“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.

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.

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.