Roethlisberger goes to Steelers at No. 11

The selection of Ben Roethlisberger clouded Tommy Maddox's future with the Steelers.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- Tommy Maddox's dreams of cashing in on a lucrative contract extension evaporated at 2:01 p.m. Saturday.
That's when the Pittsburgh Steelers used the No. 11 pick in the 2004 NFL on their franchise quarterback of the future -- Ben Roethlisberger of Miami (Ohio).
"This kid's potential is unlimited," said Kevin Colbert, director of football operations, after the Steelers took a quarterback with a first-round pick for the first time since 1980 (Mark Malone).
"He hasn't peaked yet," Colbert said of the 6-4, 242-pound rookie who declared for the draft after his junior season. "We're excited that when he does peak, he's going to be a Steeler."
Colbert was referring to Roethlisberger's limited experience at quarterback -- one year in high school and three years as the RedHawks starter.
Not a factor
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said Roethlisberger's lack of experience didn't cause the Steelers to hesitate even though they were using their highest pick since 2000.
"It's too golden of an opportunity to pass," Cowher said. "He's only going to get better the more he plays."
Cowher said it's too soon to predict when Roethlisberger, who led the RedHawks to a 13-1 record last fall and the Mid-American Conference championship, will start.
"We'll wait and see what happens," Cowher said. "There's no preconceived thoughts. With four quarterbacks, this is a good situation."
The Steelers' roster also has the 32-year-old Maddox (the NFL's least-paid starting quarterback who replaced Kordell Stewart in the third game of the 2002 season), Charlie Batch (29-year-old free agent signed in 2002) and Brian St. Pierre (24, fifth-round draft pick in 2003).
Roethlisberger was rated among the top three quarterbacks available. When Mississippi's Eli Manning and North Carolina State's Philip Rivers were taken -- then swapped -- with the number one (Chargers) and four (Giants) selections, the Steelers' chances of taking a quarterback flickered.
But when the Redskins and Browns took University of Miami's safety Sean Taylor and tight end Kellen Winslow with the fifth and sixth picks, the Steelers realized that Roethlisberger could fall to them because the next four teams picking -- the Lions, Falcons, Jaguars and Texans -- already have young, expensive quarterbacks.
Has no idea
Roethlisberger said he has no idea when he might take over the starting role, but said he hopes he can develop a good working relationship with Maddox.
"I am more than willing to do whatever it is that Coach asks of me that is best for the team, whether that is coming in and playing right now or learn behind Tommy for a little while.
"The big thing is that I'd like to learn as much as I can from [Maddox]," Roethlisberger said. "I'm more than willing to learn everything that he's willing to teach me."
Roethlisberger acknowledged that his lack-of-experience and not coming from a high-profile football conference is creating pressure with his high selection.
"People knocked me for the time I played and the limited competition," Roethlisberger said. "[But] Randy Moss, Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich came out of the MAC. They're not doing too badly in the NFL."
Growing up in Findlay (near Toledo), Roethlisberger said he didn't cheer for the Browns, Bengals or Lions as a kid.
"I was a 49ers fan," Roethlisberger said. "I am a huge Joe Montana fan."
Not the Browns?
"I didn't necessarily hate them, but I wasn't a big fan. My dad is a Giants fan [because] he grew up in New York. But [my parents] are big Pittsburgh fans now."
williams@vindy.com