Great Expectations for Big Ben

Steelers QB hopes to make the leap after injury-, mistake-ravaged 2006
Posted Sep 6, 2007 6:01 AM CDT
Great Expectations for Big Ben
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger grins on the sidelines as he is interviewed during the fourth quarter of the preseason football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)   (Associated Press)

Steelers signal-caller Ben Roethlisberger has taken a different approach to the 2007 season, redoubling his work ethic and assuming more responsibility in the offense. He hopes to expunge a nightmare 2006 marked by injuries and shoddy play—a disheartening fall from grace for the youngest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl.

Among other duties, the team's new offensive coordinator has designated Roethlisberger as the player responsible for calling changes in blocking, formerly the territory of the offensive line. Said guard Kendall Simmons, "He's trying to get to a level of being an elite quarterback, those guys like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady." (More NFL stories.)

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