It’s another Throwback Thursday
Update on Friday’s preseason game
“Coach Tomlin said many of the regulars won’t play on Friday night, but he expects Carolina to play their regulars so it will be a good test.”
Whoa!!!!!
Pre-Season Game 3: Steelers 26, Lions 20
“Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger shines in preseason debut”
From Brooke Pryor, ESPN.com:
In his first game in a new offensive system, Ben Roethlisberger pulled out a few old tricks in his preseason debut Saturday night.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback turned in a vintage performance in three series against the Detroit Lions on Saturday night, completing 8 of 10 attempts for 137 yards and two touchdowns en route to a perfect passer rating.
It was a small sample size, but Saturday night gave the Steelers the first assurances that a partnership between Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator Matt Canada can work.
Playing like a man with something to prove, Roethlisberger sought to demonstrate his arm strength, heavily scrutinized after the 2019 elbow surgery, is back to normal after a 2020 campaign characterized by short throws.
He only somewhat proved that point, averaging 13.7 yards per attempt with some well-thrown mid-range balls. Others, though, like a 43-yard pass to Diontae Johnson were underthrown. Still, the 39-year-old showed he wasn’t afraid to air it out and stretch the field — and he was mostly successful doing it.
Roethlisberger turned back the clock on the first drive, reminding defenses he can still be the fleet-footed signal caller who can dance away from pressure. He made mobility a point-of-emphasis in his offseason workouts, and on third-and-4, he stepped up in the pocket before spinning out to elude a sack and fired off a pass that sailed about 40 yards in the air to Eric Ebron on the sideline. The tight end couldn’t come down with the combat catch, dropping it under pressure and the Steelers had to punt the ball away on Roethlisberger’s first series in 2021.
After that, though, Roethlisberger was perfect on third down, completing each of his next four attempts for 71 yards, including two touchdowns to rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth. Roethlisberger hit Diontae Johnson for the 43-yard completion on his second drive and followed it up with an 11-yard completion to JuJu Smith-Schuster on the next third down.
Smith-Schuster looked every part of the reliable third-down weapon, running through contact to pick up the extra yards. Two plays later,Roethlisberger pulled out an old favorite with a pump fake that even fooled television camera operators at Heinz Field, paving the way for Freiermuth to find an opening in the […]
Ben is ready
“This place is special, I couldn’t have left without playing in front of the best fans not only in the NFL but in all sports, they mean the world to me, almost all my adult life I have played in front of them.” — Ben, during his press conference today.
From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:
It’s a preseason game, but for Ben Roethlisberger, it doesn’t matter.
He wants to play.
Roethlisberger, who is entering his 18th season, will start against the Detroit Lions on Saturday night at Heinz Field, his first action of the preseason.
And he said it’s important that he plays, especially with new offensive coordinator Matt Canada and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan.
“We have a new system. There’s a new coach to player communication in terms of a new guy. The offense is different. He’s up in the box as compared to on the field. There is a lot of newness. I think it’s prudent to get as much time as I can under those circumstances.”
Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t give any indication as to how much time Roethlisberger would see during his weekly press conference on Thursday, but Roethlisberger indicated it will be how he feels.
“I would love to get as many reps as I can. It’s been how many months since I’ve actually stepped on the football field to take a hit? I know it’s preseason, but still just meaningful reps. With the newness of it I’d definitely like to get as much as I can.
“I guess it depends on how we’re doing, how it feels. I really wanted to try and play last week because it was on the road and that would have been our first opportunity to play on the road and the situation, with circumstances like crowd noise and things like that before we go into a very hostile environment in week one. But Coach, I couldn’t talk him into it.”
Roethlisberger said one of the things he likes most about the changes in Canada’s offense is that it’s new, it’s different, and he has spent a lot of time studying it.
“The challenge of newness. I spent a lot of time at home, going over it, reading it, watching film. I was telling my wife the other night that I think maybe it’s even better that there’s some new stuff because it almost refocuses you in a way. […]
The Steelers get some experienced help on the field!
“What’s the secret in Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s playbook?”
“Having Ben Jr. call in the plays!” — Matt Freed, photographer.
“Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger greets his family as they watch training camp Wednesday at Heinz Field.”
“It’s Roethlisberger Jr. to Roethlisberger Sr…..for 6!”
“It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”