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Aug 6, 2008 3:50 pm US/Eastern
Coach Tomlin Looks Ahead To Game Against Eagles
LATROBE (KDKA) ―
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin
KDKA
The Steelers are gearing up for their first preseason game on Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Tuesday, many of the Steelers themselves said they were excited to get out the field and start the new season.
So today, head coach Mike Tomlin took some time out from training camp, which continues at St. Vincent College, to look ahead to the big game.
"We're excited about playing in front of our fans at Heinz Field. It's a necessary step that we need to take; I think that we're ready to take that step," Tomlin said. "I think that we'll know more about our football team after Friday night and we look forward to doing that."
He said one of the goals is to let each player show what they can do on the field.
"The big thing that we want to do is give everybody an opportunity to at least show what they're capable of doing and we will harden this thing up as we continue on," he said
Tomlin added though that they are all still trying to develop as a team.
"We are trying to develop the makeup that is going to be us; the players and personality, which we desire to have; which is a tough, harden football team that is good in situational football. The goal line is one of the drills, situational drills, that has gotten a lot of attention, but if you really look at it, we focused on a lot of areas of situational football that can define us," he said. "I think our two-minute drills have been spirited and had some great competition. Our third down drills have been very good. We are just working on all of the situations that are involved in football, that really define football teams."
He also addressed some of the elements he will be looking for when the team finally takes the field.
"When you talk about what you look for in the first preseason game, you're looking for some young guys not to be surprised by the speed of the game," said Tomlin "We've got to win the game in the trenches. We've got to play up tempo football; we've got to play fast and hard. More than anything, we're looking for the competitors, the guys that can step up when the lights are on inside stadiums."
As far as players go, all four quarterbacks are expected to see action against the Eagles, but several other players will not get in on the game, including Casey Hampton, Troy Polamalu, Anthony Smith, as well as back-up tight end Cody Boyd.
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