Mike Tomlin says Steelers shouldn't have been doubted

By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/
Monday, September 20, 2010


NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 19: Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tackles Bo Scaife #80 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on September 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers won 19-11. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The win may have qualified as the most improbable of Mike Tomlin's tenure given a multitude of circumstances.

Not that the fourth-year coach wanted to hear that after the Steelers beat up the error-prone Titans, 19-11, Sunday at LP Field.

Tomlin turned out to be just as edgy as a defense that forced seven turnovers and generated more heat than the oppressively hot day itself.

"We're a little bit annoyed (about) the premature reporting of our death," Tomlin said after the Steelers dominated the Titans for roughly 58 minutes and then survived a late charge by the home team. "We're pleased that we're 2-0, but we're not astounded by it. We expect to win."

The Steelers have won their first two games largely because of a group that has looked like the defense of old -- or at least of 2008 -- and not an old defense.

With Tomlin all but needing duct tape yesterday to keep a battered offense together the Steelers relied on special teams, which produced all of their points, and especially the defense.

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) is stopped by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (43) and linebacker James Harrison (92) in the fourth quarter during their game at LP Field Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tenn. Chris Johnson was held to only 34 rushing yards by the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.(Photo courtesy of The Nashville Tennessean)

The seven turnovers the Titans committed were the most by a Steelers opponent since the Ravens gave the ball away seven times in November of 1997. Just as impressive if not significant: The Steelers yielded just 34 yards on 16 carries by Johnson, who had rushed for over 100 yards in 12 consecutive games prior to yesterday.

The Steelers used a sort of buddy system in containing Johnson -- as in take a buddy with you when trying to bring down the back who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season.

"One on one, he's going to win most of those battles," Tomlin said. "We had to come off blocks. We had to run to the ball."

Johnson broke loose one time, but a holding penalty on center Eugene Amato nullified what would have been an 85-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

"You know if the holding penalty is not called, they probably don't take (Johnson) out of the game," coach Jeff Fisher said after the Titans lost to the Steelers in Tennessee for just the second time in 10 games. "We figured we had to just keeping handing it to him, knowing some of it would be ugly. But if we kept getting the opportunities, we'd have a chance to break one."

The play that epitomized the kind of day it was for Johnson and the Titans came early in the fourth quarter.

Johnson tried to cut back during a run, and James Harrison slammed into the All-Pro, limiting him to a one-yard gain.

"Nine times out of 10, the more physical team is going to win," Harrison said after making 11 tackles, recording a pair of sacks as well as two forced fumbles and recovering a fumble. "I felt like we out-physicaled them."

The Steelers allowed 238 yards of total offense, but 112 of them came on the Titans' final two drives.

That is when Kerry Collins, who replaced starting quarterback Vince Young, threw a touchdown pass and a scare into the Steelers.


Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington watches the Kerry Collin's pass intended for him is intercepted by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden during the fourth quarter in Nashville,Tenn. Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. (Photo courtesy of The Nashville Tennessean)

Shortly after the Steelers survived the last-gasp rally -- they had to make a final stand after the Titans recovered an on-sides kick -- Tomlin said that he was "annoyed." That came as news to some players inside the visiting locker room but not others.

"They think we can't win without Ben (Roethlisberger)," inside linebacker James Farrior said of the quarterback who has served half of his four-game suspension. "That just gives us a little more motivation.

"Mike Tomlin's been (ticked) off the last couple of weeks. He's taking it out on us, and we've been taking it out on other teams."