficult for
defenses to double team and chip him on his way
to the quarterback, what would be required from the other
players on defense for that to be successful.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
You know, it's really very similar to the cornerback travel discussion.
You know, if we're moving him around, it requires others
to be flexible. But largely, particularly in terms of the front,
that's not a significant endeavor, to be quite honest with you,
in terms of guys being able to flop sides and
so forth. For instance, Herbic is a swing back up.
(02:16):
He's happened to be playing right edge right now, but
he has left edge capable, and so really I think
is really probably less of an issue for the rushman
than it is for the corners.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
One of the intended byproducts of a package for Justin
fields is the time it requires opponents to spend preparing
for it. But how much time is but how much
time is required for your offense to devise a package
and then practice it?
Speaker 2 (02:42):
You know, It's just probably a component of what we do.
Justin's been here all year obviously, and we always want
to highlight individual skill sets, and so I don't know
that the things that we're running present day regarding his
package is anything new for us. Most of these concepts
we've been working since the spring, and so it is
not a significant endeavor for us. It's just simply getting
(03:05):
them into the game and identifying a package of plays
relative to the opponent that we want to execute.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
What does replay assist and how is it utilized?
Speaker 2 (03:15):
It's a tool used by officiating to be more accurate,
to help administer the game and without disrupting the game.
I think is a major component of it, and so
it helps with you know, things like spotting of the
football and things of that nature. You know, clear and
obvious things, and they communicate with headsets to the officiating
(03:38):
crew and sometimes the viewer doesn't even know what's transpired.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
What about the coaches. Do they keep you guys in
the loop on that when it's happening.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
No question, And I'm really sensitive to it obviously because
I'm on the competition committee. But they do a pretty
good job of communicating oftentimes, though it's a little bit.
It's a little bit tricky because you might start the
process of your decision making prior to you getting the clarification,
and so we got to be light on our feet
sometimes because the fluidity of the communication at times gets
(04:10):
challenged just depending on how long it takes them to
identify an issue and correct it.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Now, you mentioned spotting of the ball would be something
that use it for what other kind of things?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Clear and obvious things, catch, no catch, erroneous penalties and
things of that nature might assist the officiating crew in
terms of picking up a flag and things of that nature.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
But like penalties, for example, are not subject to replay,
they cannot add a penalty.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
They can help taking egregious or erroneous penalty off the ground.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Okay, how are defensive players coached to deal with stiff
arms when it comes to tackling running backs or receivers.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
You know, we work it pretty routinely. You got to
knock it down and pull it to you. You know,
we play some guys that are that are that are
known for guys like Derrick Henry. We put an increased
emphasis on it in weeks like that, but but it's
part of our normal routine. Uh. In terms of tackling technique. Uh,
And most positional groups do it at least once a
(05:17):
week at some point during Wednesday, Thursday or Friday's practice.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
You mentioned Derrick Henry any other players are especially effective
when it's when it comes to utilizing stuff arms.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
You know, I think I think he is. He is
the standard bearer right now in today's game in terms
of it. But obviously a lot of players, particularly the
bigger ones, it is. It is weapon number one in
terms of warding off would be tacklers.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
What's meant by the term max protection?
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Usually it means using between seven and eight offensive guys
to protect a quarterback in a one dimensional, pass and circumstance.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
So it's it's all about the numbers.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
It's all about the numbers. It's usually seven or eight
that we classify as max protection, so it's not.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
A question of having one more than what they're bringing.
It's seven or eight. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
Yeah, it's a loose term to describe seven or eight
man protection.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
When it comes to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, what would
you cite as his difference making characteristic?
Speaker 2 (06:22):
His ability to extend and create plays without negativity is
probably a calling card of his and the same with
Pat Mahomes. I think it's what separates them from a
lot of people. Oftentimes, when the play gets extended, the
potential for big plays go up on both sides. Big
plays offense, big plays defense. Those two in particular, they
(06:47):
have a knack for extending plays without the negativity oftentimes
that comes with it from an offensive perspective. They make
good judgment, they protect the ball, they see the field,
they don't throw the ball to opposing teams under those circumstances.
I would view that as a calling card, the ability
to extend plays and make plays without the potential of negativity.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
So how is his ability to extend plays different from Lamar's.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
You know, I don't know that it is dramatically different.
