The Pittsburgh Steelers have no identity.

I heard that claim all week on television and radio and shook my head every time.

The Black and Gold absolutely have an identity and it’s not a good one.

Through three games, the Steelers can be summed up as a team that can’t take a step forward without taking two, or three, steps back.

The most alarming thing about this team is that the poor play doesn’t rest on just one or two players.

The defense has yet to force one turnover this season. Brett Keisel, LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark were all part of the team’s defense that forced 35 turnovers in 2010. They all remain starters, but have been unable to change momentum with fumbles or interceptions thus far.

The offensive line has not performed well, either. Tackles Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert were overmatched by the Bears in last Sunday’s 40-23 loss. Gilbert was benched during the game for his lackluster effort.

While the sub-par play can be pinned on many players, it all starts at the top with veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was responsible for four of the team’s five turnovers Sunday night.

For the better part of a decade, Roethlisberger was viewed as one of the best clutch quarterbacks in the NFL. No, he didn’t put up all the outrageous numbers that Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have achieved. But No. 7 was as good, if not better than all three of those stars when it came to pulling games out in the fourth quarter.

Now Steeler fans must hold their breath, not only when Roethlisberger passes the ball, but also when he’s trying to buy time in the pocket, evidenced by his two fumbles against the Bears, one of which was returned 42 yards for a touchdown by Julius Peppers that sealed the Steelers’ fate in the final quarter.

Roethlisberger began to struggle late in games last season, throwing key interceptions in losses to Dallas and Cincinnati.

He shouldn’t be benched. He is one of the highest paid signal callers in the game and as long as he is healthy, should be on the field. You would think that a player with his ability and credentials would snap out of this funk.

If he is unable to do that, the cold winter will arrive far too soon for Pittsburgh fans.

I’m sure Steeler fans are looking for any shred of hope for 2013 they can find.

The nugget I’m holding onto is Pittsburgh plays another bad team this week in the Minnesota Vikings. Then, after a bye, the Steelers play at the Jets Oct. 13. If Mike Tomlin’s bunch can find a way, any way, to win those two games, then Pittsburgh would be 2-3 entering its home game against Baltimore Oct. 20.

That would guarantee nothing, but it would sure beat the hole the team currently finds itself in.

Derek Pyda is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.