September 11, 2001
DIFFERENT, Part I
Hey Steeler Nation…
“Steelers practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex Friday as they prepare for their season opener at Buffalo.” — Photographer Matt Freed.
Wednesday’s Q&A with the media
“We all feel bad for T.J. Everyone knows how bad he wants to be out there. He was here every single day and he didn’t need to be, working, busting his butt. He should get taken care of…He needs to get paid. He deserves every penny that he wants and asks for. TJ Watt is THAT guy!” — Ben, on T.J. Watt’s contract negotiations.
From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
The Steelers will start two rookie offensive linemen on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, with Kendrick Green at center and Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle.
What they might lack in experience making their first NFL start, they have in the backing and encouragement from their quarterback, something that can be just as valuable.
Ben Roethlisberger said he knows Green and Moore are coming in with the right approach. There might be growing pains along the way, but the one thing he is sure of is there won’t be a lack of effort.
“It’s not like they’re perfect or they don’t make mistakes, but I think when they do make mistakes you can see how much it burns at them. It bothers them when they make a mistake. I think that’s a sign of a professional. It’s a sign of a man that takes pride in his work. And I’ve seen that from those guys. They’re both going to be exceptional football players.
“Like anything, there’s going to be growing pains. We’re all going to experience them. Even someone in their 18th season. The key is, do we learn from those growing pains? How often do those pains come and do we learn from the one time?
“So, I’m excited for them. I think they’re nervous and excited. They have a passion for this game and this team, and you can see it already. You can see those two bleed black and gold. It will be fun for them to get out there.”
Moore will have the daunting task of protecting Roethlisberger’s blind side, something Roethlisberger was comfortable with having Alejandro Villanueva do in the past. And while he will miss those on the line who are gone, like Villanueva, Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro, he has confidence in those who are now taking on the challenge.
“I miss all those guys up front, obviously, but I have to have […]
The tradition continues….
“The 2021 photo represents 10 years of tradition. We started to have the 7’s photo in 2012.” — Roger Saucedo,
Regios de Acero.
Oh Captain, My Captain!
They are dependable, on and off the field. They are the ones others watch in practice, in games and even in the locker room.
They are the ones, who quite simply, set the standard.
And that is why they were named the Steelers 2021 team captains.
Steelers’ players voted on Monday for the captains and this year’s team captains are Ben Roethlisberger on offense, Cameron Heyward on defense and Derek Watt on special teams.
Roethlisberger, who is in his 18th season, has been the team’s offensive captain 13 times in his career, including 11consecutive seasons.
Heyward, who is in his 11th season, is a defensive captain for the seventh consecutive year.
This is the first time Watt has been voted the special teams captain, after joining the Steelers in 2020 as an unrestricted free agent and immediately making an impact on the unit.