I know when Lamar was younger, he was more definitive
runner once he went downhill into the pocket. But in
recent years Lamar still sees the entire feel and is
a capable thrower as he extends. And so you know,
they're both challenging in that, particularly when you rushing them
(07:35):
with four to contain them, to get them on the ground,
to prevent them from extending plays and seeing the full
feel and having your zones if your end zone break
down and dissolve, is a challenge.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
During your news conference, you talked about the need for
having enough defense for Burrow.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
What does that mean? You can't run out of schematics.
You know, I learned this lesson in a real clear
way years ago.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Man.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
We're playing Detroit up in Detroit against Matt Stafford, and
we had a relatively tight menu. And when you play
in a quarterback, that's a part of a system that
they're really comfortable in that they know inside and out.
Then they can focus their energies on what it is
you're doing. And when you get later in the game
(08:20):
and you don't want to run out of schematics, meaning
you don't want them to get comfortable with what they're
looking at. That's when you see the veteran quarterback come
storming back late in the games, and you think about
the games that the Bengals have been in. Sometimes they
don't start with great fluidity, but they're always storming back
at the opposing defense late in the game. They're producing
points in the fourth quarter, they moving the ball, and
(08:42):
it's because regardless of what's transpired, Joe is getting really
comfortable with what it is that he's seeing. And so
for us, we got to just carry enough defense. Our
menu is probably a little bit bigger than it normally
is in the effort toward that component of his attack off.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
So what's more effective a big menu in terms of
how you come after him or a big menu in
terms of how you cover?
Speaker 2 (09:07):
You know, I just think you're gonna need all of
the above. You know, as I mentioned, Man, you're gonna
need man zone, relatable zones, spot drop zones, pressures. When
you play these continuity quarterbacks. Man, these guys that know
what it is they're doing, that have been in their
systems in their elite golf Stafford Borough Lamar, you better
(09:31):
carry enough defense because if not, if you have a
real tight menu, or they'll come storming back at you
late in the game, regardless of what's transpired.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
Cincinnati has a potent pair of wide receivers and Jamar
Chase and t Higgins. How would you compare contrast them
in terms of skill sets and how they are utilized.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
You know, I'll start first with T. T is a
big backside matchup guy. He runs big boy routes, as
we say in the business, slants and so forth. He
is a combat catcher. He's a tough tackle.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
You know.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Chase has it all. He's probably the premier guy at
the position in the game right now. There's no route
that he can't run. They move him around a lot
in an effort to feature him and to get him
in favorable matchups and get him away from schematics and
so T is more of a stationary guy. You kind
of know where he is. You understand his style of
(10:27):
play and the type of ball that he plays weekend
and week out. Man, with Chase, you gotta laysher up
your bootstraps. You never know what you're gonna get.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
The Bengals defense has nineteen sacks as a unit defensive
en Trey Hendrickson has eleven and a half. How does
he defeat what must be constant double teams?
Speaker 2 (10:46):
You know, like all the other elites, you know, I
think that's just a component of being an elite rushman.
To be quite honest with you, You're gonna see schematics
to minimize you. But those that are elite, they still
find a way to get get the job done. And
you definitively can put him into that category. With guys
that see schematics week in and week out but routinely defeated,
(11:07):
it's really no different than the work that TJ does
weekend and week out, or Miles Garrett or any of
the other guys that you could describe as a leader
in our business. It is routine for them to see
and beat double teams.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
After Hendrickson, who's the Bengals main guy on defense?
Speaker 2 (11:25):
You know, Logan Wilson is a homegrown guy. They draft
him in the third round in twenty twenty. He plays
in all circumstances and situations. He's got a new wrinkle
this year, a third and five plus man. He's a
component of the rush. Oftentimes he's the fourth or fifth
rusher they getting dime thirty two and he becomes a
component of the rush. He's a really good and versatile player,
(11:49):
and it's done a nice job evolving over his time
in Cincinnati, So I would definitively describe him as as
a key and central figure and what they do on defense.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
That's the Mike Tomlin gay Day Podcast. Subscribe and download
new episodes every week and check out all of the
other shows we have to offer on the Steelers Podcast Network.
That's available on the Steelers Mobile app, the iHeartRadio app,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
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