STEELERS Maddox retains starting QB role

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher held class Tuesday on the subject of what separates good NFL quarterbacks from mediocre ones and, just as significantly, those who play from those who sit.
He can only hope Tommy Maddox was sitting at home on his day off, listening intently and taking notes.
Cowher won't bench Maddox despite one of the most peculiar days ever by an NFL quarterback during the Steelers' baffling 24-6 loss Sunday to Houston.
Maddox effectively drove the offense to a 422-yard day, only to hand the Texans' defense three touchdowns with two interceptions and a fumble.
"It's hard to explain a game like that ... in my 23 years in the league as a player and a coach, I've never experienced a game like that," Cowher said.
Still, Cowher made it clear Maddox won't stay on the field Sunday against Carolina (5-8) if he keeps turning the ball over.
The Steelers (7-5-1) have eight turnovers in Maddox's last two starts, and are 0-2-1 in his last three starts.
"How do you explain Tommy running and the ball falls out of his hands ... the ball falling out of Antwaan Randle El's hands?" Cowher said. "It's not a lack of effort, but you can't do it. I'm not going to tolerate a continuing of that and they understand that."
Perhaps that's why Maddox will start Sunday, but hasn't been assured he will finish. Kordell Stewart won his two most recent starts while replacing an injured Maddox.
"It will be monitored, and we'll go from there," Cowher said.
Left tackle Wayne Gandy is wearing a protection boot on his injured calf and is listed as questionable, as are wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) and linebacker James Farrior (sternum).
Suddenly thin at tight end with Mark Bruener (knee) and John Allred (concussion) injured, the Steelers signed former Tampa Bay tight end Marco Battaglia. They also released center Jeff Smith.