USA TODAY International Edition
Big Ben comeback will make or break Steelers
PITTSBURGH – It seemed heartfelt, yet rather symbolic, too, that of all the Steelers to come to the aid of a fallen rookie on the practice field, there was Ben Roethlisberger taking a knee.
Kevin Dotson, a fourth- round offensive guard, might ultimately grow into the role of protecting the franchise quarterback. Yet as he lay on the Heinz Field turf in agony, getting treatment for an apparent knee injury, Roethlisberger sprung into full support mode.
While drills continued at the other end of the field during a practice this week, Roethlisberger didn’t merely offer encouraging words. He became a human crutch, helping the rookie limp off the field and into the tunnel.
“He is a teammate, man,” coach Mike Tomlin said of his quarterback’s gesture. “He has been there. He has been down on the field before. He knows the fear associated with that. Dotson is a young guy trying to make this football team. Oftentimes, the fear of the injury is worse than the injury itself. He was just doing what considerate, thoughtful leaders do … helping him work through that.”
How fitting. Last September, Roethlisberger left the same field where the Steelers are staging training camp and never came back to play. His 2019 campaign ended after two starts as three flexor tendons tore off the bone in the elbow of his throwing arm.
Now Roethlisberger, 38, is back for a 17th season, with the Steelers undoubtedly banking on the notion that his surgically repaired elbow will hold up and allow him to be, well, the team’s human crutch again.
So far, the comeback is on course. Roethlisberger, listed at 6- foot- 5 and 240 pounds, looks leaner and has proclaimed there have been no setbacks. The velocity on his throws seemed normal enough in drills this week, although the timing with his receivers wasn’t always precise. Tomlin acknowledged, “I have seen his spiral tighter.”
Roethlisberger didn’t use a heavier rugby ball during warmups as he had in previous years. He’s also working on something of a pitch count, trying to reduce wear and tear by scaling back on his throws, even as Tomlin scoffs about that as a precaution related to the injury.
“Really,” Tomlin insisted, “we are taking the same rhythm in terms of preservation of his arm that we always have in a training camp- like setting in terms of the amount of work that he has done.”
The reliance on Roethlisberger has “ride- or- die” ramifications for a team seeking to become a contender again after missing the playoffs the past two years. While the defense looks buff with its bevy of playmakers, the bigger questions are with the offensive unit that used to carry the team.
Without Roethlisberger for the bulk of last season, the Steelers tried surviving with young, unproven backup quarterbacks in Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges and wound up as the only team in the NFL not to score 30 points in any game. They fizzled down the stretch, scoring 10 points in each of the final three losses to end the 8- 8 season.
Feeble offense is no way to compete in an AFC where the teams to beat – the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs and North champ Ravens – have highscoring juggernauts ignited by young quarterback stars Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. With Roethlisberger, the Steelers have a chance to keep up. Without him, that’s a lot of pressure to heap on the big- play defense.
Rather than acquire a more accomplished quarterback option in the offseason – the Saints signed Jameis Winston to back up Drew Brees; the Patriots now have Cam Newton; the Bears traded for Nick Foles to compete with Mitchell Trubisky; the Cowboys picked up Andy Dalton to work behind Dak Prescott – the Steelers did nothing to upgrade the insurance behind Roethlisberger.
Sure, that represents respect and confidence that the aging quarterback will regain his groove. After all, he’s medically cleared. But he’s 38. Stuff happens. Roethlisberger threw a careerhigh 675 passes in 2018, despite an elbow that nagged him. Can he still carry that heavy of a load?
“I’m not afraid to say, ‘ As he goes, we all go,’ ” tight end Vance McDonald said.
McDonald didn’t seem a bit worried as he recalled an offseason workout session with Roethlisberger.
“He was making some insane throws off of his back foot,” McDonald said.
Beyond the physical impression, McDonald is bullish on the hunger that Roethlisberger has said is fueling him. He has something to prove.
“Not to say he didn’t have it in the past, but I can respect the idea or the assumption that being down last year made it all more real for him,” McDonald said. “Being able to go through a very heavy surgery for a quarterback thrower such as him and to be where he is now, it’s made him so hungry. The way he attacks the day is just different than I’ve seen him since I got here in 2017. I’m loving the leadership from him. I’m loving that hunger and that fire. I think you will notice that trickle down to the entire offense as you see us getting rocking and rolling here.”
Health is always a factor in a punishing sport. In the Steelers’ case, Roethlisberger’s availability is clearly a theme that is part of the bigger picture. Running back James Conner missed six games last season due to an assortment of injuries. JuJu Smith- Shuster, the top receiver, missed four games due to a knee injury. McDonald, an eighth- year pro, has never played 16 games in a season. The new bookend tight end, Eric Ebron, is coming off surgery on both ankles. Emerging wideout James Washington gutted through much of last season with a shoulder injury.
They can imagine the potential with a healthy crew of skilled- position players around Roethlisberger, complemented by an elite defense and impact special teams.
Or, as Roethlisberger joked to reporters reminding him of such during the early days of camp, “We just need a quarterback now.”
The Steelers have their quarterback again, eager to help carry his team.
At least that’s the plan.