Johnson: Building a relationship with Ben
“It’s crazy. It’s Big Ben. He’s great. Just being able to work out with him this offseason has been good. Just getting the timing down, get a feel for him, what he likes, what he doesn’t like. How he likes to throw the ball on a certain play, certain routes. Just trying to pick his brain. I might go back up there next week and work out with him again. Just getting that timing down and get a bond with each other so we can build that trust. — Diontae Johnson.
From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
Going into the 2019 season, Diontae Johnson was excited about the opportunity to work with Ben Roethlisberger. But his time on the field was limited after Roethlisberger’s season ended after just two games with an elbow injury that required surgery.
The outlook for 2020 for the duo to work together is much brighter, and they have already spent some time this offseason getting prepared.
“Me and Ben started talking during the end of last season. I had to prove to everybody I can play, that I am not a bust. As the season went on, I started contributing, making plays. He was talking to me more. It’s building that trust with one another. I talk to him almost every day now. That’s my guy. We’ve got things to do this year and we are trying to win the Super Bowl together.”
In the meantime Johnson is focusing on getting himself back to full strength. During a Zoom call on Wednesday he said he is still coming back from offseason surgery he had for a core muscle injury he suffered Week 2 of the season against Seattle, the same game where Roethlisberger was lost. And despite the injury, he still had a strong season.
Johnson finished the year with 59 receptions, leading the Steelers in catches as well as leading all NFL rookies in that category. His 690 receiving yards were second on the Steelers and his five touchdowns led the team. He also had a huge impact in the punt return game and earned a spot on the second-team Associated Press All-Pro team.
More from Ms. Varley here.
Happy Birthday Bodie!!!
Bo, we can’t believe you are already 4!
The time has passed so fast, but we have loved watching you grow into a ‘big guy fry’!
You’re a silly guy that always makes us laugh…
But can always brighten a room with your love and compassion.
We love you big guy, and we hope you have a great day! Love Dad, Momma, Jr and Bay.
Carry the Load
It’s a Lil’ Fan Friday
Future @steelers prospect Bo Bestor. He’s been watching his @_BigBen7 film. 🏈🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/fKNrHM0OTk
— Brooke Bestor (@BrookeBestor) May 21, 2020
Ben is ‘back to zipping the pigskin around the park’
“It’s leaps and bounds different from when we first started. He’s been working hard, and it’s been cool to be a part of that process and just to see him put his mind to coming back, just to see that tenacity has been neat to be a part of.” — Ryan Switzer.
From Kevin Patra at NFL.com:
While the focus the past several days has been on Ben Roethlisberger’s hair trim, the velocity of passes thrown in his session with teammates is the more relevant aspect of Big Ben’s recent video release to Pittsburgh Steelers fans.
Coming off elbow surgery, the quarterback has been cautious with his rehab, taking it slow especially, with offseason workouts being wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, however, Big Ben has ramped up the RPMs.
Wideout Ryan Switzer, who along with JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner worked out with Roethlisberger, told The Athletic that the quarterback is back to zipping the pigskin around the park.
“You know, like when the ball cuts through the air and you can hear that ‘pfft-pfft-pfft’ sound?” Switzer said. “That’s what JuJu said it sounded like. I didn’t hear it but, man, I have been trying to catch with no gloves for a couple of months to build up these callouses, but ask my hands how they feel catching his throws.”
Roethlisberger said earlier in the offseason that he’d been holding back during rehab to strengthen the elbow without overworking the injury. According to Switzer, there was no down-throttling from Big Ben in the most recent session.
“Man, he let it rip. There was no restraint, no hesitancy, he was just out there. He has been throwing like that for a while and, in my opinion at least, getting out there on that field for the first time and throwing full-speed routes was refreshing. The control factor was taken out of it. He was out there and he was throwing. Did some off-schedule stuff. No restraints. He threw everything — across his body. Everything.” — Ryan Switzer.
Switzer began catching passes from Big Ben in February, so he knows how far the quarterback has come in his rehab.
“Somebody with the accolades, has all the money in the world and to have an injury like this and to see that drive … I think a lot of […]