Coach Mike Tomlin’s Post-Game Comments After The Loss to the Saints

Head Coach Mike Tomlin: I just finished addressing the team and really (an) unfortunate performance (and) not the type of performance we needed to secure victory. The bottom line is we did not have enough cohesion at different points in the game to overcome our weaknesses to secure victory. We were getting off the field defensively in the first half in the early stages of the football game. We weren’t putting touchdowns on the board. We were kicking field goals or even missing scoring opportunities. You can’t have that versus an explosive offense like New Orleans. And then once we started getting it going, particularly in the third quarter, we couldn’t get the necessary stops for whatever reason on defense. They hit on some big plays on us. We had a stop, we had a defensive holding (and) things of that nature. So as the offense got going we couldn’t get the necessary stops (and) not enough splash in special teams. You’re minus-two against these guys and they don’t turn it over. When Drew (Brees) and those guys don’t turn it over they’re difficult to beat. Not the type of performance we wanted. We’ll look at it, make the necessary adjustments (and) find the cohesion necessary to be effective and win tough games in December. We didn’t get it done today. From an injury standpoint Brice McCain had a hamstring (injury). We’ll evaluate him. Brett Keisel had a tricep injury (and) we’ll evaluate him and see the availability of those guys. I’ll give you a further update on those guys on Tuesday.

Re: Big passing plays being an issue all season and if it’s execution, personnel or strategy:
We have to keep a lid on it. I’m not going to search for excuses. They got behind us some. It was significant, particularly when it occurred. We have to be better than that if we want to win.

Did Ben Roethlisberger’s hand injury in the first quarter affect his throws?
I’ll let him speak to that. There was a banging on his hand in the first half of the game but that happens probably every other weekend. I don’t know how significant it was in terms of his ability to throw the ball in the manner in which he’d like.

Did you consider using a timeout when the Saints had the ball at the end of the first half?
I did.

Re: A few weeks ago saying that he was searching for consistency in the team and why was there none today:
We had it at different stages but none of it together with the type of cohesion on offense, defense (and) special teams working together to maximize the natural ebb and flow that occurs in football games. What I mean is in early stages of the game we were getting off (the field) defensively and we have to capitalize on that offensively and we didn’t. We kicked the field goal and those type of things. When we fall down offensively, we turn the ball over, like that tipped pass. We have to step up there and get the necessary stop defensively in terms of sudden change to put the fire out. If we hold them to a field goal there, (then) do the math. That affects the end of the game (and) the outcome of the game. We played well at different times in the game but never enough together to secure victory.

Re: Seven losses dating back to last season against teams with losing records and will you go back to see if there is any common thread:
At the appropriate time, but right now we’re living in the moment. We’re trying to get ready for the games in the stadiums that we’re in. We’re singularly focused on this opportunity today. We’re going to get singularly focused on next week’s opportunity tomorrow.

Re: Playing so well the last two home games and why was today different:
How many ways do I need to tell you in terms of my interpretation of how the game has unfolded? It’s not going to change. I’d be happy to professionally answer any question you have but I’m trying here.