Another article on Ben being the locker room problem

[swissvale72]

The owner sure matters when he seems plenty fuckin' satisfied with a 9-6-1 season and allows the same stupid fuck to coach the team year after year after year.

I'll wait too, over the next 6 months...don't pay much attention off-season anyways. Just not thinking it's a good season coming up, especially minus our most prolific offensive threats.

[Jobu]

Josh Harris played for the Steelers in 2014. From an article written in 2015...

Afterward, Roethlisberger calls Wheaton over. Some quarterbacks might give their receiver a tip on how to avoid the linebacker or applaud him for bravery. Roethlisberger does something different. Quietly, he tells Wheaton to get down next time. He is not concerned about how many extra passing yards he might get if Wheaton stays on his feet. He is concerned about his receiver's well-being.

The small gesture escaped the notice of many—but not all. Veteran guard Ramon Foster overheard the exchange. He says it was one of the most impressive things he's ever heard a teammate say to another. Foster says it speaks to Roethlisberger's "devotion" to his teammates.

"It's not just him working on himself," Foster said. "He wants to help others be better."

In those early years, Roethlisberger might have been the guy sitting alone in the cafeteria. Now, at 33, the second-oldest player on the roster, he's likely to join the guy sitting alone in the cafeteria.

Wheaton maneuvered to secure what he considers to be the prime spot in the Steelers locker room—the stall next to Roethlisberger's. And he uses it to his benefit, firing off questions like a preschooler and soaking up whatever wisdom the quarterback might pass along.


Since Wheaton is expected to replace Lance Moore as the Steelers' primary inside receiver, Roethlisberger has been going over Wheaton's routes with him after every practice. He also quizzes the receiver regularly.

"He goes out of his way a lot to help us young guys out," said Wheaton, a third-year player. "Whoever wants to learn, he's willing to help them. …He is always open to conversation. He never blows anybody off."

At another dinner, Roethlisberger asked each player what his goal was for 2015 and what he thought he needed to do in order to be his best. He also shared what he thought was necessary to make a great team and to make a great player. He reflected on some of the great teams he has been a part of.

In the offseason prior to last year, Roethlisberger invited Wheaton and fellow young wide receivers Antonio Brown, Justin Brown and Derek Moye to Newport Beach, California, for a few days so they could run routes, throw and catch and get some football time in during the period when NFL teams are not allowed to practice. The chemistry the quarterback built with his receivers in California helped the Steelers pass for more yards than 30 teams last season.

"He helped me be a better player by always challenging me," said Antonio Brown, a former sixth-round pick who led the NFL in receiving yards last season. "No matter what you achieve, he's always harping on continuously improving, finding ways to be better."

So this spring, Roethlisberger brought Brown, Wheaton, Martavis Bryant, Darrius Heyward-Bey and running back LeVeon Bell on a four-day excursion to Georgia, where they stayed at Roethlisberger's Greensboro lake house and trained at the University of Georgia. They worked out about two-and-a-half hours a day in advance of OTAs.

"We got great work," Bell said. "And we had a great time. It was a great thing for him to do.

Getting the on-field work in Georgia was great. But the best benefit, as Roethlisberger saw it, may have been relationship-building. There were 90 minutes in the car each day to talk and laugh. There was the daily stop at the Waffle House for breakfast. Pool time. Most of the afternoon was spent on one of Roethlisberger's boats or playing around on his jet skis. And then there were dinners out.

There were also the plane rides—on a private jet with catered meals. This was not an inexpensive endeavor, and Roethlisberger picked up the entire tab.

"The cost doesn't matter," Roethlisberger said. "I wanted to get to know the guys, and I thought it could help make us better. If it made me closer to them—and it did—it's all worth it. If it helps us win a Super Bowl, it's all worth it."

Additionally, Roethlisberger hosts get-togethers for teammates at his Pittsburgh-area home, where they swim in a pool with No. 7 on the bottom, and at his father's house, where they ride ATVs and grill steaks. A willingness to share is part of what endears Roethlisberger to his teammates.

