PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A veteran of 18 years, 162 victories (5th on the all-time list), Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger acknowledging it's a bottom line business in pro sports. It's either a win or a loss.
"I don't look at moral victories," Roethlisberger said. "I told the guys that as I walked around to the linemen and some of the skill guys. I'm not going to tell you great moral victory, great fight back. It's not that. I am proud of them for fighting."
Roethlisberger apologized for showing frustration, saying he doesn't want to show up anyone. It was more just general frustration, not pointed at anyone.
"Frustration," said tailback Najee Harris who has double the losses this year than his entire college career at Alabama. "Obviously there is frustration in losing, but there is always some good in that we didn't quit. Obviously, the outcome wasn't what we wanted, but just the fact that we came back and didn't quit."
"We are not there yet, we know we are going to get there eventually."
Captain Speak
"Got to get off blocks, I say it every freakin' week," said Cam Heyward of their defensive issues. "Effort, technique has to be a lot better. We have to know where we fit. Everyone has to be accountable."
What about the injuries to outside linebackers TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith?
"It's not an excuse," Heyward said. "Every man that signs up in that locker room to play football has a job to do, including myself. If we can't get the job done we shouldn't be here."
Is it time for a players meeting?
"Play freakin' better," Heyward said. "You can sit up here and have a players meeting. If the guy can't get the job done he shouldn't be out there."
"It's Groundhog Day, it's unacceptable. We have a long weekend to think about it."
Freiermuth hurting
Likely rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth will think about the catch he nearly had as time expired which would have given the Steelers a chance to tie the game.
"He's taking it pretty hard," Roethlisberger said. "I pulled him next to my locker and talked to him a little bit there at the end. I have a lot of faith, belief and trust in that guy. He has a lot of heart. He's not one that is lacking for heart and desire."
"He will eat this for awhile and he shouldn't. It's not on him."
Why the point?
Steelers wasted a few seconds late in the game as when tackled inbounds with no timeouts left and precious seconds left, receiver Chase Claypool made a first down point instead of hurrying up to the line of scrimmage.
Here is how Claypool described it.
"Definitely have to be better," Claypool said. "I got tackled near the hash, did my first down point and went to hand the ball to the ref. He had just got there. Even if I had just got up and looked for him, he wasn't there. He ran down the field to come get the ball."
"The ball got knocked out of my hands, that's what costed us time. I definitely have to be better. I know I'm near the hash. I know the ball is placed on the hash. I got to be better. They ball shouldn't be knocked out of my hands. It should have been a penalty."
Claypool may not have realized it appeared offensive lineman Trai Turner was the one to knock the ball away as Turner wanted to place it down to save time.
Line struggles
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ripped the team for getting 'whooped' up front, on both sides.
"I don't think there is any way than to take it personally," said rookie tackle Dan Moore. "I think it is a reflection of us. If we don't respond to that, that shows our character."
Moore believes they were out-schemed by Minnesota, that often the Vikings brought more guys than they could account for.
"We knew what we needed to do as a team," Moore said. "We didn't need a coach to come in there and scream at us, or make adjustments. I think the game plan going in there was fine, we just needed to execute."
