Roethlisberger impresses Marino
PITTSBURGH — Dan Marino didn’t say out loud what he was thinking in 1983, but it took him only a few games to become convinced he would be an excellent NFL quarterback. He is certain Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Ben Roethlisberger already feels the same way.
After hearing for weeks how his exceptional debut has reminded many of Marino’s rookie season with Miami, Roethlisberger heard it from Marino himself Tuesday as the two met for a televised interview.
Marino’s assessment of what already is the most talked-about Steelers rookie quarterback since Terry Bradshaw in 1970: real good now, and will get even better the longer he plays.
“A lot of the things he does kind of remind me of some of the things I was able to do when I played,” Marino said. “The thing that’s impressive about Ben is his awareness in the pocket, his pocket presence and his ability to move and still make throws downfield. You can’t teach that kind of instincts, and that’s something he has going for him that a lot of the guys in the league don’t have.”
Just as Marino looked and felt comfortable almost as soon as he took over for the benched David Woodley in 1983, Roethlisberger has appeared confident and well-prepared since replacing the injured Tommy Maddox on Sept. 19. He is 5-0 as a starter for the Steelers (6-1), the best start by an NFL rookie quarterback since Pittsburgh’s Mike Kruczek was 6-0 in 1976.
“I think you realize it pretty quick,” Marino said when asked how long it takes for a player to know he can play. “You get a feel for it pretty quick, because you compare yourself to other people and what they’ve done. You might not publicly come out and say you think you’re going to be a guy who can be here for a while, but I think you know as far as how you feel personally.”
Does Roethlisberger feel that way after leading the Steelers past New England 34-20 Sunday, ending the Patriots’ 21-game winning streak?
“There’s no doubt,” said Marino, the NFL career passing leader with 61,361 yards. “Because of what he’s done, he’s right there. The performance is there, the winning, and they’ve got one of the better teams in the league. They just beat the team that was 21-0, so all that contributes to a high level of confidence — not only with him, but also the team around him.”
Roethlisberger learned Tuesday from Steelers coach Bill Cowher what already was a foregone conclusion: Even after Maddox is healthy again, perhaps as early as this week, Roethlisberger is the starter.
Roethlisberger is 96 of 137 for 1,133 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions in six games. His 70.1 completion percentage is on pace to easily surpass Marino’s rookie record of 58.45 percent.
Leftwich might play
Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich might not miss any action despite spraining his lateral collateral ligament in his left knee, coach Jack Del Rio said.
Sports orthopedist James Andrews of Birmingham, Ala., examined Leftwich and determined the quarterback will not need surgery. Leftwich has been told to rest the injury, suffered in Sunday’s 20-6 loss to Houston.
Law out for a while
New England cornerback Ty Law will be out four to six weeks with a broken bone in his left foot, his agent Carl Poston told the Boston Globe.
Law was injured on Pittsburgh’s second possession Sunday. Pittsburgh defeated the Patriots 34-20 to end their winning streak at 21 games.
Law was replaced by rookie Randall Gay, who also was hurt later in the game.
Around the league
Miami waived center Jason Ball after he failed his physical. Ball was released Oct. 26 by San Diego following clashes with management. … Defensive lineman Greg Scott was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals, who are trying to upgrade the NFL’s worst run-stopping defense. … Minnesota released veteran defensive Chuck Wiley.