Steelers' Tomlin preaches importance of physicality during preseason

There are ample concerns about the preseason inviting unnecessary injury, but Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn't buying into that notion.

Tomlin is readying the Steelers for another deep playoff run, where the club is looking to unseat the defending champion New England Patriots.

Although there's been a greater emphasis on player safety and reduced contact during the summer, Tomlin believes physicality is necessary to be correctly prepared for a rigorous regular season.

"Preparing to play without the physical part is like asking a boxer to go in and fight without sparring," Tomlin said to Peter King of The MMQB. "There is a certain hardening that has to happen to your group individually and collectively, I believe, through this process. I believe live tackling not only aids in that, but is kind of central to that. That’s why we made the conscious effort to have at least 12 to 15 snaps a day of live football. It provides an opportunity, it sets the pace, it gives a certain urgency, in your group."

Tomlin noted that with correct preparation, being physical in practices doesn't carry any greater risk than avoiding serious contact until the season commences.

"I think there is probably a propensity for increased injury in the stadium if you haven't done this. So from that perspective, I am willing to present an argument that one approach is not any more safe. The bottom line is, you better find ways to impose your will on your opponent. Sometimes that's physical, but sometimes it's conditioning, sometimes it's mental."