Roethlisberger goes out of his way to be kind to rookies, Batch said. Whenever the Steelers had a rookie QB, he never had to pay the bill for the position-group dinner. Roethlisberger would take his credit card as if he was going to use it, and then pay himself.


"He even did a good job communicating with rookies he knew wouldn't make the team," Batch said. "He wanted to make sure he shared the experience with those guys so when they go back to tell stories in the barbershop or wherever, they remember him as a good teammate and say, 'Man, Ben was a pretty cool dude.'"

Being a backup to Roethlisberger has perks.

"I sat next to him in that room for nine of his 11 years," said Batch, now a media analyst in Pittsburgh. "I know what he's done, and it's a lot. And I'm not even including the little things he would get for the [quarterbacks] room: snacks, drinks, things to fill the refrigerator in there, or buying comfortable chairs for the room."

Some of his most precious gifts haven't cost a dime, though. When Antonio Brown decided to stay away from voluntary workouts this offseason, his quarterback called. Roethlisberger told him to make sure he showed up for OTAs, because he didn't want to see the media and fans turn on the receiver.


"He has made me a better person by talking about life things, family things," Brown said. "He has told me about mistakes he has made and encouraged me not to make the same mistakes. He talks about making sure we are doing the right thing for our families and being the best man we can be."

Roethlisberger also has provided counsel for Bell since he was charged with possession of marijuana and DUI last August. Bell, who was in middle school when Roethlisberger won his first Super Bowl, clearly looks up to his quarterback.

"He has told me I can't ever be in that situation again," Bell said. "He has had situations where he has gotten in trouble. He got some grief for it. I'm getting that same type of thing now. He told me just to ignore it all and let my play speak for itself. He said eventually people will forget it as long as you become a better person and player. They will remember the good things.

"He's always telling me right from wrong. He has said if I ever need help or have a problem, I should let him know."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2505720-how-ben-roethlisberger-grew-up-and-became-one-of-the-nfls-great-teammates

I wonder what Shannon “Mush Mouth” Sharpe has to say about all of this?

[Havoc]

On Josh Harris...

This is the same Joshua Harris who blamed his former college coaches as Wake Forest for going undrafted. Following the third round of the draft that year, he posted on Twitter that interest level in him was very high but that “slanderous remarks” from his coaches citing work ethic and locker room concerns forced teams to back away.

https://steelersdepot.com/2019/03/si-now-says-big-bens-leadership-put-to-test-in-2019-absent-a-strong-veteran-counterweight/

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboysheadlines/2014/05/16/former-duncanville-player-to-try-out-with-cowboys-blames-college-coaches-for-going-undrafted

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000350525/article/exwake-forest-rb-josh-harris-says-coaches-sabotaged-him

https://accsports.com/teams/wake-forest/josh-harris-blames-wake-coaches-for-going-undrafted/

[Minkah'n History]

...won't be so funny if it doesn't.

I never imagined you to be a bed wetter. You are always the voice of patience during game threads.

Exactly. Swiss wants to tell us all, "I was the one who told you so"

[Steelafan77]

Josh Harris played for the Steelers in 2014. From an article written in 2015...

Afterward, Roethlisberger calls Wheaton over. Some quarterbacks might give their receiver a tip on how to avoid the linebacker or applaud him for bravery. Roethlisberger does something different. Quietly, he tells Wheaton to get down next time. He is not concerned about how many extra passing yards he might get if Wheaton stays on his feet. He is concerned about his receiver's well-being.

The small gesture escaped the notice of many—but not all. Veteran guard Ramon Foster overheard the exchange. He says it was one of the most impressive things he's ever heard a teammate say to another. Foster says it speaks to Roethlisberger's "devotion" to his teammates.

"It's not just him working on himself," Foster said. "He wants to help others be better."

In those early years, Roethlisberger might have been the guy sitting alone in the cafeteria. Now, at 33, the second-oldest player on the roster, he's likely to join the guy sitting alone in the cafeteria.

