Big Ben to start against Arizona
Playing time will be brief and role limited
Friday, August 11, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It might not be for very long. And he might not throw a pass, certainly not one where he has to drop into the pocket and subject himself to a hit. But Ben Roethlisberger will start at quarterback tomorrow when the Steelers open their preseason in Arizona -- two months to the day since he sustained numerous facial and head injuries in a motorcycle accident.
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</TD><TD>Peter Diana, Post-Gazette
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger drops back to pass under the watchful eye of coach Bill Cowher yesterday in Latrobe.
Click photo for larger image.
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Steelers head coach Bill Cowher talks with reporters at the Steelers preseason training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe:
How the quarterbacks will be used in Saturday's preseason game at Arizona
About Big Ben
About the importance of live game action
About the value of camp
Listen to the entire press conference (7 MB download)
<HR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--END PHOTO-->Coach Bill Cowher made the official announcement yesterday morning at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, but he indicated Roethlisberger probably will not play as long as the other starters against the Cardinals.
"He will play for a short period of time, and I will leave it at that," Cowher said. "Everyone else will play a series or two."
All of which means Roethlisberger is likely to appear for only three or four plays, probably hand the ball to running back Willie Parker, maybe even attempt a quick screen or some type of pass play where he doesn't have to hold the ball long and risk getting hit.
In fact, if the Steelers' opening drive lasts more than six plays, it is unlikely Roethlisberger will stick around long enough to finish it.
"That was my goal -- to get out there and show everybody I was ready to get out and play," Roethlisberger said. "We'll see what happens."
The Steelers are hoping not much, actually.
They do not plan to put Roethlisberger in any position where he might take a hard hit, even though Cowher and the team's medical staff are not concerned about any lingering physical effects from his June 12 motorcycle accident.
"I'm always apprehensive about getting hit, regardless if I was in an accident or not," Roethlisberger said. "Everyone talks about how it will be good to take a first hit. But, if we can avoid it, that will be the best thing to do [until] season starts."
Said offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt: "That's going to come in time. You play this game, you're going to get hit. Ben is a tough kid, very resilient. I doubt that's going to be an issue."
Probably not against the Cardinals.
Roethlisberger probably won't break a sweat by the time he is replaced by veteran Charlie Batch, who "won't see a lot of work, either," Cowher said. Most of the playing time at quarterback will be split between rookie Omar Jacobs, their fifth-round pick, and first-year free agent Shane Boyd.
"He's been fine," Cowher said of Roethlisberger. "The biggest thing I think is from a conditioning standpoint. He lost some weight in a short period, not the way he kind of wanted to do that, with the accident. And he was not able to train as he has in the past getting ready for a training camp.
"But he's looked fine. He's looked good throwing the ball. He started to get a little tired early in the week, but I think he's fine. I like where he's at. He had a good spring. He was at every offseason workout. He was throwing the ball great. I like the frame of mind he's in right now. I'm not worried about that."
Cowher is not worried about Roethlisberger taking a hit, either, even though he wants to avoid that against the Cardinals. Still, he admitted his quarterback -- the youngest to win a Super Bowl -- likely will have a small measure of apprehension about his complete recovery until he takes a hit.
That has not happened in training camp, where the defense is not allowed to touch the quarterback.
"That will be the last bit of apprehension he may have," Cowher said. "I still think it's there; he says it's not, but I think it is. I think it would be for anybody."
That, though, will have to wait for another game.
"I don't know what the play calls are going to be, if they're going to be all runs or all passes," Roethlisberger said. "I'm just going to be excited to be able to get out there and take that first snap." Which might be the most contact he endures all day
Playing time will be brief and role limited
Friday, August 11, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It might not be for very long. And he might not throw a pass, certainly not one where he has to drop into the pocket and subject himself to a hit. But Ben Roethlisberger will start at quarterback tomorrow when the Steelers open their preseason in Arizona -- two months to the day since he sustained numerous facial and head injuries in a motorcycle accident.
<!--BEGIN PHOTO--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=240 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD>
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger drops back to pass under the watchful eye of coach Bill Cowher yesterday in Latrobe.
Click photo for larger image.
<CENTER>
Related coverage
</CENTER>
Press conference
</CENTER>
Steelers head coach Bill Cowher talks with reporters at the Steelers preseason training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe:
How the quarterbacks will be used in Saturday's preseason game at Arizona
About Big Ben
About the importance of live game action
About the value of camp
Listen to the entire press conference (7 MB download)<HR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!--END PHOTO-->Coach Bill Cowher made the official announcement yesterday morning at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, but he indicated Roethlisberger probably will not play as long as the other starters against the Cardinals.
"He will play for a short period of time, and I will leave it at that," Cowher said. "Everyone else will play a series or two."
All of which means Roethlisberger is likely to appear for only three or four plays, probably hand the ball to running back Willie Parker, maybe even attempt a quick screen or some type of pass play where he doesn't have to hold the ball long and risk getting hit.
In fact, if the Steelers' opening drive lasts more than six plays, it is unlikely Roethlisberger will stick around long enough to finish it.
"That was my goal -- to get out there and show everybody I was ready to get out and play," Roethlisberger said. "We'll see what happens."
The Steelers are hoping not much, actually.
They do not plan to put Roethlisberger in any position where he might take a hard hit, even though Cowher and the team's medical staff are not concerned about any lingering physical effects from his June 12 motorcycle accident.
"I'm always apprehensive about getting hit, regardless if I was in an accident or not," Roethlisberger said. "Everyone talks about how it will be good to take a first hit. But, if we can avoid it, that will be the best thing to do [until] season starts."
Said offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt: "That's going to come in time. You play this game, you're going to get hit. Ben is a tough kid, very resilient. I doubt that's going to be an issue."
Probably not against the Cardinals.
Roethlisberger probably won't break a sweat by the time he is replaced by veteran Charlie Batch, who "won't see a lot of work, either," Cowher said. Most of the playing time at quarterback will be split between rookie Omar Jacobs, their fifth-round pick, and first-year free agent Shane Boyd.
"He's been fine," Cowher said of Roethlisberger. "The biggest thing I think is from a conditioning standpoint. He lost some weight in a short period, not the way he kind of wanted to do that, with the accident. And he was not able to train as he has in the past getting ready for a training camp.
"But he's looked fine. He's looked good throwing the ball. He started to get a little tired early in the week, but I think he's fine. I like where he's at. He had a good spring. He was at every offseason workout. He was throwing the ball great. I like the frame of mind he's in right now. I'm not worried about that."
Cowher is not worried about Roethlisberger taking a hit, either, even though he wants to avoid that against the Cardinals. Still, he admitted his quarterback -- the youngest to win a Super Bowl -- likely will have a small measure of apprehension about his complete recovery until he takes a hit.
That has not happened in training camp, where the defense is not allowed to touch the quarterback.
"That will be the last bit of apprehension he may have," Cowher said. "I still think it's there; he says it's not, but I think it is. I think it would be for anybody."
That, though, will have to wait for another game.
"I don't know what the play calls are going to be, if they're going to be all runs or all passes," Roethlisberger said. "I'm just going to be excited to be able to get out there and take that first snap." Which might be the most contact he endures all day
