From Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Mike Tomlin was the most recent guest on the “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast. They sampled craft beer in Roethlisberger’s elaborate basement. They ate gourmet food prepared by Evan the Chef. They talked a little about life and a lot about football.

I had one major complaint after watching the 105-minute podcast in its entirety.

I hated that it didn’t go on for 210 minutes.

It was fascinating.

Clearly, Tomlin is relaxed and most comfortable doing interviews with his former players. I saw that last June when he did a podcast with Ryan Clark. I learned a lot about Tomlin in that video. I learned a lot more about him with Roethlisberger and co-host Spencer Te’o.

I learned Tomlin didn’t feel comfortable as Steelers coach until his second season in 2008. His first “lap around the track” was rough, especially his first training camp in 2007. He came in and wanted to set a tone. “We were going to build some collective character through misery,” he acknowledged.

I learned what the Steelers were thinking when they signed Mitch Trubisky a year ago, just a few weeks before they drafted Kenny Pickett No. 1.

“We acquired Mitch so we wouldn’t feel the need to do something stupid,” Tomlin said. “Mitch was a starter-caliber guy. He had been a franchise guy. He was young with upside. Quality dude. It was important for us to do business with him on the front side of the draft.”

I learned that Tomlin considers his 2010 defense the best he has had with the Steelers.

“In terms of physicality, without a doubt, the ’10 group. The ’10 group beat you up. That ’10 group created the player-safety initiative. The powers that be watched them play and said this is not good for the future of football.”

I learned what Tomlin was thinking as James Harrison took that interception in Super Bowl XLIII 100 yards for a touchdown against Arizona on the final play of the first half. He thought Harrison would be tackled as the clock ran out and the Steelers would lose a chance to kick a field goal. The next thing he knew, he was running to Harrison in the end zone.

“The funny thing is he’s down and he’s flat,” Tomlin said. “‘James, are you OK?’ ‘I’m tired, boss,’ […]