Throughout this season, James Pierre has been one player that has needed to step up when a teammate has gone down. Despite playing 17 or less defensive snaps in 10 of the 12 games he's played with the Steelers this season, he's been thrust into action at different times and has produced, on occasion. It's all part of the mentality that Mike Tomlin tries to instill into his players.
While answering questions this morning, Pierre dropped two or three classic Tomlinisms, like "jumping on a moving train," "sticking my hand in the pile" and "the standard is the standard." In turn, he was asked what his favorite one was. He answered: "don't blink."
"That's just the motto in life," Pierre said. "Don't even blink, like with anything in life, attack it."
Pierre has attacked his opportunities this season. He's made mistakes, sure. But, he's also made plays. He picked off Jameis Winston two weeks ago at Acrisure Stadium and forced a fumble against the Jets back on Oct. 20, all while playing in a back-up role to Joey PorterJr. and Donte Jackson. Now, a week after filling in for Jackson and playing 49 defensive snaps, Pierre may be called upon again if Jackson can't go.
Tomlin expressed his confidence in Pierre and Cory Trice Jr. earlier this week and, realistically, Cam Sutton could work into that rotation if needed this weekend as well. But, as far as Pierre goes, Teryl Austin reiterated Tomlin's notion earlier today.
"What you see in practice is a lot of high effort, high energy, attacking the ball," Austin said. "What happens is in the game he goes in and does the same thing and usually good things happen. I don't feel much more different about him as a backup now as I did before he left. So, I think he's done the right things and I see the way he practices. So, I have no qualms about him stepping in and giving us some quality snaps when he has to."
Pierre will have a little more to play for this week as well as he gets set to oppose his cousin, Lamar Jackson. Pierre said Wednesday that he and Jackson grew up together and played youth football on the same team. However, Pierre didn't necessarily have any advice about how to take Jackson down.
"Ain't no key (to tackling him), he's crazy, that guy is crazy, " Pierre said.
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
9:40 pm - 12.18.2024SOUTH SIDEPierre embodies Tomlin's 'don't blink' mentality
Throughout this season, James Pierre has been one player that has needed to step up when a teammate has gone down. Despite playing 17 or less defensive snaps in 10 of the 12 games he's played with the Steelers this season, he's been thrust into action at different times and has produced, on occasion. It's all part of the mentality that Mike Tomlin tries to instill into his players.
While answering questions this morning, Pierre dropped two or three classic Tomlinisms, like "jumping on a moving train," "sticking my hand in the pile" and "the standard is the standard." In turn, he was asked what his favorite one was. He answered: "don't blink."
"That's just the motto in life," Pierre said. "Don't even blink, like with anything in life, attack it."
Pierre has attacked his opportunities this season. He's made mistakes, sure. But, he's also made plays. He picked off Jameis Winston two weeks ago at Acrisure Stadium and forced a fumble against the Jets back on Oct. 20, all while playing in a back-up role to Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson. Now, a week after filling in for Jackson and playing 49 defensive snaps, Pierre may be called upon again if Jackson can't go.
Tomlin expressed his confidence in Pierre and Cory Trice Jr. earlier this week and, realistically, Cam Sutton could work into that rotation if needed this weekend as well. But, as far as Pierre goes, Teryl Austin reiterated Tomlin's notion earlier today.
"What you see in practice is a lot of high effort, high energy, attacking the ball," Austin said. "What happens is in the game he goes in and does the same thing and usually good things happen. I don't feel much more different about him as a backup now as I did before he left. So, I think he's done the right things and I see the way he practices. So, I have no qualms about him stepping in and giving us some quality snaps when he has to."
Pierre will have a little more to play for this week as well as he gets set to oppose his cousin, Lamar Jackson. Pierre said Wednesday that he and Jackson grew up together and played youth football on the same team. However, Pierre didn't necessarily have any advice about how to take Jackson down.
"Ain't no key (to tackling him), he's crazy, that guy is crazy, " Pierre said.
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