Wheaton maneuvered to secure what he considers to be the prime spot in the Steelers locker room—the stall next to Roethlisberger's. And he uses it to his benefit, firing off questions like a preschooler and soaking up whatever wisdom the quarterback might pass along.


Since Wheaton is expected to replace Lance Moore as the Steelers' primary inside receiver, Roethlisberger has been going over Wheaton's routes with him after every practice. He also quizzes the receiver regularly.

"He goes out of his way a lot to help us young guys out," said Wheaton, a third-year player. "Whoever wants to learn, he's willing to help them. …He is always open to conversation. He never blows anybody off."

At another dinner, Roethlisberger asked each player what his goal was for 2015 and what he thought he needed to do in order to be his best. He also shared what he thought was necessary to make a great team and to make a great player. He reflected on some of the great teams he has been a part of.

In the offseason prior to last year, Roethlisberger invited Wheaton and fellow young wide receivers Antonio Brown, Justin Brown and Derek Moye to Newport Beach, California, for a few days so they could run routes, throw and catch and get some football time in during the period when NFL teams are not allowed to practice. The chemistry the quarterback built with his receivers in California helped the Steelers pass for more yards than 30 teams last season.

"He helped me be a better player by always challenging me," said Antonio Brown, a former sixth-round pick who led the NFL in receiving yards last season. "No matter what you achieve, he's always harping on continuously improving, finding ways to be better."

So this spring, Roethlisberger brought Brown, Wheaton, Martavis Bryant, Darrius Heyward-Bey and running back LeVeon Bell on a four-day excursion to Georgia, where they stayed at Roethlisberger's Greensboro lake house and trained at the University of Georgia. They worked out about two-and-a-half hours a day in advance of OTAs.

"We got great work," Bell said. "And we had a great time. It was a great thing for him to do.

Getting the on-field work in Georgia was great. But the best benefit, as Roethlisberger saw it, may have been relationship-building. There were 90 minutes in the car each day to talk and laugh. There was the daily stop at the Waffle House for breakfast. Pool time. Most of the afternoon was spent on one of Roethlisberger's boats or playing around on his jet skis. And then there were dinners out.

There were also the plane rides—on a private jet with catered meals. This was not an inexpensive endeavor, and Roethlisberger picked up the entire tab.

"The cost doesn't matter," Roethlisberger said. "I wanted to get to know the guys, and I thought it could help make us better. If it made me closer to them—and it did—it's all worth it. If it helps us win a Super Bowl, it's all worth it."

Additionally, Roethlisberger hosts get-togethers for teammates at his Pittsburgh-area home, where they swim in a pool with No. 7 on the bottom, and at his father's house, where they ride ATVs and grill steaks. A willingness to share is part of what endears Roethlisberger to his teammates.

Roethlisberger goes out of his way to be kind to rookies, Batch said. Whenever the Steelers had a rookie QB, he never had to pay the bill for the position-group dinner. Roethlisberger would take his credit card as if he was going to use it, and then pay himself.


"He even did a good job communicating with rookies he knew wouldn't make the team," Batch said. "He wanted to make sure he shared the experience with those guys so when they go back to tell stories in the barbershop or wherever, they remember him as a good teammate and say, 'Man, Ben was a pretty cool dude.'"

Being a backup to Roethlisberger has perks.

"I sat next to him in that room for nine of his 11 years," said Batch, now a media analyst in Pittsburgh. "I know what he's done, and it's a lot. And I'm not even including the little things he would get for the [quarterbacks] room: snacks, drinks, things to fill the refrigerator in there, or buying comfortable chairs for the room."

Some of his most precious gifts haven't cost a dime, though. When Antonio Brown decided to stay away from voluntary workouts this offseason, his quarterback called. Roethlisberger told him to make sure he showed up for OTAs, because he didn't want to see the media and fans turn on the receiver.


"He has made me a better person by talking about life things, family things," Brown said. "He has told me about mistakes he has made and encouraged me not to make the same mistakes. He talks about making sure we are doing the right thing for our families and being the best man we can be."

