Big Ben says "it’s time to pick it up and go"

Hawaii 5-0 · 12-13-2012, 12:13 AM

Big Ben says it’s time to go

By F. Dale Lolley
published dec 13, 2012

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger feels as though the team needs to put a multitude of distractions behind it. “It’s time to pick it up and go,” Roethlisberger said.

PITTSBURGH – Between injuries, suspensions and holdouts, the Steelers have had more than their share of potential distractions this season.

The way the Steelers see it, they’ve turned the corner, even if that turn came on just two wheels, and are ready to begin their drive toward the postseason.

“That’s a good way to put it, turning the corner on two wheels,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “But I think the turn is over. I think we’re going to settle down on four, kick it into four-wheel drive and get going.”

The Steelers (7-6) swear that the latest drama surrounding the team, the suspension of running back Rashard Mendenhall Tuesday for conduct detrimental to the team, won’t be a factor in their preparations for Sunday’s game at Dallas (7-6).

“I think those are reasons (when) you lose,” said Steelers safety Ryan Clark. “If we were three games better, it’s not talked about as much. It’s more about the way we overcame adversity, or drama. I think the words change and the language used about what we’ve been through changes.”

Mendenhall was suspended by head coach Mike Tomlin for one game after not showing up for last Sunday’s loss to San Diego when he learned that he would be inactive.

But it’s not been the lone issue surrounding the Steelers, who have been inconsistent, this season.

Wide receiver Mike Wallace did not report to training camp while in a contract dispute, while rookie nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu was arrested Oct. 14 after he allegedly evaded police while driving intoxicated and struck several parked cars, injuring one person, on Pittsburgh’s South Side, drawing a two-game suspension. He was later waived and signed to the team’s practice squad.

And then there are the injuries.

Pittsburgh’s starters have missed a total of 44 games to injuries this season, not including players such as offensive tackle Mike Adams, who were hurt after replacing other injured players.

“I think more than anything, the most drama we’ve had is injuries, not so much people going on IR, but missing games,” said Clark. “That’s probably been a lot more difficult to overcome than a guy not coming to a football game, or a guy not coming to training camp, or a guy who has never played a snap in a regular game missing time because of something that happened off the field.”

One of the biggest issues surrounding the Steelers coming into this season was how it would respond to a loss of veteran leaders such as Hines Ward, James Farrior and Aaron Smith, who all retired after 2011.

And because of the injury issues the team has had, a number of younger players are being counted upon to play increased roles.

Roethlisberger feels it is incumbent upon the team’s veterans to show the younger guys how to play with an increased sense of urgency and tune out possible distractions, not through words, but through actions.

“I think you’ll see from guys who have been around here a while that it’s that time, you’ll start seeing some leaders step up in how to practice, how to get ready for games,” Roethlisberger said. “Hopefully, young guys will take some cues from that.

“It’s that time of year. I know that me in particular and some guys who have been around here, you’re going to start seeing a different mindset and mentality that it’s that time of year. In years past, nobody has had to say it, because we have had so many guys that have done it before. It’s time to pick it up and go. I think we have some veteran guys who will do that. We’ve got to get the young guys to do the same.”

Odds and end zones

The Steelers on Wednesday released wide receiver David Reed from their practice squad and signed wideouts David Gilreath and Derek Moye and cornerback Isaiah Green. … Linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, was a full participant in practice Wednesday. … Corner Cortez Allen has a groin injury, not a hip flexor injury as reported by Tomlin Tuesday. … In addition to Allen, corners Ike Taylor (anke) and Keenan Lewis (hip), offensive linemen Mike Adams (ankle) and Willie Colon (knee), linebacker James Harrison (illness), safety Troy Polamalu (coach’s decision) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday.

http://www.observer-reporter.com/art...6#.UMljVM2FEmw

Steel_Bus_24 · 12-13-2012, 01:10 AM

Its gut check time fellas

Time to find out who really wants it

jiminpa · 12-13-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel_Bus_24

Its gut check time fellas

Time to find out who really wants it

...not Tomlin. Let's see if the coordinators and players have enough to overcome him again.

