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Associated Press 9y

Steelers say they have talent for turnaround

NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't do much in a blowout loss to Cleveland on Sunday.

But players say they believe they have the talent to turn things around if they execute better and with more consistency.

"We've just got to be consistent," cornerback Ike Taylor said Monday.

"Really, that's what it is. We have been too inconsistent, and when you're inconsistent you play good halves and good quarters. But you're up and down, and that's what you don't want to be in the NFL. When we get our consistency back, we'll start stacking wins."

That's something the Steelers haven't done too often lately.

The Steelers (3-3) have missed the playoffs the past two years, going 8-8 both years. This season, they've alternated wins and losses.

The Steelers followed a season-opening win against the Browns with a loss at Baltimore, then bounced back with a win at Carolina.

Another bad loss followed against Tampa Bay, but a win against Jacksonville gave them hope. That diminished with Sunday's loss at Cleveland.

Splash plays, as coach Mike Tomlin likes to call them, are missing on both sides of the ball.

Defensively, the Steelers can't get off the field on third down, allowing better than a 35 percent conversion rate.

Offensively, their play in the red zone is lacking as they are 31st in scoring touchdowns. And penalties hamper all three phases.

"Obviously, we've struggled with that," wideout Lance Moore said. "And we've settled for a lot more field goals than we've wanted to. ... I think we're a team that's pretty good running and throwing, so I'm not sure that it's play selection. As players, all we can do is execute what is called."

Tight end Heath Miller agreed that no matter what plays are called, the Steelers must execute them better and changing what plays are called in the red zone shouldn't be a concern of the players.

"We're searching for answers about ways to execute better down there, and we'll be looking at it again this week," Miller said.

"(And) all we can do is try to execute the plays that we're given the best that we can. And that should be the focus in this locker room, to execute better what we're asked to do."

So does this Steelers team have what it takes to turn things around?

"The talent is there," outside linebacker Jason Worilds said. "That's not the question. It's more about everybody being accountable and being consistent. I think, for one reason or another, we'll have a lapse. And those lapses can get you beat."

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