OC Todd Haley’s approach frustrates QB Big Ben on first day of Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs -NFL News
The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their organised team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, May 22, and the workout of the first day showed quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, not to be a very happy man due to his frustration over the playbook of new offensive coordinator,
Todd Haley.
Steelers are already rueful of wide receiver, Mike Wallace’s holdout in protest of a long-term deal. They look to be even in more trouble over the quality of relationship between Big Ben and Haley.
Following the first-day workout, Roethlisberger linked Steelers’ progress up to learning ‘hello.’
He further said that the activity of the day reflected as if he was back into his rookie year, learning the playbook from all over the start. He added that he had to tell the receivers to be patient with him while looking for the ball.
He said:
"I tried to tell (them) don't get frustrated because I know you're used to getting a lot more balls, but this is how it was my rookie year. I know what one guy does and I go to him. If he's not open, I start scrambling."
The QB added:
"I know that I'm supposed to get rid of the ball, stay in the pockets and not get hits. I guess I better learn where the protections are coming from so I don't get hit."
It was not a good development for Steelers, who had hoped for a better relationship between the new offensive coach and the incumbent QB.
The chances of better working ties between the two were very thin from very first day.
However, in spite of Ben’s apparent disliking of the new coach’s approach, which the player referred to as the similar one used in learning a new language, he had offered to work on his ties with the official.
Haley replaced Ben’s former offensive coach, Bruce Arians, who was let go in a controversial manner.
His exit was labelled as retirement from the game but it proved all false when Arians joined the Indianapolis Colts into the similar position.
Ben was not happy over the move.
Meanwhile, coach, Mike Tomlin, has hoped that Wallace’s holdout proves to be a short-term misery.
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