Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Steelers seek to add urgency to business as usual
For the 18th time, Ben Roethlisberger is going through a week of preparation for a playoff game.
If the previous eight postseasons he’s been a part of have taught him anything, it’s that the approach to the work is something of a balancing act.
“You have to go about your business as usual,” the Steelers’ veteran quarterback said Wednesday morning, “but you also have to understand that there is a sense of urgency. [Carry] attention to detail [because] mistakes are magnified this time of year. So it’s just a little bit of both.”
In contrast to his first playoff start a dozen years ago when he was a 22-year-old rookie, Roethlisberger’s age [34], title [offensive captain], résumé [two-time Super Bowl champion] and position he plays [quarterback] all make him a leader for some of the younger Steelers players.
“If you’re not excited to be in the playoffs, something’s wrong with you,” Roethlisberger said. “But you still have to take a lot of the same approach — ‘Today is a [typical work] Wednesday; let’s go about our business.’ I think attention to details needs to be little more intense.”
Roethlisberger struggled his rookie season in the playoffs with five interceptions in two games. But he won nine of his next 10 starts in helping the Steelers advance to the Super Bowl during three of their next four postseason berths.
But the Steelers under Roethlisberger have lost four of their past five playoff games dating to the Super Bowl after the 2010 season.
Roethlisberger lauded coach Mike Tomlin for keeping the same evenkeeled demeanor during the Steelers’ midseason four-game losing streak that he did when the team won seven in a row.
But the veteran quarterback conceded that even 13 years into his career, the feelings associated with a playoff week are different.
“You are excited; you do have jitters,” Roethlisberger said. “There are only so many teams playing and lot of the teams have already gone home.” Seattle, Green Bay or N.Y. Giants at Atlanta, 4:35 p.m. (FOX, Ch. 7,29); Houston, Oakland or Miami at New England, 8:15 p.m. (CBS, Ch. 4, 12) Pittsburgh, Houston or Oakland at Kansas City, 1:05 p.m. (NBC, Ch. 5, 6); Green Bay, N.Y. Giants or Detroit at Dallas, 4:40 p.m. (FOX, Ch. 7, 29) AFC, TBD; NFC, TBD AFC vs. NFC, 8 p.m. (ESPN) TBD, 6:30 p.m. (FOX, Ch. 7,29)