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Regardless of your personal opinions on the comments made by Ben Roethlisberger regarding rookie quarterback Mason Rudolph, you didn’t really think Roethlisberger wouldn’t help Rudolph when the team returned for Organized Team Activities (OTAs), did you?
While Roethlisberger was, and possibly still is, miffed about the team drafting a quarterback in the third round, the franchise quarterback said his comments were taken out of context when he spoke on 93.7 The Fan and made the controversial comments.
This per Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Roethlisberger, on comments after Rudolph was drafted: "I think people took some things that I said in a context that I was going to be mean or rude or whatever. That was not it at all. If you listen to the whole conversation I said it in gist and was laughing and having fun."
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) May 22, 2018
Of course he backpedaled on his comments, the entire team is now together, minus a player or two, and Roethlisberger knows what is important. Focusing on the team.
Ben Roethlisberger said he helped Mason Rudolph on a throw in Tuesday’s workout, believes his radio comments about the rookie were framed in the wrong context. Never intended to be mean. pic.twitter.com/ehk9P0TQGa
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 22, 2018
So, what did he think of Rudolph’s first day with veterans present, and not just rookies? He was impressed, and even helped him with an overthrow to Roosevelt Nix.
Roethlisberger said he offered Mason Rudolph advice after a high throw he made to FB Rosie Nix. "You''ll learn quickly that every throw doesn't have to be the hardest throw you can make. You don't have to put every throw on the chest as hard as you can."
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) May 22, 2018
Ben Roethlisberger's first impression of rookie QB Mason Rudolph at Steelers practice today: "He’s got a big arm. He seems to understand the offense, seems to not have any issues in the huddle, so I thought he did really well."
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) May 22, 2018
While some, albeit few, may have thought Roethlisberger would give Rudolph the cold shoulder, he at least isn’t doing it publicly. Roethlisberger has been around a long time, and knows the importance of a veteran to look up to when it comes to having questions, concerns or just someone to bounce ideas off of.
While it may not be Roethlisberger’s “job” to teach Rudolph, it seems as if No. 7 is doing his part to help those who are on the depth chart behind him, something he has done for a long time while donning the black-and-gold.
As for Rudolph, he did not meet with the media today, but if you are looking for a juicy quote from him, you may want to look elsewhere considering he seems to be very thoughtful and calculated with his words when in front of the media.
Day 1 of OTAs is in the books, and let’s hope we can all put the Roethlisberger and Rudolph madness to rest.
Once and for all.
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers’ OTAs over the next few weeks leading up to training camp.