Pittsburgh has morphed quickly into one of the best passing teams in
the league and Ben Roethlisberger is operating more and more out of the
no-huddle offense.
Roethlisberger used plenty of the no-huddle Sunday against the
Cleveland Browns, calling his own plays, and threw for 417 yards, the
third-most in Steelers history. At this rate, he will shatter most of
the Steelers passing records, save one -- he has 10 touchdowns after
throwing five in the past two games.
Roethlisberger has completed 150-of-207 for 1,887 yards, which leads
the NFL. Hines Ward leads all receivers with 599 yards and Heath
Miller's 34 receptions are second among tight ends.
The Steelers have a long history as the top rushing team in the
league since the 1970 merger, but things are changing in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers scored only 27 points against Cleveland Sunday despite
their biggest output in 14 years with 543 yards. They were held down on
the scoreboard because of three lost fumbles and one interception.
"The points didn't match the performance," offensive coordinator
Bruce Arians said. "We put it all together, we can be pretty daggone
good."
Roethlisberger loves the freedom of working in the no-huddle and said
his teammates do too.
"It's fun," he said. "I think if you ask the receivers, they like it.
Two guys had over 100 yards, Heath had a bunch of yards, the backs are
getting the balls. Everybody's getting touches, so I think they like it
as well."
NOTES, QUOTES
--The NFL is investigating the latest arrest by Steelers kicker Jeff Reed. "We are looking into it" is all a league spokesman said after Reed
was cited by Pittsburgh police Sunday night for disorderly conduct and
public intoxication around 9 p.m. outside a bar near Heinz Field.
The league fined Reed $10,000 after he pled guilty to disorderly
conduct earlier this year for an incident at a convenience store in New
Alexandria, Pa.
--Strong safety Troy Polamalu discarded the brace on his left knee
before the start of Sunday's game. He wore the brace all through
practice last week to protect the sprained MCL he suffered in the
opener.
--Heinz Field was resodded Sunday night between the college hash
marks. The Steelers ripped out their DDGrassmaster field after last
season and put down all grass so they could patch it as needed during
the season.
--DE Aaron Smith, placed on IR last week with a torn rotator cuff,
will have surgery this week. It was postponed on Friday because he was
sick.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
--RB Mewelde Moore was used more in the fourth quarter Sunday after
fumbles by Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker in the third quarter.
Moore had five carries for 20 yards. Asked if Moore played because of the fumbles, Arians said, "That, and he had fresh legs."
--WR Santonio Holmes ranks only third on the team with 28 catches,
but he's on pace to top his personal high of 55 receptions from last
season and with 438 yards a real threat to get his first 1,000-yard
season.
--WR Mike Wallace leads the Steelers with an average of 16.4 yards
per catch (18 for 296 yards). He also ran once for 21 yards on Sunday
vs. the Browns as he continues to become more of a threat as the No. 3
wideout.
--LB Lawrence Timmons had the second two-sack day of his career
Sunday and is second on the team with three sacks.
--RB Rashard Mendenhall leads the team with four rushing touchdowns
and a 5.1-yard average per carry after starting his third straight game.