- Group effort: With Bud Dupree out after being placed on injured reserve, Coach Mike Tomlin said he will utilize all four outside linebackers – Arthur Moats, Ryan Shazier, William Gay and Anthony Chickillo in the rotation.
"We're going to play all four guys fluidly at the two spots," said Tomlin. "We haven't met yet and got into a division of labor as to who is going to play when or how much. We have a great deal of confidence in all four guys that are candidates at that position."
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Been there, done that:** The Steelers have two solid bookends on their defensive line with Stephon Tuitt and Cam Heyward, and while Tomlin knows they might need a spell here and there, he also knows they can log a lot of minutes for him.
"We'll see how the game goes," said Tomlin. "I know that No. 91 (Tuitt) and No. 97 (Heyward) are capable of logging a large number of snaps. Number one because they are highly conditioned. Number two because they have done it before. Those that participate other than them, will do so because they have earned it."
Resumes no problem: The Steelers have a whole new look at tight end this season, with Heath Miller retired, Jesse James the starter, and Ladarius Green on the physically unable to perform list. Tomlin said he is comfortable going into the season with the depth the team has at tight end, despite the fact that there isn't a lot of combined game experience with James, David Johnson and Xavier Grimble combined.
"I'm not concerned about the tight end position and their ability to contribute," said Tomlin. "These guys don't have long resumes, but they've worked extremely hard, they've participated for us in big ways in the past. I think about particularly Jesse James starting. He had a start for us at home a year ago here at Heinz Field and he probably caught four or five balls on the first drive of the game.
"I think largely, when you have the type of weapons we have on offense, you're capable of simply taking what the defense gives to you. I know Ben Roethlisberger is of that mentality and if they want to give us opportunities at that position because of the known strength we have outside, we're comfortable taking them. And I'm sure those guys are comfortable with opportunities to be positive contributors to our efforts. We're not overly concerned about that area. I know it's something written and talked about because of the retirement of Heath Miller, and because of the unavailability of Green, but we're comfortable with where we are and with what they're capable of contributing to us."
No secret: Wide receiver Antonio Brown is one of the top receivers in the game, and his secret to success is something many want to know. But, according to Tomlin, it's simple.
"He is extremely talented," said Tomlin. "The secret is there is no secret. He is extremely talented and he has a work ethic to match. Together it is lethal."
