PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger smiles as he speaks to the media on the South Side about signing a new contract to stay with the team for eight more years, March 3, 2008.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
The numbers enthusiastically agreed upon by Dan Rooney said all that needed to be said.
Ben Roethlisberger piled on, anyway, just in case the obvious was somehow lost in all of those zeroes.
You can do that when you're minutes into signing a contract with more than $33 million guaranteed in a $102 million deal.
Speaking of his newfound status as one of the highest-paid players in the NFL, and of all the voicemails and text messages he was receiving from teammates, Roethlisberger hit perspective in the hands and in perfect stride Monday on the South Side.
"It means a lot to be here and be their leader," Roethlisberger said.
Roethlisberger had, in effect, become that fewer than seven quarters into his NFL career, when he took over as a rookie in place of the injured Tommy Maddox.
He was as reluctant then to assume a leadership role, as at least one of his teammates was publicly skeptical of the Steelers' prospects with Roethlisberger thrust under center ahead of schedule.
The Steelers' 15-1 record in 2004 proved Alan Faneca's initial concerns were unfounded.
Super Bowl XL, while not one of Roethlisberger's better individual games, secured his place in the organization's pecking order.
Around then, he would reluctantly acknowledge to having become one of the Steelers' leaders, but it still wasn't a subject Roethlisberger appeared comfortable discussing.
Then, last season, free at last from the yoke of a head coach who insisted on micro-managing his quarterback and riding herd over his offensive coordinator, Roethlisberger finally began to embrace the concept of becoming "the guy," as well as the guy who was asked to make plays.
He began spending more time at the practice facility in the offseason and justifying the newfound faith and freedom being afford to him.
He led by deed and by example.
And he authored a comeback season that set franchise records and carried the offense on his back.
The Steelers responded by perceiving him the way the Colts perceive Peyton Manning where it really matters -- under the salary cap.
And now the Steelers are officially Ben Roethlisberger's team.
It doesn't matter that James Harrison was voted team MVP last season.
It doesn't matter how many times Hines Ward reminds everyone of his leadership qualities.
When you receive more than $36 million guaranteed, they never look at you the same way again.
Nor should they.
The Steelers will continue demanding more from Roethlisberger in the intangible department, as well as when things break down and it becomes necessary to improvise a big play.
Late last season, they saw him embrace the concept of analyzing still photographs of defenses and coverages with his teammates; Roethlisberger had previously been a guy who liked to keep to himself on the sideline.
Now, they'll expect even more from him, in ways they may not as yet have imagined.
"Keep growing," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said Monday, when asked to assess Roethlisberger's latest challenge.
He's been up to each and every one so far.
Roethlisberger perceives his financial windfall as a mandate to put "a bunch more trophies" in the Steelers' Super Bowl display case.
Nothing less should be expected from the new face of the franchise.
It's money well spent.
Mike Prisuta is a columnist for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or 412-320-7923.
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