We noted yesterday that Ben Roethlisberger had provided the first acknowledgement that the Steelers players engaged in organized practices during the lockout. Today we have more word from Roethlisberger, who took what may have been a little swipe at players on other teams who have boasted about their lockout workouts.
“To me, it’s not about letting the world know we’re doing it,” Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “As long as we know we’re doing and we’re doing it, that’s all that matters. That’s just how we operate and how I operate. I’ve gotten some letters from people, I’ve heard some things like, ‘Why aren’t you working out?’ Well, we are working out. We’ve probably worked out more than most teams. It’s just that we choose to keep it quiet.”
Of course, by talking about the workouts, Roethlisberger isn’t keeping it quiet. And Roethlisberger also offered some details about what the Steelers have been doing and who has been in attendance.
“It’s going great,” Roethlisberger said. “We’ve worked out, linemen, running backs, tight ends, everybody. All of the offense. It’s gone really well. We’ve had some good progress, just to kind of refresh people’s memories on audible calls or no-huddle calls, little things like that.”
As for when the team-organized workouts can begin, Roethlisberger said he’s confident that the lockout will end soon enough.
“You have to have confidence and faith in the leaders of both sides, that they’re going to do something that’s fair for both parties,” Roethlisberger said. “You just have to put your faith in those guys. For us, it’s Charlie Batch. We know something fair will get done.”
Until something gets done, the player-organized workouts will continue.