Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws with the Browns' Kamerion Wimbley around his legs in the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Sept. 9, 2007.
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 9, 2007
CLEVELAND
This was the Ben Roethlisberger the Steelers' offense needed.
The fourth-year quarterback held down his pass attempts, was accurate with his tosses and kept mistakes to a bare minimum in the Steelers' 34-7 season-opening rout against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Roethlisberger attempted only 23 passes, completing 12 for 161 yards and a generous 13.4-yard average along with no interceptions and a 114.3 passer rating.
But those career-high four touchdown passes -- including two to tight ends -- said a mouthful.
"It makes all the hard work put in this offseason feel good so far," said Roethlisberger, who had thrown three touchdown passes in a game three times. "Once Tuesday hits, it's time for the next game. But it feels pretty good."
It's becoming monotonous writing about how strong the Steelers are defensively. The Steelers defense is clockwork. Defense set the tone in yesterday's win. The Steelers' offense was along for the ride.
That said, Roethlisberger's performance was refreshingly positive.
He didn't drive the offense off the road into a ditch.
He made correct reads, found open targets, and didn't make easy passes difficult.
"All in all, I think he did an excellent job managing the game," coach Mike Tomlin said.
Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes celebrates his first-quarter touchdown.
Roethlisberger's 40-yard touchdown pass to an open Santonio Holmes near the end of the first quarter was as close to perfect as a play can be.
Given plenty of time to drop, read the defense and not worry about being sacked for a change, Roethlisberger knew when he broke the huddle where the pass was headed.
"I told him it's you or nobody's ball," Roethlisberger said.
That was music to Holmes' ears.
"It's great execution. It gives the quarterback a lot of confidence," Holmes said. "When you execute a play just like you run it in practice, it makes you feel more and more comfortable in a game you can throw that pass."
Roethlisberger doesn't have to throw a steady diet of bombs, or attempt 35 or 40 passes each week to be effective. He just has to make the most out of what he has to work with.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians wants to create new opportunities for Roethlisberger in the passing game.
Different formations and more receivers in those formations for Roethlisberger to choose from.
Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth (89) celebrates his third quarter touchdown with Hines Ward (86) over Cleveland's Brodney Pool Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Given what transpired yesterday, Roethlisberger should be seeing four wide receiver and three tight end formations in his sleep.
"We've been talking about it all offseason, being able to finally utilize the weapons we have at receiver," Roethlisberger said. "I feel like we were very unpredictable for the defense."
The best thing about yesterday's offensive performance was the offense didn't beat itself.
There was a Willie Parker fumble in the second quarter that is starting to become a cause for concern. It's now news when Parker, who rushed for 109 yards, doesn't fumble. There were four dropped passes in the first half, but the offense did far more good than bad.
As expected, there will be weeks when the defense carries the offense. When the opposite is true is when the Steelers will become a complete football team.
John Harris is a sports writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com
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