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Bench Warmer
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New Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wasn't talking about his first meeting with his players.
But wide receiver Cedrick Wilson told Pittsburgh-area media that Tomlin "laid down the law" as the Steelers began their offseason workout program.
Pittsburgh-area outlets reported that about 85 percent of the roster showed up for the first day of workouts. But only Wilson spoke with the media about Tomlin's meeting with his team. A Steelers spokesman said Tomlin did not want to make a big deal out of the meeting by speaking publicly about it.
Wilson said Tomlin stressed the importance of working out with the team, rather than at home or elsewhere.
According to Wilson, Tomlin said "You can go train in Orlando or you can go train in Arizona where it's a nice climate, whatever, but you can't get out of those places what you can get here and that's football."
Also present in Pittsburgh was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is coming off a disappointing, injury-filled season.
"He made it clear, he is here right now. That's a statement itself," Wilson said.
"I think the goal is for the receivers and the quarterback to work a ton. Our third-down efficiency was pretty good last year, but it wasn't as good as it was the year we won the Super Bowl," Wilson said. "That's where we're going to have to get it up. If you want to win a championship you have to be darn good on third down. This time right now we can lay a platform for the upcoming season."
Tomlin's Coaching Highlight's
NFL:
• 2006: Defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.
• 2001-2005: Defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NCAA:
• 1999-2000: Defensive backs coach at Cincinnati.
• 1998: Defensive backs coach at Arkansas State.
• 1997: Wide receivers coach at Arkansas State.
• 1996: Graduate assistant at Memphis.
• 1995: Wide receivers coach at Virginia Military Institute.
New Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wasn't talking about his first meeting with his players.
But wide receiver Cedrick Wilson told Pittsburgh-area media that Tomlin "laid down the law" as the Steelers began their offseason workout program.
Pittsburgh-area outlets reported that about 85 percent of the roster showed up for the first day of workouts. But only Wilson spoke with the media about Tomlin's meeting with his team. A Steelers spokesman said Tomlin did not want to make a big deal out of the meeting by speaking publicly about it.
Wilson said Tomlin stressed the importance of working out with the team, rather than at home or elsewhere.
According to Wilson, Tomlin said "You can go train in Orlando or you can go train in Arizona where it's a nice climate, whatever, but you can't get out of those places what you can get here and that's football."
Also present in Pittsburgh was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is coming off a disappointing, injury-filled season.
"He made it clear, he is here right now. That's a statement itself," Wilson said.
"I think the goal is for the receivers and the quarterback to work a ton. Our third-down efficiency was pretty good last year, but it wasn't as good as it was the year we won the Super Bowl," Wilson said. "That's where we're going to have to get it up. If you want to win a championship you have to be darn good on third down. This time right now we can lay a platform for the upcoming season."
Tomlin's Coaching Highlight's
NFL:
• 2006: Defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.
• 2001-2005: Defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NCAA:
• 1999-2000: Defensive backs coach at Cincinnati.
• 1998: Defensive backs coach at Arkansas State.
• 1997: Wide receivers coach at Arkansas State.
• 1996: Graduate assistant at Memphis.
• 1995: Wide receivers coach at Virginia Military Institute.
