Roethlisberger eager to play a lot vs. Lions
‘It’s prudent to get as much time as I can under those circumstances’
Many veteran quarterbacks would prefer not to play in the preseason. And once upon a time, Ben Roethlisberger fit into that mold. But at the age of 39 and entering his 18th NFL season, he is eager to suit up and start against the Detroit Lions on Saturday night at Heinz Field.
With a new offensive coordinator in Matt Canada, with four new starters on his offensive line, and with a new feature back behind him, Roethlisberger wants to get as many reps as he can in what will be his first and only appearance during the preseason.
“There’s a new coach-toplayer communication,” Roethlisberger said following Thursday’s practice at Heinz Field. “The offense is different. He’s up in the box as compared to on the field, so there is a lot of newness. I think it’s prudent to get as much time as I can under those circumstances.”
Roethlisberger said he wanted to play in last week’s game in Philadelphia, but he was overruled by head coach Mike Tomlin. He wanted to play in a road game because the Steelers open the regular season on the road against Buffalo, where it always has a rowdy atmosphere.
The Steelers began installing Canada’s new offense in the spring, but Roethlisberger is still learning the nuances of the
playbook. He said it’s been a welcome change to his routine. When the Steelers changed offensive coordinators in previous years, they kept the same playbook. Now Roethlisberger is learning along with everyone else.
“I spend a lot of time at home, going over it, reading it, watching film,” he said. “I was telling my wife the other night that I think it’s even better that there’s new stuff because it re-focuses you in a way. If this was still the same stuff, I would probably go home and watch the film and be ready to move on. Last night I watched the film and then went over everything again to refresh it in my mind. Because it’s different, I want to make sure I’m not the reason we struggle.”
Almost a full two years removed from major elbow surgery, Roethlisberger said he hasn’t experienced any issues with his throwing arm. This week, in fact, he took almost every snap with the first-team offense because he wanted to be prepared for Saturday night.
“I feel great,” Roethlisberger said. “My arms feels really fresh. It feels back to normal.”
Tomlin did not divulge how much Roethlisberger will play or his plans for the quarterbacks after he exits the game, but Roethlisberger is open to playing more than one series.
“I would love to get as many reps as I can,” he said. “It’s been how many months since I stepped onto the football field to take a hit? With the newness of it, I’d definitely like to get as much as I can.”
The goal is for Roethlisberger not to take a hit, of course, but that’s a good segue to a sidebar for this game.
Roethlisberger is getting used to a new offensive line, and injuries have prevented the starting unit from playing together in any of the preseason games. It wasn’t until this week that all five projected starters played together in practice.
Only Chukwuma Okorafor is a returning starter, and he’s moving from right tackle to left tackle. Right guard Trai Turner played for the Chargers last season. Right tackle Zach Banner was on injured reserve. Rookie center Kendrick Green was playing guard at Illinois. Left guard Kevin Dotson started four games but was mostly a reserve as a rookie.
“I’m excited for them,” Roethlisberger said. “There is a lot of continuity they have to develop together. To be successful, they have to feel comfortable with each other. It will be good for them to get on the field and work together and see how this group is going to proceed forward.”
The most important new addition is Green, who is taking over for longtime center Maurkice Pouncey. Green hasn’t officially been named the starter, but all signs point to him lining up with the starters Week 1 in Buffalo.
“He’s doing very well,” Roethlisberger said. “We’re working on silent counts. We’ve done all kinds of stuff. We’re working together every day to get as comfortable as we can. I’m very confident and comfortable in how he’s progressed.”