Ben talks Mike Wallace
From his interview today with Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
Reaction to seeing WR Mike Wallace back with the team –
It was neat. It’s neat seeing him back. He’s a friend, a teammate and a brother. We’re excited to have him back.
Are you worried about his football fitness?
Not at all.
Understanding that football is a business and holdouts are a part of it –
We’re just excited to get him on the field. It’s kind of like your parents telling you that you get a new car but it has to sit in the driveway because you don’t have any insurance. Once you get that insurance, you can get out and take it for a ride.
How prepared is Wallace?
To me, it’s about how much work he has put in on his own learning the playbook. I know he’s been working out physically, but mentally has he been working out? We’ll see when we get in meetings and get out there.
You can read more from his one-on-one interview with Ms. Varley here.
Statement from Ben
Follow-up comments and a correction on the playing surface in Buffalo:
In my post-game interview on Saturday, when asked about the knee injury David DeCastro suffered, I mistakenly referred to the artificial grass in Buffalo as FieldTurf. My intention was only to say I believe real grass is the safest surface for football, and allows some knee injuries to be avoided. I was really bothered by David’s injury in that moment, and can only wish him the best now in his recovery.
Pre-Season Game 3
Final Score: Steelers 38, Bills 7
Ben was 7/8 for 92 yards in less than two minutes after engineering an 11-play, 98-yard drive during the second quarter, which resulted in a touchdown:
“I called the play, and I can see what’s going on with the [Bills] defense. Guys made great plays – we had a running back make a catch on the sideline like a receiver, we utilized the middle of the field, guys got out of bounds to save us time because we only had one timeout, and we didn’t have to use it until we got all the way down the field. It was a pretty successful drive for us.” — Ben, when asked by NFL Network‘s sideline reporter Kim Jones about “that level” of execution.
From NFL.com this evening, “Big Ben shreds Buffalo Bills on 98-yard scoring drive”:
With 15 days to go until his team plays a meaningful game, Ben Roethlisberger already is in regular-season mode.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback sunk a knife into the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night with a two-minute drill for the (preseason) ages.
Starting on Pittsburgh’s 2-yard line with just 1:46 remaining in the first half, Big Ben marched the Steelers on an 11-play, 98-yard drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown strike to Antonio Brown. Roethlisberger was 7-for-8 passing for 92 yards on a frantic run in which Bills coach Chan Gailey seemed to age seven years.
Roethlisberger’s touchdown toss gave Pittsburgh a seven-point lead at halftime, and they eventually won 38-7.
We’ve been beaten to near-death with cautionary words about offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s run-heavy attack. When it mattered Saturday night, the Steelers’ offense became Big Ben’s playground. And that’s really when this team shines.
More from Mark Sessler, including video of Ben’s interview here.
If you didn’t get to watch it this evening, NFL Network will replay the game on Monday, August 27th at 4:00 pm AND on Thursday, August 30th at Noon.
Ben Stat: 17/24 for 169 yards, 1 touchdown.
“It was big for us because we want to be physical. We pride ourselves on that, the line prides themselves on that. I think Isaac did a great job of pushing it, almost getting in. Then he got a little help from Ramon Foster and he just dragged him right in.” — Ben to […]
This is the last of ’em!
The last group of fan photos to close out the 2012 Steelers Training Camp have been posted to the gallery!
A smile and a wave from Ben as he and Brett Keisel leave the field after practice during the last week of training camp! The photo was taken by Jake Fisher.
Also, check out the Wilhite family’s latest addition to their autographed helmet collection here.
And, we can’t forget those Lil’ Fans! Two-year old Mariah Gilbers, and the Dobbs sisters show off their Big Ben jerseys here!
*Thank you to everyone who shared photos during training camp!!!
Pre-Season Game 2
Final Score: Steeler 26, Colts 24
“We’re making a little bit of progress. I still think we’re leaving a lot out there. We’re not playing as good as we could or should but we’re making progress.” — Ben, on the offense.
Ben completed 5-of-9 passes for 81 yards, one touchdown, and an interception in Sunday night’s preseason game against the Colts.
He is now 12-of-17 for 130 yards, one touchdown, and one interception through two preseason games.
Charlie Batch replaced Ben a little more than half-way through the second quarter, and after leading a 12-play drive ending in a field goal, Charlie was replaced by Jerrod Johnson who finished the game.
“Well, we were in the huddle and I had to call the play. I had a two-way option and I gave it to him. I thought he’d get the first down, and he ended up getting a little more.” — Ben, on the touchdown pass to Antonio Brown.
From Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post_Gazette:
As they did in Philadelphia, the Steelers scored on a 57-yard touchdown that began as a short pass. Antonio Brown took the pass from Roethlisberger with Heath Miller and Leonard Pope blocking in front of him.
Roethlisberger and his first-team offense bowed out after four possessions in the first half. Batch replaced him with 9:16 left in the second quarter.
You can read more post-game here and here.
You can check out a few photos here.
Another Game Note:
According to the Pittsburgh Business Times, “The Pittsburgh Steelers’ primetime preseason game brought a victory not only to the Steelers against the Indianapolis Colts but also NBC, which carried the telecast Sunday.
“NBC’s primetime programming averaged about 8.9 million viewers between 8 and 11 p.m. for the preseason NFL game…viewership peaked at 10.3 million in the 9 p.m. hour.”
Also Today:
Scouts Inc. and ESPN.com‘s Matt Williamson evaluated and ranked the top 200 players in the league. Ben was named fourth on the Quarterbacks List –
“He has great vision and instincts in the pocket and is one of the best at […]
Varley: Wishes really do come true
From Teresa Varley this afternoon, at Steelers.com:
As 13-year old Christopher Naegeli watched the Steelers morning practice at training camp, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came behind him, then knelt down beside him and started talking football.
The teenager who a few minutes earlier was joking with his mom and sister, got quiet and shy, meeting his hero for the first time….
You can read more from her blog, and see some great photos here!