PITTSBURGH Deficient Steelers have bigger priorities than QB

Bill Cowher wants overall improvement to support Ben Roethlisberger.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Coach Bill Cowher's message for any Pittsburgh Steelers player fretting that rookie Ben Roethlisberger now is the starting quarterback: Don't worry about him, worry about yourself.
The Steelers' play during their 30-13 loss Sunday in Baltimore was so deficient that the unexpectedly swift move from injured starter Tommy Maddox to Roethlisberger isn't atop Cowher's long list of concerns.
"I think it is not so much what we are doing with Ben, it is that everyone around him right now has to make sure that they hold up their end of the bargain," Cowher said Tuesday. "I think Ben will be fine. No one has to do anything special. Right now, everybody has to pick up their game."
Maddox won't throw for approximately six weeks because of ligament and tendon tears in his right elbow, though that is only an approximate timetable and he is soliciting a second opinion from an elbow specialist. Once Maddox is cleared to throw, the Steelers will determine when he can play again.
No speculation
Cowher isn't speculating whether Roethlisberger might hold the job after Maddox returns -- or, conversely, what he will do if the first-rounder shows he isn't ready for the job yet.
"The more you are around the kid, the more you realize he has a good demeanor about him, and a good presence about him," Cowher said. "He is not overwhelmed by it. He understands the responsibility that comes with that. I think he is more looking forward to it than he is worried about it. That is what you like about him."
Cowher's more pressing worries before Sunday's game at Miami (0-2) include getting a running game going to support Roethlisberger and eliminating the defensive mistakes that allowed Baltimore to drive 89 yards on its opening possession.
The quick score set a tempo the Steelers (1-1) never matched, even after Roethlisberger replaced Maddox early in the second half to throw two touchdown passes -- or two more than Maddox has thrown for in six quarters.
No down-sizing
The Steelers won't down-size their game plan specifically for their first-round draft pick, who becomes their first rookie starting quarterback since Bubby Brister went 0-2 in 1986. He is the only rookie quarterback they've drafted on the first round since Mark Malone in 1980.
"He knows why he was brought here. Obviously, you don't want the circumstances to happen as they did," Cowher said. "It is his opportunity to come in here and lead this team. I think he is going to embrace it."
Roethlisberger could have picked a less challenging defense to oppose in his first NFL start; the Dolphins are winless, but their defense has allowed only one touchdown and an average of 226.5 yards per game.
They are likely to come at Roethlisberger with considerable pressure, especially from defensive end Jason Taylor, who had 311/2 sacks in the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
"You have to be ready for it," Roethlisberger said. "You have to be ready for the unexpected."
Now, the Steelers will find if Roethlisberger is ready.
"You have to be able to handle success and tough times," Cowher said. "The game is faster and more complex and there's more scrutiny at this level ... and you have to be able to deal with the circumstances you're handed."
Notes
The Steelers brought back Mike Quinn as their No. 3 quarterback -- the same role he had in 1997 -- by adding him to their practice squad. Brian St. Pierre, who began the season on the practice squad, now is the No. 2 quarterback.
Quinn was waived by the Broncos late in training camp. He has been with the Steelers, Cowboys, Dolphins, Texans and Broncos since 1997, but has thrown only three passes, completing two.
LB Kendrell Bell (groin), who has yet to play, is listed as questionable -- just as he was a week ago. Also questionable are RB Verron Haynes (hip), DB Mike Logan (hamstring) and CB Chad Scott (groin).