From ESPN’s James Walker from his AFC North Blog this afternoon:

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he has a mix of emotions heading into Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

“I’m excited. But I’m not to the peak of my excitement yet, that will probably come later,” Roethlisberger said before Wednesday’s practice. “I’m anxious, excited, a lot of emotions. But, like I said, a lot of it is under wraps right now because we’re focusing on practice.”

The Steelers (3-1) are off to a fast start even without their No. 1 quarterback.

It is now Roethlisberger’s job to keep Pittsburgh’s momentum going. The Steelers need his arm because they are last in the NFL in passing, but they have to be wary not to sway too far in that direction.

“I think we will be very balanced, and we’re going to take what they give us,” Roethlisberger said of the Browns. “If they’re loading up the box, we will try to throw it. If they’re sitting back, we will run the ball.”


You can read the rest of Mr. Walker’s blog here.



From an interview with Ben about Sunday’s game against the Browns at Steelers.com:

“They’re a lot better team than people assume and give them credit for,” said Roethlisberger of the 1-4 Browns. “They do a lot of different things on defense, a lot of different looks and blitzes and schemes that kind of keep you on your heels.”


You can read the entire interview here.

You can watch video of interviews with Ben and his teammates today here.



Heads-up for Sunday!

Ben sat down this week at his parents home with Bill Cowher for an interview which will be seen on Sunday during NFL Today on CBS which starts at 12:00 p.m.

And don’t forget, the rest of his interview with Merril Hoge will also be seen on Sunday during NFL Countdown on ESPN which starts at 11:00 a.m.


*Thank you to Becky!



Also Today:

Do you know a Lil’ Fan?

If you know a young fan who would like their picture added to the “Lil’ Fans” album in the

Bid for Hope IX:

Heath Miller and his lovely wife Katie will once again host this event on October 18th 2010 at Bossa Nova. It is sponsored through A Glimmer of Hope and proceeds benefit the “Under Forty Breast Cancer Study”.

The evening includes both a live and a silent auction so fans can bid on autographed Steelers memorabilia, a “Meet & Greet” with Steelers players, and great food and drinks!

“It’s for a great cause,” said Heath Miller, whose cousin successfully battled the disease. “It’s something that has been a part of the Steelers for a while now. It’s such a good thing. It’s important for us to contribute.”

Heath will be there with many of his teammates. Previous attendees have included teammates Ben Roethlisberger, Brett Keisel, and Troy Polamalu. Also, Alan Faneca, who previously hosted the event, normally returns to Pittsburgh to join the cause.


If you’d like to purchase tickets, click here.

If you’d like to make a donation, click here.

If you’d like to see photos from past Bid For Hope events, click here.


And since this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the NFL, Steelers breast cancer apparel can be purchased throughout October at the Steelers Online Store with proceeds benefiting breast cancer research. Click here to view the apparel.



Steelers Fright Night 2010 at Hundred Acres Manor:

Get scared by the Pittsburgh Steelers…

“I scare them on the football field, might as well scare them off the field.” — Steelers offensive tackle Max Starks.

From their website –

Grab your terrible towel and get to Pittsburgh’s best haunted house on Monday October 25, 2010 .

Steelers Fright Night has quickly become hands down the most popular Halloween event for Pittsburgers and it is one not to be missed! Grab your tickets online now and get terrified by your hometown favorite football team!

During the Pittsburgh Steelers Fright Night 2010, your favorite players with become horrifying creatures beyond your wildest nightmares. That’s right, your Pittsburgh Steelers will be transformed into the ghastly residents that haunt Hundred Acres Manor; Pittsburgh’s best haunted house.

It is unknown what Steelers players will be waiting for you! You’ll just have to show up and find out…if you’re […]

“I feel like my feet are a lot faster and quicker, and I feel like the ball’s getting out of my hand quicker.” — Ben, from the article.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this morning:

How much his work with a personal quarterbacks coach sharpened Roethlisberger’s game will ultimately be determined by, well, the games.

But Roethlisberger returned to practice last week armed with the confidence that he will be ready for his season debut next Sunday when the Browns visit Heinz Field.

The two first worked together last January in California, and they were nothing if not thorough during their second go-around, as Whitfield spent September shuttling between his home in San Diego and Pittsburgh.

