“Only one team is gonna finish the season the way they want to & it’s not us this year. I told the guys afterwards, I’m proud of them…it’s disappointing we couldn’t get this one for Mr. (Dan) Rooney. I really wanted to do it for him.”— Ben, after the game.

More tomorrow!

The line of Marcus Gilbert, David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster and Alejandro Villanueva, have been Roethlisberger’s ‘body guards’ on the field, allowing just 17 sacks, the fewest in Roethlisberger’s 13-year career and the reason he is feeling good heading into the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.


More from Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

Ben Roethlisberger has said it time and time again. It’s no secret. It’s one of the things he says more than anything.

While many lump praise on Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown for the success the Steelers’ offense has had this season, Roethlisberger quickly points out whenever he can that it all starts up front with the play of the offensive line.

“I feel good,” said Roethlisberger. “I think it’s because of how well the line has played. By far the fewest sacks I have ever taken in a year. I think we ended up number two in the league in least amount of sacks. That just speaks for those guys and their determination, how good they want to be and how great they really are.”

Roethlisberger said one of the reasons the Steelers not only run the ball so well, but so often, is because it’s what the line loves to do and they are always asking for more running plays.

“We are going to call plays that are successful,” said Roethlisberger. “If we are running the ball and doing it well, we are going to keep calling it. There have been times this year that they’re asking for, let’s go do this, and I’ll go tell Coach (Todd) Haley they want this, the line wants this, let’s do it. A lot of times it’s run plays. They want to pound people and get up there and maul people. When they ask for something, we strongly consider it.”

Pouncey and DeCastro were both Pro Bowl selections this season, which should come as no surprise, but Gilbert is one who despite the incredible season he has had, has flown under the radar somewhat. His play has been beyond solid, and he has played through a myriad of bumps and bruises.

“When you see him out at practice he looks kind of like RoboCop,” said Roethlisberger. “He’s got his hand bandaged up, elbows, knees, ankles. He’s a banged up guy […]

Received an awesome email this evening to share with the Steelers & Steeler Nation –

Erin,

Please find attached a picture of the USS PITTSBURGH SSN-720 Crew, over in Crete, holding 100 terrible towels and rooting for the Steelers. The submarine veterans of the Requin Base, here in Pittsburgh, sent them the towels.

PRIDE RUNS DEEP:

Huey Dietrich – Commander, Requin Base

“We are about halfway through our deployment and things are great here! We got an unexpected trip to Souda Bay in Crete and had an opportunity to take a picture with the towels.”

LCDR David Nichols
Executive Officer
USS PITTSBURGH (SSN 720)

*Thank you so much Commander Dietrich and the brave crew of the USS Pittsburgh SS-720 (and LCDR Nichols, the pictures turned out just fine!!).


You can see larger versions of the photos here.

“Shoot, you get a chance to play in the AFC Championship Game, it’s always gratifying, no matter who you are playing. Like I said, it’s an awesome challenge that we get to go play [the Patriots], kind of ‘the team’ to beat.” — Ben.

Recap from Teresa Varley, at Steelers.com:

Ben Roethlisberger remembers his rookie year in 2004, when cornerback Chad Scott spoke to the players about how special it is to play in an AFC Championship Game. He told them it’s not easy to get there, and it’s something you have to appreciate.

Roethlisberger said he took it in, but after playing in the game in 2004, and then winning Super Bowl XL in 2005, thought maybe it isn’t that hard.

But after not being to the Super Bowl since the 2010 season, and not winning one since the 2008 season, Roethlisberger knows it’s not an easy thing and he is now sharing that with the team’s younger players.

“Chad Scott got up and spoke to the team, said just don’t take this for granted, how hard it is to get there, and those kind of things,” said Roethlisberger during the Steelers’ AFC Championship Game press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday. “You hear it and the next year you go and win a Super Bowl and you think, maybe it’s not as hard as he talked about.

‘This moment’ that Roethlisberger refers to is Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. It will be the third time that the Steelers have played the Patriots in the championship game, and the second time it will be Ben Roethlisberger vs. Tom Brady in the AFC’s biggest game of the year.

While it’s a selling point for many, Roethlisberger knows it’s about more than the two quarterbacks.

“I think it’s two old guys playing this game for a long time,” said Roethlisberger. “That is what a lot of the talk is. He deserves all the credit that he gets. It’s bigger than the two of us. I know he is used to it.

“This is two football teams that have won championships that are going against each other. It’s more than just one man. We aren’t playing tennis. We are going out to play a football game with […]

From SPC Shane Luba:

“We are an Army National Guard unit out of Pennsylvania deployed overseas. We are all huge Pittsburgh fans no matter what sport. We all bleed black and gold, and are really excited to see another Pittsburgh team battling for the Championship. We got to watch the Pens win the Stanley Cup, and now it’s the Steelers turn. I know we are all excited to get back home to our families and friends, and of course go to every home game we can next season. But, before we can do that we have to celebrate another Steelers Super Bowl win this year away from home! Good luck to Big Ben and the team!”

In the photo left to right: SPC Shane Luba, SPC Allen Hamlin, in the back in CPL Wesley Kronk, and SPC Chris Lang.


Gentlemen, thank you for sending this great photo!! Stay safe and thank you for keeping us safe!