Roethlisberger also has provided counsel for Bell since he was charged with possession of marijuana and DUI last August. Bell, who was in middle school when Roethlisberger won his first Super Bowl, clearly looks up to his quarterback.

"He has told me I can't ever be in that situation again," Bell said. "He has had situations where he has gotten in trouble. He got some grief for it. I'm getting that same type of thing now. He told me just to ignore it all and let my play speak for itself. He said eventually people will forget it as long as you become a better person and player. They will remember the good things.

"He's always telling me right from wrong. He has said if I ever need help or have a problem, I should let him know."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2505720-how-ben-roethlisberger-grew-up-and-became-one-of-the-nfls-great-teammates

I wonder what Shannon “Mush Mouth” Sharpe has to say about all of this?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkhPuH8G5Hg[/youtube]

[swissvale72]

...won't be so funny if it doesn't.

I never imagined you to be a bed wetter. You are always the voice of patience during game threads.

Exactly. Swiss wants to tell us all, "I was the one who told you so"

Sorry, Hinestuff....but dead wrong, as per usual.

SBI > Being Right.

I coined SBI, and also coined the statement above. I would like nothing better than to be wrong on this. Tomlin wins another Super Bowl, I'll never say another bad word about him.

[Gonzo]

The steeelrs generally will be just fine. They have lost guys before and Ben is the indispensable Ingreient. Connor was OK and modern football uses commitee at RB. Not being forced to target brown will help the O. But the main problem still exists and the same old crap will still happen.

The offense will be fine, the defense will not and the coach with refuse to change philosophy or be creative, will shit the bed in a big game and and make rnough stupid mistakes to piss away a game or two or three

[jeemie]

...won't be so funny if it doesn't.

I never imagined you to be a bed wetter. You are always the voice of patience during game threads.

Exactly. Swiss wants to tell us all, "I was the one who told you so"

Otherwise known as “wanting to be right more than wanting the Steelers’ best interest”.

Hmm...who says that a lot on this site?

[jeemie]

Sorry, Hinestuff....but dead wrong, as per usual.

SBI > Being Right.

I coined SBI, and also coined the statement above. I would like nothing better than to be wrong on this. Tomlin wins another Super Bowl, I'll never say another bad word about him.

If so...why do you keep repeating what everyone knows you believe by now?

[swissvale72]

Sorry, Hinestuff....but dead wrong, as per usual.

SBI > Being Right.

I coined SBI, and also coined the statement above. I would like nothing better than to be wrong on this. Tomlin wins another Super Bowl, I'll never say another bad word about him.

If so...why do you keep repeating what everyone knows you believe by now?

I could pose the same question. It's what we do...and you, of the 25,000 posts, knows this as well as anyone.

[Legacy User]

I can't believe a Steelers fan--who has seen 50 years plus of this franchise, and seen 25 years of this franchise in free agency-- would think they're going to have even a losing season, let alone be in actual trouble of worse than that.

They have a top 5 QB in the NFL.
They have the best OL in the NFL.
They have a pro bowl RB and a 2nd year RB who will probably take a big step forward.
They have JuJu and a couple of nice complementary players at WR.
They upgraded CB and will likely upgrade ILB and dime backer/safety in the draft--from a defense that led the NFL in sacks and pressures.
Last year just about every bad break and turn of luck went against them--reversion to the mean alone is probably worth a game and a half from last year's record.

And I'd like to point out that the Steelers rather convincingly beat the Super Bowl champs last year, even with all the problems they had.

Regardless of what you think of coaching and the ceiling of this Head Coach, he hasn't managed to be worse than 8-8, even with (at various times) shitty defense, shitty offense, or shitty special teams-- not even when his HOF QB missed 4 games in a season!

I say this team will look a whole lot better after the draft, will be a lot more cohesive in camp, and will probably relish being a bit of an underdog/us against them story. They're a lock for at least 8 wins, 9 or 10 is probably realistic, and 11 isn't out of the question. At all.

CORRECT

we were a competent kicker away from being the #1 seed in the AFC last year.

