“I think it’s great. It’s a great boost for the defense because they’re out there. The defense just kind of feeds off those guys as leaders. Offensively, it’s going to be great to see them out there, to see that hair blowing in the wind as he’s running around making tackles is a neat thing.” — Ben, on the return of Troy Polamalu and James Harrison

Highlights from Ben’s talk with the media today about Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles:

What problems does the Eagles defense present?

I hate to say problem. I like to say challenge. The challenge is for the tackles, the tight ends, and the line in general. If we can protect in the pass game, I think that’s big for us because we can take advantage of our wide receivers and our tight ends down the field. In the run game, taking advantage of those guys really being more speed guys, hopefully we can use some strength and power to move them.


When you are scoring a lot of points, does it matter if they come via the run or the pass?

You want to win the game however you can win the game, truthfully. We always say we want to score points so we have to keep scoring points, score more, and bring the running game as we go.


Re: The importance of this game, even though it is not a divisional or conference game:

We definitely want to get back on track. But, in just talking to the Philly media, it’s probably just as much Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia. Ever since I’ve been here, like you said it’s not a division game, it’s AFC versus NFC, but no matter what sport it is it seems to be Pittsburgh versus Philly and a general hatred. That’s what I’ve noticed since I moved here about Philadelphia. I think it’s just as much that, too.


Re: Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia in other sports:

I’m always rooting for the Pittsburgh team. There’s no doubt about that. I like to watch the fans boo the Flyers so I boo too (laughs).


You can read more from Teresa Varley’s Steelers.com Blog here.

You can watch the video of his interview here.



Also Today:

From Mark Kaboly, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

“The biggest thing is our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Pagano and his family and everything that he’s going through. Hopefully, he can get healthy and get back at it and I know that B.A. will do a great job of filling in for him.” — Ben referencing the news about the illness of Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano.

Highlights from Ben’s interview:


On whether he anticipates many games being decided on the final drive –

Potentially. You hope not. You hope that you can blow someone out and not have to worry about the last drive. I need to be better on the last drive. I take pride in fourth quarter comebacks and drives. I just need to be better and be ready for them.


On the idea of “needing a win” this weekend –

There’s no panic in here. It’s still a marathon, but we need to get a win. We’re playing a very good team coming in here. We’re glad to be back at home and we’ll see what we can do.


On his center, Maurkice Pouncey –

He’s the best center in the game. He’s a Pro Bowler for a reason. I’m blessed to have him.


On this weekend’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, from the offensive side –

It’s nice being able to use the cadence at home and being able to slow down rushers, hopefully. It’s just easier to communicate. We’ll be able to use the field to our advantage and the fans. We enjoy being at home and we’ll try to take advantage of that.


You can watch the video of his interview here.

Just wanted to wish my mom a very Happy Birthday today! Love you very much! Thanks for all you do, have done, and will do!

October 29th 2012 – Bid for Hope IX:

Heath Miller and his wife Katie will once again host this worthwhile event. This year the festivities will take place at Jergels Rhythm Grill in Warrendale.

It is sponsored through A Glimmer of Hope and proceeds benefit the “Under Forty Breast Cancer Study”.

Kickoff begins at 7:00 PM and ends at 11:00 PM.  The Autograph Session with Heath and his teammates is from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The evening also includes both a live and a silent auction so fans can bid on autographed Steelers memorabilia, and great food and drinks!

This year’s Special Guest Auctioneer is Bob Pompeani, Sports Director for KDKA.

“It’s for a great cause,” said Heath Miller, whose cousin successfully battled the disease. “It’s something that has been a part of the Steelers for a while now. It’s such a good thing. It’s important for us to contribute.”

Heath will be accompanied by some of his teammates – Previous attendees have included teammates Ben, Brett Keisel (above signing autographs at the 2011 event), and Troy Polamalu. Also, it’s not unusual for former teammate Alan Faneca, who previously hosted the event, to return to Pittsburgh to join the cause as well.


If you’d like to purchase tickets, click here.

If you’d like to make a donation, click here.

You can see photos from past Bid For Hope events here and here.

You can keep up with Heath Miller’s career here.


*Thank you to Diana Napper, Glimmer of Hope, photographer Gary Yon, and Trish!

We’ve got a few new Lil’ Fans, a couple of Lil’ Teammates, some big fans, proud Steelers Mexico fans, cute Steelers pets…and even a Steelers-themed wedding!!!


The two photos below came to us via the site’s Twitter page…


Benny & Berger:

























Lil’ Fan Benny waits impatiently for the Steelers game to start. Luckily his best buddy “Berger” doubles as a comfortable napping place to chill til’ the opening kickoff!



Headin’ to Heinz:


























That’s Peyton Morecraft behind the wheel of his micro-mini Cooper (proudly wearin’ his #7 jersey) driving a few Lil’ Teammates to Heinz Field for game day…after some awesome tailgating first! His sister Delaney, and cousins Willow Grace and Lily Victoria Rudman show off their Polamalu pride!



*Thank you to Paul D. and Drew Denham for tweeting the photos!!

Ben spoke to the media earlier today:


A few highlights –

On the ending of the Monday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks –

Watched it. Crazy game. Crazy ending. Glad I wasn’t a part of it.


On whether he thinks the “tie goes to the runner”, to the offense –

As an offensive player, sure (laughs). If I was on defense, no, but it’s tough. Like I’ve said, I’m glad that I wasn’t put in that situation.


On his earlier comments about using calls in Sunday’s game that weren’t in the playbook –

I probably didn’t speak clearly enough. It wasn’t necessarily I called plays as much as I used signals…hand signals. I really didn’t think it would get blown up as much as it did, so I know some people are saying that I’ve been resistant to Todd. But it’s one of those things that we went to Todd, and it’s in the playbook now. It was simply a signal that I used with the receivers on two different occasions. One was on the fourth-and-one early, we got the ball to Mike. The other one was later on third down to Emmanuel. So, we converted on both plays so they worked out. The point of me saying that was [to answer the] question how everybody was on the same page [with] me using signals that we’ve had for a long time that weren’t necessarily in the offense, but they are now because they worked. So, it’s just good that we’re on the same page. That’s all.


On the early success of the no huddle –

Well, we work very hard at it. We put a lot of extra work in, me, the receivers, tight ends, the line, the coaches, and we ask a lot of questions and got a lot of answers. So, I think it’s just a lot of hard work paying off.


On whether he talks to former OC Bruce Arians –

We talk every week, and I mostly ask about Andrew [Luck], about how he’s doing. I’m always interested in the other quarterbacks in the league.


On how comfortable he is with the new offense –

The good thing is that we’re getting better with the hand signals. Not only did we have to learn new words (for the plays), but […]