Roethlisberger questions how Tomlin used starters in preseason
Over time, there have been a slew of debates throughout the realm of professional football regarding the amount of time that “first-team” players should perform during the preseason, mainly because of the possibility of an unnecessary injury. Recently, former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger voiced his opinion on the proposed length of time, if any, that top-tiered players should participate in the preseason.
Brogan Noey posted the following critique by Roethlisberger regarding the personnel utilization of players by Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin on steelernation.com: “Where [Ben Roethlisberger] began to get critical was when he started to discuss the second preseason [game of the Steelers] against the Buffalo Bills. The offense played two drives, however, the second possession only lasted one play where Kenny Pickett found Pat Freiermuth for a 25-yard touchdown. Roethlisberger said he was shocked Tomlin pulled the starters after the Freiermuth touchdown and thought they didn’t play enough situational football. ‘Now I’ll say this, I was really surprised that he [Tomlin] pulled them after that. I get it, you saw what you wanted, two series and two scores, but I don’t know how many plays they had, but it couldn’t of been more than a dozen. I was just surprised because I think with only three preseason games, I would think what Mike would want to see is some situational football from his starters.’”
In my opinion, how can Roethlisberger even question Tomlin’s strategy when, for years, Roethlisberger took Wednesdays off from the Steelers’ regular season practices based on the “theory” that he was adequately versed in the Steelers system and to also prevent Roethlisberger from experiencing an unnecessary injury? For instance, in October 2021, the Steelers were struggling to get out of last place in the AFC North and most of the media considered that it was almost a privilege that Roethlisberger decided to leave the throne room and join the commoners of the practice field.
Curt Popejoy posted this “gem” on steelerswire.usatoday.com on Oct. 27, 2021, as the Steelers were preparing to face the Cleveland Browns. “On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin told the press the team was going into the week of preparations for the Cleveland Browns healthy. On Wednesday he backed that up. [Steelers QB Ben] Roethlisberger typically doesn’t practice on Wednesday, so it is something of a surprise to see him out there at all. However, given the team has been off for a week, it’s good he’s getting in a little extra work. The Steelers are hoping to extend their current winning streak to three games. Pittsburgh currently sits at 3-3 and in last place in the AFC North. However, they are only a half-game out of a playoff spot with the Browns just ahead of them at 4-3.”
On more than one occasion, there have been examples of Roethlisberger not just throwing his teammates under the bus, but driving the bus himself. On October 17, 2017, on 93.7 The Fan, former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward delivered his take on Roethlisberger’s method of criticizing his teammates and others around him. “I sometimes disagree with kind of how he comments on other people,” Hines said about Ben. “I know some guys might take that the wrong way. I know earlier in his career, he hated to be critiqued by some of the veteran guys himself.”
Some would even argue that Roethlisberger’s selfish and unwarranted criticism of a play on which he fully placed the blame on Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown began the downward trajectory of the career of Brown (some would argue that it was the beginning of the end for Brown), because of the unwarranted, undeserved, and widespread devotion of the media and fans to Roethlisberger regardless of his actions or inactions, positive or negative.
On the Complex website, it was pointed out that “Brown [had discussed his disconnect with Ben Roethlisberger] several times before, including an appearance on LeBron James podcast, ‘The Shop.’” “During Brown’s appearance on the show, he explained how Roethlisberger’s overbearing and authoritative attitude drove them apart.”
Brown specifically cited when Roethlisberger told the media that he (Brown) ran the incorrect route and that was the reason that caused Roethlisberger to throw the late-game interception that led to their Week 12 loss against the Denver Broncos.
“That’s the type of guy he is. He feels like he’s the owner,” Brown said. “Bro, you threw this s–t to the D-line. How the f–k am I going to run a better route? You need to give me a better ball.”
Roethlisberger offered a public apology. “I took some heat and deservedly so for some of the comments on that show and especially towards him,” he said. “I genuinely feel bad about that and I’m sorry… Did I go too far after that Denver game? Probably.”
While Roethlisberger tried to reconcile, Brown didn’t seem to accept the apology, tweeting, “Two face” on the day that Roethlisberger issued the hollow apology. “Did I go too far after that Denver game? Probably. Did I go too far after that Denver game? Probably.”
Probably? Even when Roethlisberger was caught “red-handed,” ‘Big’ Ben continued to tote his Johnny Appleseed pouch looking for a “rich-dark” plot of soil to sow his “seeds of doubt” regarding Roethlisberger indirectly or directly being held accountable for all his negative actions or behavior. Oftentimes history is recorded through the eyes of the beholder. Therein lies the problem. When the narrative of the past is altered overtly or covertly, the future will be automatically altered as well.
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