Earlier this week, ESPN.com’s Power Rankings listed their picks for the top offensive players, excluding quarterbacks.   Today, they listed their picks for top AFC North quarterbacks.

From ESPN‘s James Walker:

1. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Skinny: Roethlisberger is clearly the best quarterback in the division. He’s been to three Super Bowls, winning two, and is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

Roethlisberger played some of the best football of his career the past two seasons and is in his prime.


2. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

3. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals

4. Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns

5. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals


For more on the rankings, click here.


*Thanks Trish!

With Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce!


UPDATE: We have a winner! Congratulations to Judy Hollifield of Chesnee, South Carolina! Thank you to everyone who took the time to send in your photos – including that Cowboys fan and a late-comer Jets fan!


The warm weather is here and it’s time to get the grill out and your Steelers grillin’ gear on!

In fact, send in a photo wearing your best Steelers fan grillin’ gear (the crazier – the better) and we will select our favorite!

The winner will receive a Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce starter kit, which includes one bottle each of Mild BBQ Sauce, Hot BBQ Sauce, Spicy Wing Sauce, Hot Sauce and a Black and Gold candle with the scent of hot apple pie.

The winner will also receive an autographed 8×10 photograph of Ben! A photo for a photo!

So grab your grilling tongs, your basting brushes, put on your apron, oven mitts, chef’s hat, or your crazy black and gold wig…and smile for the camera!

Photos will be accepted through Tuesday, May 31st at 10:00 p.m.  A winner will be selected and notified on Thursday afternoon, June 2nd.

Photos submitted will be added to a new album in the gallery entitled, “Get your grill on”. Photos that are deemed “inappropriate” or that do not follow to the grilling/tailgating theme will be excluded.

Only one winner will be selected.


Email your photos to bigben7website@gmail.com and don’t forget to send along your name and tell us where you’re from!


Good Luck!


UPDATE: Dallas Cowboys fan Al Boyd is calling Steeler Nation OUT!


If you don’t win, you can still enjoy Big Ben’s BBQ Sauce! Check out the website here.



*Thank you to Jan Banko and John Kosko.

A time to stop and give thanks…


With all my heart I give my thanks,

to those in uniform regardless of ranks.



You serve our country and serve it well,

with humble hearts your stories tell.



So as I rest my weary eyes,

while freedom rings our flag still flies.



You give your all, do what you must,

with God we live and God we trust.


Amen. — (author unknown)


Thank you to Greg Yakubick, Lance Cpl., U.S. Marine Corps, for sending the prayer.

Thank you Chad Wilson and Chris Camp for sending their photo – supporting their Steelers while serving their country in Afghanistan!


You can see more photos from our fans in the military here (second & third rows)!

Because we could use a little football while we wait for football!


This week on NFL Network:

Quarterback Challenge, May 2005

The competition tests the NFL’s premier quarterbacks in four different skills competitions, including accuracy, speed and mobility, distance, and ”No Huddle.” Participants include: Jake Delhomme, Matt Hasselbeck, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, Carson Palmer, Torry Holt, Joe Horn, Chad Johnson, and Keenan McCardell.

Part I – Friday, May 27th at 2:00 P.M.

Part II – Friday, May 27th at 3:00 P.M.


On May 25th, 2005, Ben wrote on his official blog about participating in the Challenge: “I had a lot of fun. I got to hang out with a bunch of great guys. I can’t tell you how I did because it is going to be on TV and I don’t want to ruin the whole show, so I hope that you all watch and see what happens. Anyway, while we were down there we had a lot of fun. We all went jet skiing in the ocean, played ping pong, had a golf outing, and ate a lot of great food.”

Boy, do we have photos!


Mr. Drew Moniot, Creative Development Manager for KDKA-TV, was called into action with his camera on January 27th when Ben made a guest appearance on “The PNC Steelers Huddle” show with Antwaan Randle El and Ryan Clark.

He took some great photographs both backstage and on stage during the taping of the show before a live audience and is sharing them with us!


You can see them here (pages 1 & 2).


*Thank you to both Mr. Moniot and KDKA!



Also Today:


“Huge Big Ben fan” Roger Saucedo of Monterrey, Mexico made the trip to Dallas for Super Bowl XLV and has sent a few photos to share with other fans here in the U.S.

He and his friends (at left) have formed a Steelers fan group they call “Regios de Acero”, which means “men & women of steel”.

The group meets every Sunday at a local bar in Monterrey to watch the Steelers play.They also make a trip to the U.S. every year to see a game. Roger said his dream is to visit Heinz Field someday to see his beloved team play at their home stadium.


You can see the photos here.


Thank you to Roger and “Regios de Acero” for sharing their photos!

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund has announced the new grant guidelines for the 2011-12 season.

This marks the fifth grant cycle for the Foundation. The majority of the grants distributed will help K-9 units to purchase dogs and dog safety vests, but other types of needs are also considered.

The Foundation will be distributing grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2011-12 season. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invites police and fire departments in these eight cities to submit proposals detailing their needs.

For the first time this year, if the Steelers make the playoffs, the Foundation will also make grants to two cities anywhere in the United States that would not otherwise be eligible to apply. In addition, the Foundation will continue to make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following the Super Bowl XLVI.

The Foundation distributed more than $110,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2010-11 Season.

Eligible departments must apply to The Giving Back Fund by August 1, 2011. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.


To view the full grant requirements, eligibility and evaluation process, click here.


For more information, please contact Jessica Duffaut at jduffaut@givingback.org