Steelers football blog

Tomlin expecting warm return for Big Ben

Rust and fan reaction are two things Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is not fretting about when it comes to his starting quarterback.

Ben Roethlisberger makes his much-anticipated season debut Sunday against the Browns at Heinz Field. It will be the seventh-year veteran's first regular-season game since last January — and his initial one since boorish off-the-field behavior jeopardized his Steelers career and led to a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Roethlisberger was roundly cheered by Steelers fans during training camp and the preseason, and Tomlin said he expects the franchise quarterback to get a "warm reception" Sunday.

"I really think that's the nature of Steeler Nation," Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "I know we're excited about having him back. I know he's excited about getting back with his teammates and performing for our fans in Heinz Field."

Tomlin said he doesn't anticipate Roethlisberger having trouble finding his groove in his first game back despite all of the practice time that he missed. (Tribune)

Big Ben will be ready vs Browns

If Ben Roethlisberger's transition from football exile to the football field proves to be a relatively seamless one, the Steelers quarterback may have to credit a rake.

Yes, a rake.

Avoiding a swinging one is one of many drills that Roethlisberger took part in over the four-plus weeks he wasn't allowed to practice with the Steelers or play in any games.

How much his work with a personal quarterbacks coach sharpened Roethlisberger's game will ultimately be determined by, well, the games.

But Roethlisberger returned to practice last week armed with the confidence that he will be ready for his season debut next Sunday when the Browns visit Heinz Field.

"I feel like my feet are a lot faster and quicker," Roethlisberger said, "and I feel like the ball's getting out of my hand quicker."

Roethlisberger trained with George Whitfield Jr. as many as four days a week at Hampton High School while serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. (Tribune)

Big Ben looks sharp in practice

Ben Roethlisberger's first offering at his first practice of the regular season Tuesday was a strike to wide receiver Mike Wallace, who believes the long pass is a sign of things to come.

"I hope so," Wallace said when asked about his instant connection with Roethlisberger. "Hopefully, that means we'll get a lot of that two Sundays from now."

Said Roethlisberger about his first toss: "I wanted to get it up there early for Mike, and he made a good catch."

The Steelers' franchise quarterback makes his regular-season debut Oct. 17 against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field following the bye week.

How anxious was Roethlisberger to rejoin his teammates after missing the first four games because of his suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy?

"He said it was like the first day of school. He was the first one out there," wide receiver Hines Ward said. (Tribune)

Big Ben returns to 3-1 Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger returned to the Steelers today, received hugs from teammates and staff and dug right into what he's been denied the past month, working at his job.

The quarterback finished serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy and went right to work.

"First off, it's good to be back here at the facility, especially with my teammates," Roethlisberger said during a six-minute press conference this afternoon. "It's good to see coaches and be around my teammates. I'm just excited to be back and get focused on football, focused on this year and try to get to Dallas.'' (PPG)

Tomlin stirs up QB controversy

Maybe it's because Mike Tomlin was appearing on a national radio show instead of speaking to local reporters during his weekly news conference.

Maybe it's a coincidence that Tomlin gave two versions of the same story Tuesday.

Whatever it was, Tomlin — inadvertently or not — created a firestorm of controversy regarding his already scrambled quarterback situation.

When asked whether Ben Roethlisberger would regain his starting job when he returns from his four-game suspension Oct. 17, Tomlin not only refused to give a politically correct and safe response, he basically poured gasoline on what finally had become a flickering flame.

"I'm going to dodge that one — and not artfully," Tomlin said. "I'm not going to back myself in a corner."

So, what does that mean? Is Roethlisberger the franchise quarterback or not? Why wouldn't Roethlisberger regain his starting job, even if Dennis Dixon guides the team to a 4-0 or 3-1 record in his absence? Is there a possibility that Dixon would remain the starter even when Roethlisberger becomes eligible to play? (Tribune)

Worst kept secret, Big Ben gets suspension reduced to 4 games

As had been expected, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell officially notified Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger this morning that his suspension has been reduced from six games to four to start the regular season.

Roethlisbeger will be eligible to return to play Oct. 17 against Cleveland at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger not only cannot visit the Steelers training facility or Heinz Field during his suspension, but he also cannot have any contact with his teammates during that period.

Roethlisberger was suspended in April for violating the league's personal conduct policy, but Goodell said at the time he would review Roethlisberger's behavior over the next few months. Goodell was satisfied that the player has followed the league's guidelines and stayed out of trouble. (PPG)

 

Big Ben to meet with Goodell

Steelers President Art Rooney this afternoon confirmed reports that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday about his suspension.

Rooney's statement: "Ben Roethlisberger is scheduled to meet with Commissioner Goodell on Friday to discuss Ben's upcoming suspension. We are looking forward to hearing from the Commissioner, but we will not have any further information or comment until after they speak." (PPG)

Ben steady in 1st start

Ben Roethlisberger took his latest step Saturday night, 15 miles across the Hudson River from where NFL commissioner Roger Goodell put his own foot down four months ago.

This first live, televised public appearance by Roethlisberger this season played uneventfully. In fact, Roethlisberger was the only one of three Steelers quarterbacks who failed to lead his offense into the end zone.

Playing in his first NFL game since Goodell, from league headquarters in Manhattan, suspended him in April for at least the first four games of the regular season, Roethlisberger took 20 snaps, completed 6 of 8 passes, threw one interception and produced three points over nearly 1 1/2 quarters of work at New Meadowlands Stadium, playing host to just its second game.

The Steelers ultimately won, 24-17, to raise their preseason record to 2-0.

"First time out, I thought he did some nice things," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "He moved us. It was a good start."

Jeff Reed kicked a 26-yard field goal for the only score in Roethlisberger's three series to start the game. (Post)

Big Ben to start vs Giants

It looks like there won't be any suspense regarding quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's status for the Steelers' second preseason game.

"Ben's going to play this week," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said Monday.

The Steelers visit the New York Giants at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Coach Mike Tomlin didn't commit to playing Roethlisberger, who's suspended for at least the first four games of the regular season, against the Giants.

"I'm hoping I'll get in," Roethlisberger said. "I'm not sure when, but I'll take any (playing) time, whatever coach gives me."

Despite his best lobbying efforts, Roethlisberger didn't play in the Steelers' 23-7 win over the Detroit Lions last Saturday. (Tribune)

No action for Big Ben in opener

Ben Roethlisberger's home debut has to wait another couple of weeks — at least — and Byron Leftwich's return to the Steelers lasted a little longer than he may have anticipated.

Roethlisberger dressed for Saturday's preseason opener against Detroit at very wet Heinz Field, but did not play.

It didn't matter.

The Steelers got solid efforts from young guys Dennis Dixon (6 of 7 for 128 yards and 158.3 passer rating), Isaac Redman (15-60) and Antonio Brown (68-yard touchdown catch) and three field goals from Jeff Reed in a 23-7 victory over the Detroit Lions.

The game was marred by a 73-minute lightning delay at the end of the first half.

"With the number of snaps that we anticipated running with the first team tonight, it just wasn't appropriate to play him," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said about his decision to sit Roethlisberger. "He wanted to play, he was ready to play. We are going to continue to do what we plan to do. It wasn't in cards for him tonight." (Tribune)