Big Ben’s return changes approach

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

With Ben Roethlisberger returning Sunday against the Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers are making a change on offense.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, held out the past three games so fellow rookie Antonio Brown could return kicks, is expected to be among the active players on Sunday.

Uhh, is that it?

Maybe not.

With Roethlisberger under center again for the first time since January, there will be changes all around. There will be more pass blocking responsibilities for a line that has been used primarily to run block. Rashard Mendenhall might have to be content with fewer carries despite his 103 yards per game average.

And players who were motivated to show they could win without one of the NFL’s most successful quarterbacks — the Steelers are 3-1 — must prove there won’t be a letdown now that he’s back.

“We’re glad to have him back because he’s our quarterback, but that doesn’t unload us from a responsibility standpoint, all of us,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “All of us need to, in terms of putting our hand in the pile and getting the job done. That’s an element of the equation that I’m highly conscious of and I’m making sure our team is.”

Right guard Doug Legursky, for example, started two games with Charlie Batch at quarterback, but now must be ready to adjust to the more-mobile Roethlisberger abruptly changing a play by taking off with the ball. Roethlisberger also tends to hold onto the ball longer than most quarterbacks do, and that means extra pressure on the linemen to maintain their blocks, and more sacks.

For the wide receivers, it likely means more deep passes. For tight end Heath Miller, it likely means a lot more receptions; he only has 10 so far.

“It definitely opens it up,” said Mendenhall, who averages 22 carries per game — seven more than a season ago. “You can’t play strictly run, you can’t play strictly pass. When you’re able to get a defense off balance, it’s good for the run and pass as well. Ben adds those big plays in the passing game, so we’ll have that dynamic as well.”

The Steelers aren’t likely to remain dead last in the league in passing now that Roethlisberger is back, either.