PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said it was just a player answering questions as to linebacker Joe Schobert saying there needs to be more focus in practice. Schobert critical of the consistency of practice mostly in their issues with stopping the run game.
“Our tackling at times was below the line,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “You have to tip your cap to the Lions to some of the things they did particularly to what they did in regards to the running game. Like I talked about after the game, on defense, I thought our tackling at times was below the line, but also, you’ve got to tip
your cap to the Lions in terms of some of the things that they did, particularly as it pertains to the running game.”
“Now looking back at it, we now have information that (Detroit) Coach [Dan]Campbell was calling plays, and that created an unsteady environment relative to what we had planned for and anticipated. They got some third down runs and things of that nature that got us off balance in terms of the people and the personnel groups that we deploy on third down.”
“They extended some drives, and so that probably made the run game element of it look uglier than maybe it was.
But there was enough ugliness on the tape in terms of missed tackles and explosion runs that that needs to have our attention as we go to work this week.”
However you look at it, it was ugly. Six minutes into the second half and Detroit had rushed for 199 yards and finished with 229.
As for the fix. Tomlin does agree with Schobert that it starts in practice.
Related
“It doesn't necessarily mean that we're going to put pads on and tackle three days this week and things of that nature,” Tomlin said. “There are many ways to
improve and focus on the tackling component of preparation. We do it every single day and every time the ball is snapped because a major component of tackling is your approach: the speed in which you approach the ball carrier, long stride, short stride, the angle in which you approach them, and your knowledge of your fit relative to that tackle and others in pursuit.”
“So, it’s not just the functional art of tackling but it’s the approach, it’s the knowledge of pursuing defenders and your fit within it. It’s speed. It's the length of strides. We're just gonna really have a good fundamental week in that regard.”
Steelers are among the worst in the league in yards per carry allowed, they are worst in allowing 11 runs of 20-plus yards. That’s three more than the second-worst team in the league, the Lions. Tomlin believes they’ve actually practiced well, but this should help with attention to detail.
“It's not that we've had bad practices, quite frankly, in that regard,” Tomlin said. “But sometimes when you have a less than desired result, it really ratchets you down and makes you focus on some things that we carry a candle for anyway.”
“Just like we expect our guys to tackle better this week and we expect our guys to maintain possession of the ball this week. It won't require any additional meetings or additional points of emphasis. It’s steeped in our culture. It’s fundamental. And so, we'll go in with that understanding.”
The week will play out if the actions will match the words.
Chargers Austin Ekeler has only one, 100-yard game this season, but Detroit rushed for 229 yards without its starting tailback.