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Big Play Was Vintage Big Ben

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A staff, wire report

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2009

QB Ben Roethlisberger might not fit the description of a classic quarterback, but his ability to make plays has him in position to win a second Super Bowl at age 26. Dangerous when he is on the move, Roethlisberger has a knack for improvising on the run.

Before S Troy Polamalu's interception return for a touchdown sealed the Steelers' 23-14 victory against the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday night, the play of the game was Roethlisberger's scrambling, off-balance throw to Santonio Holmes on a third-and-9 play in the second quarter. Chased from the pocket, Roethlisberger was about to throw the ball away when he spotted Holmes.

"I've always enjoyed getting out of the pocket, rolling out, making plays," Roethlisberger said. "It's hard for defensive backs to cover for a long time. We play backyard football sometimes."

Holmes caught the ball at midfield and weaved his way through the Ravens defense for a 65-yard touchdown. It was the first touchdown of the game, giving the Steelers a 13-0 lead.

And it was classic Roethlisberger.

"I tell people all the time, he's a good quarterback but he's one heck of a football player," WR Nate Washington told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "There's a difference in those two. That's what Ben does, he prides himself on making plays."

Against the Ravens' aggressive defense, Roethlisberger turned a negative into a positive.

"We didn't want him escaping too much, because that's where he tends to make most of his plays," Baltimore LB Terrell Suggs said. "He's a good quarterback. His ability to make plays is why he is who he is, so you take your hat off to him."

VOICES OF EXPERIENCE: It has been only three seasons since the Steelers won Super Bowl XL, beating the Seahawks in Detroit. Several players remain from that 2005 team, and they will impress upon their younger teammates the magnitude of playing in Super Bowl XLIII.

"For the guys who were a part of the first one, we know what it takes to get there," LB James Farrior told Steelers.com. "We want to make sure the young guys know it's a big moment and this is the way we do it, just follow us and we will lead the way."

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