QB Roethlisberger awaits an early call
The Miami player admits he's antsy about his future.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The workouts are finished. The meetings with NFL teams are done. There's nothing left for Ben Roethlisberger to do but wait.
The quarterback from Miami (Ohio) is antsy to find out where he'll wind up in the first round of the draft Saturday. He's had a few days to relax with his family in Findlay and follow the draft speculation on television.
Waiting has turned out to be the toughest part.
"It's nervousness," Roethlisberger said Wednesday night. "I don't know if I have enough words to describe how I feel inside. I feel like a balloon, and Saturday I'll finally get to let it all out.
"There's a lot of anxiousness just to learn where I'm going to play football and to find out where I'm going to be spending the next few years of my life."
It could be just about anywhere.
Heavy interest
Roethlisberger worked out for Cleveland and Pittsburgh last week, the last two teams that wanted another look at him. Agent Leigh Steinberg figures six or seven teams have an interest.
"My 30 years of doing this have convinced me that anything is possible in the process," Steinberg said.
Eli Manning, Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers are the top three quarterbacks available in a draft class loaded with receivers and cornerbacks.
There is always much speculation in the days leading up to the draft. Teams are waiting to see if San Diego, which has the first overall pick, trades down.
Advice
Roethlisberger is trying to enjoy the last few days before the draft instead of fretting about them. Former Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville's first-round draft pick last year, called him a few days ago with some advice.
"He said it's going to be everything and more than you thought," Roethlisberger said. "I'm trying to absorb it all because it's only going to happen once."
After working out for the Browns and then going to Pittsburgh last week, Roethlisberger had a chance to relax. He went to Oxford to watch Miami's spring football game and see some friends.
"There were mixed emotions," he said. "It was great to be back and see those guys and hang out. It was tough because I know deep down I could still be out there playing, I had another year."
Roethlisberger's family and Miami coach Terry Hoeppner will be with him Saturday. Until then, he's trying not to think about how it will all play out.
"I don't know what teams are going to do," he said. "I don't know if they fully know what they're going to do. There's no reason for me to sit there and wonder and put my hope one way or another. That way you get disappointed or upset. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'm just trying to take it in stride."