Ben Roethlisberger And The Steelers Seek Revenge Against Reeling Bengals: “They kind of feel they have our number with the blitzes so it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers Seek Revenge Against Reeling Bengals: “They kind of feel they have our number with the blitzes so it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers got tripped up by the New Orleans Saints on Halloween night at the Superdome, the six-time Super Bowl champs are still in good shape heading into their Week 9 Monday Night Football showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers will likely see the very best from the desperate Bengals, much like they did last week against the Saints who were coming off an embarrassing home loss to the Browns. Ben Roethlisberger has lost only twice in his native Ohio since being drafted back in 2004. One of those losses, however, came last year against the Bengals, who confused Big Ben and his offensive line during both matchups in ’09 with an endless barrage of blitzes.Roethlisberger joined 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh to talk about his play through three games since returning from suspension, how he still feels like he’s got lots to work on like usual, Mike Tomlin’s decision to have him take some reps with the first team offense during the preseason even though it was known he wouldn’t be available to start the year, how he’d usually admit to being extra hyped for a prime time game except for the fact that every AFC North divisional game has him and his teammates motivated, the possibility of using the no-huddle offense more, and him having nothing but respect for Terry Bradshaw despite the Hall of Famer’s frequent and direct criticism of him in recent months.

On what areas of his game he thinks he most needs to improve after now having three games under his belt since returning from suspension:

“A lot of things. I’ve always go to keep improving, trying to get better every week. And that’s always just the goal – try to continue to get better.”

On if he’s happy he got the opportunity to work some with the first team during the preseason, and if he’d attribute some of his success the past few weeks on getting that work:

“Well I always want to be with my guys. And I think coach was just making sure I was in there and and getting the reps, and I think it was good.”

On where he thinks his game might be if he hadn’t gotten those preseason reps:

“Well even if I didn’t take the reps, I think I’d still be sharp. I pride myself in taking extra care and focus in making sure I’m ready to go. I think getting those reps was good, especially with [Maurkice] Pouncey

On if there’s extra motivation and excitement to play well when playing during prime time rather than on a Sunday afternoon:

“Well normally I’d say yes but it’s an AFC North game so it doesn’t really matter. We’re just trying to go play. That’s all that really matters.”

On what he’s expecting from the Bengals defense on Monday night – a defense with plenty of returning starters that gave Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ offense fits last seaon:

“Yeah, they’re a very good defense. I think they’re a team that does a lot of different blitzes with a lot of different looks, and they kind of feel they have our number with the blitzes so it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

On if he’d like to see the Steelers deploy more no-huddle:

“Well I think it’s a good change of pace for us. It’s something I, and we as an offense, pride ourselves in because I think we do it very well. You know, B.A. [Bruce Arians] calls great games so we don’t want to take anything away from him either.”

On if it’s been hard for him to stomach some of the candid criticism levied towards him by Terry Bradshaw:

“You know, Terry’s the greatest Steelers quarterback of all time, maybe one of the greatest of all time to ever play the position. So I’m just trying to be like him and win championships and be a great one.”