More from NFL Network reporter Albert Breer’s conversation with quarterback coach George Whitfield earlier this week:

Whitfield says the focus was on Roethlisberger being more efficient in getting the ball out on time, being better at bringing the ball back up in scramble situations to become more consistent with his launch point, and being more compact with his footwork in the pocket. And the coach could see the strides in Roethlisberger’s 15 games (playoffs included) this year.

“It’s his consistency,” Whitfield said. “It’s just how organized and consistent he was in terms of playing. There are times, especially during that (Sunday) night Ravens game, when he does things that can’t be coached, can’t be duplicated. But in some games, it comes down to how you’re doing things in the cockpit, little things you notice, where I’d be like, ‘Nice shot there.’

Now remember, this is a 28-year-old quarterback with two Super Bowl titles, three conference titles, four division titles, and five playoff berths in seven years.

And he could still be ascending? Whitfield thinks so.

“That may shock people,” the coach said. “But there are areas where, I don’t want to say he can be better, but I’ll put it like this: It’s scary how good he can be. There are still more weapons within Ben’s game, more phases to his game, it’s pretty scary. He came in that September with a lot of things we worked on, and he could hone in on those and make them second nature.

“I don’t think the NFL has seen the best elements of Ben…”


You can read the rest of Mr. Breer’s column here.

You can read more from their conversation below (February 16th post).

You can check out photos from Ben’s workouts here, and Mr. Whitfield’s website here.

“It’s its own entity. He hides everything in there. We go hunting, and he hides his decoys in there.” — Ben.

Shear the Beard!

Ben’s friend and teammate Brett Keisel has decided that the time is right to Shear the Beard – and with the help of some top secret celebrity barbers he will do just that on February 24th for the “ultimate Mountain Man make-over”!

Number 99 appeared on the DVE Morning Show today and confirmed that, “it was time for The Diesel to transform back into Brett Keisel.”

Both Brett and WDVE have invited fans to watch the shearing take place at, appropriately enough, the Diesel Club Lounge. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the barber shop will open at 7:00 p.m.

There will be also be live performances by Donnie Iris and The Chris Higbee Project.

The best part….

All proceeds from the event will benefit cancer programs at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC!

“This is something I thought would be a great way to give back to the City of Pittsburgh and show what Pittsburgh means to me. Children’s Hospital has not only helped a lot of people on our team, but it helps Pittsburghers and people from everywhere, every day. It’s a great place that can use some money and I am happy we can help.” — Brett, Steelers.com.

You can get more information and order tickets at the event website.


*Thanks to Trish from Brett-Keisel.com!


February 24th – Event Update: The beard was sheared! You can read about it here.

From an article/interview by Albert Breer at NFL.com today:

Some folks look at Cam Newton and see Vince Young or JaMarcus Russell, the former for his feet, the latter for his arm, and both for their size.

But George Whitfield, the man charged with preparing Newton for the 2011 NFL Draft, sees another quarterback he trained this year: Ben Roethlisberger.

“Roethlisberger is a more accurate portrayal of what Cam is than Daunte Culpepper or Vince Young. Those are just clichés, because it’s the big African-American guy,” said Whitfield, a quarterback specialist who worked Roethlisberger out during his suspension. “Physically, and style-wise, they’re giants. Ben’s over 6-foot-5, Cam’s 6-6, they’re both 250, they’re both agile, both can play off the script. Cam can make an awful lot of throws, just like Ben. They’re both as comfortable out of the pocket as they are in it.

“And they have that closing mentality….They both really have an understanding of how to close games.”

The Steelers’ quarterback isn’t Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, and that’s just fine with Pittsburgh. The idea for Newton is to find a team that’s similarly accepting of a different style that, in the end, can be every bit as effective, even if it doesn’t look as pretty.

And as much as Whitfield’s training Newton to do things a Brady or Manning would, he’s also trying to get the big man to accentuate his traits like Roethlisberger does. That means, in this case, Newton learning to use his feet not to break off the 60-yarder, but to create the type of scramble situation our executive described, which leads to the kind of big plays that are Roethlisberger’s trademark.


