Ben: “I won’t have to throw for a week or so”
Ben spoke to the media today about his injured thumb:
Roethlisberger injured the thumb on his throwing hand sometime during Pittsburgh’s 24-17 win over Cincinnati on Sunday. He’s not sure when it happened, only that he noticed it while coming out for the second half.
“It was hard to determine it on the sideline, but we did all the tests (Monday), and it’s fractured in there,” Roethlisberger said.
Roethlisberger didn’t miss a snap as the Steelers improved to 7-3. He completed 7 of 11 passes for 70 yards in the second half, including a perfect 4-for-4 during the game-winning drive in the third quarter.
“It hurt, but (Steelers head trainer) John Norwig did a great job taping it up, making a quick splint out of tape and going with it,” Roethlisberger said. “Squeezing the ball is the hardest part, but it’s a good thing that I had a glove on it because that helps gripping it a little bit.”
This isn’t the first time Roethlisberger has played with a busted thumb. He suffered a similar injury in 2005, though it didn’t prevent him from leading the Steelers to their fifth Super Bowl title.
There should be no issues this time either, though Roethlisberger will continue to play with a splint. Pittsburgh travels to Kansas City on Nov. 27.
“I won’t have to throw for a week or so, (until) next Wednesday or whenever we practice next week,” Roethlisberger said. “So, that’ll be a good time for it to rest. For me, it’ll just be getting used to throwing with a splint on again and a glove on, which I’ve done before.”
Roethlisberger has been playing some of the best football of his career during Pittsburgh’s surge following a 2-2 start. The Steelers have won five of six going into their bye week despite an inconsistent running game and a defense that’s put up its usual stellar numbers but has struggled to take the ball away.
No matter. Roethlisberger is completing 64 percent of his passes for 1,726 yards and 13 touchdowns against just four interceptions over the last six games and became the first quarterback in team history to top 300 yards in […]
Vote…
…for Ben and his teammates to play in the 2012 NFL Pro Bowl!! Being selected as a starter in the Pro Bowl is a huge honor for players! Let’s show our team how much we support their selection – vote early, vote often! Make Hawaii Black & Gold!
The annual contest of the AFC and NFC’s best will take place Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii.
Steelers on the ballot from the offense include Ben, Rashard Mendenhall, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Hines Ward, David Johnson, Heath Miller, Marcus Gilbert, Max Starks, Ramon Foster, Chris Kemoeatu, and Maurkice Pouncey.
Defensive players include Brett Keisel, Ziggy Hood, Casey Hampton, James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, William Gay, Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu, and Ryan Clark.
Ben now ranks third in the NFL in passing yards behind Drew Brees and Tom Brady! He is 224 of 354 (63.3%) for 2,877 yards, 16 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 93.2 rating so far this season!
Balloting is open until Monday, Dec. 19 at the conclusion of Monday Night Football (Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers, 8:30 p.m.).
The Pro Bowl teams will be announced at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27 on a special NFL Total Access 2012 Pro Bowl Selection Show on NFL Network.
You can vote for the Black & Gold as many times as you like, just click here!
You can read more on the 2012 Pro Bowl here.
You can check out photos from Ben’s participation in the 2008 Pro Bowl here.
Also Today:
Kudos to a rookie QB from a former Rookie Quarterback of the Year….
From Jim Corbett, USA TODAY –
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger intercepted Cincinnati Bengals rookie Andy Dalton Sunday at the end of the Steelers, 24-17 victory Sunday and told the kid to hold his head high.
In the eyes of Pittsburgh’s two-time Super Bowl-winner , the fifth quarterback chosen in the April draft is the best of a talented 2011 quarterback class — better than first overall pick and Carolina Panthers sensation Cam Newton; better than Jacksonville’s 10th pick Blaine Gabbert and […]
Steelers 24, Bengals 17
“It was a divisional game, so it was huge for us to get out here and come to a hostile place with a team playing great football. It was a good one for us. A good test.” — Ben, post-game.
Ben completed 21 of 33 passes for 245 yards with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery.
Running back Rashard Mendenhall added two short touchdown runs, while Shaun Suisham kicked a 39-yard field goal for the other points.
It was Rashard Mendenhall who scored the go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter. He carried the ball 16 times for 44 yards.
Pittsburgh’s defense came up with two interceptions in the fourth to claim a 24-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in a key AFC North battle.
“It was really windy. That’s the only reason I went with the glove, because you can spin it a little better. It definitely affected some throws, but you know me, I’ll never make excuses.” — Ben, when asked about wind conditions affecting his throws.
Mike Wallace caught six passes for 54 yards and carried the ball two times for 31 yards.
Andy Dalton connected on 15-of-30 passes for 170 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Cincinnati (6-3), which had a five-game winning streak snapped.
“That was kind of the mentality — ‘Let’s go no-huddle and try and get down there. Let’s answer.’ We take pride as an offense in wanting to be the best. It’s our time to do it, so let’s step up and score. We always want to answer. If I remember right, it was a pretty long drive, converting third downs. That’s huge. It gives our defense a break, wears their defense down, and when you score at the end of it, then it’s good.” — Ben, on the decision to go no-huddle late in the third quarter.
