PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects new leaders to emerge following the departure of high-profile veterans like Hines Ward, Aaron Smith and James Farrior.
Tomlin said at the NFL Meetings on Tuesday the Steelers are going through a changing of the guard in the locker room, but he's confident the team has several players - including defensive end Brett Keisel and safety Ryan Clark - capable of filling the void.
Tomlin also praised the work ethic of new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, adding he's impressed with the ideas the former Kansas City Chiefs head coach has for helping the Steelers become more potent. The coach insists there is no rift between Haley and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and that is was Tomlin's call to hire Haley, not an order from owner Art Rooney II.
