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Mitchell: 'We're going to get better'

The Steelers prepare for the Week 9 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell spoke on Tuesday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex following Sunday's 27-16 loss to the Patriots.

"We just have to go out there and play the way we're capable of playing, execute the technique, execute the call and we're going to be alright," Mitchell said. "I'm not panicked. 'Coach Buts' (defensive coordinator Keith Butler) isn't panicked. This defensive staff isn't panicked. We know where we are. We know what we have to do."

One of the reasons Mitchell is remaining calm, cool and collected has been what he's seen from defensive linemen not named Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt through the first seven games of the season.

Developing depth along the defensive line has been a priority since the spring.

"I think No. 79 (defensive tackle Javon Hargrave), for a rookie, has come in here and played well," Mitchell said. "No. 90 (defensive end Ricardo Mathews) is a good football player. He's limited size-wise when big guys get on him but he gives a great effort, he runs to the ball.

"We're going to get better. When the chips are all on the table, we'll see where we fall."

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RAVE REVIEWS:** PUP list tight end Ladarius Green's long-awaited first practice with the Steelers had his teammates talking in the locker room afterward.

"He made a couple plays out there in that two-minute drill, he looked solid," Jones said. "He looked like he should be ready to go for us. He looks good. He looks like he's ready to play, which is helpful."

Jones was asked if he'd be comfortable throwing to Green on Nov. 6 at Baltimore, should it come to that.

"Yeah, absolutely, no question," Jones said.

Davis was also impressed.

"Ladarius looked good," he said. "He made some nice catches. We need to get him back out there. I didn't know what he had, since I got here he's always been rehabbing. For his first time to be out here he looked good."

Green's hands, in particular, made an impression on Davis.

"He made a combat catch today and looked really good," Davis said. "I really don't pay too much (attention) about the offense, but that stood out to me. Everything thrown to him, I think he caught it today."

Added center Maurkice Pouncey: "It was nice to see him out there catching passes. We heard all the talk. I worked out with a couple guys that played with him, they said a lot of good things about him. But to actually see it was awesome.

"The way he caught the ball, the way he came out of routes, even for his first practice, I know he felt rusty and a little bit slower but all of us liked it."

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