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View Full Version : Bruce Arians: 'We're going to stand behind' Ben Roethlisberger



polamalubeast
06-28-2010, 10:36 AM
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-sports/2010/06/pittsburgh_steelers_coordinato.html


Pittsburgh Steelers coordinator Bruce Arians: 'We're going to stand behind' Ben Roethlisberger
Published: Monday, June 28, 2010, 10:03 AM Updated: Monday, June 28, 2010, 10:16 AM


Bruce Arians heard what was being said outside the Pittsburgh Steelers organi*zation.

He heard fans and media suggest that it might be time to trade Steelers quar*terback Ben Roethlisberger because of his off-the-field behavior.

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Share For Arians, the Steelers offensive coordinator since 2007, it was not a comfort*able situation.

"When you hear those kind of things, you just know what the source is and your core values are not going to let you do that," Arians said. "It's never been brought up where I've been that you give up on your guys, especially when you truly knew who they were.

"I think all of us in our or*ganization know who Ben is and we're going to stand be*hind him."

Arians was in town over the weekend for the Arians Pro Football Academy Camp at Hoover High School.

The camp, run by his son, Jake, a former kicker at UAB and in the NFL, also fea*tured former Steelers run*ning back Jerome Bettis.

The subject of Roethlis*berger came up quickly when the elder Arians met with the media on Friday.

Roethlisberger has been suspended for at least the first four games and possi*bly the first six of the 2010 season after violating the NFL's personal conduct pol*icy.

Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault by a 20-year-old college student after an encounter in a Georgia bar. He became the first NFL player to be suspended under the personalconduct policy while never having been charged with a crime.

"He's not my son but (I'm) like an uncle that you like," said Arians, who coached under Paul "Bear" Bryant at Alabama in 1981-82 and was the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide in 1997.

"I guess I'm that guy. We play a lot of golf together, spend a lot of time together. It's hard, really hard. I'll go to the grave defending him. I've always been brought up that way. Coach Bryant said 'You never turn your back on one of yours.'"

Bettis, who retired after the Steelers beat Seattle 21-10 in Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5, 2006 in Detroit, also offered support for Roethlisberger.

"He made some mistakes, we all do," Bettis said. "You say what you did is not right and you discipline him for that and I think that's what is happening. At the end of the day, you give him an opportunity to be a better person. Now, if he doesn't take advantage of the opportunity, then that's another story."

Arians' task now is getting Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch ready to handle the quarterback duties while also giving Roethlisberger some work. Roethlisberger's suspension doesn't keep him out of training camp. Once the season begins, however, he is not allowed to take part in any of the Steelers' activities.

Arians said he's confident that each of the other three quarterbacks can help the Steelers win games but none of them can do the things Roethlisberger does.

"It's the improvisation that he brings to the game," Arians said. "His skill level, I don't think there's any better in the National Football League than him after a play breaks down or when he starts creating a play."

siss
06-28-2010, 10:58 AM
Thats right, you don't give up on one of your own. He's ours and no one picks on him but us!

steeldevil
06-28-2010, 10:58 AM
Hopefully he is being literal and there will be someone standing behind him in formation... You know, like a fullback maybe?

siss
06-28-2010, 11:00 AM
Hopefully he is being literal and there will be someone standing behind him in formation... You know, like a fullback maybe?

wishful thinking!

fansince'76
06-28-2010, 11:10 AM
Did Arians lose weight? He looks noticeably thinner in the picture that accompanies the article.

HometownGal
06-28-2010, 11:30 AM
I would expect nothing less from BA or Coach T for that matter. As we all realize, Ben is guilty of nothing more than stupidity and egomania with a heapin' helpin' of immaturity thrown in, but I don't think there is a one of us who is giving up on him becoming not only a better person, but a player we can be proud of not only on the field but off it as well. :drink:

siss
06-28-2010, 11:31 AM
Someone with far more talent then I needs to write a song.

Stand by your quarterback.
cause after all he's just a man
something something something
stand by your quarterback

siss
06-28-2010, 11:33 AM
I would expect nothing less from BA or Coach T for that matter. As we all realize, Ben is guilty of nothing more than stupidity and egomania with a heapin' helpin' of immaturity thrown in, but I don't think there is a one of us who is giving up on him becoming not only a better person, but a player we can be proud of not only on the field but off it as well. :drink:

As I have said Steel has to go threw fire before its formed.
And your going to have to pry the Roethlisberger Jersey and the Terrible Towel out of my cold dead hand!

Is it October yet?