With the score tied at 17-17 midway through the third quarter, the Steelers put together an 11-play, 81-yard scoring drive. Jerricho Cotchery got the march going with a 13-yard catch. Antonio Brown caught a 12-yard pass a few plays later to put the ball at the Cincinnati 40. Isaac Redman followed with an 11-yard run before Wallace added a 12-yard catch to put the ball at the nine. Mendenhall then broke through a leg tackle and rumbled […]
Veterans Day
To Ben and the Steelers, from active military around the world, veterans, and their families here in the US:
“Good morning from Iraq! I’m a US Army soldier, getting ready to finish out my tour in Iraq and was just wondering if you would like to pass on to Ben (and the rest of the team) some of the attached photos of me and my teammates during our travels through the country with my Terrible Towel.
“I’ve been a Steeler fan since I was a kid and never thought I’d get to do the things I’ve been doing for the Army and for our country…I just wanted to share these with you all and hope you enjoy them…One thing I’ve been able to do is follow the Steelers during this deployment and I’m looking forward to getting home and catching the last couple of the season from my home (in Virginia) with my family. Take care and thanks!” — CW3 Thomas Romero, US Army – serving in Iraq
“Ben: You do a good thing to recognize veterans. A prompt from home, especially the home team, boosts morale and gives our guys a huge lift. I was there, I know.” — God bless you, Dan Baker (Wheeling)
“Ben, throughout history men have won and lost great battles. For the ones that are lost doesn’t mean that the war is over so continue doing the amazing job that you do and in the end you will become victorious…I also want to take this opportunity to say I am very grateful for all the support you and the Steelers show our military, going to war is one of hardest things a soldier must face but knowing we have support, helps us to remember why we serve in the first place. God Bless and Go Steelers!” — Veteran Corporal Gregory Yakubik, 1st BN 5th Marines, Charlie Company, United States Marine Corps
“As a retired U.S. Marine Master Sgt., thank you Big Ben for the many days of happiness and relief of stress that your style of play has brought me. You’re one tough dude, keep playing hard and…Go STEELERS!!!” –MSgt. George L. Hall, […]
Ben’s Foundation: Norwood Police Department receives grant
“We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.” — Ben, on the mission of his foundation.
Today, Ben announced the fifth grant of the 2011 season from The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.
The foundation will be distributing a grant to the Norwood Police Department just outside of Cincinnati, OH where the Steelers will play the Bengals this Sunday, November 13th.
The department is seeking financial assistance to purchase training and safety equipment for a canine and training for the handler.
Norwood Police Chief Keith Belleman said, “The Norwood Police Department is proud and grateful to receive the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation grant. This grant will allow the Norwood Police Department to re-institute its K-9 program. If not for the generosity of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, this would not have been possible. Mr. Roethlisberger has repeatedly shown his commitment to law enforcement and we couldn’t be more appreciative.”
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is distributing grants to police and fire departments in Pittsburgh and in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers in the 2011 season. Last summer, Ben invited police and fire departments in the local areas of those nine cities to submit proposals detailing their needs.
For more information:
Check out Ben’s Foundation page here and the Giving Back Fund’s website here.
Also Today:
ESPN‘s Jamison Hensley has compiled his Mid-Season All-Division Team for the AFC North today and has Ben as his pick for quarterback:
“Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers. He’s on pace for 4,679 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. Roethlisberger isn’t just the best quarterback of the division. He’s the best quarterback in the AFC right now.”
Mike Wallace, Brett Keisel, LaMarr Woodley, Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu and Antonio Brown also made his team!
You can check out the rest of his picks here.
And:
Ben speaks out for teammate Ryan Clark
From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
Safety Ryan Clark was fined $40,000 by the NFL for his hit on Ravens tight end Ed Dickson in Sunday night’s loss to Baltimore. This is Clark’s second fine in two weeks after being hit with a $15,000 fine for a late hit against the Patriots, which he understood because it was out of bounds.
This time, though, he feels he did nothing wrong.
Clark’s teammates, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, agreed that the hit was legal.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Roethlisberger. “You never want to see one of your guys get hit, especially for that much money. I went back and watched it. If you slow it down and watch it, it’s about as picture-perfect of a tackle you can make. His head was down right across the chest and the back of his helmet maybe grazed the bottom of the receiver’s face mask. Someone needs to stand up and do something like De Smith. He is our player guy, stand up and do something for our players.”
Wide receiver Hines Ward was hit in the game by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, a play that wasn’t penalized and knocked Ward out of the game with a stinger. Roethlisberger was asked if the Steelers receivers get the same treatment as their opponents, although it was later learned Lewis was fined $20,000.
“Who hit Hines?” Roethlisberger sarcastically asked. “I don’t know if there was a fine. Was there a fine anywhere else? Who knows? You have to be careful how much you comment on that stuff.”
You can read more here.