By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Ben Roethlisberger drops back to pass as offensive coordinator Bruce Arians watches during NFL football practice, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are scheduled to host the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 23. (AP)Bruce Arians is one hell of an offensive coordinator.
Now that I have your attention, let me back up that statement. No, wait. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wants to do it. He's aware of the ridiculous anti-Arians sentiment around town. He can't understand it, either.
"He gets way, way too much blame and criticism," Roethlisberger told the national media this week. "It's kind of unfortunate because he's so good. If you ask the players, we know. If you ask someone that knows the game of football, you'll know how good he is and what he's done for the offense and what he brings."
In the interest of full disclosure, Roethlisberger has more than a player-coach relationship with Arians. He described him as "a father figure," which made Arians laugh. "I'd rather him say I'm the favorite uncle he likes to drink with." The two are close. You might have heard something in March about Roethlisberger owning a place in Georgia. Arians has one nearby. They play golf often.
"I can talk to him about anything," Roethlisberger said.
It wasn't always that way
"In the beginning, he didn't like me much and I didn't think all that much of him, either," Arians said, fairly giggling. They came to the Steelers in 2004, Roethlisberger as a No. 1 draft choice and Arians as wide receivers coach. Arians became offensive coordinator in '07 after Ken Whisenhunt left for the head job with the Arizona Cardinals.
"I don't think Ben liked me because I had coached Peyton," Arians said of the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, generally regarded as the hardest-working quarterback in the NFL. "I wanted to see him study harder. I wanted his work ethic to catch up with his passion for the game and all that talent he has."
Well, guess what?
"He's done everything and more that I've asked of him," Arians said of Roethlisberger. "I'm as proud of him as you can be of a person who's not your son or daughter."
Their success together has been extraordinary. The Steelers went to the playoffs in '07 and won the Super Bowl in '08. They missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record last season despite having a 4,300-yard quarterback, a 1,000-yard rusher, two 1,000-yard wide receivers and a tight end who caught a franchise-record 76 passes. And this season? Maybe you have read something about the AFC championship game against the New York Jets Sunday night at Heinz Field.
The Steelers lost to the Jets, 22-17, at home Dec. 19. The offense produced 378 yards, ran for the most yards (147) against the Jets this season and had a 2 1/2-minute edge in possession time. "We just didn't score enough points," Arians said. "We also gave up two points."
That blasted safety.
Jets linebacker Jason Taylor tackled running back Mewelde Moore in the end zone on a first-and-10 play from the Steelers 3, bumping the Jets' lead to 22-17 with 2:38 left. Arians was excoriated around town for calling that trap play, which had left guard Chris Kemoeatu pulling to his right to lead Moore off right tackle. Taylor sliced through the gap vacated by Kemoeatu before left tackle Jonathan Scott could cut him off.
"Their guy jumped the cadence and made a great play," Roethlisberger said. "It was a great call. If we get the play off, it's out to at least the 10."
"I didn't beat myself up over that one," Arians said. "It's one of our best plays. It would have picked up a solid eight to 15 yards."
Even after the safety, Arians was confident. Roethlisberger, you know? The Steelers got the ball back at their 8 with 2:08 left. "I looked Ben in the eye and told him, 'Let's go get 'em in the end like we always do.' We should have, too."
Roethlisberger led the Steelers to the Jets 10 and had two shots in the end zone to win the game. On the first, backup tight end Matt Spaeth dropped what should have been the winning touchdown pass.
Now, the Steelers get a second crack at the Jets. Arians went overboard this week praising Jets coach Rex Ryan, calling him "the best [defensive mind] in the business. He amazes me the way he keeps coming up with new stuff." He went overboard praising the Jets defense, saying, "It's just like playing Baltimore's defense only they're better because of their cornerbacks."
Don't be fooled.
You know Arians loves his chances with Roethlisberger.
At the team hotel tonight, the two will go over the game plan one final time. Out of the 70 or so pass plays, Roethlisberger will pick his 15 favorites. He'll do the same for all possible third-down situations.
"I lose a lot of the plays I like when we do that," Arians said, grinning.
"That's what's so great about working with B.A.," Roethlisberger said. "If I tell him I hate a play, he won't call it. He doesn't have an ego that way. He doesn't ever say, 'We're going to do it my way.' It's the same way with the receivers. If one of them comes to him and says, 'I can beat my guy on this play,' he'll call it. He has enough faith in his players to do that. He's a players' guy."
Said Arians: "I'd be pretty stupid to call a play my quarterback hates. I'm not trying to impress anybody out there. I'm just trying to help us win the game."
That's why Arians is able to shrug off the criticism. He knows an awful lot of people think they can call plays better than he does. That goes with his job. He takes no offense.
It's not praise and pats on the back that Arians will remember when he leaves football, anyway. It's the wins and the championships and the relationships with the players.
Especially the relationships.
"We haven't lost too many together," Arians said of Roethlisberger.
I don't expect 'em to lose Sunday night, either.
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11022/1119967-66.stm#ixzz1BmGc7lJ0
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