Roethlisberger and the Steelers quietly going about business during NFL's lockout
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Emmanuel Sanders, Charlie Batch, coach Mike Tomlin, Willie Colon and Tria Essex were on hand at Ben Roethlisberger's youth football camp Monday at Seneca Valley.
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Turn on the NFL Network or ESPN just about any day of the week, and it's likely that you'll see a report on one of the many player-organized team workouts taking place in various NFL cities.
Whether it's Drew Brees paying the way for teammates to join him in New Orleans for their workouts, or No. 1 draft pick Cam Newton throwing passes to his new teammates in Carolina, many players are eager to let their team and their fans know that they're staying in shape during the owner-imposed lockout.
That hasn't been the case for the Steelers, who have done their best to stay out of the spotlight this spring. That's the way quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wants it.
PG VIDEO: BIG BEN TALKS FOOTBALL, LOCKOUT"To me, it's not about letting the world know we're doing it," Roethlisberger said Monday morning from his youth football camp, sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and #1 Cochran, along with Premier Partners, McDonald's and Bridgestone at Seneca Valley High School. "As long as we know we're doing and we're doing it, that's all that matters. That's just how we operate and how I operate. I've gotten some letters from people, I've heard some things like, 'Why aren't you working out?' Well, we are working out. We've probably worked out more than most teams. It's just that we choose to keep it quiet."
Roethlisberger was joined at his youth camp by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner and several teammates, including offensive linemen Willie Colon and Trai Essex, receiver Emmanuel Sanders and reserve quarterback Charlie Batch.
Roethlisberger did not disclose how many times the players have worked out on their own, but Sanders said the number is three. Sanders said Roethlisberger will send out mass text messages to players to let them know when and where to show up for the local workouts.
The practices have been for offensive players only. Many defensive players are working out in Florida under the supervision of private coaches and trainers.
"It's going great," Roethlisberger said. "We've worked out, linemen, running backs, tight ends, everybody. All of the offense. It's gone really well. We've had some good progress, just to kind of refresh people's memories on audible calls or no-huddle calls, little things like that."
First Published June 21, 2011 12:00 am
