No huddle no hurdle for Big Ben!!!

stillers4me · 08-20-2006, 10:57 AM

The Steelers have another weapon in the arsenal........add the no huddle to the "plus side" of the preseason checklist.............HERE WE GO, STEELERS!!!

No Huddle looks to be no hurdle for confident Roethlisberger

ALAN ROBINSON
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Ben Roethlisberger has had almost no playing time in the preseason. Right now, that's hardly a concern to the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' coaches are giving him what he's long wanted - a chance to run the no-huddle offense - and that's all Roethlisberger could ask for.

Especially since he's been asking for it almost since he became the starting quarterback in 2004.

Call it a reward for winning the Super Bowl. Call it a move to give defenses more to think about from what usually is the most run-heavy offense in the NFL.

"Ben was asking to do this for two years before he could convince them to do this," backup quarterback Charlie Batch said after the Steelers played erratically in losing to the Minnesota Vikings 17-10 Saturday night. "He showed on the first drive what he could do with it."

Roethlisberger, somewhat of a surprise starter after being listed as questionable with a sprained right thumb ligament, moved the Steelers' offense so quickly and efficiently that he threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson on his sixth and last play of the game.

"Pretty much the whole drive was a no huddle," Roethlisberger said after his second brief but effective start in as many exhibition games.

Roethlisberger believes the no-huddle creates favorable matchups because defenses can't always get the personnel groups on the field they want. Also, it allows him to throw more, something Roethlisberger has been pleading with offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to let him do.

"We wanted to work on the no-huddle and you can see he wants to do it," coach Bill Cowher said. "He's got great command. I thought he had a good presence out there."

So did Wilson, who said, "It went well. We had some new guys in there and I think we handled it pretty well."

Roethlisberger's challenge is to convince Cowher that the no-offense is worth keeping during the regular season. It goes against the Steelers' offensive philosophy in some ways because it is pass-heavy, but Roethlisberger is convinced the positives outweigh the negatives.

"It changes the pace of the game, and we got a chance to prove it out there" Batch said.

Batch also moved the offense while playing most of the first half, throwing for 103 yards, only to have two drives late in the second quarter end with an interception and a fumble while he was being sacked. The interception came when Batch and rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes each read the defense differently.

"We still have too many mistakes here and there," Cowher said. "There were too many things popping up. We just didn't play consistent enough."

He obviously didn't include Roethlisberger in that group. Despite the quarterback's near-tragic motorcycle accident two months ago, and the thumb injury, Roethlisberger has looked sharp and in command. That's why Cowher has limited him to two series in two games - and, partly because he has played so little, two Steelers preseason losses.

"To be honest with you, with the training camp he's had and when I've seen him in games, I think he's fine," Cowher said. "I haven't see any rust. He's playing with a lot of confidence right now. I want to give him a taste of it, and that's all I need to see."

Apparently, that's all the coach needs to see to be convinced Roethlisberger can operate the no-huddle set. The system puts a considerable burden on the quarterback not only to get everyone on the offense lined up properly, but to read the defense quickly to make sure the play call will work.

"He has the ability to call what he wants to call," Cowher said. "We have a chance to talk to him if we see certain things. We wanted to work on it and be able to do it. I know he's eager to do it. It's another option we have."

BlackNGold203 · 08-20-2006, 11:02 AM

It sure looked good to me!!!!

floodcitygirl · 08-20-2006, 11:06 AM

Good find Stillers! Now maybe we can actually get to see the game today!

Black@Gold Forever32 · 08-20-2006, 11:10 AM

If you have NFL Network the game is being replayed at 4PM central time. So that would be 5PM Eastren time.

floodcitygirl · 08-20-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black and Gold Forever 32

If you have NFL Network the game is being replayed at 4PM central time. So that would be 5PM Eastren time.

Thanks BGF32! I don't but there are a couple of Steeler-friendly places around here that do (thankfully)!!!!!

Black@Gold Forever32 · 08-20-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floodcitygirl

Thanks BGF32! I don't but there are a couple of Steeler-friendly places around here that do (thankfully)!!!!!

No problem sweetie. Thats cool you have some Steeler friendly places in Bengals land.

stillers4me · 08-20-2006, 11:29 AM

Nothing like the "hallowed ground" of Western, Pa........but the Steeler Nation is thriving in Bungleville.....eh Flood??? WE DEY!!

HometownGal · 08-20-2006, 11:31 AM

Ben looked very comfortable and in charge of the no-huddle last night. The Vikes looked very confused during that scoring drive. I am so excited about our offense this season, more so than I was last season because of all of the new possibilities that Wiz is cooking up for Ben and the O. Wiz is a five star chef!

stillers4me · 08-20-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Ben looked very comfortable and in charge of the no-huddle last night. The Vikes looked very confused during that scoring drive. I am so excited about our offense this season, more so than I was last season because of all of the new possibilities that Wiz is cooking up for Ben and the O. Wiz is a five star chef!

And I can't wait to sample that menu for a whole regular season game!!!!!!!!!

Black@Gold Forever32 · 08-20-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HometownGal

Ben looked very comfortable and in charge of the no-huddle last night. The Vikes looked very confused during that scoring drive. I am so excited about our offense this season, more so than I was last season because of all of the new possibilities that Wiz is cooking up for Ben and the O. Wiz is a five star chef!

Yea the no-huddle has me excited as well. Especially if the running game stalls at first. I just remember the Pats in 2003 when they had trouble running the ball went to that short rythem passing game. With the no-huddle the Steelers could do that.

I'm not really concerned about the running game yet. I just don't like hearing how slow Duce Staley looks. Our man Willie Parker will be fine. But we do need somebody to step up and get the tough yards. Maybe its that Kuhn kid. I like Haynes but he is very good in his third down role. Plus he has had some nagging injuries in the past. So with a bigger work load he might break down even more.

I didn't see the game last night. Since I don't live in the Pittsburgh area it was blacked out on FSN Pittsburgh. But I heard our starting Oline didn't look to impressive last night is that true?

08-20-2006, 10:57 AM	#1
stillers4me Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,670 Gender: Female Member Number: 2656 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No huddle no hurdle for Big Ben!!! The Steelers have another weapon in the arsenal........add the no huddle to the "plus side" of the preseason checklist.............HERE WE GO, STEELERS!!! No Huddle looks to be no hurdle for confident Roethlisberger ALAN ROBINSON Associated Press PITTSBURGH - Ben Roethlisberger has had almost no playing time in the preseason. Right now, that's hardly a concern to the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers' coaches are giving him what he's long wanted - a chance to run the no-huddle offense - and that's all Roethlisberger could ask for. Especially since he's been asking for it almost since he became the starting quarterback in 2004. Call it a reward for winning the Super Bowl. Call it a move to give defenses more to think about from what usually is the most run-heavy offense in the NFL. "Ben was asking to do this for two years before he could convince them to do this," backup quarterback Charlie Batch said after the Steelers played erratically in losing to the Minnesota Vikings 17-10 Saturday night. "He showed on the first drive what he could do with it." Roethlisberger, somewhat of a surprise starter after being listed as questionable with a sprained right thumb ligament, moved the Steelers' offense so quickly and efficiently that he threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson on his sixth and last play of the game. "Pretty much the whole drive was a no huddle," Roethlisberger said after his second brief but effective start in as many exhibition games. Roethlisberger believes the no-huddle creates favorable matchups because defenses can't always get the personnel groups on the field they want. Also, it allows him to throw more, something Roethlisberger has been pleading with offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to let him do. "We wanted to work on the no-huddle and you can see he wants to do it," coach Bill Cowher said. "He's got great command. I thought he had a good presence out there." So did Wilson, who said, "It went well. We had some new guys in there and I think we handled it pretty well." Roethlisberger's challenge is to convince Cowher that the no-offense is worth keeping during the regular season. It goes against the Steelers' offensive philosophy in some ways because it is pass-heavy, but Roethlisberger is convinced the positives outweigh the negatives. "It changes the pace of the game, and we got a chance to prove it out there" Batch said. Batch also moved the offense while playing most of the first half, throwing for 103 yards, only to have two drives late in the second quarter end with an interception and a fumble while he was being sacked. The interception came when Batch and rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes each read the defense differently. "We still have too many mistakes here and there," Cowher said. "There were too many things popping up. We just didn't play consistent enough." He obviously didn't include Roethlisberger in that group. Despite the quarterback's near-tragic motorcycle accident two months ago, and the thumb injury, Roethlisberger has looked sharp and in command. That's why Cowher has limited him to two series in two games - and, partly because he has played so little, two Steelers preseason losses. "To be honest with you, with the training camp he's had and when I've seen him in games, I think he's fine," Cowher said. "I haven't see any rust. He's playing with a lot of confidence right now. I want to give him a taste of it, and that's all I need to see." Apparently, that's all the coach needs to see to be convinced Roethlisberger can operate the no-huddle set. The system puts a considerable burden on the quarterback not only to get everyone on the offense lined up properly, but to read the defense quickly to make sure the play call will work. "He has the ability to call what he wants to call," Cowher said. "We have a chance to talk to him if we see certain things. We wanted to work on it and be able to do it. I know he's eager to do it. It's another option we have."

08-20-2006, 11:02 AM	#2
BlackNGold203 Team President Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 2,193 Gender: Male Member Number: 1217 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: No huddle no hurdle for Big Ben!!! It sure looked good to me!!!! __________________

08-20-2006, 11:06 AM	#3
floodcitygirl Team Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,751 Member Number: 1784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: No huddle no hurdle for Big Ben!!! Good find Stillers! Now maybe we can actually get to see the game today! __________________ Thanks to MeanJoe for surprising me with my new sig.

08-20-2006, 11:10 AM	#4
Black@Gold Forever32 Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan City, IN Posts: 3,253 Gender: Male Member Number: 2290 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: No huddle no hurdle for Big Ben!!! If you have NFL Network the game is being replayed at 4PM central time. So that would be 5PM Eastren time.

08-20-2006, 11:29 AM	#7
stillers4me Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 8,670 Gender: Female Member Number: 2656 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: No huddle no hurdle for Big Ben!!! Nothing like the "hallowed ground" of Western, Pa........but the Steeler Nation is thriving in Bungleville.....eh Flood??? WE DEY!!

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08-20-2006, 11:31 AM	#8
HometownGal Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Burgh Posts: 21,479 Gender: Female Member Number: 2413 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: No huddle no hurdle for Big Ben!!! Ben looked very comfortable and in charge of the no-huddle last night. The Vikes looked very confused during that scoring drive. I am so excited about our offense this season, more so than I was last season because of all of the new possibilities that Wiz is cooking up for Ben and the O. Wiz is a five star chef! __________________ The Anti-Wahoo

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