Joe Haden: “I just love Coach Tomlin”

Heading into this week’s matchup against AFC North division-rival Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden spent some time with the media earlier this week.

Haden is no stranger to the Browns organization, as he was their first-round pick (7^th overall) back in 2010.  After experiencing 7 consecutive losing seasons from 2010 through 2016, Haden found greener pastures in Pittsburgh with head coach Mike Tomlin.  Tomlin has always been known to be a “player’s coach” and with the recent rumors being spread this week about a possible departure to college, Tomlin was quick to denounce those.  But it wasn’t only the media who saw it; the players saw it too.  Naturally, Haden was asked what he thought of Tomlin’s remarks earlier in the week.  Haden explained:

“Oh my goodness.  Like I tell everybody, the team meetings, everything, he [Tomlin] just knows how to carry yourself, be a man, address the things, address issues, shut stuff down; and that’s another reason I was watching that interview just smiling from ear to ear like, ‘look at coach handling business’.”  When asked if those comments created extra motivation in the locker room, Haden said, “I think so.  I think when your coach just carries himself like that and he’s just a leader of men.  He does everything the right way.  I just love Coach Tomlin and everything he stands for.  That’s just another reason right there.”  Haden concluded by proclaiming, “His passion and just knowing that he says, ‘we’re football players and what we do is not who we are’, he means it.  Everything Coach T. does is a great example of what I love to do, honestly.”

 

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His tweet that followed Tomlin’s comments confirmed those admirations:

The conversation then swung towards the challenges the Browns' offense pose this week.  Although the Browns are entering this week with a long list of injuries, the Steelers defense is not taking them lightly.  Between an injured Baker Mayfield and healthy Case Keenum, we still do not know what Browns quarterback we’ll see on Sunday.  Haden discussed any differences in preparation between the two possible quarterbacks and keys to the defense being effective this week:

“I like Baker Mayfield; I think he’s a little better than Case Keenum.  I think he has a little more arm strength.  But besides that, they’re a really run-heavy-first team.  Their offensive line is unreal and the running backs behind them are amazing.  They’ve been running the ball really well for a while now, so the key thing to stopping the Browns is not just stopping Baker, just standing back there dropping back to pass; when it’s first and second down, put them in third and long possessions.  But they don’t get in those possessions because they can run the ball so well on first and second.  So I think our biggest thing is to make sure we can stop the run and hopefully get them into the pass where TJ [Watt] and the boys can get after them.”

 

Thinking back to the last time these two teams met, Haden was not available to participate.  Although he was healthy, he had to sit out due to COVID-protocols and watch the game from his basement.  When asked about any extra fuel or hunger that adds to this game, Haden responded:

“It does, but it’s just playing against Cleveland and Pittsburgh.  That’s just what it is ever since I got into the league, I’ve known they do not like each other and this is just a strong rivalry, and them beating us in the playoffs last year just brings a little more added to it.”

 

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Although the “Browns versus Steelers” is considered a rivalry, it hasn’t always lived up to the hype.  The Steelers hold a 77-61-1 all-time record against the Browns.  Just going back to 2010, the Steelers are 17-5-1 against Cleveland.  Haden is a unique player, in that he’s experienced both sides of this rivalry.  When asked about the differences between the two organizations, Haden explained:

“There’s not too much turnaround.  I think when I was there, that was the main thing; different quarterbacks, different coaches, different staff.  They’ve been rocking with the same staff now for a little bit longer.”  In regards to the culture inside the Steelers’ organization, Haden said, “I don’t think they [the younger players] understand completely that, when you get drafted to Pittsburgh what you’re in.  Because when I got here, I already was somewhere else, so just seeing it, if you don’t know anything different, you think this is just the way it is, but it’s really not.  Even James Pierre today, he was like ‘I’m a Steeler’, just said it out loud.  I’m standing on the sideline like, ‘Hell yea you are.’”

The Steelers are slated to take on the Browns this Sunday in what will be their 140^th meeting since 1950.

What do you think about this rivalry?  Who do you think is going to come out with a win?  Let us know in the comments below!

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