Wednesday’s “chat” with the media
“I will push for James to get as much run as we can because we’ve seen some great things from him in all phases of football. He’s picking up blitzes, he’s catching the ball, he’s running hard and making plays and playing with a passion, so we need to keep using that.” — Ben on James Connor.
And now on to this weekend’s game!
From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
When it comes to the Steelers-Bengals rivalry there is no secret about it.
These games get physical.
“It’s AFC North football,” said Ben Roethlisberger. “It’s one of those games that can get chippy at times. You hope it doesn’t. You hope it’s a good, hard-fought football game. Sometimes it gets a little chippy. We’ll do our best to put the past behind us and play it like it’s a normal football game.
“We’re going to go in and play the game like it’s a normal game, AFC North, physical football game. We can only control half of the players out there. We know how important this game is for us to get a ‘W.’”
Last year’s meeting resulted in the Bengals being penalized 13 times for a team record 173 yards, while the Steelers were penalized seven times for 66 yards. There were four unnecessary roughness calls, and unsportsmanlike conduct call and taunting call that was declined between the two teams. And with the new rule changes this year to protect the quarterback, the hope is the ‘chippy’ factor is cut back.
“Some of the stuff that happens in that game, the rules were made for it before that,” said Roethlisberger. “It’s not about just the physicality of the football game to me, it’s when it gets the extracurricular, the dirty stuff you wish would be cut out of it and hope it is this time.”
Playing clean, penalty free football is going to be a key. The Bengals lead the AFC North with a 4-1 record, while the Steelers are searching for their first AFC win of the season, and come in with a 0-1-1 record in the division. It won’t be easy, going against a defense that always is fired up for this matchup and look as menacing as always under new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
“When you have the players that they have, the talent that they have, […]
The Ben Roethlisberger Show
Recap provided by 93.7 The Fan:
Ben Roethlisberger said during his weekly show on The Fan that he really liked the play of the entire team during their 41-17 victory against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday.
“We got big plays on specials teams. The defense stepped up well against a really high-powered offense. I thought our offense played well. We started fast, we finished strong, those are things that we hadn’t necessarily done in the past.”
Roethlisberger’s deep ball has not been as accurate this season as he is used to and he says he has been dealing with an elbow issue and that “causes the ball to sail” because he has to drop his elbow a bit.
He adds that he had a talk with himself to “suck it up” in the second half and that helped him connect with Antonio Brown better in the second half. He says it’s not a big issue.
“No, it’s fine. Remember I got hit in the Cleveland game and just had that? So we’ve been dealing with it. It’s just something that I need to mentally get over in terms of my throwing motion.”
Roethlisberger says that if and when Le’Veon Bell comes back they also need to keep using James Conner but would not say if he should keep his starting running back job.
“The good thing, Joe, is that I’m not the coach, right? I don’t have to make that decision. What I would say is, I don’t think we put [James] on the shelf by any means. Now granted, I think Le’Veon is one of the best in the business, we all understand that and can agree on that. But what James needs to understand, and he’s gonna say the right things and he should he’s a younger guy with a veteran awesome football player ahead of him, but when Le’Veon comes back, in no way, shape or form should James say, ‘Ok, it’s all yours. I’m gonna sit back and when you need me, use me.’ And I will push for James to get as much run as he can because we’ve seen some great things from him in all phases of football.”
You can listen to Ben’s show here.
Week 5: Falcons 17, Steelers 41
B & B back in business: Ben was 19-of-29 for 250 yards, 3 touchdowns with a QB rating of 112.7; Antonio Brown caught six passes for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns!
“We always on the same page, we always positive. We never listen to what the media say..All of my touchdowns, all of my catches are from him and that’s my guy I live and die with him…and the Wi-Fi was lit.” — Antonio Brown on Ben.
Congratulations to James Conner, well deserved: Steelers Digest Player of the Week!
“In posting a 41-17 victory over the Falcons, the Steelers re-discovered their running attack, with the offense accounting for 131 yards on the ground and James Conner leading the way with 110 on 21 carries (5.2 average) and two touchdowns to go along with four receptions for another 75 yards. With 185 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in 25 touches, Conner is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.” — Bob Labriola, Steelers.com.
Recap from Teresa Varley right here.
Photos: Chaz Palla
Roethlisbergers on the runway
“YEAHHHHH!!! Touchdown throw from ME!!!” — Benjamin, Jr.
“Hey Baylee & Bodie, just keep smiling big and follow me! I’m a veteran of this event!” — Benjamin, Jr.
“Well, I’m a veteran at twirling the Terrible Towel!!! Here we go Steelers, here we go!!!” — Baylee.
“Okay Dad, I’ll keep moving, but what about my fanbase?” — Bodie.
“I’m moving, I’m moving. Hmmmm…maybe I can do a Meet & Greet afterwards?!” — Bodie.
“Yup! They’re all here to see ME! Heh heh!” — Bodie.
“Yikes!! They really are ALL here to see ME!! Holy Cow!!” — Bodie.
The Roethlisbergers ROCK Steelers Style!
Wednesday’s chat with the media
Recap from Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
There is no panic in Ben Roethlisberger, despite starting the season a disappointing 1-2-1. Roethlisberger knows that you can’t panic, that they have been down this road before and can turn it around.
“You have to bounce back when you have a bad day,” said Roethlisberger. “When you start stacking bad days, then you start getting worried. Get here a little early today and be ready to go.
“We have been 0-4 before. Last year we started a little sloppy too. You guys can look at the record all you want. We’re not. We’re looking at this next week and trying to get a win. That is all that matters. If this has to happen, it’s better to happen early in the season than middle or late in the season.”
Roethlisberger shoulders much of the responsibility for the performance of the offense, and didn’t hesitate to take blame for Sunday’s loss to the Ravens. As a leader of the offense, he takes it upon himself to get things rolling moving forward.
“We always say we have to score one more point than they do,” said Roethlisberger. “Offensively we have to score one more point than them. We take the approach that we want to score as many points as possible. We take these losses on us as an offense. Me as a leader of the offense, I take it on myself that we haven’t done enough to score points to win games. Offensively we need to be better and will be better.”
Roethlisberger is hoping to get one of his favorite targets through the years going this week. Through four games Antonio Brown has 29 receptions for 272 yards and three touchdowns. They aren’t Brown like numbers, especially the yardage, and Roethlisberger was asked if teams were doing something different to neutralize him.
“We have seen so many things in the last nine years it’s hard to show anything different,” said Roethlisberger. “I just have to play better to help him get his numbers, which in turn will help us get wins.”
Roethlisberger said they have moved Brown around in the offense, lining him up differently. But when it’s Brown, there is going to be coverage no matter where he lines up.
“Two of the first three plays of the game […]