Jul 20, 2007 3 min read

PITTSBURGH – Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has said and done all of the right things since the day he was introduced as Pittsburgh’s new football coach a few months ago, and Thursday’s pre-training camp press conference was no exception. When it was all said and done, Tomlin came across as everyman.

How does the new coach feel as he enters his first training camp as a head coach?

How would you feel on a new job about to undertake your first major project?

“I’m feeling like I’m always feeling this time of year,” Tomlin said. “I’m ready to get going. I’m excited.”

Just like you and me.

He laid down a rather large gauntlet for his team to run through, again and again, it the coach has his way. But that’s exactly what I would have done had I been wearing his shoes.

Tomlin scheduled 15 two-a-day practice sessions, which is far more than Bill Cowher ever held. Some of them, he admitted, will be one-hour special teams practices, but all 86 of his players will be on site.

“It’s going to be trying at times,” Tomlin said. “There will be some adversities, but that’s what training camp is all about.”

As for his training camp goal, Tomlin again didn’t mince words.

“I want to come out of training camp a unified, hardened group.”

Music to the ears of Steelers fans everywhere.

Speaking of unity, Tomlin was asked for a reaction to guard Alan Faneca’s statement that he would not return to the Steelers next season. His answer was similar to what any Steelers fan would say.

“My reaction is I don’t have a reaction,” Tomlin said. “My entire focus is on the 2007 season”

Tomlin noted that he expects Faneca to give his all starting with Monday’s running drills.

“You don’t play football as well as he plays football without giving your all every time you step on the field,” he said.

Tomlin also said he expects all draft picks to be signed and in camp by Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline.

“The train starts moving at 4 o’clock Monday and it’s hard to get on a moving train,” he said.

Borderline coachspeak, for sure, but Tomlin got his message across.

Asked again about his feeling heading into camp, he fairly bubbled.

“I feel alive,” he said. “I love this. I love football. I’d coach it year ’round, if I could.”

He can’t coach football this weekend, but that’s just as well.

Like all of his players, Tomlin has a few loose ends to tie up.

“My plan for this weekend is to take my wife to dinner wherever she wants to go, then do whatever she wants to do,” he said.

“I’ve got to build up some brownie points because, come Monday, I’m going to be pretty scarce.”

This guy really has his priorities in order.

Sports editor Mike Ciarochi may be reached at mciarochi@heraldstandard.com.