Tomlin explains 'Chickillo over Harrison'
When T.J. Watt left last Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings with a groin injury, the assumption was that James Harrison would replace him at right outside linebacker. After all, Harrison had finished the 2016 season as the starter there, and he did lead the team in sacks with five.
When it was Anthony Chickillo who took Watt’s spot instead, it was noticed by Steelers Nation, because Harrison is a fan favorite.
And so it was no surprise when the second question asked of Coach Mike Tomlin during his weekly news conference today had to do with this very subject. Is James Harrison dropping on the Steelers depth chart?
“Is he dropping, or are other guys ascending?,” said Tomlin as he began his answer.
“Bud (Dupree) missed some time in Week 1, and (Anthony) Chickillo was able to start. Chickillo produced two sacks. You respect those contributions. T.J. (Watt) got hurt in Week 2, and we wanted to leave the hot hand in there, Chickillo being that hot hand. We appreciate James. We know what James is capable of. James will ready himself, and there will be a time in the season when we’ll call on his services, and he’ll deliver and deliver in a big way. Much like he did in the latter part of 2016.
“In the meanwhile, we’re going to continue to roll people and play, and play guys as we see fit and not do a real good job of maybe describing our mind-set, or outlining our intentions, because part of it is gamesmanship and part of it is it will define itself as we move forward.”
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