Steelers’ line is still not set, but coach wants more time


Tomlin said it’s important that multiple players work at some positions.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t settled on an offensive line as the final week of the preseason approaches. Coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t believe that’s a problem at all.

Gaining cohesion on the line is a necessity, Tomlin said, but it’s more important that multiple players work at some positions because no team uses only five linemen all season.

The Steelers have yet to announce a starter at center, where Sean Mahan is running ahead of Chukky Okobi, and right tackle, where Willie Colon appears to have moved ahead of two-year starter Max Starks.

“The reality is things happen during the season and guys have to be able to work together and have an understanding,” Tomlin said Friday. “We need to have more than five linemen that know how to work together if we’re going to be effective.”

Tomlin emphasized that flexibility was required along the line during training camp because left tackle Marvel Smith, left guard Alan Faneca and Okobi missed time with injuries and Mahan was away briefly on a family matter.

“That’s a kind of a microcosm of what the season could potentially be about,” Tomlin said. “The standard of expectation won’t change when these things occur. So we do have guys competing, but the reason we have guys competing is illustrated by some of the things that happened in training camp.”

Parker will play more

Running back Willie Parker, limited by an inflamed knee to four carries in the first three exhibition games, needs to get plenty of playing time Sunday against Philadelphia — at least a half, Tomlin said.

The other offensive starters are expected to play about the same time, if only because Tomlin probably doesn’t want Parker — a 1,494-yard rusher last season — running behind second- and third-unit linemen.

“Our tentative schedule is to play him a half,” Tomlin said.

First-round draft pick Lawrence Timmons, the outside linebacker slowed most of camp by a groin injury, will work with the second unit Sunday.

He played last weekend against Washington mostly in pass-rushing situations.

“This week, we’re going to take the training wheels off him and he’s going to play in all phases of the defense,” Tomlin said.

Notes

TE Jerame Tuman (sore lower back) won’t play. ... Tomlin on the Eagles: “Their body of work over the last six or seven years speaks for itself. They’ve been in four NFC championship games, a Super Bowl.” ... On practicing in 90-degree weather this week, Tomlin said, “I like some of the surprises that Mother Nature brings.” ... Tomlin doesn’t tell his players what kind of shoes to wear on Heinz Field, saying that would be micromanaging. .. DE Brett Keisel said the extra exhibition game — the Steelers are playing five — has made the preseason seem far longer than normal.

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