We actually BEAT the Super Bowl Champs last year.

We were A BETTER OFFENSE last year WITHOUT that fuckhead L.Bell.

I am confident we will BE A BETTER TEAM without that douchebag AB84 next year.

[bradshaw2ben]

Who's riding, man? I'm here.

[swissvale72]

I can't believe a Steelers fan--who has seen 50 years plus of this franchise, and seen 25 years of this franchise in free agency-- would think they're going to have even a losing season, let alone be in actual trouble of worse than that.

They have a top 5 QB in the NFL.
They have the best OL in the NFL.
They have a pro bowl RB and a 2nd year RB who will probably take a big step forward.
They have JuJu and a couple of nice complementary players at WR.
They upgraded CB and will likely upgrade ILB and dime backer/safety in the draft--from a defense that led the NFL in sacks and pressures.
Last year just about every bad break and turn of luck went against them--reversion to the mean alone is probably worth a game and a half from last year's record.

And I'd like to point out that the Steelers rather convincingly beat the Super Bowl champs last year, even with all the problems they had.

Regardless of what you think of coaching and the ceiling of this Head Coach, he hasn't managed to be worse than 8-8, even with (at various times) shitty defense, shitty offense, or shitty special teams-- not even when his HOF QB missed 4 games in a season!

I say this team will look a whole lot better after the draft, will be a lot more cohesive in camp, and will probably relish being a bit of an underdog/us against them story. They're a lock for at least 8 wins, 9 or 10 is probably realistic, and 11 isn't out of the question. At all.

CORRECT

we were a competent kicker away from being the #1 seed in the AFC last year.

We actually BEAT the Super Bowl Champs last year.

We were A BETTER OFFENSE last year WITHOUT that fuckhead L.Bell.

I am confident we will BE A BETTER TEAM without that douchebag AB84 next year.

I'm confident you have your head up your ass on that one!!

[COR-TEN]

Who's riding, man? I'm here.

I'm in.

[jeemie]

Sorry, Hinestuff....but dead wrong, as per usual.

SBI > Being Right.

I coined SBI, and also coined the statement above. I would like nothing better than to be wrong on this. Tomlin wins another Super Bowl, I'll never say another bad word about him.

If so...why do you keep repeating what everyone knows you believe by now?

I could pose the same question. It's what we do...and you, of the 25,000 posts, knows this as well as anyone.

No...it’s not what we do.

Except when we want to be “right”.

[swissvale72]

So now the hall monitor is also an expert on my intention when I post.

[K_C_]

I can't believe a Steelers fan--who has seen 50 years plus of this franchise, and seen 25 years of this franchise in free agency-- would think they're going to have even a losing season, let alone be in actual trouble of worse than that.

They have a top 5 QB in the NFL.
They have the best OL in the NFL.
They have a pro bowl RB and a 2nd year RB who will probably take a big step forward.
They have JuJu and a couple of nice complementary players at WR.
They upgraded CB and will likely upgrade ILB and dime backer/safety in the draft--from a defense that led the NFL in sacks and pressures.
Last year just about every bad break and turn of luck went against them--reversion to the mean alone is probably worth a game and a half from last year's record.

And I'd like to point out that the Steelers rather convincingly beat the Super Bowl champs last year, even with all the problems they had.

Regardless of what you think of coaching and the ceiling of this Head Coach, he hasn't managed to be worse than 8-8, even with (at various times) shitty defense, shitty offense, or shitty special teams-- not even when his HOF QB missed 4 games in a season!

I say this team will look a whole lot better after the draft, will be a lot more cohesive in camp, and will probably relish being a bit of an underdog/us against them story. They're a lock for at least 8 wins, 9 or 10 is probably realistic, and 11 isn't out of the question. At all.

CORRECT

we were a competent kicker away from being the #1 seed in the AFC last year.

We actually BEAT the Super Bowl Champs last year.

We were A BETTER OFFENSE last year WITHOUT that fuckhead L.Bell.

I am confident we will BE A BETTER TEAM without that douchebag AB84 next year.

