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The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the Tennessee Titans in the third week of the NFL preseason, and for Mike Tomlin and his company, it's not just another pre-season football week. With the game played Sunday night and broadcast on national television on NBC, head coach Mike Tomlin is using this week as a weekly pseudo week to help players get used to what a normal work week looks like.
"We're going through a week of simulation this week, like a lot of teams," said Tomlin. "It's good because we have a Sunday game. As staff, we can develop schematic plans. It will be a good exercise for all of us coaches and players as we prepare to travel to Tennessee. We are also facing an opportunity to play in a road environment for the first time this year. We have a lot of respect for that in the National Football League. We will do some things in preparation to emphasize this in order to prepare guys for what they like to be in a hostile environment. "
The simulation week, Tomlin refers directly to seeing several starters for the first time this preseason. Players like Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and Joe Haden will all be in the mix as long as they are considered healthy enough to play.
It is at this point that the debate begins on whether players should play more or less during the pre-season. Regardless of which side of the fence you currently reside in, players do not see the spirit of preseason.
"I need it," said Cam Heyward to Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I feel awkward without that. It's only me. I must be outside. I feel that it helps me. "
"Practice always makes you better," said Maurkice Pouncey. "You always have to go out and work hard every day. I know some of us have days off and some of us are a bit more advanced, but it's always more fun to play football together. "
"It's important for you to become familiar with everyone again, hear the calls and know how everyone is playing next to you," added Matt Feiler.
There is a risk of injury, but that is the risk of playing football.
"The guys are hurting themselves in the offseason. Injuries will occur, you can never predict them, "Pouncey said. "If I knew I was going to hurt myself, I would not play in that game. But it does not work that way.
The Steelers are on holiday Tuesday and will resume work Wednesday as they prepare for the Titans this Sunday night. Mike Tomlin will address the media on Friday before the game. Meanwhile, stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and black and gold notes as they continue through the pre-season.
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