During the offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers had quite a shakeup at the wide receiver position as Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery left via free agency, and veterans Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey were signed to replace them. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has stayed on top of those changes and is working to build a rapport with his new teammates.
“As often as I can I am here throwing and they are here every day catching and just trying to learn,” Roethlisberger recently told Teresa Varley of steelers.com. “It’s not a fast process. We have to learn how they like to come out of breaks, what balls they like to catch, high ones, low ones. There is a lot of work that goes into it, but they are both veteran guys that are experienced that I am looking forward to working with.”
Roethlisberger also said that part of the process of getting comfortable with his new receivers is learning their personalities and that started with a phone call to Moore right after it was announced he was signed.
The Steelers haven’t had this kind of turnover at the wide receiver position in several years but Roethlisberger understands the business side related to the moves and accepts the challenge related to it.
“To have a bunch of new guys come in, and some young guys that are back, it’s going to be different but it’s fun,” he said.
During the offseason, Roethlisberger also made sure to spend time with the young receivers on the roster as it was reported that Derek Moye and Justin Brown both joined the quarterback in California for a workout that included several draft hopefuls.
In addition, Roethlisberger reportedly called wide receiver Martavis Bryant, the Steelers fourth-round draft pick, 10 minutes after he was selected to welcome him to the team. He’s also already managed to throw a few passes to his new “tall” receiver that he reportedly has been longing for.
“Offensively speaking we needed to address a tall receiver and we got one,” Roethlisberger said.
Roethlisberger will next get to work with his brand new receiving core a week from Tuesday when the first set of OTA practices get underway at the Steelers facilities.
