Mike Tomlin Says ‘No Issue’ with Steelers Practice Intensity, Downplayed Joe Schobert’s Postgame Remarks

PITTSBURGH — Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed criticism levied toward inside linebacker Joe Schobert for his comments about the team’s practice habits after tying the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Schobert said that the team needs to take its practices seriously in order to rectify tackling and penalty issues that cropped up against the Lions. When asked specifically if he thought the team had not taken its practices leading up to the Lions game seriously enough, Schobert said no, and added that making corrections is a multi-week process.

“When repeat mistakes show up, you have to start emphasizing them in practice,” Schobert said. “Which we have been doing, but it’s a learning process. You try to start doing it all the time in practice to have a carryover. You can’t just do it one week and expect it to produce on game day. You’ve gotta stack your weeks and your practices on top of each other to be able to carry it over.”

Some took Schobert’s criticism as a failure of the team’s leadership, something that Tomlin dismissed.

“I have no issue with how we practice and I’m sure Joe doesn’t,” he said. “I’m sure he was just answering questions after a football game.”