PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) –Did the Steelers really go into the Raiders game without a no huddle package on offense? How is Roethlisberger's relationship with his offensive coordinator?
The 18-year Steelers quarterback addressed some of those issues on Wednesday morning before practice.
No-huddle
"We don't have it in the sense of years past where we had this whole menu of plays that I could call," Roethlisberger said. "You always have a no huddle in the sense that you have a two-minute offense. In that sense we have 10-12 plays where in years past we had 50-100 plays."
Roethlisberger admitted some of that is due to the rookies and new faces on the team. It seemed that Ben just wanted what was familiar and had ideas for calls that weren't available to him.
"You let the coordinator call the plays," Roethlisberger said. "We need to execute the plays that he calls. We had a good plan. We just didn't execute them well enough."
Relationship with his OC
It's the first year for Roethlisberger with first time NFL offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Ben seemed to have a great relationship with previous coordinator Randy Fichtner. The perception was Roethlisberger was able to influence the game plan to his liking more than he can for Canada.
That seems to be the case based on the limited plays in no-huddle. Roethlisberger, though, says he continues to work hard and doesn't have an issue with Canada.
"I enjoy working with Matt," Roethlisberger said. "He works very hard. He is very passionate. He has a fire for this game & wanting to win. When you add those things up. It makes for a good coach & someone you want to play for."
Ben said he asked in the second half to get more opportunities with rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth. He said ultimately, it's on him to be able to deliver the ball to his receivers.
Leadership
"I tell the guys, no one has to be great," Roethlisberger said. "If we are all good then collectively we could be great. Offense is such a group effort. If one guy is off, it can affect the whole thing. We are going to keep learning & growing & figure out how we can try to get better."
It starts with practice on Wednesday and for Roethlisberger it's less about teaching. More about trying to get the right mindset.
"The key to being a good leader is knowing how to motivate & speak to guys because everyone is going to be different," Roethlisberger said. "I don't try to get too involved in techniques. I can't tell guys how to block."
"What I can do is to try and emphasize how important it is to play for your brother. To play for the guy next to you. You can go out there and say I did my job today. If we didn't win the game and you didn't help the team win then it shouldn't matter. If it does, then you have the wrong mentality for this team sport."
"You got to go out and do your job, but also have to understand collectively we have to do the job together. Sometimes that's the best way I can try and help young guys. Get them to understand it's more than just what you do. It's how did you help the team today."
Relax
While Ben didn't use that word, Roethlisberger is genuinely calmer than many on the outside about the loss at home to Las Vegas.
"We're not panicking," Roethlisberger said. "It's only the second week. We are 1-1 and lost to a team that is 2-0. It was a one-score game until the end."
"It feels like a bad feeling, a bad loss. We understand it's really early in the season. Everyone in our division has the same record. We are going to get ourselves together & ready to go."
