PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers players say it's not effort. They have not given up. What is as frustrating for them as not getting the final result, is they feel they are preparing well and it doesn't carry it over into games.
"Coach hit it right on the head, it's fundamentals," said linebacker Mykal Walker. "We go out to practice every day and we do fundamentals every day. Some of these plays they are hitting us on, we do it correctly 10 out of 10 times in practice."
"It doesn't translate into a game."
TJ Watt agrees, saying they put in the hard work day-in and day-out.
"I thought we had a good week of practice, but Coach T says we measure our week by the outcome on Sunday, or in this case Saturday," said quarterback Mason Rudolph. "It's kind of a moot point."
"It was crisp in practice, but in the game it's a lot faster," said rookie defensive lineman Keeanu Benton. "People doing what they want and it just kinda didn't go down as we wanted. It's something we need to continue to communicate on and know each other's strengths and weaknesses."
But there are only three games left, how can this team really change right now?
It's understandable they are frustrated, not to the extent of running the other way after an interception like George Pickens did Saturday, but like Benton said 'people doing what they want'.
"Defense is leaking, they have some players down and it showed on the defense," said receiver Diontae Johnson.
Considering the Steelers offense has been horrible nearly all season, that's a damning statement from an offensive player. Johnson did say they didn't capitalize on third and make plays offensively. He also said Najee Harris' fumble was a huge play. Diontae is pointing fingers, while also pointing the thumb.
"I just worry about myself and what is necessary," Johnson said. "Obviously we know what we have to fix. We got to do it faster."
Worrying about yourself is not a bad message actually. It's not as much selfish and it can be accountable.
"We got to all take a look at the man in the mirror," said linebacker Alex Highsmith. "It ain't about pointing fingers. It ain't about blaming anyone. It's about looking at yourself and demanding better of yourself."
"We have to look ourselves in the mirror and keep going," said rookie Joey Porter, Junior. "I haven't given up on this team."
Walker agrees with that statement.
"Everybody in this room is a professional regardless of the highs and lows, they've been through the highs and the lows," Walker said. "End of the day, you have a job to do. We don't go out there and say we are going to tank. We are just going to lose this game. Every time we go out there we try our best to win the game."
"We haven't been executing these last couple of weeks, but no one in this room is going to give up regardless of the record. We are going to fight like we are in the playoffs."
"It's concerning," said center Mason Cole. "The last few weeks have been bad. We have put a bad product out there. Lucky for us we have three more games, there are opportunities to win in front of us."
"Leaders have been trying to lead and they've been doing their job, but it's a whole team effort when it comes down to it," said safety Trenton Thompson. "I think we will be ok. We are not going to sit down, fall back and let this happen. We are going to get it corrected."
"It's sucks, just got to keep working," Highsmith said. "We ain't got much time. We got to turn it around ASAP. We should have turned it around this week. (Saturday) was unacceptable."
So was the New England game and the Arizona game.
Benton said nobody on the team is packing their bags just yet. Assume that statement is not just because it's a home game this week.
Minutes after the third loss in 13 days, Tomlin promised change. The Steelers head coach has promised a lot of things this year. Much like political candidates on the campaign trail, most of those promises just ring hollow.
