Skip to main content
Advertising

Tomlin Takes

Presented by

'Tomlin's Takes' on Watt, McFarland & more

Watt an impact: T.J. Watt continues to be a beast for the Steelers defense, leading the team with 3.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits, while adding nine tackles, five tackles for a loss, two pass defenses and an interception.

And the scary thing is, he is just in his fourth season and continuing to improve every week.

"I think he is still writing that story," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "He was pretty awesome a year ago to be quite honest with you. I know he has an intention of being continually better. He is still writing that story. His talents are a just part of the equation. His hyper focus, his attention to detail, his awareness, I think all add up to big play making ability and splash plays for us."

Earning his time: Rookie Anthony McFarland didn't have to wait long to get his first taste of the NFL, having six carries for 42 yards in his NFL debut against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

McFarland, the Steelers fourth round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Maryland, was the guy the offense went to coming out of halftime on Sunday, and Tomlin said he earned that opportunity.

"He has merited more playing time," said Tomlin. "He has had some really good practices. This is a difficult environment for young guys to establish themselves and get the type of feel that you are willing to play him and play him a lot. Without preseason games the process might be a little bit more cumbersome for him. He has continually worked hard and earned the opportunity that he got. I am sure we're going to continue down that road with he and others."

Take a look at the best photos from the Steelers' Week 3 game against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field

Leading the way: If you look at the Steelers defensive stats, there is a name that pops out as the leader in tackles – Mike Hilton. Hilton, who Tomlin called a 'tough little football player' following the Texans game, has 20 tackles, including 18 solo stops.

Tomlin however said at this point in the season him being the leader is more about the schemes they are playing than anything else.

"It's the nature of some of the games we have played schematically and the offensive personnel groups those teams choose to employ," said Tomlin. "Looking at the Tennessee Titans he might not get those opportunities this week to be honest with you and that's just how it goes and that is why we are a team and a unit. That is why we will continually write that story over the course of the season. If we are having that discussion at the end of the season, or the later portions of the season, then that is a significant story. But on a three-game body of work I am not surprised by anything at this juncture."

Take a look at Karl's best photos from the Week 3 matchup against the Texans. The Steelers defeated the Texans 28-21

Related Content

Advertising