Wednes…er…Tuesday’s Q&A with the media
One day early because of Thursday night’s game….
“He should be recognized more than just…I mean, I don’t know who else is ‘Defensive Player Of The Year’ other than that guy. I’m sure there are other candidates, I just don’t know. But he should absolutely get MVP votes as well because that’s what kind of player he is.” — Ben on TJ Watt.
More from Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
With just fives games left to play in the season, and the AFC North and the AFC overall so tightly contested, every game for the Steelers now is almost like a playoff game.
“We keep saying when I talk to you all every week, it’s a must win. When you get to the playoffs, it’s a must win. Because of the hole or whatever you want to say that we’ve kind of dug ourselves into, even though we’re not really in the hole because of the way the AFC is, we’re still behind some teams and have to do some work.”
The Steelers are currently third in the AFC North at 6-5-1, but there isn’t much that separates them from the Baltimore Ravens, who lead the North at 8-4, the Cincinnati Bengals who are second at 7-5, or the Cleveland Browns who are in last place at 6-6.
“We can’t let up. Every game is a must win. Every game is a playoff type caliber game. That’s the approach we have to take moving forward the rest of the way.”
The Steelers don’t have much time to prepare this week, playing on Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings on the road. The key will be familiarity, not trying to put a lot of new stuff in but trusting what has worked for them.
“We’ll have to rely more on stuff we know. If you look at what we’ve installed, it’s not like we don’t have a bunch of new stuff. Stuff added last week, two weeks ago, things that we’ve done so guys can try and play faster.”
The Steelers and Vikings have both found themselves in some tightly contested games this season, and while it hasn’t been ideal, Roethlisberger said it could be a lesson for guys as the seasons tightens even more.
“Obviously we’d love to have the blowout game and not have to worry about it, but I definitely think you can learn something […]
Victory Monday: Notable Quotes
“He’s calling what he sees. He’s able to adjust whenever he wants. We’re comfortable, too, as well. Not taking anything from the OC but we’re just playing. We’re doing whatever he tells us and the offense just rallies around him.” — Diontae Johnson on Big Ben (via Mark Kaboly/The Athletic).
Pittsburgh Steelers @steelers
.@_BigBen7 led us on a game-winning drive for the 51st time in his career, which is tied with Tom Brady for third-most in NFL history.
“I’ve been in a lot of those circumstances like that with him. He usually does what he did last night. He relishes those opportunities. You want to educate young players, too…it was a point to be made to the young player – what’s desired and expected. Young players can learn a lot from Ben and Cam.” — Coach Tomlin on giving the game ball to Ben (during his press conference today).
Week 12: Ravens 19, Steelers 20
“Huge win. Any time you play that team, that rivalry, that’s a battle, and that’s what that game is. That was kind of the perfect Ravens – Steelers game. Huge win for us. Especially at home against that team. Great bounceback by everybody. Just so proud of everybody.” — Ben. Photo: Steelers.
@_BigBen7 celebrates after throwing a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson against the Ravens at Heinz Field on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.
#GAMEOVER. @steelers QB @_BigBen7 shares a funny moment with @Ravens tackle and former @steelers Albert Villanueva at the 50 after the #Steelers defeated the #Ravens 20-19 here at Heinz Field.
“I told guys you can go against teams sometimes that are better than you or equal in terms of skill. What’s going to separate you is your heart, and tonight we had guys that showed a lot of heart.’ — Ben, specifically mentioning Diontae Johnson, John Leglue & Benny Snell.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hugs Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson after their game Sunday at Heinz Field.
"This game is unbelievable… Winning in front of these fans in this place is just special."
An emotional Ben Roethlisberger talks with @tracywolfson after the @steelers hard fought victory over the Ravens. pic.twitter.com/pzMXfXIQBw
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 6, 2021
“You should always savor moments like this. God has blessed me in an amazing way that I can throw a football like not many people in the world can and guys can run and catch and do things that not many people can.”— Ben.
Not a bad night. 1st @steelers game and you get @_BigBen7 gloves and a wink from Ben. What a way to become a Steelers fan.
“My […]
Wednesday’s Q&A with the media
From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
While it might not sound like something major or earth-shattering, music playing in a locker room while players are sitting around or just getting ready isn’t uncommon.
But not in the Steelers locker room.
And there was a reason why.
Ben Roethlisberger asked guys not to play it because late Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney Sr. would often walk in, and when he spoke to the players in his soft tone, Roethlisberger wanted to make sure everyone could hear every word he said.
“It was always Mr. Rooney, Mr. Dan. I don’t know why, it was just always that way. I think as guys started to leave the locker room that tradition of history, I tried to keep it going, Brett Keisel kept it going, (Maurkice) Pouncey. I always told guys, because people would play music, new guys would come in and play music. I would shut it down. I was the grumpy old man that didn’t want music. I had a conversation with guys like Cam Heyward and Vince Williams and told him the reason that we don’t do it is because I always wanted if Mr. Rooney came in the locker room, you wanted to listen to him. You wanted to hear the things he had to say. Whether it was about Steelers or about life. About whatever.
“He was like a grandfather to all of us and so much love for him. Obviously as new guys came in and Mr. Rooney wasn’t around, they don’t understand that quite as much, so we tried to pass it on. Even after he passed, I tried to tell guys I still wait for him to walk through that door to come talk. And you just want to listen to him because he was so soft spoken, but it was so wise.
“So that was always my thing of why I didn’t want the music because you never had it when he was around. I wanted to carry that on and the last couple of years I just kind of relented. I’ll stop being the grumpy guy and if they want to listen to music, they can listen to music.”
Roethlisberger said he had no problem understanding traditions like that when he was drafted by the Steelers, a lot of it due to the respect […]
The best photos from Sunday’s game
“Had the opportunity to meet and interact with this Cincinnati police officer. Was a very nice guy and very courteous. Caught this private moment when Big Ben came over at the end of the game and had a private conversation with him. Great seeing these interactions.” — Sports photographer Ed Thompson.
Week 12: Steelers 10, Bengals 41
“Not a lot to be said. I didn’t ask coach one time to come out because there’s a Steeler way and it’s fighting to the end. Games like this show a lot down the stretch…it shows a lot about a team’s character, their will, their heart, and when you’re down a bazillion points at the end of the game, do guys quit? Do they stop fighting? Do they give up a little bit, or do they continue to fight and fight for each other? And I thought for the most part, we did that. Guys showed their character ’til the end of the game. Who continued to fight, who continued to get extra yards? I mean Pat takes a crazy hit to the head. People will ask why? But it shows his heart and his character…and a lot of other guys – I thought Diontae did, the line up front, I thought a lot of guys did that. Games like this are when that’s revealed.” — Ben.