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!
It’s the last week of training camp
…but we still have plenty of photos to share, thanks to Steeler Nation!
Fan Wendy Martelle added a sepia tone to her photo of Ben working with the offensive line.
You can see more of Wendy’s photos as well as action photographs taken by other fans here.
A.J. Hughes and Estaban Harlowski were able to meet Ben at camp. You can check out their photos here.
And you have to see this watercolor of Ben and Brett Keisel done by Michael A. Johnson.
The 2012 Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Invitational
On behalf of The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, I would like to personally thank all of our sponsors and participants for their generous contributions! — Ben
On July 9th, 2012, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Invitational took place at Sewickley Heights Golf Club in Sewickley, PA. It was Ben’s first charity golf event.
Proceeds from the Invitational benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.
In 2011, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation granted $46,000 to police and fire departments in the Pittsburgh area, and another $77,000 around the country for a total of $123,000.
For the past several years, Ben has devoted his time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation because of his passion to help children. One of the most memorable of these Make-A-Wish moments was when he met 14-year old Akeem Havens, who signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in May of 2008 to become one of Ben’s go-to wide receivers for the day!
A total of 112 golfers participated in the tournament with 27 companies and corporations sponsoring the event, including Apollo Jets, Patriot Homes Corporation, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PNC, #1 Cochran, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The golfers had a great time with the pre-tournament competitions, which included the Chip Shot Challenge, a Super Bowl XLIII Challenge (throwing the football through the hands of a cardboard Santonio Holmes), Shuffleboard Golf, a “Big Shot” Challenge (driving your way through the AFC North), a $5,000 Putt Challenge, and a $1 million dollar Shootout (165 yard shot). During the tournament, golfers had the opportunity to try their hand at other competitions along the course, including Poker & Roulette Golf, a Men’s and Women’s Long Drive, the Straight Drive, a “Coffin Corner” on the 9th hole, and a TPC Sawgrass “Island Green” hole on the 17th.
The weather was perfect for a patio lunch buffet provided by the Sewickley Golf Club – sunny and 85 degrees with a slight breeze. Late in the afternoon, after 18 holes of golf, there was a delicious dinner provided inside the Club, where prizes were given for the day’s big winners.
You can see photos from the Invitational here!