Steelers and the no-huddle offense
“I love it, and so do the wide receivers. I like the change of pace. I like the up-tempo, and it’s hard for the defense to substitute.” — Ben, on using the no-huddle.
From Mark Kaboly, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
After a significant decrease in employing the no-huddle offense last year, the Steelers may dust it off against Atlanta on Saturday – to the delight of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger said he would like to see the offense pick up where it left off in last week’s 24-14 victory over the Eagles, with the added wrinkle of the no-huddle.
“We want to establish ourselves and what we want to do,” Roethlisberger said. “We may go some no-huddle, and if we do that then I would like to execute that well.”
You can read more here.
You can read an article entitled, “Falcons, Steelers ready for pre-season test” by the AP here.
Quote of the Day:
“Ben is in such a cool spot right now. He just seems right.” — Willie Colon, from an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette‘s Ron Cook.
Starkey: Big Ben’s unique talent
“I think every quarterback should believe they’re the best. Do I think there are better quarterbacks than me? Possibly. But would I take anyone else with the ball in their hands at the end of the game? I don’t think so.” — Ben, from his interview.
From Joe Starkey, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Ben Roethlisberger often wins on his worst days. He also has the best definition of quarterback toughness I’ve heard, one sure to send stats geeks running to their hard drives to see if it fits into one of their unfathomable formulas.
We broach the topic because it’s that time of year — time for everybody to rank the quarterbacks. I don’t know if Roethlisberger deserves to be ranked first, but I know this: He belongs in the conversation.
Super Bowl titles? Passer rating? Accuracy?
Won-loss record? Getting warmer. Roethlisberger is 69-29 in his career.
Which brings us to his definition of toughness. He was sitting at a quarterbacks’ round table a few years ago, with Sport Illustrated’s Peter King, when he delivered the following gem:
“Toughness is playing the worst game of your life but not backing down. Down 21 points and the defense is getting through, and you throw three interceptions. Staying in that game, keeping your head up, trying to drive your team when everything’s going wrong — that’s the kind of toughness I want in my quarterback.”
I think of last year’s game at Baltimore, when Roethlisberger — having a miserable night with a banged-up foot and broken nose — was presented with an opportunity to win and snatched it. His biggest play was fending off Terrell Suggs and shoveling the ball out of bounds to avoid a sack.
Is there a stat for that?
You can read more from Mr. Starkey’s column here.
Quote of the Day:
“I understand how hard Ben’s job is as a quarterback. If Ben asks me if I was open and I was, I’ll tell him. If he asks me if I was covered and I was covered, I’m going to tell him I was covered. He’s looking for honest feedback, and I think if everyone gives him that, it makes his job a little bit easier.” — Heath Miller, from an interview […]
“Safety first? What about Roethlisberger?”
“The hits keep coming for Ben Roethlisberger — late hits, low hits, cheap hits. But he won’t complain, and for good reason. See who is complaining.” — Jim Wexell.
From an article written by Mr. Wexell today at SteelCityInsider.net:
The Steelers’ quarterback was hit late after his first pass of his first preseason game this season, and then was hit late after his first pass of his second preseason game.
After both plays, replays showed the referee clearly eyeballing the late hit, but neither time did he throw a flag.
Roethlisberger was asked Tuesday whether he wanted to comment, but he chose to keep quiet.
So, what is it with the officiating in this alleged era of safety? Why does the Steelers’ quarterback continue to take a pounding and yet no one has anything to say about it?
You can read what some of Ben’s teammates have to say about it here.
*Thank you to Mr Wexell.
Scouts Inc: #7 is #8 in 2011 NFL Top 200
From Scouts Inc. via ESPN this afternoon:
After watching games and breaking down film, Scouts Inc. has evaluated and graded more than 2,500 NFL players heading into the 2011 season.
Top 10 from their Top 200:
1. Tom Brady
2. Peyton Manning
3. Darrelle Revis
4. Adrian Peterson
5. Aaron Rodgers
6. Drew Brees
7. Andre Johnson
8. Ben Roethlisberger – Roethlisberger is a big, strong-armed quarterback with above average athleticism. He has quick feet for his size and can slide and improvise to make effective throws downfield. Roethlisberger is the toughest quarterback in the league to get on the ground, with great instincts to avoid pressure and natural body strength to break tackles. He has great vision and patience to find his second and third options but can be a bit of a gambler.
9. Joe Thomas
10. Larry Fitzgerald
You can read more analysis and review the full list here.
Also This Afternoon:
Ben, Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch interviewed with Joe Starkey of Seibel, Starkey and Miller on Sportsradio 93-7 The FAN and were asked what they thought it takes to be an elite quarterback in the NFL.
You can listen to their interviews here.
Ben on his backups: “I’ve been very blessed”
From Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
If there is a better situation than the one the Steelers have at quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger would like to know it. And he is not speaking about himself.
The Steelers have the best, most experienced group of backup quarterbacks in the NFL.
“[With] a lot of teams you hear people say, ‘Oh, my God, we would never survive if Peyton Manning went down’ or Tom Brady or something like that,” Roethlisberger said. “We can not only survive, we can thrive and win.”
The Steelers have long had good, capable backup quarterbacks, but they never have had the kind of quality and experience from one through three — never mind four — at the position.
“I’ve been very blessed since the day I got here to have great quarterbacks in that [meeting] room,” Roethlisberger said.
You can read more here.
“Roethlisberger ready for season opener”
“We found ways to make plays, and guys found ways to get open. I found a way to get them the ball.” — Ben on Thursday’s Pre-Season Game performance.
From Buck Frank, Altoona Mirror this afternoon:
Take a bow Ben Roethlisberger. Now take a seat. The Steelers quarterback played just two series Thursday night in the team’s 24-14 preseason victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field, but those two series were enough to have him ready for the regular season.
The drives were masterful, with the Steelers converting all seven third-down opportunities – although one came with the help of a big facemask penalty. And Roethlisberger connected with seven different receivers.
The performance was extra encouraging because it came against the Eagles’ first-team defense, which boasts its dream team of cornerbacks in Samuel, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Roethlisberger looked like a quarterback who has something to prove after losing the Super Bowl in February.
You can read the rest here.
You can also read a complete recap from the Examiner‘s Christina Rivers here.
*Thank you to Jan!
Also Today:
Ben was named “Steelers Digest Player of the Week” for his performance in last night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
You can read more here.
And:
You’ll enjoy the “Game Day Exclusive” video posted at Steelers.com – plenty of highlights and a lot of sideline moments.