From Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News:

Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady show AFC power teams can dominate.

When looking at the four talented quarterbacks who played in the first two games of the 2011 NFL preseason’s second week, it was easy to see which two have multiple Super Bowl rings.

It was a tale of two different halves for the Pennsylvania-based No. 7s when their teams met in Pittsburgh. Although Roethlisberger should be a bit concerned his two left tackles — Jonathan Scott and rookie replacement Marcus Gilbert — injured their knees, he was sharp, delivering pretty TD passes to both rising star Antonio Brown and old reliable Hines Ward. With his ability to extend pass plays with his strength and mobility, Big Ben rendered a much-hyped Eagles secondary listless.


You can read more here.



From Jonathan Tamari, The Philadelphia Inquirer:

On a drive that included nine runs and five passes, the Eagles defensive ends were flying around the edges but often overrunning Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was able to step up in the pocket. Roethlisberger was 5 for 8 passing on the drive for 70 yards and was helped when Cullen Jenkins grabbed his facemask on a third-down sack.

With the Eagles setting up their defensive linemen wide, Roethlisberger also took advantage of wide open space in the middle of the field, running one time up the gut for 8 yards. Only linebacker Jamar Chaney was in the area, and he was taken out by the center.

On the final play, Roethlisberger used hesitation to freeze Samuel, allowing Antonio Brown to run free for a 29-yard touchdown to cap a drive of 7 minutes, 36 seconds. The Steelers’ second drive went 96 yards in 8:15 and also ended in a touchdown.


You can read more here.



For the Fantasy Football fans…

From Rotoworld:

Ben Roethlisberger completed 8-of-12 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles in the Steelers’ second preseason game.

The Steelers’ first-team offense dominated time of possession through a quarter and a half, imposing their will on the Eagles’ star-studded defense. A spry-looking Roethlisberger impressively escaped pressure, hitting a wide open Antonio Brown for a 29-yard score and Hines Ward for a 20-yard touchdown. He left with a 140.6 passer rating. […]

From a featured interview at KDKA-Channel 2:

The Steelers are looking for a vast improvement tonight against the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field.

Ben Roethlisberger thinks this offense can do big things. “Honestly, I think we can run the ball, I think we can throw the ball, but it’s going to be up to us.

“‘Can we identify? Can we protect? Can we open up holes? Can we throw? Can we catch?’

“We relied for such a long time on this defense to kind of carry us and obviously this game, the offense does great things, but as a team, as an offense, we want to step up every week,” Roethlisberger continued.


You can read more here.

Several new photos added to the gallery today…

Big fans and lil’ fans!

PFC Phil Smith (left) and SSG Rey Rivera are currently deployed to Afghanistan out of Ft. Lewis, Washington.

Both are “big time Steeler fans” and can’t wait for this season to start.

PFC Smith is from Pittsburgh, and SSG Rivera is from Arizona.

Thank you gentlemen! Stay safe and God bless!


You can see a larger version of their photo here.

Also, check out Montana’s Brian Goodson’s senior class photo! A serious #7 fan!

And, an “oldie but goodie” (circa 2007) of Keely Mullen and friends posing with Ben.


As for the Lil’ Fans…

Jordan, Zach, Leah, Matt, a baby Ben, and even a dog named “Berger”!

You can see them all here.



Also Today:

Don’t Miss…

Ben’s call-in interview with 970 ESPN‘s Tunch and Wolf today!!

He took his offensive line out to lunch and made the mistake of leaving his food behind to make the call!


You can listen to this fun interview here.


And:

Joe Starkey of SportsRadio 93-7 The FAN interviewed Steelers defensive coordinator and HOF’er Dick LeBeau today.

Among the topics that Mr. LeBeau talked about was his close relationship with Ben and how the two of them will sometimes “pick each others brains”.


You can listen to the interview here.



*Thank you Jackie and Trish!



Quote of the Day:

“What they don’t have to worry about: Ben Roethlisberger. He looks as good as ever.” — Gerry Dulac, from his PGPlus Training Camp Observations blog today in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

More video highlights from the Ben Roethlisberger Football Camp that took place June 20th and 21st.





Be sure to check out Ben’s message to big Steelers fan and Camp supporter Garth Brooks at the end of the video!

Ben hosted 500 children at the two-day camp with the help of teammates and camp instructors. According to parents and grandparents, it was a big success that their youngsters enjoyed every minute of.


*Thank you to Nick Sampson!

From an article this evening by the Mike Bires, at the Beaver County Times:

If Ben Roethlisberger called the plays this season, the Steelers’ offense would be called “Air Pittsburgh.”

“We should throw every play,” he said.

Roethlisberger, who’s entering his eighth season, wasn’t totally serious when he made that comment. Obviously, as a quarterback, he’d like to throw the ball as often as possible but he knows that in order to be effective, there has to be some kind of balance between pass and run.

“We have all this talent. We can be as good as we want to be,” he said. “We can run the ball. We can throw the ball. But it’s going to be up to us. Can we identify (opposing defenses)? Can we (pass) protect? Can we open up holes? Can we throw? Can we catch?

“As an offense, we want to score a lot of points and make it easier for our defense,” Roethlisberger said.


You can read more from Mr. Bires column here.

You can watch video of an interview with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians here.


*Thanks to Becky!



Also this evening:

Check out this photo of Ben relaxing in his Da Beard Gear after a tough day of practice!

More fan photos!

Greg and Billie Jo Yakubik took one more trip to Latrobe today as Steelers training camp winds down and we look forward to Thursday’s pre-season game at Heinz Field.

Luckily, Billie Jo brought along her camera again and took some great action photos to share with us.

You can see her latest, as well as all the photos taken by fans who attended camp this summer right here.


*Thank you so much to everyone who shared their photos with the site this summer!



Also Today:

A special “Shout Out” to one of Steeler Nation’s best, Marianne – the forum administrator known as “Hometown Girl” on the popular SteelersUniverse.com!

Marianne is going through a serious medical situation right now and we just want to tell her that we are thinking about her and we will keep her in our prayers!