They worked tirelessly on Roethlisberger’s fundamentals while also simulating what he would have done in practices with the Steelers — and what he will see in games.

The two also watched film together, Whitfield said, and got the chance to work extensively on Roethlisberger’s mechanics — something most quarterbacks rarely have the time to do once the regular season starts.


You can read the rest here.

You can see photos of  his workout sessions with Mr. Whitfield here.



Also Today:

A segment of Ben’s interview with Merril Hoge is scheduled to be shown during the broadcast of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown which starts at 11:00 a.m.

According to host Chris Berman, the remainder of the interview will be shown next Sunday at the same time.


That same portion of the interview was made available earlier in the week here.

Notes…

Take a few minutes to read:

Ed Bouchette’s column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today entitled, “On the Steelers: Roethlisberger ‘sharp'” here.


Hal Spivack’s phone interview yesterday with Ben’s quarterback coach George Whitfield at NFL Fanhouse here.


James Walker’s AFC North Blog entry on Ben this week at ESPN.com entitled, “Seven questions about Ben Roethlisberger” here.

Quotes…

From an AP article in the Indiana Gazette:

“If you had told us we’d be 3-1 at the beginning of the year without Ben, no one outside of this locker room would have given us a chance. But it’s definitely great to have Ben back on our side.” — Hines Ward


“We’ve got to realize that our all-world quarterback is an all-world quarterback, but what we have established is great. We’re going to add him to what has been established. That’s one thing we’ve got to realize, how much the run is going to complement the pass and how we can just grind it if we need to. We’re not going to get away from the things we’ve been doing well.” — Antwaan Randle El


“The offense is definitely going to go in another direction. It won’t change too much, but at the same time we’re going to throw the ball because we’ve got one of the best guys back. So I’m excited.” — Mike Wallace


You can read Mr. Robinson’s  article here.



From an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:


“He looked good. No question that he has taken advantage of his down time or time away from us. He has utilized it and continued to prepare himself.” — Coach Tomlin, after the conclusion of this week’s practice.


You can read Mr. Bouchette’s article here.



From an article in USA Today, comparing Tampa Bay’s quarterback Josh Freeman to Ben:

“Josh isn’t as accurate as Drew Brees, but he has some things Drew and other quarterbacks don’t: his ability to extend a play because of his size and strength in the pocket. He shakes guys off.

“That part is similar to a Ben Roethlisberger, where Josh can stand in the pocket, shake guys off with great vision down the field. All the good quarterbacks have great vision down the field.” — Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olson


You can read  Mr. Corbett’s article here.



And last, but not least….

From a blog at NFL Fanhouse:

“You can’t go wrong with Big Ben — yeah, […]

Ben interviewed with Merril Hoge and discussed what the past few months have been like for him and his family.

The interview was shown on today’s NFL Live on ESPN and will be replayed on SportsCenter throughout the evening.


You can watch it here.

Ben spent much of September working with quarterbacks coach George Whitfield.  Mr. Whitfield owns Whitfield Athletix in La Jolla, California and commuted each week to Pittsburgh from his home in San Diego to try and simulate a regular NFL practice week with Ben at a local high school.

Mr. Whitfield sent photos from their workout sessions which I have added to the gallery!

Their first day together was spent working out in a heavy rain, “I don’t know how many guys like to throw in the rain, but he did it in a steady, driving rain for two hours,” Mr. Whitfield told the Pittsburgh Tribune- Review‘s Scott Brown. “To him, it was much more than just going through drills. He wanted to know: ‘What did you notice here? What do you have in mind for this drill?’ I learned how dedicated this guy is.”

Mr. Whitfield also appeared as a guest yesterday on 93.7 – The Fan and said of his student, “I’ve been looking forward to talking to the Steel City about their leader. In regard to Ben being ready… He’s ready. He’s been through a one-man training camp. It was meticulous, it was filmed, it was Western PA blue collar style. He’s ready, he’s sharp, the guy’s in great shape and more than anything he’s excited. So you blend all that together and I think when they uncage him in 13 days, he’s gonna be ready to go. I think you guys will be excited.”


You can listen to Mr. Whitfield’s full interview here (Thank you Jan!).

You can check out his website here.

And you can check out the workout photos here.


*Thank you so much to Mr. Whitfield!