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.

“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.

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!