Steelers' Tomlin: Certain penalties are a 'joke'

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin could be writing a check for his comments on officiating following Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent has reached out to Tomlin regarding his comments, and the situation is being reviewed for a fine, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Per Rapoport, post-game comments are often given more latitude because of the emotion involved. Tomlin was asked about Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree's penalty for illegal use of the hands following his team's 41-17 romp over the Falcons. The clubs combined for 14 penalties, with each being flagged for seven of them. "Those look like legitimate calls, we got to be better there, but some of the other stuff, man, is a joke," Tomlin told reporters, via the Steelers' official website. "We got to get better as a National Football League. "Man, these penalties are costing people games and jobs. We got to get them correct, and so I'm (angry) about it, to be quite honest with you, but that's all I'm going to say on it." Tomlin has served on the NFL's competition committee since 2013. The group proposed additional rules for roughing the passer and protecting players in a defenseless position as part of its changes prior to this season. --The Steelers established the run and stuck with it on Sunday. "We caught a good vibe on what was being called," said Steelers offensive lineman Ramon Foster. "We executed up front and the calls just coming in as far as the run. When you have that going and you have the confidence of the offensive coordinator and your offensive line coach, it's good to continue to keep it going. "You have to be adamant about it. You stay consistent with it and it will crack and it did this weekend. "It has to be a mindset. It's going to start getting cold. Certain teams want to hold on to the ball. Also it complements your defense where you can give them a breather, they come out fresh. You saw how they played this week when they had an opportunity to get some rest. We kept them off the field. It was key for us to stay on. It's getting to the point of the season where we have to be a team that holds onto the ball and runs it consistently." James Conner had 110 yards rushing, and 39 of those came on the opening drive. "It feels great. All of the guys bought in," said Steelers offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert. "Great team effort, great team win. We fought hard. After the first half we felt pretty good but we wanted to close it out and make a statement in the second half because we haven't done so the past couple games. We took advantage of it. Run the ball, play great defense and keep Ben (Roethlisberger) upright. I think all of Steelers Nation was pleased with our performance. Now what we have to do is go out there and stack them. That is what championship teams do." --DE Cam Heyward picked up a sack and split another with linebacker Jon Bostic. --CB Joe Haden spent Sunday afternoon putting the clamps on the NFL's leading wide receiver in check, shutting down Atlanta's Julio Jones. "He can do everything," Haden said of Jones. "He's big. Physical. Strong. He can catch. Vertical. Everything." --LB T.J. Watt's three sacks boosted his season total to six - tying him with older brother J.J. of the Houston Texans and Bengals defensive lineman Geno Atkins for the most in the NFL. --RB James Conner had 185 total yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. He ran for 110 yards on 21 carries and added 75 yards receiving. --WR Antonio Brown caught six passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, his first 100-yard game of the season. "All of my catches, all of my touchdowns are from (Ben Roethlisberger), and that's my guy," Brown said. "I live and die with him and the Wi-Fi was lit."