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Ben Not So Sure Brady Will Miss Opener vs. Steelers

By Ed Bouchette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 8 years ago

Good morning,

In any interview, there always are outtakes, stuff that is said that does not make the story for one reason or another. Sometimes, it is space limitation in a newspaper, others because the focus of the story is narrower, and sometimes it’s because the comments by the subject just were not that interesting.

Either way, here are a few outtakes from my interview with Ben Roethlisberger yesterday that did not make my story that is in today’s PG.

On halfback DeAngelo Williams and his progress learning the offense:

“It’s going good. We both talked a couple of times a day, Are you good? ‘Yep.’ I always told him that when we break the huddle that if he has any issues to ask me. And he hasn’t so far. Obviously it’s the first day, and we haven’t solved everything. But I thought he did a great job, and I was really impressed with his knowledge of the offense so far.

I have known him for a while now. I am just really happy that we have a guy that can be a weapon for us, hopefully all year, and he can give Le’Veon Bell some spells when he needs a quick breather. He is a good, veteran back that has been doing it for a long time.”’

On Le’Veon Bell:

“He was on the trip to Georgia with us. It was great to talk to him. I love to spend that time not just talking about football but riding in the cars talking to guys and understanding them better. He has really grown up and matured in football as well as a person. I think we’ve all seen that. The sky is the limit for him. He’s the best all-around back in the game.”

Roethlisberger is not convinced that Tom Brady will miss the opener:

“Are we sure he’s not coming back? He is a guy that I have said for a long time is the best in the business. And he proved it again last year, winning his fourth Super Bowl. If he is not out there, it’s not the same. I have a lot of respect for him on the football field. It’s unbelievable some of the things he has done. I guess we will wait and see what will happen.”

On going for two points rather than kick for the PAT under the new rule:

“It’s a long way in football, especially when there is not a lot of room to stretch the field. You have to tip your hat to a guy like Suisham. This new rule is such an advantage to dome teams and fair weather teams, because we all know – we’ve seen a ball stick in the ground at Heinz Field before. It didn’t even bounce. So he has to kick a 33-yarder in December or January with the wind blowing. To me that’s such a disadvantage and makes him so much more valuable than a team kicking in a dome or in warm weather all year.”

Last summer, you said your right arm was stronger than ever. How does it feel now?

“Good. It feels healthy. I am ready to go. It was the first day, so we will see how it feels tomorrow. But that was the other reason of going down to Georgia and throwing early, to get some throws in before today.”

On being able to get out of the pocket and improvise when a play breaks down:

“I am getting older. Guys are getting younger and faster, and I am not getting any faster. If I don’t have to run around I don’t. But there are still times I feel like I can to make a play. Last year in the Colts’ game and in other games, things happen. I have always said there is no plan to do it or not do it, you just let it happen.”