Exclusive with Dale Lolley

The Steelers have been overwhelmed with injuries this year, yet are still in playoff contention. How much credit goes to Mike Tomlin – and what has this team done to help find success despite the injuries?

Tomlin and his staff have done an outstanding job this season working through what could have been some devastating injuries. People get tired of hearing, “the standard is the standard,” and “next man up,” but the players really believe it. Look at how Dallas fell apart this season without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. The Steelers could easily have taken a similar nose dive. They didn’t because the coaching staff made them believe and put together game plans to make the most of what they had.

The Steelers seem more willing to take risks this season – both on the field and off. With the Boykin trade, more rookies playing, free agent pickups, etc., do you feel there’s and even greater sense of urgency from the coaches and front office this season?

Absolutely. They know they only have a handful of seasons remaining with Ben Roethlisberger in his prime with which to make another Super Bowl run. The Steelers don’t worry so much about next season as they do the current one. That has always been the case. But they have put more into it this year than any I can remember.