|
|
 |
Steelers look for passing boost in Roethlisberger's return
|
By Gary Mihoces
October 14, 2010
Pittsburgh, PA — Without banished Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers exceeded expectations. Now, will they be able to match expectations raised by the return of their two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback?
In past months, Roethlisberger has been the subject of a police investigation in Georgia in connection with a sexual assault complaint filed against him by a college student, suspended for the first four games by the NFL and scrutinized in the news media for his off-field conduct. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has put him on notice that he must continue to honor a commitment to "better decisions."
He starts here Sunday against the Cleveland Browns for a team that did quite well without him (3-1) but ranks last in the NFL in passing yards (136 per game) and pass attempts (81).
"I'm not going out there trying to be Superman. I'm just going to go out and try to play my game," Roethlisberger, 28, told a swarm of news reporters before practice Wednesday. "If we put up 20 yards and win 3-0, a win is a win."
But this is a quarterback who last season threw for a team-record 4,328 yards and 26 TDs (with 12 interceptions).
POWER RANKINGS: Steelers in top 5
WEEK 6 PICKS: Pittsburgh favored over Cleveland
Among those welcoming him back with open arms is Hines Ward, who leads the team with just 12 catches.
"We left a lot of plays out there in the first games that we could have capitalized (on)," Ward said.
With Roethlisberger sitting at home, Pittsburgh got it done with defense and improved rushing. But his absence was really felt in a 17-14 loss to AFC North archrival Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, when the Ravens' Joe Flacco threw for the winning score with less than a minute left.
Allowed to participate in preseason, Roethlisberger was banned from team activities during his suspension. He said he did lots of throwing with a private quarterbacks coach. Receivers have gushed about his passing in practice. A conveniently timed bye week has given him two weeks to get in sync.
HALL OF FAMER? Will Big Ben make it to Canton?
Browns coach Eric Mangini expects the usual Roethlisberger.
"He's got so much experience in the system, and he's had the extra week to get in the flow. … I expect him to be really good, like he always is," Mangini said.
But practices don't replicate games. How quickly can Roethlisberger get up to game speed? For a team intent on getting back to a solid rushing attack, how will his return affect the mix of plays?
"I'm excited to get out there and get things going," Ward said.
Hoping for cheers
Fans figure to greet him positively Sunday. Thousands cheered Aug. 2 as he walked to his first training camp practice in Latrobe, Pa., five months after his partying made headlines.
"I expect him to get a warm reception," coach Mike Tomlin said.
What kind of reception does Roethlisberger anticipate?
"I hope a lot of cheers," he said. "In the preseason, there was a lot. So I hope nothing would change."
The sexual assault complaint followed a night of bar-hopping by Roethlisberger and friends in Milledgeville, a college town in Georgia. It was filed by a 20-year-old student. Georgia police filed no criminal charges, citing lack of evidence.
Roethlisberger was suspended by Goodell under the NFL's personal conduct policy. He still faces a civil suit filed in 2009 by a woman who alleges he raped her in 2008 in Nevada. Roethlisberger denied the allegation as "outrageous," and his attorneys have filed a counterclaim.
After returning to practice, Roethlisberger said he wanted to get back to his roots and to being the person "you want to be and who you were raised to be."
Mixed opinions among Steelers fans were evident Wednesday on the sidewalks of the South Side, where the team trains.
"I'm very excited that he's back," said John Zirckel, 51. "I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid anymore because he's a very good quarterback. He's our franchise."
Though she wore a Steelers sweatshirt, Debbie Rodgers, 58, didn't share that excitement.
"You know what, I would have been more excited if they would have traded him," she said.
Rodgers noted that before the season the Steelers traded wide receiver Santonio Holmes, a former Super Bowl MVP who was suspended for the first four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
"(Roethlisberger's conduct shows) a lack of respect of women, and I don't think he should be on the team," Rodgers said. "But I'm still going to root for the Steelers."
Sunday's game starts what could be a defining stretch for Pittsburgh. The Steelers next face three road games: the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals.
In the preseason, the Steelers faced the dilemma of preparing a quarterback to open the season while preparing Roethlisberger for his return. He started three preseason games, playing about a quarter in each and hitting 14 of 20 passes for 182 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
The bye has given him extra time, a scenario that played to the Steelers' benefit when Goodell reduced the original six-game suspension before the regular season, citing Roethlisberger's compliance with undergoing behavioral analysis and following any recommended plan of counseling and treatment.
"You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions," Goodell wrote in a letter to Roethlisberger. "Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment."
While suspended, Roethlisberger worked out at suburban Hampton High School under the direction of George Whitfield Jr., who heads Whitfield Athletix, based in La Jolla, Calif.
Byron Leftwich was Pittsburgh's apparent starter during camp, but he injured his knee in the final preseason game. Dennis Dixon started the first two games before a knee injury ended his season. Charlie Batch, a 13-year veteran, took over in the first half of Week 2 when Dixon was hurt. Batch threw for three touchdowns in a Week 3 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but was held to 141 passing yards with an interception in the Baltimore loss.
'He's one of our best'
On his first day back in the locker room after the loss to Baltimore, Roethlisberger was greeted with hugs and high-fives.
Though voted by the team as a co-captain the past two seasons, he was not re-elected to that position. But in the locker room, the quarterback who led Pittsburgh on a winning drive in the Super Bowl two seasons ago still is talked about as a leader.
Tomlin calls him a "ridiculous" competitor: "When faced with adversity and given the opportunity to compete, man, he does. I think guys feed off that."
Pittsburgh defenders also welcome him back.
"He's one of our best," linebacker James Farrior said. "We have all our pieces. I don't know how complete we are, but on paper it looks good."
To be a complete team this season, the Steelers figured they'd also have to run effectively.
The Steelers ranked 19th in rushing last season, one reason they were unable to hold leads in an unsuccessful 9-7 defense of their title. This season, with Rashard Mendenhall (411 yards) leading the way, Pittsburgh ranks eighth. How committed will the Steelers remain to running with Roethlisberger back?
"If they're loading up the box, we'll try and throw it. If they're sitting back, we'll run," Roethlisberger said.
But his arm, savvy and scrambling are back in the mix.
"Ben has many strengths, and we are going to utilize them," Tomlin said.
In his first practice last week, Roethlisberger threw deep to wide receiver Mike Wallace on his first pass in his first 11-on-11 drill. Completion. Might that be a clue to what's coming Sunday?
"That would be sick. … That would be the way to get it started," Wallace said.
Roethlisberger responded the last time he missed considerable time. In November 2005, he sat out three games with a knee injury. He returned to lead the Steelers to a Super Bowl win.
While Tomlin talks about the team feeding off Roethlisberger's competitive nature, it's the quarterback who expects to get the lift Sunday.
"The emotional shot will be for me," he said, "and that's to be out there."
• NFL News Archive Index:
2010, 2009
Pittsburgh Steelers Tickets
Super Bowl Tickets
Super Bowl Packages
Do you need Sports Ticket Depot to help you hunt down your cheap Pittsburgh Steelers tickets or Super Bowl Tickets? Contact us or fill out our Pittsburgh Steelers ticket information request form. We will hunt down your cheap Pittsburgh Steelers tickets and your Super Bowl Tickets for you! Pittsburgh Steelers Football Jerseys
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
