Big Ben mostly looks sharp

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, August 5, 2006


The way quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple sees it, Ben Roethlisberger is a different player than he was last season.
"He's better," Whipple said. "Mentally, it's not even close."

Roethlisberger came out firing in Friday's morning practice, completing 5-of-7 passes and tossing two touchdowns during red-zone work.

In 11-on-11 play, he completed 3-of-4 passes, misfiring only on a quick sideline toss to fullback Dan Kreider, who got a hand on the ball.





In the afternoon practice, Roethlisberger was 3 for 6 in 11-on-11 play -- including an interception by linebacker James Harrison -- and 6 for 6 in 7-on-7 play.

His day ended with a so-so two-minute drill in which the offense started at its 25-yard line with 1:41 on the scoreboard clock and drove 37 yards in nine plays to set up what would have been a 56-yard field goal with five seconds left.

Would kicker Jeff Reed have made it?

"The last time I saw someone kick, from a lot closer than that, it was wide right; that's all I know," said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, referring to Mike Vanderjagt's missed 46-yard field goal against the Steelers in the playoffs.

Roethlisberger was 4 of 6 on the drive and scrambled on the final two plays before spiking the ball to stop the clock.

"He managed it; we had a chance," Whipple said. "Every time you do the two-minute drill, something comes up that a quarterback can learn from. ... The thing I'm happy about is that his arm hasn't felt that much fatigue."

Roethlisberger spent a good portion of his morning talking to some visiting NFL officials about rules interpretations. One he was particularly interested in concerned touchdowns at the pylon.

Last season, any play where a player got part of his body over the pylon -- even if he was holding the ball far out of bounds -- was a touchdown, so long as the ball crossed the imaginary elongated plane of the goal line.

The Steelers last season had two such plays they felt met the criterion that weren't ruled touchdowns.

The pylon rule will be enforced the same way this season.

Roethlisberger also spent time with Sports Illustrated's Michael Silver yesterday.

[steelfan 92]

its nice to see big ben back to where he needs to be. He's a tough guy i would not expect anything less from him. he's going to lead us back the promise land. i can;'t wait for the season to start. what i really want to see is ben take a good shot and get right back up, just to make sure he has no after effects from the accident I'm looking forward to us taking a nice big chunk out of the dolphins.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

It sounds like Ben is going to have that monster year I thought he is going to have. Great to hear he looks sharp and ready for the season.

[Haiku_Dirtt]

When his mental game begins to surpass his physical game he'll destroy. And history is showing as Ben goes so go the Steelers.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

Originally Posted by Haiku_Dirtt

When his mental game begins to surpass his physical game he'll destroy. And history is showing as Ben goes so go the Steelers.

Very good point. Ben is the difference of this team being a good team and a special team. I was happy with the way Batch played in his two starts last year. But we wouldn't have made the Super Bowl without Ben. I think Ben is primed for a monster year.

[Polamalu43]

Originally Posted by Black and Gold Forever 32

Very good point. Ben is the difference of this team being a good team and a special team. I was happy with the way Batch played in his two starts last year. But we wouldn't have made the Super Bowl without Ben. I think Ben is primed for a monster year.

yeah i agree, no way we make the super bowl without big ben. batch is a solid backup, but ben is the main guy on offense, our team goes as far as he takes us.