Ben Roethlisberger did not throw many passes in spring practices and when he did, his own defense mocked him.
One interception, two interceptions, three interceptions, four. They kept a running total. Coaches got involved, too.
“I kept seeing coach [Carnell] Lake and Terry Cousin and some of the DBs putting these fingers up,” Roethlisberger said, “Like ‘We got our interceptions in OTAs and minicamps.’ ...
“It kind of upset me a little bit, so I wanted to prove to them I wouldn’t throw to them if I actually cared about practices, which I do in training camp and don’t in OTAs.”
Roethlisberger did not throw one interception in the entire training camp practices, the first time in his career. He’s been picked off just once since — Cleveland safety Derrick Kindred got him on an overthrow in the opener.
There is a renewed effort by the quarterback to cut down on his interceptions. He threw 29 over the past two seasons in 26 games. That’s his highest two-season total since 2006-2007 when he threw 34.
“Just really focusing on not turning the ball over,” Roethlisberger said. “I think that’s important. I mean that’s always one of our goals and my goal especially — not throwing interceptions and just really kind of taking the pride.”
Mike Tomlin emphasized as much this week, and while he noted that his offense has just that one turnover, his defense has managed just two — an interception by rookie linebacker T.J. Watt in the opener and Artie Burns’ recovery of William Gay’s forced fumble with less than a minute to go against Minnesota.
The Steelers’ defensive coaches haven’t had to count past one since the real season started.
“We are doing a lot of good things,’’ Tomlin said of his defense that ranks No. 3 in yards allowed in the NFL. “We’re running to the ball. We’re largely keeping it in front of us.”
But ...
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Originally Posted by Edman
