PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In a time where veterans speak out about the perils of attending voluntary workouts, two Steelers captains have each made multiple appearances.
Cam Heyward and Ben Roethlisberger showed up from day one of Organized Team Activities or OTAs, a once voluntary yet mandatory few weeks of practice in the spring. More and more veterans are staying away, but those two thought it important.
"I'm in town," Roethlisberger said. "I might as well be here. There is something to be said about being here. Just letting guys see you. Speaking every so often to the group. Breaking the offense down at the end of practice. To me it was important to be here. That's why I'm here."
With a few veterans gone including friends Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva from the offensive line, Ben might be there to learn names. In a rare occurrence, the team spent its first four 2021 draft picks to select offensive players.
"It's been awhile since we've gotten so many weapons early on offensively," Roethlisberger said. "Guys look great, but we are in shorts and T-shirts and waiting to see what the guys can do."
It's very much fundamental drills, but they are working in some bits of the offense. Of course it's new to the rookies, but some plays are also new to Ben with new offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
"What I've seen so far has been really impressive," Roethlisberger said of the rookies. "Knowledge of the game of football, picking up the offensive already."
"A lot of times in the past the rookies weren't here. These guys came in at the rookie mini-camp and haven't felt. To be able to have the repetition with those guys. The communication with them to talk to them, whether it's at a locker or on the field. I'm really excited about the group we have in here."
Among the rookies is first round pick, Alabama running back Najee Harris. We've seen at times them already starting to build a chemistry.
"He's a really hard worker," Roethlisberger said. "He's in here extra-long. I think the other day the running back coach told him 'hey, I have to go home now'."
"It shows that he's still in there watching film. He's constantly asking questions. He doesn't seem lost. It's not too big for him. His head is not spinning. He's asking questions which is good, but he's out there playing fast."
"I think the most exciting part about Najee, once he gets it and it clicks and he goes full speed. Man, it's going to be something to see."
And Ben can say he saw it from the beginning.
