New coaches turn Roethlisberger loose
CINCINNATI — To say Ben Roethlisberger played quarterback in a straightjacket for three seasons is going too far.
"Handcuffed" is more realistic.
The Pittsburgh Steelers star and former Miami RedHawk sure looked good, turning and handing off to his powerful running backs. But he longed to be turned loose.
Goodbye Bill Cowher. Hello new head coach Mike Tomlin, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson.
The Steelers' triumvirate has given Big Ben what he desires most — freedom to breathe ... and make more plays.
With 13 touchdown passes through six games, Roethlisberger is on pace for 34-plus, almost doubling his previous high of 18 in 2006. He tossed 17 in both 2004 and 2005.
"It's gone well so far," Roethlisberger said in preparation for the Bengals. "I feel a lot more comfortable in the system. I think it's made us more of a productive offense and been a little bit more unpredictable. I like the things that Bruce has done, and I think all of the guys have taken it very well."
The Steelers are still running the ball (201) more than passing it (166), but Big Ben welcomes the balance. He also appreciates Tomlin's sideline manner, which is in stark contrast to Cowher's jutting jaw and splendid spit.
"There are a lot of differences, just because they're very different people," Roethlisberger said. "If you screw up, (Tomlin) wants to talk to you about it or encourage you — 'You're going to be OK' — whereas Cowher would yell at you or scream at you.
"I have no problems with (Cowher). It's just we've never communicated since he left. He was a veteran guy. I was a young guy, so I was always a little intimidated by him because he's an intimidating person. But I feel honored to have played for a sure-fire Hall of Fame coach, and it's made me a better person."
It's not like Tomlin is piloting a Mister Softee ice cream truck. Far from it. He ran a physical, disciplined training camp, and the players were forced to adjust to his style.
"He came in and was tough on us," Roethlisberger said. "He didn't give us much time off. We were so used to one way, with the time schedules and this and that. The change kind of made some guys grumpy at times. But guys understood what he was doing.
"It's hard to really say that our (team's) personality has changed. I think guys have really taken the new coach well. There's kind of a new interest and excitement, and level of wanting to win for this coach."