- Tackling a tough job:* *Tackle Mike Adams was called upon against the Texans when Marcus Gilbert left with a concussion and Coach Mike Tomlin liked what he saw from the third-year tackle that hasn't seen much playing time with the starting line this season.
"I thought he did an admirable job," said Tomlin. "It's not an easy situation going in the manner in which he did, some of the things we had to do from a game plan standpoint having to deal with the movement of J.J. Watt and how they employed their defense. Aside from the technical things and assignment things, I thought he played with great energy and finish. Sometimes you saw him working through the whistle and that's what you are looking for. Great night for him when we needed him to step up."
Lots of Luck:* *The Steelers will have another challenge this week facing Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who comes into this week's game as the AFC's third-ranked passer boasting a 100.5 passer rating and 19 touchdown passes. Tomlin was asked to compare him to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
"He is very, very good," said Tomlin. "What he is able to do as plays break down with his legs creates an interesting discussion and problem for you from a defensive standpoint. Problems the other two guys you mentioned don't present and probably never have presented. He is his own unique animal. He is a very talented football player and one to be reckoned with."
- Special effect: With safety Shamarko Thomas on the upswing health-wise, the status of Ross Ventrone was something that came up in Tomlin's press conference. Ventrone was signed off the practice squad after Thomas suffered a hamstring injury and missed the last two games, but he has responded by being an effective special team's threat.
"We'll look at the personnel as the week unfolds and we see who is going to be available to us and who is not," said Tomlin. "We'll make those decisions like we always do, who gives us the best chance to win. He's been a positive contributor to our efforts so far. We knew that, that's why we activated him in the first place. We'll see where it takes us this week."
4.
Decision time: The Steelers were faced with fourth-and-one from the Texans 41-yard line in the third quarter, and with a 24-13 lead going for it was something many thought was an option. Instead quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tried to draw the Texans offside and took a delay of game, giving the Steelers better field position to punt from. Tomlin said calls such as that are something that he and Roethlisberger discuss.
"He and I communicate," said Tomlin. "In those situations sometimes we go for it, sometimes we don't. Field position, game circumstance has a lot to do with it. He executed it pretty well in that instance."
