TIME FOR A TUNEUP
Steelers stick to usual preseason routine with Roethlisberger despite much that’s new for ’21
Aaron Rodgers hasn’t played in a preseason game since 2018 and the Green Bay Packers don’t intend to let him play in one this summer.
But Tom Brady, at age 44, played the opening series last week for the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Peyton Manning and Drew Brees each played in the preseason during their latter years in the league, however limited their appearances.
And the Steelers do not have any reservations about using quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the preseason, at least for a cameo appearance. He will make his first and only appearance Saturday night at Heinz Field against the Detroit Lions — his first chance to employ some of Matt Canada’s new offense in a actual game setting.
“I think Ben is right where he wants to be,” said Canada, the team’s first-year offensive coordinator. “He’s playing very well. He’s worked extremely hard to bring along the many young guys up front, working with them. We’ve got a young guy in the backfield. We’ve got a young guy at tight end. He’s certainly had some rapport
“If [Roethlisberger] was in the same system of offense that he’s been in, he probably wouldn’t play [Saturday night].”
— Mike Tomlin
with those guys on the edge. They don’t have a lot of years.”
It has been the usual preseason blueprint for years for Roethlisberger, who sits out the first two games and plays less than a half in the third game. He will not play again until the Steelers open the season Sept. 12 in Buffalo.
But does Roethlisberger, who is 39 and entering his 18th season, really need to play in the preseason?
Not having a preseason in 2020 didn’t appear to have any negative effect on Roethlisberger, even with him coming off major elbow surgery. He threw 11 touchdowns with just one interception in his first five games of the regular season and threw 25 touchdowns with six interceptions during the team’s 11-0 start.
This, though, might be different. Canada is the fifth offensive coordinator Roethlisberger has had with the Steelers, but the change in offense, particularly the terminology, is the most drastic he has had to learn since coming into the league.
“If he was in the same system of offense that he’s been in, he probably wouldn’t play,” coach Mike Tomlin said.
“But we think it’s good for him to get in the stadium, communicate with Matt, and do some of the things the quarterback has to do from a dry run perspective before we step in a regular season stadium.”
To get him ready, the Steelers gave Roethlisberger a number of extended reps in practice this week, having him execute any number of elements in Canada’s offense.
On Tuesday, he did halfrolls, misdi-rections, sprint outs, play -action, passes downfield — all while looking comfortable (and good) doing what many were skeptical he could do in a new and different offense.
On Wednesday, he did a lot of work from the shotgun, firing passes in the rain.
It remains to be seen how much of that they will let him run against the Lions.
“Ben’s worked very hard to get everyone on the same page,” Canada said. “The few changes we’ve had in our offense, the tweaks we’ve had in terminology, he’s embraced those and learned them, as well as teaching everybody else now.
“I’m excited for where we all are, but he’s certainly been great.”
The game is also a chance for Roethlisberger to get some actual work with three rookies who will be a significant part of the offense — running back Najee Harris, center Kendrick Green and tight end Pat Freiermuth. Not to mention just interact with Canada.
Harris had only two carries against the Eagles after getting seven in the preseason opener against Dallas in the Hall of Fame Game, though he had two runs negated by holding penalties on the first two series.
One of those was against Freiermuth, their No. 2 draft choice, who grabbed the defender’s jersey after he was knocked to the ground trying to execute a block. The penalty negated a long run by Harris.
“That first run he got hit in the face a little bit, but he figured it out,” Canada said. “I think that’s the great thing about him. He’s learning all the time and he’s very willing and very open to take coaching from all of his coaches and players. He’s very much an open book right now. He doesn’t make the same mistake twice.”
Tomlin has not yet announced his quarterback rotation for the Lions game, but it is likely he will continue to give more playing time to Dwayne Haskins, who is coming off an impressive outing in Philadelphia. Haskins accounted for all 24 points, leading the offense on four consecutive drives, to rally them from a 13-0 deficit.
“I’ve been really pleased with the way Dwayne has come in and attacked his work,” Canada said. “From day one, he’s come in to the office, learned the offense, and really worked hard to watch the things we’ve done here over a long history of years with Ben.
“Dwayne watches what Ben does, watches the way he reads plays, and comes in learning and watching all of the quarterbacks. He’s trying to look at what Ben’s done and how he does things. I think that shows a great sense of maturity on his part.”