Big Ben takes on role like Favre’s
Gunslinger mode is fine with him
Is Ben Roethlisberger turning into Brett Favre?
The Steelers quarterback threw the second-most interceptions of his career in 2015. While he would prefer to throw none, the intent that led to some of them was honorable, he feels.
“I think just almost taking more chances, not being afraid to make the play,” he reasoned. “I think that’s the way our offense is right now. Our offense is potentially a dangerous offense. We were top three the last few years. We have a lot of weapons.”
Roethlisberger threw 16 interceptions, even though he missed four full games. He threw just nine in 2014 when he played every game. The only time he threw more was his third season, when he was picked off 23 times.
Favre led the league three times in interceptions and topped 20 in six seasons, with a high of 29. He had 336 passes picked off in his career with a 3.3 interception percent. Roethlisberger has thrown 147 interceptions with a 2.7 rate. Favre will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next Saturday in Canton Ohio.
“It’s almost like you take the gunslinger mentality if you will,” Roethlisberger said of an aggressiveness that can lead to an interception. “I’m going to go out and throw the ball around. You don’t want to turn it over, but sometimes you have to take chances, and, with the players we have, I’m not opposed to taking chances.
“You never want to turn the ball over. That drives me crazy, but I’m also not going to be afraid to take chances. It’s a calculated risk. I think you have to do that.”
Roethlisberger touched on other topics in an interview with the Post-Gazette Friday morning. Among them:
• His arm is as strong as ever, and he feels he is in tiptop condition after concentrating on cardio and arm exercises this year and not as much on strength training. He missed four full games because of a left knee injury.
“I feel great. I don’t know if it’s the extra work I put in or that injuries were able to heal better. I’m trying to prolong my career if I can.”
He said he missed more receivers in spring practices overthrowing them deep, which is a good sign of a strong arm.
• Roethlisberger acknowledged that this is the best offensive line he has had and credited coach Mike Munchak for part of it.
“With no disrespect to anybody else, I think, as a unit, they’re something special. Once again, no disrespect to any coaches, either. Munch is as part of that as anything.”
• He predicts an improvement on defense.
“I do. What I’ve seen in [the spring], they are a defense that’s flying around. They’re all over the place. I’m excited to see what some of these young guys can do.”
• He hopes his season No. 13 can be a fortunate one.
“I hope so, I really do. It’s amazing how fast it goes.
Jerome Bettis, the first time I walked into the building, he put his number in my notebook. He said, ‘Enjoy it because it’s going to go fast. Now it’s 13 years later, and it’s unbelievable.”