The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing pretty poorly as of late, and usually reserved head coach Mike Tomlin suddenly feels like talking about it.
"Right now, it's not sweeping or drastic changes in terms of who and what we are schematically," Tomlin said. "I will look at who we're utilizing and where, particularly situationally, in all three phases."
Maybe coach Tomlin thinks, much like the elder Costanza, that the traditional airing of grievances is an important yearly Festivus ritual - the holiday's aren't far off, mind you.
Or maybe he's just trying to light a fire under his team and specific individuals by calling them out by name in the media.
Among those players that drew his ire, was cornerback Cortez Allen. Brice McCain is a candidate to take some of his snaps this week.
"Yes he is," Tomlin said, referring to McCain. "And not only is his play as deserving of consideration, but obviously under the circumstances because of some of the inconsistent play of others, he's under consideration for more playing time and rightfully so."
Tomlin also had some choice words for outside linebacker Jason Worilds.
"He's had some good games and performance in pockets of games, and he's had some games where he's been less impactful," Tomlin said. "We're compensating him to be consistently impactful, and that's what we're searching for."
Number two wide receiver Markus Wheaton also had the spotlight shined on his recent play.
"He's got to do a better job," said Tomlin, who cited the difference in how Wheaton played in the opening victory against Cleveland, when he caught six passes for 97 yards, and this weekend's loss to the same Browns team.
The most pointed comment Tomlin made was in reference to the failings of the red-zone offense which, as has been documented previously, is the failing of offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
"Schematics and the personnel that we're utilizing needs to be evaluated. ... We can't fail in that area, particularly when we're working short-handed defensively with some backup-like people in. We have to score when we put the ball in scoring position and we haven't done it consistently enough and we better fix it."
What it all really seems to mean is that rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier could return after missing three games with a sprained knee, rookie defensive end Stephon Tuitt could make his first start and that rookies Martavis Bryant and Daniel McCullers could pull on uniforms for the first time Monday night against Houston at Heinz Field.
And it also means that Haley better get his unit back to producing in the red-zone if he wants to remain employed.
