PITTSBURGH — Coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers took ownership of a couple of controversial coaching decisions in the loss to Seattle. He called for a fake field goal on the first play of the second quarter when his team led, 3-0, and Seattle had shown little ability to move the ball against the Steelers defense.
When backup quarterback Landry Jones, who was in as the holder, threw an interception it not only set up the Seahawks’ first touchdown of the game, but it gave them momentum.
“We didn’t execute it well enough,” Tomlin said. “They did. I give them credit. It was a big play. I absorb the responsibility of taking the calculated risk.”
Tomlin also explained his decision to kick a field goal from the three-yard line with three minutes remaining when the Steelers trailed, 32-27.
The field goal made it a two-point game, but the decision backfired when Wilson completed a third-and-9 pass to Doug Baldwin for an 80-yard touchdown on the next drive.
“Whether or not we kicked a field goal or went for a touchdown and got that touchdown, or didn’t get a touchdown a subsequent stop was going to be required,” Tomlin said. “With that understanding, I wanted to increase the amount of positivity in terms of us moving the ball down to that field position. I took the three points. It was going to be required that we have a stop regardless in order to win the game.
“I wanted to tee the defense up from a momentum standpoint, a positive momentum standpoint. We kicked a field goal. I wasn’t concerned really about our ability to get back down the field again, based on what had transpired in the game to that point. Offensively, we had no problems moving the ball, particularly between the 20s. So, I took the burden in hand, if you will. I put the three points on the board with the understanding that regardless of what happened down there for us offensively, we were going to need at least one more stop defensively. And back to the offense, we hadn’t had issues in terms of getting the ball into that field position.”
–Rookie outside linebacker Bud Dupree has moved into the starting left outside linebacker position. Veteran Arthur Moats will continue to split time with Dupree, but coach Mike Tomlin indicated Dupree deserves more playing time.
“We want to increase the number of opportunities he gets,” Tomlin said. “The game circumstance didn’t necessarily air that out [in Seattle], in terms of number of snaps. We put him on the field first and we’ll continue to do that.”
While Tomlin is committing to the younger player on the left side he wouldn’t necessarily commit to that on the right side where third-year player Jarvis Jones starts but usually gets fewer reps in games than veteran James Harrison.
“That’s something that’s week-to-week,” Tomlin said. “I’m not going to get into outlining my intended rotation with you guys because then I back myself into a corner, and I’m asked more questions regarding that.”
NOTES: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who is in the NFL concussion protocol after being struck in the head by a helmet-to-helmet hit from Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett, passed a concussion test on Wednesday and went through a full practice. … Linebacker Ryan Shazier, who is in the NFL concussion protocol after sustaining a concussion against Seattle, was a limited participant in practice. …
Tight end Heath Miller, who exited the Seattle game because of a rib injury, did not practice Wednesday. Coach Mike Tomlin indicated Miller will be watched as the week progresses before his availability for the Colts game can be assessed. … Safety Mike Mitchell (knee) did not practice Wednesday. … Wide receiver Martavis Bryant (hip), who was injured against Seattle, did not practice Wednesday.