Titans 16, Steelers 9
“Not good enough, point blank. No excuses. I don’t make excuses. It just wasn’t good enough. I didn’t play good enough.” — Ben
From Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
The Steelers, hoping to bounce back from an 8-8 season, tripped over their 2013 opener today, losing to the Tennessee Titans, 16-9.
It was one bad day all around for the Steelers. They lost four players to injuries, including what appears to be a serious knee injury for center Maurkice Pouncey. He was taken to the hospital in the first quarter.
Halfback LaRod Stephens-Howling left the game in the third quarter with a right knee injury. Cornerback Cortez Allen left with an ankle injury. Linebacker Larry Foote left with a biceps injury in the fourth.
The Steelers lost Pouncey on the drive following the free kick, when right guard David DeCastro, in what appeared an outside zone blocking scheme, tried to throw a block and dived straight into the lower legs of his center. Kelvin Beachum replaced him at center.
“It’s tough. He’s our captain and he’s our leader, and obviously a very good friend. You never like to see a guy get hurt, regardless of who it is. It’s tough.” — Ben, on the injury to Maurkice Pouncey.
Ben Roethlisberger was sacked five times.
The Steelers reached the Titans six, where on third-and-one, Isaac Redman never seemed to grasp the handoff from Ben Roethlisberger, the ball bounced into the end zone and Tennessee’s Moise Fokou recovered for a touchback.
The Steelers lost their second turnover of the game when cornerback Alterraun Verner intercepted Roethlisberger to start Tennessee’s scoring drive at the Steelers 49.
“Sometimes that’s all it takes in this game, a play or two…turnovers kill you, that’s why you can’t have it and it’s my fault.” — Ben, on the interception.
Tennessee, which trailed 2-0 following a safety on the opening kickoff, held the Steelers offense off the scoreboard until Roethlisberger threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery with 1:23 left in the game.
You can read more from Mr. Bouchette here.
The one positive from the game – Ben became the 35th quarterback in NFL history to go over 30,000 career yards passing. He’s at 30,035 yards in 10 seasons.
“It comes in a loss, so it doesn’t do anything for me.” — Ben, on the […]
Gradkowski: Nobody better than Big Ben
From Scott Brown’s blog at ESPN.com this evening:
Bruce Gradkowski long admired Ben Roethlisberger from afar. The eight-year veteran quarterback is even more impressed after seeing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback on a daily basis.
“There’s no doubt he’s the best quarterback in this league,” said Gradkowski, whom the Steelers signed last March to back up Roethlisberger. “Nothing against the other guys because there’s so many talented guys out there like a Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees.
“But Ben, the way he’s able to move around and avoid rushes and then if he sits back in the pocket how accurate he is. It’s hard for a defense to try and plan against him.”
Roethlisberger has also made even more of a believer out of Gradkowski because of the work he puts in off the field.
“I think he just does a great job of pushing his teammates to get better,” said Gradkowski, who spent the previous two seasons with the Bengals. “That’s what the quarterback position’s all about is to make the guys around you better, to demand a high level of urgency and a championship effort. I think with him under center that’s what it does around here.”
You can read more here.
Thank you to fan Chad Pointer for the photo! You can see more “Fans Capture the Action” photos here.
Perfect Day at PNC
Matt “Rabbi” Rabinowitz and his family took a break from the summer heat of Fort Lauderdale, Florida to visit Pittsburgh over the Labor Day weekend to take in the FSU vs Pitt game.
While they were visiting, they decided to take in a Pirates game, and look who they ran into:
Ben poses with Matt and his sister, Melissa at PNC Park on Sunday.
“Nicest man I ever met,” said Matt. “He’s the man! Great guy and an even better QB!”
What did he think of Pittsburgh? “I really enjoyed the city, great atmosphere!”
He enjoyed the FSU vs Pitt game too, his Seminoles beat the Panthers 41-13 on Monday. You could say that Matt experienced a perfect sports weekend in the Da Burgh.