Vis · 12-13-2012, 06:43 AM

See. I think it's past time.

4xSBChamps · 12-13-2012, 07:27 AM

"... UNLEASH...

... the 'pick-it-up and go'!!!"

maddog78 · 12-13-2012, 08:07 AM

Too much talking this year, not enough doing. Sounds like they're trying to convince themselves of something they don't really believe.

Saw this in 2003, 2006, 2009.

steelfury02 · 12-13-2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddog78

Too much talking this year, not enough doing. Sounds like they're trying to convince themselves of something they don't really believe.

Saw this in 2003, 2006, 2009.

yea - it's all good that we can lose and still beat Cleveland and Cincy - but after a potential loss, who has the confidence that they'll win both of those games?

They need a win, right now. Nothing else matters. The talk means shit. I heard the same stuff backing into the playoffs last season and they weren't ready.

Quackjack · 12-13-2012, 08:16 AM

As I said, Sunday is Judgement Day. If this team does not come out and ball HARD, then I have litterly 0 faith in them come January.

steelfury02 · 12-13-2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quackjack

As I said, Sunday is Judgement Day. If this team does not come out and ball HARD, then I have litterly 0 faith in them come January.

12-16-12. 4:30 PM, Dallas. The day the Steelers became self-aware and eliminated mankind.

maddog78 · 12-13-2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelfury02

yea - it's all good that we can lose and still beat Cleveland and Cincy - but after a potential loss, who has the confidence that they'll win both of those games?

They need a win, right now. Nothing else matters. The talk means shit. I heard the same stuff backing into the playoffs last season and they weren't ready.

Agreed. Nothing will convince me that a team who has lost 4 of 5 (if we lose Sunday) is going to suddenly go on a six-game win streak and bring home a trophy.

This game is the turning point in the season.

