PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There has been a lot made of Ben Roethlisberger saying he made-up plays Sunday in the second half in Baltimore. Head coach Mike Tomlin dismissed some of that on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Roethlisberger said 90% was made-up and Thursday the Steelers offensive coordinator said that is a stretch.
You might think this is an area of concern within the team, it's not.
"Believe me, I have no ego," said offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner. "I want to move the ball as much as anyone for the Pittsburgh Steelers and for the guys that are responsible for it in the offensive room. Whatever gives us the best chance to do that, we will do."
Fichtner said there were times where Ben might "do the Superman thing" and make things start to happen, but not actually draw up anything in the dirt.
Fichtner also said Roethlisberger takes advantage of the looks he is seeing and is ok with Ben adlibbing.
"I would not be a very intelligent coach if I did not sit back and listen, if I didn't sit back and take in information," Fichtner said. "I think our communication has grown every year. That's something that's been built upon trust.
I trust him. I think he trusts me. I would hope that the offense would trust me because that's what we are attempting to build together, and I will say that I trust them."
The 56 year-old Meadville High School graduate was a successful coach at the University of Memphis when Mike Tomlin called 14 years ago. Fichtner left as the Tigers offensive coordinator to start again as the Steelers wide receivers coach. He then worked with Roethlisberger as the quarterbacks coach for seven years before becoming the offensive coordinator for the last three.
He has seen a lot and said he learned it's not just about the head coach or the quarterback when you are in this organization.
"It's the Steeler way," Fichtner said.
"It's the Steeler program. It's the Rooney's. It's the foundation of everything that's been here. Again, I get satisfaction when we win."
"Ben talks about it all the time, really the thing he wants more than anything is Super Bowls. Having been to one and won and having been to one
and lost, I want to get back to it.
We will coach our tail off that day to try and get one."
Championship teams say all the time it's about the intangibles, for instance, being able to put ego aside for a common goal.
