The words

    • 541 posts
    July 3, 2018 11:01 PM EDT

    PITTSBURGH (AP) The words that threatened to define Ben Roethlisberger’s season were uttered almost as an afterthought and with more than a hint of frustrated sarcasm.

    It just didn’t read that way as it made the rounds on social media [url=http://www.lionscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-tracy-walker-jersey]Tracy Walker Super Bowl LI Jersey[/url] , or sound that way during a three-second sound bite played endlessly on a loop.[img]http://www.sndpic.com//nike_nfl_jerseys/nike_new_york_giants/nike_giants_2706.jpg[/img]

    ”Maybe I don’t have it anymore,” the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said in a somber locker room three months ago after throwing five interceptions in a 30-9 loss to Jacksonville .

    Article continues below ...

    Roethlisberger didn’t mean it. Call it a visceral reaction to having two of his 55 passes returned the other way for game-deciding touchdowns. Three days later the 35-year-old was back to calling himself one of the ”best in the world.” It wasn’t just idle talk. He followed it up by spending the better part of the next 10 weeks playing like it.

    The quarterback who will stride onto the field Sunday for a rematch against the Jaguars in the divisional round of the playoffs has his swagger back. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey jokingly gave credit to the beard Roethlisberger began growing in the aftermath of one of the most forgettable performances of his career. Of course, that’s not the reality. The guys who surround Roethlisberger in the huddle know the swagger never really left.

    ”Ben is the most talented guy I’ve ever been around,” Heyward-Bey said. ”I’m not talking quarterback. I’m talking about talent. He can do a lot of different things. He believes in his ability and he’s going to show people on Sunday that he believes in himself.”

    The player who openly pondered retirement last spring, the one who quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner said in November will occasionally uncork a flutter ball while looking very much his age [url=http://www.kansascitychiefsteamonline.com/derrick-nnadi-jersey]http://www.kansascitychiefsteamonline.com/derrick-nnadi-jersey[/url] , heads to his 21st career playoff game at the height of his powers. Roethlisberger is averaging 298 yards passing since that forgettable three hours against the NFL’s top defense.

    Roethlisberger’s thrown multiple touchdown passes in seven straight games and the Steelers ended the season with a 9-1 sprint, the lone setback a loss to New England on Dec. 17 in which his only mistake came on a poorly executed fake spike that resulted in a game-ending pick.

    What’s working? Nearly everything.

    Having two of the top skill position players in the league in wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell helps. So does the continued evolution of rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant’s immersion into the offense following an ill-advised trade demand.

    Yet Pittsburgh’s offense will only go as far over the next month as Roethlisberger can take it. Though he downplayed looking for payback after the Jaguars shut him down in ways that few teams have in recent years, not everyone is buying it.

    ”I’m sure just as any competitor would, when you go and have a bad outing or a difficult, tough outing against a team [url=http://www.cowboyscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-mike-white-jersey]Mike White Super Bowl LI Jersey[/url] , you want that revenge,” Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles said. ”You want to go prove that it was a fluke or whatever it might be. I’m sure that’s probably what he’s thinking.”

    Not that Roethlisberger would admit it even if he is. Never one to go into great detail about how he goes about his job, Roethlisberger insists he’s focused simply on playing well. The fact it’s against the Jaguars is coincidental. There is no looking ahead to a potential shot at New England in the AFC title game, or a third Super Bowl that would provide an exclamation point on a potential Hall of Fame career.

    ”I am not worried about what’s going on up there (with the Patriots),” Roethlisberger said. ”All I can think about and worry about is this defense that we are playing.”

    A defense that will likely need to find a way to replicate its October dominance to extend its season. The Steelers have been forced to revisit the loss this week [url=http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kolton-miller-jersey]Raiders Kolton Miller Jersey[/url] , one that put their journey from that moment to this one in perspective.

    ”That game for our entire group was kind of a watershed moment,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said Thursday. ”We stayed together, but there was a lot of pressure from the outside. A lot of outside factors that could have been divisive in some way for our group, but I take my hat off to the guys. They stuck together. They pulled together tighter. We knew that wasn’t our best football and we knew it probably really wasn’t as bad as it appeared.”

