Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Franchise QB Takes The Next Step

  1. #1
    Legend

    User Info Menu

    Franchise QB Takes The Next Step

    Franchise QB Takes The Next Step

    By Mike Prisuta
    SteelCityInsider.net
    Posted Aug 18, 2013



    Mike Prisuta heard Ben Roethlisberger's chatter everywhere, even before hearing the coaches rave about Ben's emergence as the Steelers' true leader.

    Ben Roethlisberger’s presence has been as obvious as it has been audible at St. Vincent College.

    “He’s in a very good place right now,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley confirmed.

    In the huddle, in the meeting room, even in the cafeteria, where Roethlisberger joked the other day about exiting the pocket on a bootleg just fast enough to say ahead of a hard-charging Steve McLendon, Roethlisberger has been as at ease as he has been involved and in charge.

    Apparently, the transformation of Roethlisberger from mere franchise quarterback to franchise quarterback/voice of veteran experience among the QBs agrees with him.

    “It’s a totally different year and dynamic for him,” Haley continued. “Even though he was ‘the guy,’ he had a couple elder statesmen in the (quarterback) room that he always showed 100-percent respect to. Now, he’s not only ‘the guy,’ he’s the elder statesman. It’s a different dynamic for him which I think he’s relishing.

    “We’re excited about that aspect of it.”

    Quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner had looked ahead to just such a transition for Roethlisberger upon the Steelers drafting of Landry Jones back in April.

    That transaction was both the organization’s official sign off on Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch, and also a message to Big Ben that it was time to take the next step in his development. Roethlisberger has taken that ball and run with it.

    He’s been heard from daily out on the practice field, talking with not only the other QBs but also the running backs, the tight ends and especially with the wide receivers before, during and after drills, a few of which Roethlisberger has appeared to be running at times.

    When something works, it’s discussed.

    When something doesn’t work, it’s discussed.

    The on-field chatter has been as consistent as the sunshine at St. Vincent.

    Roethlisberger’s level of engagement in what’s been taking place here has been unlike any in his nine previous camps with the Steelers.

    “In meeting rooms, individual drills, team drills, you’re seeing a lot different side of him than maybe you saw last year,” Haley said. “For example, (Thursday) he’s supposed to be in the no-huddle for six (plays); he’s politicking before practice to get eight. He’s excited about what he’s doing and what we’re doing and continuing to try to get this thing where we need to be.

    “I know he’s a good thrower. More importantly, the decision-making, handling the no-huddle, handling some of the checks and things like that, he’s on top of his game.”

    It’s a step Roethlisberger needed to take and it’s a step the Steelers needed Roethlisberger to take.

    “It’s going to make him have to stay on his game all the time,” Haley explained. “When you’re getting questions from other people and giving the right answer is paramount to success, you need to have the right answer.”

    The Steelers didn’t have enough of those a season ago, including Roethlisberger, who was intercepted four times during a three-game losing streak in December upon returning from a shoulder injury.

    That losing streak wrecked what had been a 7-5 contender.

    Roethlisberger has been as motivated as anyone since then to make amends.

    And he’s practiced and interacted at St. Vincent as if those amends getting made depend on him more than anyone else.

    “When he’s communicating, when he’s into the situation you have his undivided attention,” Fichtner said. “He’s made it a point to, every practice and every period, he’s given his full attention to the drill when he’s in and when he’s not.

    “One of the things, too, is he’s healthy. When he’s healthy you see a livened communicator, someone who enjoys the drudgery, if you will, of fall camp. He’s been great bringing that kind of energy to the (QB) room and on the field.

    “That’s what you ask in a leader. And he’s not just a leader in our group now. He’s a leader of our whole offense, maybe a team.”

    [URL]http://pit.scout.com/2/1317155.html[/URL]
    Steel Maniac's Time-Based Prediction: Lamar Jackson will be a bust and total flop in the NFL.

    What Actually Happened: Lamar Jackson became the youngest two-time NFL MVP winner ever.

    Gloat gloat gloat


    Boom........

    Hahahahahahaha

  2. #2
    Rookie

    User Info Menu

    That's funny. Crash and Mark Madden think he's being wasted...

    Obviously, Prisuta didn't check with them before writing this piece...

  3. #3
    Legend

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by Slapstick View Post
    That's funny. Crash and Mark Madden think he's being wasted...

    Obviously, Prisuta didn't check with them before writing this piece...
    Actually, nobody was as "wasted" as Stonio




    In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:

    TCFCLTC-
    The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than Cowher

  4. #4
    Hall of Famer

    User Info Menu

    puff piece at its finest

    this is bens 10th season in the league. About time he became a leader.

    jeez louise.

  5. #5
    Legend

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie Spaghetti View Post
    puff piece at its finest
    Are you talking about Ben or are we still talkin Stonio?




    In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:

    TCFCLTC-
    The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than Cowher

  6. #6
    Legend

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by Eddie Spaghetti View Post
    puff piece at its finest

    this is bens 10th season in the league. About time he became a leader.

    jeez louise.
    About time he led his team to a SB, now that he is in his tenth year. Oh wait...Three appearances and two victories in nine years? I'd say that puts him in pretty elite company.

  7. #7
    Hall of Famer

    User Info Menu

    but just now beginning to be a team leader? Bowing down to batch and leftwich? Cmon.

    you guys will lap up anything put in front of you.

  8. #8
    Hall of Famer

    User Info Menu

    Quote Originally Posted by Captain Lemming View Post
    Actually, nobody was as "wasted" as Stonio


    false, and I have a paper towel dispenser to prove it

  9. #9
    Hall of Famer

    User Info Menu

    He's ignoring Madden and Crash.

    And yet I see tonight's game vs. the Skins, and Madden IS right.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •