BlitzburghRockCity
10-30-2007, 12:40 AM
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_535203.html
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
One play in 2006 epitomized the kind of hard-knock season Ben Roethlisberger endured.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott blitzed from Roethlisberger's blind side in a late November game and blasted the Steelers' quarterback.
Scott had such an unimpeded path to the quarterback that after the Steelers were drilled, 27-0, Roethlisberger publicly thanked Scott for not delivering the kind of hit that could have sidelined him indefinitely.
Scott and a Ravens defense that bullied the Steelers last season will visit Heinz Field on Monday night for an AFC North showdown.
Their presence is far from the only reason why Roethlisberger figures to do his share of running in the nationally televised game. Roethlisberger's ability to escape trouble and keep plays alive has added another dimension to the Steelers' offense.
That was never more evident than early in the second quarter Sunday in Cincinnati.
On a third down from the Bengals' 45-yard line, Roethlisberger was flushed from the pocket, and Cincinnati defensive tackle John Thornton grabbed him around the ankles.
Before Thornton could drag down Roethlisberger, he threw a short pass to Santonio Holmes that went for 7 yards and gave the Steelers a first down.
Six plays later, Roethlisberger threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward, giving the Steelers a 14-3 lead and control of the game.
"I think we are all getting comfortable with expecting those kinds of plays from him because that is what he is capable of," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Roethlisberger's ability to improvise. "He is tremendously talented and very smart. Generally, (he's) a great decision-maker when plays break down."
Roethlisberger is prone to the occasional bad decision, such as the third-quarter interception Sunday that resulted from his throwing across his body and into the middle of the field.
Tomlin shrugged it off after the Steelers' 24-13 win, serving as a tacit admission by the first-year coach that Roethlisberger has been so good when his protection breaks down that the Steelers are willing to live with it when he makes a mistake.
"He's doing a great job of staying alive," right tackle Willie Colon said. "That's just Ben being Ben. Ben is an athlete, and he's confident in his athletic ability."
His athleticism makes it as hard for labels as it is for opposing pass rushers to contain Roethlisberger.
At 6-foot-5, 241 pounds, Roethlisberger has the size of a classic dropback passer, but he is much more than a pocket passer, which is usually a euphemism for a big quarterback that moves about as well as a traffic jam.
Indeed, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis recently called Roethlisberger a "big Doug Flutie," comparing him to the diminutive quarterback who was so adept at escaping trouble.
Roethlisberger almost certainly will need to create some plays with his legs Monday night -- or at least keep some alive -- since the Ravens recorded 14 sacks in two games against the Steelers last season.
"I am going to watch the (Bengals' game film) and learn from some of the things I need to work on," Roethlisberger said. "I need to be a little smarter in certain situations and just make the correct throw."
Ben is really amazing in how he avoids the pressure and stays on his feet long enough to prolong plays and make something out of nothing. That throw to Holmes on 3rd down was HUGE. As he mentioned though he's got to be smarter with the ball because it's not always a bad thing to take a sack or throw it to the sidelines when you are going down but for God sakes just hang onto the ball.
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
One play in 2006 epitomized the kind of hard-knock season Ben Roethlisberger endured.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Bart Scott blitzed from Roethlisberger's blind side in a late November game and blasted the Steelers' quarterback.
Scott had such an unimpeded path to the quarterback that after the Steelers were drilled, 27-0, Roethlisberger publicly thanked Scott for not delivering the kind of hit that could have sidelined him indefinitely.
Scott and a Ravens defense that bullied the Steelers last season will visit Heinz Field on Monday night for an AFC North showdown.
Their presence is far from the only reason why Roethlisberger figures to do his share of running in the nationally televised game. Roethlisberger's ability to escape trouble and keep plays alive has added another dimension to the Steelers' offense.
That was never more evident than early in the second quarter Sunday in Cincinnati.
On a third down from the Bengals' 45-yard line, Roethlisberger was flushed from the pocket, and Cincinnati defensive tackle John Thornton grabbed him around the ankles.
Before Thornton could drag down Roethlisberger, he threw a short pass to Santonio Holmes that went for 7 yards and gave the Steelers a first down.
Six plays later, Roethlisberger threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward, giving the Steelers a 14-3 lead and control of the game.
"I think we are all getting comfortable with expecting those kinds of plays from him because that is what he is capable of," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Roethlisberger's ability to improvise. "He is tremendously talented and very smart. Generally, (he's) a great decision-maker when plays break down."
Roethlisberger is prone to the occasional bad decision, such as the third-quarter interception Sunday that resulted from his throwing across his body and into the middle of the field.
Tomlin shrugged it off after the Steelers' 24-13 win, serving as a tacit admission by the first-year coach that Roethlisberger has been so good when his protection breaks down that the Steelers are willing to live with it when he makes a mistake.
"He's doing a great job of staying alive," right tackle Willie Colon said. "That's just Ben being Ben. Ben is an athlete, and he's confident in his athletic ability."
His athleticism makes it as hard for labels as it is for opposing pass rushers to contain Roethlisberger.
At 6-foot-5, 241 pounds, Roethlisberger has the size of a classic dropback passer, but he is much more than a pocket passer, which is usually a euphemism for a big quarterback that moves about as well as a traffic jam.
Indeed, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis recently called Roethlisberger a "big Doug Flutie," comparing him to the diminutive quarterback who was so adept at escaping trouble.
Roethlisberger almost certainly will need to create some plays with his legs Monday night -- or at least keep some alive -- since the Ravens recorded 14 sacks in two games against the Steelers last season.
"I am going to watch the (Bengals' game film) and learn from some of the things I need to work on," Roethlisberger said. "I need to be a little smarter in certain situations and just make the correct throw."
Ben is really amazing in how he avoids the pressure and stays on his feet long enough to prolong plays and make something out of nothing. That throw to Holmes on 3rd down was HUGE. As he mentioned though he's got to be smarter with the ball because it's not always a bad thing to take a sack or throw it to the sidelines when you are going down but for God sakes just hang onto the ball.