From Coach Tomlin today
“Ben Roethlisberger has a pectoral injury of some kind, his left pectoral, that could affect him from a preparation standpoint. I don’t have an idea of how much (it will affect his preparation) as I sit here right now, but we better be ready to adjust and deal with that. And also we’ve got Devin Bush and Joe Haden, who both missed last week and who are working their way back. Their participation will be our guide, or non-participation will be our guide, in terms of analyzing their availability (for the Bengals). Diontae Johnson got hurt late in the game (knee). He’s looking better, but (that’s) not to be confused with looking great, so we’ll follow him and his health as we get through the week.”
You can read more here.
Week 2 – Raiders 26, Steelers 17
Ben puts the blame squarely on himself after the loss:
I just need to be better. Right now my play is just not good enough. If I played better, we would have had a chance to win the football game. That loss, I’ll take that. I apologize to the fans for that home opener. They were awesome, and it’s disappointing that we didn’t get that win.
Going forward:
You know, I think we’re working through it. I think that’s the good news if you will. It’s still early and we have time to figure it out. We’ve got a good team coming in here, divisional opponent, and we gotta get right. It’s frustrating. The best way to figure out identity is for the quarterback to play better. So, I’m gonna work on myself and get ready to myself ready to go. I need to work on making better reads, better throws, and try to put us in a situation to win a football game.
Ben was 27 of 40 for 295 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
You can watch his post-game presser here.
DIFFERENT, Part II
Wednesday’s Q&A with the media
“Sore. Like I anticipated. Getting hit for a while, got a lot more bumps and bruises than usual. — Ben on how he felt post-Week 1.
“It feels great. Probably the only part of my body that felt good when I came out of the game. That’s encouraging and positive.” — On the surgically repaired elbow.
More from Ben compiled by Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
If you took a quick glance at the stats for the Steelers receivers in the team’s win over the Bills on Sunday, the individual numbers likely wouldn’t blow you away.
JuJu Smith-Schuster had four receptions for 52 yards, Chase Claypool three receptions for 45 yards and Diontae Johnson five receptions for 36 yards.
But the takeaway with those numbers, and the rest in the passing game, isn’t about individual numbers. It’s about the bigger picture.
Every receiver had at least one reception. Every tight end had at least one reception. It was about spreading the ball around, and Ben Roethlisberger did a fantastic job of that.
“I didn’t even realize that I was able to do that. Sometimes it’s the way the game unfolds. There’s not really a clear intent to say, okay we got to get this guy the ball or whatever. You like to get guys involved early in games for that just kind of typical football. But I’m glad that everyone got involved.”
As he said, getting them involved early is normally the key. But that didn’t happen last week. It took some time for the passing game to click, but nobody blinked, a lot of that credited to a pretty young receiving corps growing by the day.
“I think each guy did something a little extra special in that game. I think JuJu was JuJu. He’s tough. He’s reliable. He’s dependable. He does what you ask him to do. He lowers his head on the play and gets you that first down and shows that physicality.
“I thought Diontae started the game out really well. Got his knee banged pretty bad. I don’t know that the old Diontae would have come back in the game and kept playing and making plays for us. I think that showed a lot of growth.
“James Washington coming in the game, right away, not expecting to fill in and catches the ball pretty early on the screen and gets north, gets us big yards.
“And I […]
We’ve got a well-heeled man comin’ this way!
“Ben wore these bad boys yesterday. It’s an honor for me to be his cleat artist this year.” — Cody Sabol.
Week 1: Steelers 23, Bills 16
I always look forward to Ben’s take on the game. He’s honest and always appreciative of everyone. I’m so thankful for Ben and this entire team. It was a team W we can be proud of and I, for one am grateful. #HereWeGo
“Today is the DAY!!! #HereWeGo #SteelerSunday” — Libby Cunningham.
Watching football with an almost 4-year-old never fails to amuse. “Did the burger guy win?” “Yes, yes he did.” Woooo
@Steelers @_BigBen7
“Looks like Steelers Nation is in the DeGrace house today! #HereWeGo” — Starrlee DeGrace.
Say what you will about his age; @_BigBen7 is a tough, tough man! #HereWeGo
The creation of @_BigBen7 and @_TJWatt’s Game Day Cleats! pic.twitter.com/iOv7F5qMGM
— Cody Sabol (@codysabolart) September 12, 2021
“Go Steelers!!!!” — Fernando Gallegos.
Looking good Ben! Way to coach up the young guys! Future in coaching…
“It’s Game Day! Let’s Go Steelers!” — Shadie Neltner.
@_BigBen7 & @CamHeyward leadership in this game was amazing. Great game! @steelers
“What a game & it’s only Week 1!!!” — David.
Perhaps it’s just my age showing, but can the broadcast quit talking about @_BigBen7 being 39 after every play? Or at least say it […]