Thank you Matt!
October in Pittsburgh
…is the perfect time to participate in the one running event that will allow you to experience the best of a city in less than 5K!
Bro Council, recently voted “Best Website” by readers of Pittsburgh Magazine, is excited to bring to life the city’s very first Brocathalon which takes place October 12th at 10:00 AM.
It’s not too late to register!
People from Pittsburgh and around the country will be able to participate in events that showcase what makes the city great…while they run!
Bro Council will be incorporating challenges that highlight the city’s best food and cherished icons. Plus, former Steelers Jeff Hartings and Justin Hartwig will emcee the event and greet runners at the finish line for a post-race party featuring even more of the best food and fun from the City of Champions.
You know what else? You’ll be supporting two great causes as a portion of the proceeds from the Brocathalon will be donated to locally founded charities, including the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation and Urban Impact Foundation.
Ben also has his own coupon code for you to use for a discount. If you register with the code “bigben7” you’ll receive $3 off your registration fee!
This isn’t just any race….while you run you’ll be dodging potholes, painting pop art for charity, being chased by zombies, eating chicken wings – and more!
Race “When & Where”:
Date: October 12, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM
Place: Roberto Clemente Park (by Heinz Field)
Cost: $32 (with your coupon)
Registration includes:
• Your race fee
• A Brocathalon t-shirt
• Access to the post-race party
For more information and to register, click here!
Also Today:
“I’ve never been about individual goals. It’s all about the team for me. To me, those are things I’ll look back on when I’m done, a little bit after the season, but mostly when I’m done with my career. I’ll look back and think about how great it might have been.” — Ben, when asked about closing in on 30,000 passing yards.
You can watch Ben’s interview with the media this afternoon about the team “being under the radar”, the season opener against the Tennessee Titans, losing Jonathan Dwyer, missing Heath Miller, the excitement of getting back to football, the success of the Pirates this season, and more
“A black & gold dream come true”
In February of this year, young Tyler Hallsey was diagnosed with Pontine Glioma – a tumor surrounding the brain stem. Recently, he had the opportunity to attend a Steelers pre-season game with his family, courtesy of former Steeler and current ESPN analyst Merril Hoge. It was a great night for Tyler, who also had the opportunity to meet and pose with Brett Keisel and Troy Polamalu, the man whose jersey he is wearing!
Tyler’s father, Chris, sent this email to share with other fans on his son’s experience:
When Tyler found out about his diagnosis he was scared and confused. We all were. My wife left the room to call her parents and give them the news. While she was out, Tyler and I talked about the road ahead and that it would be hard. We both made promises to each other, then I asked him what he thought we should do. He looked me in the eyes and said, “Whatever it takes”. I think Chuck Noll would be proud.
Since that day in February we have been Team Whatever It Takes.
I think Tyler’s approach to fighting his brain tumor and Ben’s approach on the field are the same. You do whatever it takes. You do what others may not want to do or aren’t willing to do, in order to get the results you want. Sometimes that path is hard or perilous, but you do what has to be done. It’s inspiring to witness, especially when it comes from your son.
It would be impossible for me to properly express the amount of gratitude I have in my heart for Ben, and his willingness to take the time to meet Tyler. He loved every minute of it. Tyler is known for his constant smile, but this smile was even big for him! He was beyond happy.
A little while after we met Ben and had photos taken with him, we were in the tunnel waiting to see Troy Polamalu. As the team came out for final warm ups, Ben saw Tyler again and said, “Hey! It’s my man Tyler!”. He remembered his name and that made the day even more special. Tyler was in heaven. I know it was a brief moment for Ben, but those brief moments will bring a […]
Take me out to the ballgame
Look who’s checking out the scene from the skybox at PNC Park on a summer night!
“Lets go Bucs!! Went to my first Pirates game the other night and the Pirates won!!” — Benjamin, Jr.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! Enjoy it Steeler Nation!
You can see more photos of me here.