PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Ben Roethlisberger practiced fully on a Tuesday. Unusual because the Steelers don't normally practice on a Tuesday, it was only a walk-through workout as they look to keep bodies as fresh as possible for a game on Thursday.
Roethlisberger said he'll use all the people at his disposal to get physically ready-chiropractors, masseuses, training staff, noting everyone has to do it. He says the elbow feels great, the shoulder still hurts. He's really just dealing with throwing.
"Wish someone could keep track, like I've thrown a million throws in my life, so at some point your shoulder starts to wear down a little bit," Roethlisberger said. "Just like any quarterback, your arm always hurts a little bit."
Johnson Emerging
It's his third year, but Roethlisberger says the way 5'11" receiver Diontae Johnson can get open is special.
"It's quick," Roethlisberger said.
"The second touchdown (against Baltimore), he runs his route and puts his foot in the ground, and I don't know too many people that can stop that. And that's why we put the play in. We put plays in for him to do those kinds of things, and the best way to stop him is to hold him. We got the pass interference and sometimes that's all you can do."
"He's a special talent, and I think, to me, the bigger thing is the touchdown that would've been an amazing catch earlier, the one that he didn't catch. He doesn't go into the tank. He comes back and just makes plays and keeps going. I think that spoke volumes about who he is and his growth and maturity in such a young football career that he was able to bounce back and just make plays for us."
Record watch
The 18-year Steelers quarterback just 334 yards away from Philip Rivers (63,440) and fifth place on the all-time passing yards list. Are there any of these milestones or records that really mean anything to him?
"Not yet," Roethlisberger said. "A lot of those things I don't even know about until either my agent or a friend or Coach Sully brings it up to me. And when it gets brought up, it's humbling.
It's cool. It means I've played a long time. I
just feel blessed. God has blessed me, like I said the other day, with an ability to throw a ball that not many other people in the world have been able to do. I'm just thankful."
There was one record that you could tell does mean something, the fourth quarter comebacks. It's a stat that's only been around since 1960 and Ben is third on the all-time list. Peyton Manning leads with 43, next is Tom Brady at 41 and then Roethlisberger with 39.
Roethlisberger recently passed Drew Brees (36) and a couple of Pittsburghers Johnny Unitas (34) and Dan Marino (33).
"Yeah, that's really cool," Roethlisberger said. "For me, personally, it probably means that I stunk the first three quarters and just found a way to win in the fourth. But still, when your name gets mentioned with those guys, it's pretty cool."
Game ball
As Mike Tomlin eluded to on Monday, Roethlisberger likely has a lot of game balls at his house. Does a week 13 win over the Ravens qualify as an important one for Ben?
"Maybe because it's the Ravens and it's at home," Roethlisberger said. "That's a special win. Any AFC North team, but especially those guys. There is just something special about winning and winning at home and doing it that way. You think about the many fourth quarter or last play of game type things that have happened against those guys, it's special."
