PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Despite the assumptions being drawn over a picture that went viral of Ben Roethlisberger in a t-shirt walking into training camp report day. He says he feels good and is ready to go.
"Are things being said nationally about me," Roethlisberger joked. "What's new."
"My arm feels a lot fresher if you will. Just because at this time last year I had thrown thousands of footballs trying to get ready for this. Today is the first day I've thrown a ball since mini-camp other than throw to my son in the backyard. It feels more normal of an offseason. My arm feels really, really good."
Roethlisberger attended nearly every volunteer practice in the off-season and all of the mandated ones. He believes 2021, even with an extra game, should have a more usual schedule that should help.
"I think of the potential, you never know, but the potential for a normal football season," Roethlisberger said. "The three games in twelve days that will wear anyone down. I think just physically I will feel better just in terms of my arm."
The 18-year veteran used the time away from throwing to study. Ben said he knew coming into camp he would have to learn a lot to get ready for the new terminology of Matt Canada's offense.
"My daughter makes flashcards for me," Roethlisberger said. "We've made them together and there have been quizzes at home. It's become as much as a mental off-season as it has physical when it comes to learning new things. If you talk about the percentage of new, the run game formations, it's a high percentage of new. It's a challenge."
He said to the outside eye the plays may look the same but are called differently.
"Not even close," Roethlisberger said comparing to last year's playbook. "If you notice, I'm looking at the wristbands quite a bit. We all are, all of the quarterbacks are trying to pick up on it and figure it out. New isn't always bad, it's just new."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed how much is actually new about the offensive calls.
"Matt has done a really good job, a thoughtful job of easing the transition," Tomlin said Thursday. "Sure there are some new things. Sure there are some new words. It's not a blank slate."
"Ben has been on the job long enough I don't want it to seem as something significant. It's an adjustment, by the time we are able to play. I doubt it will be anything of any significance."
Roethlisberger and the offense have the jump on everyone in the division with an extra game and extra practice time. They might need all of it to make sure the adjustment isn't significant.
