Steelers could take a quarterback in the draft

The Steelers haven’t taken a quarterback since drafting Dennis Dixon in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, but their streak of quarterback-less drafts could end this week.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert broke with recent trends and said the team was open to the possibility of drafting a quarterback at some point during the 2013 draft. Per Dulac, the team isn’t interested in finding someone with the intention of grooming a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger in the near future but could find a developmental prospect to develop over several years while Roethlisberger remains in charge of things on offense.
According to the report, the Steelers believe Tyler Bray of Tennessee is the most talented quarterback in this year’s class. The strong-armed early entry isn’t ready to play right now, although his potential may still push him into the second day of the draft and Dulac believes that’s earlier than the Steelers might like to pick a player with no immediate chance to play. E.J. Manuel of Florida State and Zac Dysert of Roethlisberger’s alma mater Miami of Ohio are also mentioned as quarterbacks who have caught the team’s eye over the last few months.
With Bruce Gradkowski signed to be a backup and John Parker Wilson also on the roster, the selection of a quarterback would likely bring an end to Charlie Batch’s run with the Steelers. That would make for quite a change in the “back in my day” stories told during position meetings since the quarterbacks mentioned above were just a couple of years out of diapers when Batch was getting ready for his own draft day.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Josh Alper
Photo: Jason Bridge US Presswire

Mike Tomlin announces Ben Roethlisberger will start on Sunday

Ben Roethlisberger is back.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed today that Roethlisberger, the quarterback who has missed the last three games with rib and shoulder injuries, will be back in the starting lineup on Sunday against the Chargers.
“He has been above the line in all areas,” Tomlin said of Roethlisberger’s performance at practice this week. “Really, the only question we can’t answer is taking a hit. Obviously that will be answered in the stadium on Sunday. I am extremely comfortable with his ability to work the field both vertically and horizontally. He has great velocity on his ball. We’re ready to go.”
The question about Roethlisberger’s ability to take a hit is a significant concern because of reports that Roethlisberger’s rib was broken in an area that another hit before it was fully healed could risk puncturing his aorta. But if the Steelers’ doctors cleared him to play, they’re surely satisfied that his rib injury is sufficiently healed that that’s no longer a risk.
And so Roethlisberger will be back, as the Steelers fight to stay ahead of the Bengals for the AFC’s sixth and final playoff spot.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Michael David Smith
Photo: Jason Bridge US Presswire

Report: Roethlisberger has “unusual” separated shoulder

A quarterback with an unusual reputation for embellishing injuries now has an unusual injury.
Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports reports that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a separated shoulder during Monday night’s game against the Chiefs.  Per Cole, one source described the injury as “unusual.”
Roethlisberger was taken to a local hospital for an MRI during the game.  It’s unknown whether he’ll miss Sunday night’s visit from the Ravens.
It’ll be the first of two games against Baltimore in a 14-day period.
Roethlisberger is having one of the best seasons of his career, with teammates openly politicking for MVP consideration.  The Steelers could find out quickly how valuable he is; if the offense sputters against the Ravens like it did against the Chiefs in an overtime win that was secured by the Pittsburgh defense, the Steelers will once again be jockeying for wild-card position come late December.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Mike Florio
Photo: Jason Bridge, US Presswire from ESPN.com