    Or, as Roethlisberger can attest [url=http://www.officialhockeypanthersshop.com/authentic-adidas-aleksander-barkov-jersey]Adidas Aleksander Barkov Jersey[/url] , as bad as it sounded afterward. The sound bite was just that, a bite, one that in a way played a role in his resurgence. One that ended with his sixth Pro Bowl selection and a very real shot to become the fourth quarterback in NFL history with three Super Bowl titles.

    ”He’s confident in his ability and he’s confident in his receivers,” Heyward-Bey said. ”He knows that we’re going to go out there and try and make plays for him. That’s what a quarterback needs. He has to have confidence in his guys.”

    Roethlisberger’s confidence in himself was never an issue.

    NOTES: CB Artis Burns (hyperextended right knee) did not practice Thursday but is hoping to play Sunday. DE Stephon Tuitt (elbow) also did not practice but plans to play. … LB Ryan Shazier, recovering from spine stabilization surgery [url=http://www.buccaneersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-vinny-curry-jersey]Buccaneers Vinny Curry Jersey[/url] , attended practice again in a wheelchair and hung out in the locker room after practice.

    AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

    . [url=http://www.officialusafootballs.com/new-york-giants/trenton-cannon-jersey]Womens Trenton Cannon Jersey[/url] , [url=http://www.officialhockeyusashop.com/buffalo-sabres/evander-kane-jersey]Adidas Evander Kane Jersey[/url] , [url=http://www.officialusafootballs.com/baltimore-ravens/hayden-hurst-jersey]Authentic Womens Hayden Hurst Jersey[/url] , [url=http://www.officialusafootballs.com/new-york-giants/cody-latimer-jersey]Womens Cody Latimer Jersey[/url] ,
    • 10963 posts
    • 4405 posts
    October 25, 2022 8:26 AM EDT

    It is somewhat fantastic, and yet check out the advice at this treat. Orlando Termite Treatment

    • 4405 posts
    November 24, 2022 1:18 AM EST

    When exploring the net at times I find a web page that is definitely very thought invoking like this one. Frequently that I have been to this site I've enjoyed the nice article on this website. I shall be certain to look out for the next article.. Thank you for the fantastic post I will come again in the future. canada virtual phone number

    • 4405 posts
    December 18, 2022 12:02 PM EST

    I wrote about a similar issue, I give you the link to my site. tiktok likes free

    • 4405 posts
    January 5, 2023 7:05 AM EST

    Make the most of mainly premium substances - you will find him or her for: The Continuum

    • 4405 posts
    January 8, 2023 11:05 PM EST

    This is very significant, and yet necessary towards just click this unique backlink: Tembusu Grand

    • 4405 posts
    January 15, 2023 11:47 AM EST

    Very good topic, similar texts are I do not know if they are as good as your work out. Minecraft Server List

    • 4405 posts
    January 20, 2023 11:14 PM EST

    I understand this column. I realize You put a many of struggle to found this story. I admire your process. Selling Merchant Services

    • 4405 posts
    January 21, 2023 1:55 AM EST

    In this particular article, you will see a summary, satisfy browse this post. Wedding dresses in Houston

    • 4405 posts
    January 22, 2023 11:38 AM EST

    I came onto your blog while focusing just slightly submits. Nice strategy for next, I will be bookmarking at once seize your complete rises... omegle chat

    • 4405 posts
    January 23, 2023 10:51 AM EST

    For true fans of this thread I will address is a free online! credit card processing agent

    • 482 posts
    January 24, 2023 11:00 PM EST

    Kya apko bhi pta hai ki ap ajkal online gar bathe sports games se paise kama sakte hai? Agr nahi pta to koi baat ni aj ham btege apko ki gar bathe paise kaise kamaye. Ham laye king exchange platform jo betting ke liye number one hai India me. To aj he ap betting suru kare kingexch par ur paise kamana suru kare. Aj he hamse King Exchange Login id lekr betting start kre.

    • 4405 posts
    February 5, 2023 11:51 PM EST

    Thanks for writing such a good article, I stumbled onto your blog and read a few post. I like your style of writing... Taxi Woking

    • 4405 posts
    February 26, 2023 11:29 AM EST

    Profit primarily prime quality items -- you can understand them all within: Cyber Security Recruitment