12-13-2012, 12:13 AM	#1
Hawaii 5-0 Living Legend Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: The Aloha State Posts: 3,937 Gender: Male Member Number: 24013 Thanks: 445 Thanked 638 Times in 436 Posts	Big Ben says "it’s time to pick it up and go" Big Ben says it’s time to go By F. Dale Lolley published dec 13, 2012 Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger feels as though the team needs to put a multitude of distractions behind it. “It’s time to pick it up and go,” Roethlisberger said. PITTSBURGH – Between injuries, suspensions and holdouts, the Steelers have had more than their share of potential distractions this season. The way the Steelers see it, they’ve turned the corner, even if that turn came on just two wheels, and are ready to begin their drive toward the postseason. “That’s a good way to put it, turning the corner on two wheels,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “But I think the turn is over. I think we’re going to settle down on four, kick it into four-wheel drive and get going.” The Steelers (7-6) swear that the latest drama surrounding the team, the suspension of running back Rashard Mendenhall Tuesday for conduct detrimental to the team, won’t be a factor in their preparations for Sunday’s game at Dallas (7-6). “I think those are reasons (when) you lose,” said Steelers safety Ryan Clark. “If we were three games better, it’s not talked about as much. It’s more about the way we overcame adversity, or drama. I think the words change and the language used about what we’ve been through changes.” Mendenhall was suspended by head coach Mike Tomlin for one game after not showing up for last Sunday’s loss to San Diego when he learned that he would be inactive. But it’s not been the lone issue surrounding the Steelers, who have been inconsistent, this season. Wide receiver Mike Wallace did not report to training camp while in a contract dispute, while rookie nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu was arrested Oct. 14 after he allegedly evaded police while driving intoxicated and struck several parked cars, injuring one person, on Pittsburgh’s South Side, drawing a two-game suspension. He was later waived and signed to the team’s practice squad. And then there are the injuries. Pittsburgh’s starters have missed a total of 44 games to injuries this season, not including players such as offensive tackle Mike Adams, who were hurt after replacing other injured players. “I think more than anything, the most drama we’ve had is injuries, not so much people going on IR, but missing games,” said Clark. “That’s probably been a lot more difficult to overcome than a guy not coming to a football game, or a guy not coming to training camp, or a guy who has never played a snap in a regular game missing time because of something that happened off the field.” One of the biggest issues surrounding the Steelers coming into this season was how it would respond to a loss of veteran leaders such as Hines Ward, James Farrior and Aaron Smith, who all retired after 2011. And because of the injury issues the team has had, a number of younger players are being counted upon to play increased roles. Roethlisberger feels it is incumbent upon the team’s veterans to show the younger guys how to play with an increased sense of urgency and tune out possible distractions, not through words, but through actions. “I think you’ll see from guys who have been around here a while that it’s that time, you’ll start seeing some leaders step up in how to practice, how to get ready for games,” Roethlisberger said. “Hopefully, young guys will take some cues from that. “It’s that time of year. I know that me in particular and some guys who have been around here, you’re going to start seeing a different mindset and mentality that it’s that time of year. In years past, nobody has had to say it, because we have had so many guys that have done it before. It’s time to pick it up and go. I think we have some veteran guys who will do that. We’ve got to get the young guys to do the same.” Odds and end zones The Steelers on Wednesday released wide receiver David Reed from their practice squad and signed wideouts David Gilreath and Derek Moye and cornerback Isaiah Green. … Linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, was a full participant in practice Wednesday. … Corner Cortez Allen has a groin injury, not a hip flexor injury as reported by Tomlin Tuesday. … In addition to Allen, corners Ike Taylor (anke) and Keenan Lewis (hip), offensive linemen Mike Adams (ankle) and Willie Colon (knee), linebacker James Harrison (illness), safety Troy Polamalu (coach’s decision) and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. http://www.observer-reporter.com/art...6#.UMljVM2FEmw __________________

12-13-2012, 01:10 AM	#2
Steel_Bus_24 Head Coach Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,882 Member Number: 2886 Thanks: 51 Thanked 95 Times in 58 Posts	Re: Big Ben says "it’s time to pick it up and go" Its gut check time fellas Time to find out who really wants it __________________

12-13-2012, 06:43 AM	#4
Vis Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SC Posts: 3,003 Gender: Male Member Number: 5117 Thanks: 57 Thanked 450 Times in 283 Posts	Re: Big Ben says "it’s time to pick it up and go" See. I think it's past time. __________________

12-13-2012, 07:27 AM	#5
4xSBChamps Head Coach Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: formerly PRR milepost 322 Posts: 1,960 Gender: Male Member Number: 1911 Thanks: 3 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Big Ben says "it’s time to pick it up and go" "... UNLEASH... ... the 'pick-it-up and go'!!!" __________________ *"If I could start my life all-over again, I would be a professional football-player, and you damn-well better-believe I'd be a Pittsburgh Steeler!"*

12-13-2012, 08:07 AM	#6
maddog78 Team Captain Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 718 Member Number: 24321 Thanks: 16 Thanked 65 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Big Ben says "it’s time to pick it up and go" Too much talking this year, not enough doing. Sounds like they're trying to convince themselves of something they don't really believe. Saw this in 2003, 2006, 2009.

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12-13-2012, 08:16 AM	#8
Quackjack Assistant Coach Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Redskins Land (North Virginia) Posts: 1,088 Gender: Male Member Number: 24540 Thanks: 373 Thanked 97 Times in 75 Posts	Re: Big Ben says "it’s time to pick it up and go" As I said, Sunday is Judgement Day. If this team does not come out and ball HARD, then I have litterly 0 faith in them come January. __________________ Evil liberal atheist NASCAR loving Steelers loving rock and roll maniac.

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