BURG Sports Network

        Interview with Mike Tomlin

 

Question : Was there anybody that impressed you today that has improved from the last pre-season game practice?

 

Answer :  I don’t know if you see instant improvement I think the improvement we are looking for  once we start stepping into a stadiums is one stadium to the next  so the base line we saw last week  in the stadium we be looking how they respond to that for the next stadium they step into not necessarily the minutia that goes on day to day.

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Interview with Kevin Rader

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Question : What were some of the biggest things that your college coaches at Youngstown State taught you?

 

Answer : So one of the biggest things my coaching staff changed I got a tight end coach Joe Gains he played quarterback at Nebraska actually he taught me the scheme of how to read coverages and rotation and blitzes and stuff like a quarterback at this level its huge because you have to be able to see the switch in the coverage role down itself because that changes what you doing as a tight end

 

Question :  You said you grew up a Steelers fan how crazy is it to be catching  passes from Roethlisberger and seeing some former Steelers legends has it hit you at all?

 

Answer : Yea its definitely hit me its really special to be hear and love being around those guys but some point I can’t really be thinking like that because once I start thinking like that is when I just get unfocused about what I have to do and what I have to do for my job  

 

 

Statement from Alejandro Villanueva

 

Statement about coach drake “I think everyone does it on their own terms, or however they can,” said Villanueva. “The loss of someone like Coach Drake is pretty tough, how much he meant to all of us, especially on offense. “I know not many people have changed Ben (Roethlisberger), and he has probably had the biggest impact relating to players, the love for the game, the everyday enthusiasm, and the jokes. A lot of players were looking forward to that stability and energy and now won’t have it so it’s pretty tough. Other players can deal with adversity a little bit better in terms of getting over the loss, but overall it’s been pretty tough, not just for the offense but the whole organization. “From the first time he came he has been very upfront. He just walked in, he opened up his mind, was an outspoken leader about things that needed to be said. People respected that. People responded to that. When you have somebody who is such a genuine personality, people become very attracted to him. It was obvious. All the offensive linemen had individual jokes with him. Ben had a very close relationship with him. And the wide receivers and tight ends. Everyone who knew him respected him. The best thing we can do to honor him is do exactly what he wanted us to do, go out, which is play hard, try our best, do it in his memory and according to the values he instilled in all of us. “I think Coach Tomlin has done a very good job of understanding what Coach Drake would want from all of us. He wouldn’t want us to dwell on this. It’s about starting to realize we have a season to play, we have to get focused, and the playmakers have to make plays. It’s a great opportunity to honor his legacy by making those plays, by staying focused and by playing our best football.”