Roethlisberger admits he initially was upset by Steelers draft

Quote :

Posted by Mike Florio

When the Steelers didn’t use the 15th overall pick in the draft on a receiver, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t happy.

“I got caught up in doing what I always say not to do, and that’s listen to the media,” Roethlisberger said Tuesday, via Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “[The Steelers] obviously have their agenda, the things they want, and they got two guys that they felt can help this team.”

Roethlisberger was referring to third-round running back Dri Archer and fourth-round receiver Martavis Bryant. The fact that the team’s quarterback admits to initially being miffed about the decision to use the 15th overall pick not on receivers like Brandin Cooks or Kelvin Benjamin but on linebacker Ryan Shazier doesn’t show much faith in Bryant or 2013 third-rounder Markus Wheaton.

Of course, it’s not the first time Roethlisberger has said something that could rile up his receivers. In early 2008, Roethlisberger lobbied for a tall receiver. Not-so-tall receiver Hines Ward didn’t like that very much.

“I don’t hear Tom Brady or Peyton Manning asking for that,” Ward said at the time. “I don’t know, whatever he says. I have no idea. To me, it’s a rare combination of receivers out there who are good and tall. We won a Super Bowl, we didn’t have a tall receiver then. I don’t see Tom Brady caring about who’s tall or not.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/27/roethlisberger-admits-he-initially-was-upset-by-steelers-draft/

Come on, Ben.   

I don't think there's any chance his comments would cause a dispute like the one between him and Ward, but still ... some things are better left unsaid.

Every freakin' year Roethlisberger puts that out there at draft time. "I want a tall receiver!"     

Get over it dude, put the overall objective ahead of your desire to be some passing leader in the NFL. Put the team ahead of what you think you need. This team was winning SBs before you were a sparkle in your daddy's eye.

Sometimes I wonder if all of those concussions haven't affected his thought/speech pathway   

I remember the comment he made about Hines and it ticked me off to no end.  He couldn't ask for a better receiver than Hines, and he would be blessed to get one half as good.  It was also Hines that walked out with him at training camp after his brush with the law, and Hines that instrumental in winning our fifth Lombardi.  Obviously, this comment STILL ticks me off to this day -- (thanks Wally for getting me riled up   )

Well, he has his tall receiver now, and all I can say is he needs to quit being selfish and trust that the Rooney's know how to build a team.

Doesn't Ben realize that it was our defense that got us to super bowl 43?

Want a tall receiver? Throw it to Heath.

Gingerchip wrote:

(thanks Wally for getting me riled up   )

 That's what I'm here for.

It didn't come across that well when I first read it either. But I'm thinking Ben was being honest. He was probably excited to have a Kelvin Benjamin or another top flight receiver on the team this season. I'm not going to hold it against him that he felt disappointed that an opportunity to have a very explosive offense slipped through his fingers. But he acknowledged that there is a bigger picture and after his initial disappointment wore off, he understands the decision made.

but he's got to realize that have an explosive offense doesn't mean shite if you don't have the defense to stop the other team.

Defense wins championships!! We won with Hines and how tall is he? 5'11"? I understand his frustration but sometimes you have to think before you speak.