Stephen A. Smith said that he was sad to see his Steelers team lose, particularly on the offensive side. (2:01).
PITTSBURGH -- Although the Steelers have a slow start to the season and their quarterback is 39 years old, Mike Tomlin is not abandoning the team's plans for the fourth week.
Tomlin stated Tuesday in his weekly news conference that "we're not going push the panic button." What does the panic button mean? At this point, we're not going drastically to change who or what we are.
"We are not resistive to change for the sake of improving, but we won't be so unsteady we move away our compass and our identity that was developed hard -- and will continue working hard -- and the emphasis placed on the style and play in all three phases.
However, it is still a mystery as to who that identity is. With just 159 yards rushing in three weeks, the Steelers are last in the NFL. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's QBR is 35.5, which places 28th in the league.
Roethlisberger referred to himself after the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.
He said, "The best way for a quarterback to identify himself is to play better." So that's what I have to do. I will work on getting myself ready to go, making better throws, and reading better.
Roethlisberger was responsible for two interceptions in Sunday's loss to the Bengals of 24-10. He was also sacked four more times and had eight hits total. The offense averaged just 4.8 yards per pass attempt.
Tomlin was firm when asked about the possibility of using another quarterback to spark a team.
Tomlin replied, "No." "It wasn't."
Mason Rudolph, fourth-year quarterback, has been the only signal-caller who has been active for games. Dwayne Hakins has been one of the inactives every week. Tomlin doesn't plan to change the practice schedule of his veteran quarterback. Roethlisberger isn't practicing Wednesdays since at least five years.
Tomlin stated that "This guy has a body work over the course not only of what we've done to prepare this season but also over the 18 years that has seen us adopt that approach." It is a global approach. He feels it, and rightfully so. He is an older man, so the wear and tear from plays has a different effect on him than it does for younger men. He's also an older man, so he can handle a lot of plays. This means that he needs to put in more effort to be ready for play.
"Also, it's important to consider the whole journey. We're going into Game 4. There are many more games ahead of us, and I don’t want to be asking questions later in the year about his throwing arm quality, for instance.
Tomlin's statement that they will maintain the status quo, and not panic, echos Roethlisberger's words immediately after the Bengals loss.
Roethlisberger stated, "We believe in the work we do." "And we are not going to stop working on it. We won't give up on one another. Tomorrow we'll find out. I will look the guys in their eyes and ensure that no one is leaving. I do not believe that there will be any. I won't quit, nor will the coaching staff.
