Players on fringe face ‘final exam’
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin knows only a handful of jobs remain competitive as he gets ready to cut his roster from 90 to 53 in a few days. But he knows from experience that many of the tough decisions he’s about to make can be life-altering, and he doesn’t takethat lightly.
Tomlin showed his players a video compilation of previous games against the Carolina Panthers, who have always served as the fourth and final preseason game in Tomlin’s tenure. Among the plays shown Tuesday was one by a rookie sixth-round pick in 2010 being the gunner on the puntteam.
That rookie sixth-round pickwas Antonio Brown, who made the 53-man roster a few dayslater.
The point of the video presentation was for players on the roster fringe to believe they can still have an impact onthe decision making.
“I look at guys who make a case for themselves, guys who not only go on to making the team but careers developed,” Tomlinsaid. “We have a video to illustrate that to guys. This is not something that is mystical. Many of their teammates have used this game as a springboardto their careers.”
In addition to Brown, fullback Roosevelt Nix secured his spot on the 53-man roster in 2015 when he blocked a punt in the final preseason game. Tomlin also cited safety Ross Ventrone making several plays on special teams a few years back that secured hisspot on the roster.
Eventhough many starters won’t play in this game, Tomlin uses it in a unique way in evaluating younger players. He likes to see how they perform knowing their jobs are onthe line.
“It’s a final exam,” he said. “It’sweighted. You want to see how they perform under duress or anxiety or pressure because that’s reflective of the journey we’re about to go on. You’re learning a little bit about them in the midst of that,and that’s OK.”
Tomlin said second-year quarterback Josh Dobbs will start at quarterback. New receiver/return specialist Ryan Switzer also should make his debut. Tomlin said it is his intention to play Switzer, but he wanted to see how practice went Tuesday before making thefinal determination.
Tomlin said a few players who have been dealing with injuries could play, but with the regular-season opener 12 days away there isn’t much incentive for them to get onto thefield.
For the most part, the game Thursday night will be for Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert to decide who’s going to fill out the final two or threespots on the team.