Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t happy with the team’s decision to fire offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. Roethlisberger thereafter seemed to be a little concerned (to say the least) about the radio silence from Arians’ replacement, Todd Haley.
Now that Haley is on the job and installing a new offense, Roethlisberger is dealing with change. And it sounds like he has come to grips with that reality.
“Absolutely,” Roethlisberger told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh (via SportsRadioInterviews.com) regarding whether he wasn’t comfortable with the changes initially. “It’s different. It’s change. And I’m not saying that change is bad, but because it’s different and it’s something that you’re not comfortable and used to doing, you’re not going to be comfortable, obviously. But you’ve got to take the bull by the horns, as they say, and try and run with it.”
While he liked things the way they were, Roethlisberger realizes that there’s only so much he can do about it. “You have no choice,” he said. “And we’re coming along and every day is getting a little bit better and we’re learning and we’ll be running the ball a lot this year, so fans should be happy.”
Roethlisberger compared his relationship with Haley to the process of adjusting to the new playbook and approach. “It’s just like this offense is a work in progress, so is learning the offense and learning each other,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s learning me and I’m learning him just as much as he’s learning the rest of the players. So, we’re just taking every day one day at a time.”
Roethlisberger confirmed the team will be running the ball more, with Isaac Redman getting a chance to step up. Other reports and accounts and descriptions indicate the tight end will have a bigger role in the offense, and Roethlisberger will spend more time in the pocket -- even though he’s perhaps at his best when moving laterally, buying time as he drags defenders with him.