Steelers OTA No. 9: Practice Notes and Analysis

Photo: David Hague - Inside Pittsburgh Sports

-Ben Roethlisberger showed up at Steeler team activities on the Southside today. His ban on practicing with the team was lifted by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell late last week.

-Roethlisberger ran with the first team. Byron Leftwich was not at the facility today. He (?coincidentally?) had the day off.

-Dennis Dixon ran with the second team and Charlie Batch piloted the third.

-Big Ben looked rusty at times but also had some good moments, such as hitting Arnaz Battle on a deep ball down the sideline.

-Antwaan Randle El admitted that he is still waiting for a deep ball from Roethlisberger to truly gauge if his arm strength is the same as it was when Randle El left for Washington after the 2005 Super Bowl.

-Roethlisberger didn’t speak to the media after practice. Neither did Coach Mike Tomlin who left practice early for a “conflicting engagement.” No assistant coaches were allowed to comment either. Roethlisberger may speak to reporters tomorrow or Thursday.

-Keenan Lewis and Antonio Brown had an above average practice fight with a number of punches thrown. Neither removed their helmets. Coaches demanded a break up of the fight and other players intervened. Neither were injured.

-Emmanuel Sanders dropped a wide open bomb from Dennis Dixon. He rolled around on the ground seemingly in pain. Or perhaps he was “pulling a Limas” out of embarrassment over a drop . That’s when receivers coach Scottie Montgomery demanded he get up and return to the huddle.

-The 1st and 2nd team offensive line rotation has been working like this: