–The Steelers are upset that two questionable pass interference penalties greatly influenced the outcome of their game against the Saints – a result that is likely to keep the team out the postseason – but head coach Mike Tomlin is not in favor of making penalties subject to review.
Tomlin, a member of the league’s competition committee, believes an added layer of replay review would have adverse affects on the game.
“I have a firm position on that,” Tomlin said. “I just worry about the entertainment component of it and what it might do for fans and the viewership and what it looks like. But given some of the things that have happened I’m sure it will be up for debate as it always is and has been in recent years because technology and the amount of coverage that our game at this level gets – not only on Sundays, but seven days a week, which allows for that type of scrutiny and review.
“It’s just part of our business today. I think we all understand that. We’re all ready to have that debate every year. I don’t think we’re ever moving away from that debate – the utilization of technology and information in different components of the game whether it’s play, strategy, officiating or otherwise.”
Tomlin disagreed with the penalties that cost his team the game, but he said his players can’t dwell on that this week. The Steelers play the Bengals in the regular-season finale.
“You move on,” Tomlin said. “You have to focus on the things that are within your control because you’re going to miss an opportunity when you don’t. I choose to operate the way I want our team to operate. There will be plays that happen in a game, positively and negatively, for a variety of reasons whether it’s performance-related or officiating-related or anything-related. The bottom line is it’s done. It’s done. You have to move on. Most of the time what truly defines you are the plays that lie ahead. You can miss an opportunity crying over spilled milk. That’s not our style. That’s not my style, and it won’t be.”
–Terrell Edmunds was named this year’s recipient of the Joe Green Great Performance Award, given annually by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Professional Football Writers of America to the Steelers’ top rookie. Edmunds has started 14 of the first 15 games and is fourth on the team with 69 tackles entering the regular-season finale. He also has one interception and one fumble recovery.
“He’s going to get better each and every year, which is the best thing about it,” free safety Sean Davis said. “And he wants to get better. I like playing with Terrell. He’s durable. He doesn’t miss. We ask him to do a lot. He comes downhill. He’s picking up the game well. We’re always a moving target. We don’t play things by the book. In your first year, the only way you know it is the playbook. For him to make adjustments on the fly is tremendous.”
Edmunds’ brother, Tremaine, is having a nice rookie season with the Bills. He also was drafted in the first round.
“Don’t let me pick between me and my brother,” Terrell said, smiling. “He had a great year. I’m coming along better now.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 33 – Number of touchdown passes for Ben Roethlisberger entering the regular-season finale. He threw three against the Saints to break his own franchise record for touchdown passes in a season. He set his previous record of 32 in 2007. Roethlisberger also set the franchise record for pass completions in a season. He has 421 after 15 games.