You can read the rest here.

“I just can’t say enough how great Ben was with the kids. We had Heath Miller, Brett Keisel & Chris Hoke come and work with the kids and they were great, too. However, when Ben showed up, it was absolutely electric!!” — Anita Doddroe, whose son attended the Camp in 2010.

Join Ben this summer for some football instruction and fun at his Football Camp for kids, sponsored by ProCamps Worldwide!

The Camp is open to boys and girls, ages 7-14.

Campers will participate in daily games, stations, and skill contests. Each camper will be placed on a team according to his or her age.

Each day, the campers will experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills of football. Individual groups will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum instruction from the top football coaches in the Pittsburgh area.

Ben will give daily talks highlighting the finer points of the game of football and beyond. Parents and guests will be able to listen to camp guests in designated areas at each location.

Dates: June 20-21, 2011

Time: 9:00am – 12:30pm each day

Place: Mars Area High School, Mars, Pennsylvania

Cost: $199.

Each camper will receive –

• Camp T-Shirt
• Autographed Camp team photo with Ben
• 7 Hours of expert instruction
• Opportunity to win contests and prizes


A fun and educational experience is guaranteed!


To sign up now and receive the “Early Bird Special” ($20 off the registration price) before March 1st, click here.

There is also info at that link on how to purchase a personalized gift certificate for your youngster to attend!


To learn how your youth football team can attend, click here.

You can see more photos, like the one taken above by fan Anita Doddroe, here.


*Dates and times have not been finalized and could change.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette‘s Gerry Dulac handed out grades for the 2010 Steelers this morning:

His grade for the quarterbacks? An A!

Considering everything that transpired, Ben Roethlisberger’s on-field performance might have been the best of his career. His command of the offense and understanding of opposing defenses is one of the reasons he threw a career-low five INTs. His comeback victories vs. the Ravens, especially in the playoffs, were the pivotal points of the season. What’s more, the 3-1 record Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch compiled during Roethlisberger’s suspension is an accomplishment that is not to be underestimated.


To read Mr. Dulac’s full team report card, click here.



Also Today:

The Beaver County Times‘ Mike Bires looks at the future needs of the Steelers here.

Update on Shea –

I received several emails from fans with prayers for 15-year old Shea Shaw, whose photo and story I included in a “shout out” on the Super Bowl XLV messages post last week.

For those who are unfamiliar with her story…

Shea, a sophomore at Los Gatos High School and a “big fan” of Ben and the Steelers, was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking in a crosswalk on January 8th in San Jose, California.

She has been in a coma at Valley Medical Center Hospital since that time.

But on Sunday, February 6th, she was taken off the respirator and is now breathing on her own! She still has a tough battle ahead, but Sunday was definitely a win for her and her family.

“Those thoughts and prayers are helping and we all thank you,” said family friend Marcelena Stanford. “We have all come together as friends and family to bring love and support her way, in hopes that she will wake from this coma and be able to live and thrive in her future… what has happened to Shea has touched many people in this small community, including myself. I have known Shea and her mother since March of 2000 when Shea was 4-years old. Being the mother of a 3-year old myself I simply could not imagine this happening to me. What it must feel like to my friend Cari, Shea’s mother, absolutely breaks my heart.”

She asks that you continue to keep both Shea and her family in your thoughts and prayers!


You can also visit Shea’s website and post them to her.



Also Today:

A “Lil Fan” with a Big Heart –

Seven-year old Garrett Cagle celebrated his birthday last weekend with a Steelers-themed party, wearing his favorite jersey and treating his friends to some delicious “Terrible Towel” cake. He even had black & gold balloons!

But according to his mother, Tammy, he wanted his guests to bring something for others….

Garrett asked everyone to bring a canned food item for the food pantry at his church because he said, “Ben would want us to do something […]