Steelers Digest

[SD2042]

Throughout the 2008 season, coach Mike Tomlin will anser some questions for Steelers Digest and steelers.com. Some of the questions in the link were placed on steelers.com. To get the whole interview, read the Steelers Digest.

http://news.steelers.com/article/99025/

A tidbit oof the questions

Q. When it comes to the defensive secondary, is there such a thing as playing the man vs. playing the football?

A. Absolutely, and the discussion is dictated by so many variables. The defensive call is the first variable – is it man-to-man coverage, or is it zone coverage. Secondly, what position are you in. Are you in an advantageous position, or are you in a trail position or a catch-up position. Lastly, there are the rules that dictate how the game should be played.

You have to talk about all those things, and not only do you talk about it as you install it in a classroom, but you have present countless examples of that in front of men. When you’re on the practice field, you evaluate their decision-making in that area daily, and overtime they get the standard. It’s one of those coaching points that’s tough to get as you sit in comfortable seats in classrooms; it’s something that’s done with repetitions more than anything else because the variable are so many.

Q. Talking about zone defense, in what position does that put the players?

A. In zone coverage, you’re more in position physically and visually to play the football.

Q. Say it’s the first possession of a game, and a defensive back has the opportunity either to make a big hit or intercept the ball. Is there a point in a game when it might be better to choose one over the other?

A. I’ll take possession of the ball. That’s always better. If we can get the football, that’s what this game is about. Under any circumstances I’ll take the interception.