Pittsburgh Steelers QB Big Ben joins Mike Tomlin to downplay Todd Haley controversy – NFL News
A day after Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin downplayed suggestions that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was on bad terms with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the offence leader has joined the head coach to calm down the controversy, which stemmed
from his remarks after their loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday December 16 that overall performance was affected due to the bad play-calling.
Ben has now supported Tomlin’s statement that he was just letting out his frustration, as otherwise all appeared to be fine.
The quarterback said:
"I let my frustrations jump out after a game, I don't usually do that. Usually, I keep it under control. I was just frustrated with myself and I'll be better at that."
He added:
"We do have a lot of talks behind closed doors about things, about plays, play calling. If I'm doing something that's not right on the field, we have talks about everything."
Moreover, the QB has apologised to Haley, Tomlin and owner Art Rooney II, which seems to be an outcome of a hurriedly held meeting between Tomlin and Big Ben on past Monday (Dec. 17), a day after the player came out with his comments.
Tomlin denied the meeting between the two was specifically to discuss the player’s statement, claiming it was part of a routine exercise that is carried out after every game on Sunday. Some commentators did not buy the coach’s version of the story and noted
the rift between Ben and Haley that started after arrival of the OC in the town has been widening ever since.
Apparently, the quarterback is not happy about Haley’s offensive scheme, and still there is a possibility that he has not picked many points from the new coordinator’s rulebook. The play-calling has remained to be a consistent problem for Ben, and he has
often pinpointed it.
Although now the statements from both sides have attempted well to kill the controversy, it is difficult for it to die down so quickly. The situation does not bode well with the Steelers’ struggle to salvage their last playoff chance.
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