Tomlinisms - 101 - "Position Flexibility"

Head Coach Mike Tomlin

- Mason Noland

Time to take you to the Mike Tomlin school of vocabulary.  Webster's Dictionary defines the word position in five ways. The fifth way is "an employment for which one has been hired." The third definition of the word Flexibility is "one who is characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements." When you add these words together, you get one of Mike Tomlin's favorite "Tomlinisms." 

Tomlin often refers to Position Flexibility constantly when speaking about his Steelers. As the game has progressed over the years, this trait has become more essential for the player of today. No longer are we expecting a roster spot to be taken by a fullback and another by a backup tight end. Before he got hurt, David Johnson filled both these rolls. (I was originally going to write a piece on the fullback competition).  He was a college tight end who could also line up as the lead back in the I formation. Johnson allowed the team to not waste a roster spot on a position that would only be on the field for minimal snaps. Now that David Johnson is hurt, his assumed replacement,  Will Johnson also exhibits position flexibility. Will was recruited to WVU to play Wide Receiver and was switched to Tight End. He's now a rookie free agent Fullback for the Steelers. By my count, that's three positions. I highly doubt he'll be lining up at wide receiver, but he has the speed and hands to come out of the back field and line up at tight end too. 

One player Jeff has highlighted has been Chris Rainey and I too believe he'll be a standout as a rookie. He should be a play maker on special teams as a return man and could be used in other capacities, such as the field goal block team, where he excelled at Florida. I also anticipate he will be a dynamic addition to our offense. He looks to be a nice player catching the ball out of the backfield, but he has the ability to line up as a wide receiver. He'll be a good player to get the ball to in space. Most likely Todd Haley and Tomlin had a "Position Flexibility" conversation when his name was on the board in the fifth round. 

The offensive line is full of position flexible players. Among the back ups, Ramon Foster can play both Guard spots and right tackle, Trai Essex can play all five positions and  Doug Legursky can play center and both guards. This is why I've written that the line can be a strength. 

Position flexibility isn't just being able to play multiple positions. To me, it is also the ability to play different spots within your position group. For example, while Mike Wallace is holding out of training camp, Emmanuel Sanders is taking his place in the line up. When Wallace returns Sanders will return to being the third receiver, most likely in the slot. What it does for sure is make Sanders smarter. He now can play the split end, flanker and slot receiver positions on offense, making him potentially lethal. You will also find that Safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark, as well as back ups Ryan Mundy and Will Allen, rotate to both safety positions. 

These are just a few examples Mike Tomlin's belief in position flexibility. I truly suspect, other than a few key positions, he knows where everyone on the team can play besides their roster position. He probably drafts men based on whether they can play multiple spots on the roster. The more things a player can do, the more dangerous they can be on the gridiron. 
You've just been educated in the "School of Tomlin".