I'm confident you have your head up your ass on that one!!

I guess we'll find out this fall.

[Suwanee88]

Who's riding, man? I'm here.

Always in on being a Steelers fan but would like to be riding in the steam roller that runs over Pass Down Art.

[Legacy User]

I'm confident you have your head up your ass on that one!!

swiss -- i hope I'm right and I hope you're back on board with us in the fall -

we have a HOF QB, and that matters more than anything else. (as a long time fan, I know you know this)

I'm right with you on the criticism of ownership and the HC too - they need to be better.

But I don't believe for a minute that LBell and AB were the guys to make us a championship team. We had them at their peak, and we still couldn't go anywhere with them.

I'm excited to see us move in a new direction, and I look forward to the day when you are too.

[Jobu]

Who's riding, man? I'm here.

Always in on being a Steelers fan but would like to be riding in the steam roller that runs over Pass Down Art.

Can I drive?

[COR-TEN]

Who's riding, man? I'm here.

Always in on being a Steelers fan but would like to be riding in the steam roller that runs over Pass Down Art.

Can I drive?

I dunno. You've said you're old. Reaction time isn't the best.

[Ice]

Who's riding, man? I'm here.

I'm in, as always.

[Jobu]

Always in on being a Steelers fan but would like to be riding in the steam roller that runs over Pass Down Art.

Can I drive?

I dunno. You've said you're old. Reaction time isn't the best.

You’re right...I might miss.

[JackLambert58]

Who's riding, man? I'm here.

I'm always riding.

[jeemie]

So now the hall monitor is also an expert on my intention when I post.

It’s not hard to figure out.

As soon as anyone posts with any optimism whatsoever, you’re all over it with “We lost two all-world talents. Boo hoo!”

[Kodiak]

As soon as anyone posts with any optimism whatsoever, you’re all over it with “We lost two all-world talents. Boo hoo!”

And it's really just AB. We already had a full season without Bell, and it's pretty clear the RB position without Bell was more productive and efficient.

Bell sat out a year over guaranteed money. I think we dodged a bullet, because those were not the actions of a guy who loves the game and either doesn't plan to play much longer, or doesn't intend to maintain the effort to keep himself in top playing condition.

[Flanker]

And I'd like to point out that the Steelers rather convincingly beat the Super Bowl champs last year, even with all the problems they had.

That is irrelevant... How many fans of other teams would hang their hat on beating the 2009 Steelers in the regular season before we hit our stride? You only mention that because it was the Patriots and they clearly got much better throughout the season.

[Legacy User]

So now the hall monitor is also an expert on my intention when I post.

It’s not hard to figure out.

As soon as anyone posts with any optimism whatsoever, you’re all over it with “We lost two all-world talents. Boo hoo!”

Swiss is sort of a Hall Monitor of Doom.

[swissvale72]

So now the hall monitor is also an expert on my intention when I post.

It’s not hard to figure out.

As soon as anyone posts with any optimism whatsoever, you’re all over it with “We lost two all-world talents. Boo hoo!”

The Hall Fuckin' Monitor Jeemie with the oboe up his ass....wrong as usual.

[swissvale72]

I'm confident you have your head up your ass on that one!!

swiss -- i hope I'm right and I hope you're back on board with us in the fall -

we have a HOF QB, and that matters more than anything else. (as a long time fan, I know you know this)

I'm right with you on the criticism of ownership and the HC too - they need to be better.

But I don't believe for a minute that LBell and AB were the guys to make us a championship team. We had them at their peak, and we still couldn't go anywhere with them.

I'm excited to see us move in a new direction, and I look forward to the day when you are too.

I hope you're right, too. And I've already told you what's going to happen. I'll be there in the fall. Every game, I'll be predicting a Steeler win. Every game, I'll be telling the asshats in the website that they're giving up too early. All the while though, I know this team won't be championship-caliber.....not with Mike Tomlin as Head Coach, and not minus some of their best players.

Addition by subtraction works sometimes. Addition by addition works better.