Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger Sets High Goals For Season

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The Steelers begin this season as the defending division champions and with expectations to do more this year.

If that is to happen, most of the responsibility for it will rest on the shoulders of their quarterback and highest-paid employee who happens to relish the pressure.

"No one's going to put more pressure on me than me," says Roethlisberger, "and regardless of the contract it's about going out, winning football games, and I know the fans want us to win but I want to win probably worse than anybody."

Because of that and his experience, Roethlisberger has been given more freedom to run this offense this year. He has the green light to change plays as he sees fit.

"And the more that I spend time with [offensive coordinator] Bruce [Arians] and we learn and make adjustments, the more freedom he'll give me to be able to make changes and adjust and hopefully get us in the right play, the best play possible," Roethlisberger said.

And this week against the Texans, the best play possible might be the quick passing plays. Houston's defense is one of the top sacking defenses in the NFL and the Steelers allowed Roethlisberger to get sacked 53 times last year counting playoffs.

"I've got a lot of confidence in Marvel and Willie and our tight ends to really do a good job of shutting [Mario Williams] down," he said.

As for Big Ben, expectations are high coming off his first Pro Bowl, second-best passer rating behind Tom Brady and a new $102 million contract, but he's not yet satisfied.

"If I get too big head I get in motorcycle accidents, so I just stay even keel you know and I set my goals so high, you know Super Bowl – that's what we're going for."

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