Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has no problem with QB Ben Roethlisberger's leadership
PHOENIX – Ben Roethlisberger may be prone to single out teammates for public scorn, but his rep might be better served if he executed a page from the Mike Tomlin PR playbook.
The Steelers coach staunchly defended his franchise quarterback during the NFL coaches' breakfast media session on Tuesday, deflecting one question after another stemming from criticism of Roethlisberger’s leadership by former teammates Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.
“I have no problem with his play or his leadership,” Tomlin said. “I’ve heard some of the scuttlebutt … I have no reaction to former Steelers and things of that nature.”
Roethlisberger’s relationship with Brown deteriorated last season, with the since-traded star wideout undoubtedly miffed that the quarterback used the platform of his weekly radio show to criticize Brown’s route-running on a play that led to a poorly thrown interception that sealed a loss to Denver.
Last week, days after signing a free agent deal with the Jets, Bell (the elite running back who sat out last season in a contract dispute) echoed comments by Brown about a detachment from the quarterback.
With Pittsburgh, a projected Super Bowl contender, missing the playoffs last season, the evolving theme about Roethlisberger gained steam as the former Steelers stars left with parting shots.
“We were a 9-6-1 team last year,” Tomlin added. “We all need to look in the mirror in terms of what we do and how we do it, starting with me.”
Was the criticism of Roethlisberger unfair?
“To be honest with you, I don’t listen to the elevator music,” Tomlin responded. “So, I don’t have a detailed understanding of that criticism.”
Well, he should. If Tomlin doesn’t have a sense of chemistry issues involving some of the most productive players in the Steelers’ rich history, then he’s not as much of a “player’s coach” as many are prone to believe.
Regardless, the mission is to move beyond the drama of recent seasons – with two so-called “scapegoats,” Brown and Bell, gone.
Tomlin knows. The heat and scrutiny will turn up a few notches, with the head coach and quarterback the biggest targets. And Tomlin seems eager to consider so many options – even tweaking his approach with players -- to handle assorted nuances that exist behind closed doors.
“Reflection is a part of this, particularly when you have failure,” he said. “I consider last year a failure. So, the reflection and the analysis of how we operate and function with that is just a natural point of procedure.”
Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @JarrettBell.