The previous time we saw Ben Roethlisberger at Heinz Field, he was crying on the Steelers' bench. He had just thrown four interceptions in a playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns, arguably the worst postseason loss in franchise history. But there was so much more to Roethlisberger's sadness on that brutal January night. His best friend on the team had played his final game. He knew Maurkice Pouncey was retiring.
It all was too much for Roethlisberger to take.
What do they say about time healing all wounds?
Roethlisberger was all smiles on the Steelers' sideline Saturday night. His brief night's work in a 26-20 exhibition win against the Detroit Lions went well. It was perfect, actually.
Roethlisberger's passer rating was 158.3.
It doesn't get any better than that.
Well, it does in one big way.
Roethlisberger wasn't hit and escaped the game with no injuries.
That would have made it a great night even if he had been 0 for 10 with two interceptions.
Roethlisberger checked all of the boxes on this steamy night, taking 10 snaps from the shotgun and six from under center. He showed a little mobility at age 39, somehow avoiding linebacker Charles Harris twice on the same play. He threw accurately, completing 8 of 10 passes for 137 yards. He threw deep, completing a 43-yard pass to Diontae Johnson. Best of all, he threw productively, completing not one, but two touchdown passes to rookie tight end sensation Pat Freiermuth.
Heath, anyone?
So what if the Lions didn't provide much opposition?
So what if new offensive coordinator Matt Canada didn't show much of his offense, so as not to tip his hand to the Buffalo Bills in the first real game Sept. 12 — or the Lions, the Steelers' opponent at Heinz Field Nov. 14?
This was the kind of game Roethlisberger envisioned when he decided to come back for an 18th NFL season. There was no way he was going out after that horrible night against the Browns, of all teams, the club that snubbed him when it had the chance to draft him in 2004. That's why he agreed to take a $5 million pay cut.
Exhibition game or not, this one felt mighty good to Roethlisberger.
"We went down the field two out of three times," he said. "All in all, it felt good to be out there and do that."
The Steelers' offense wasn't perfect in the first quarter, even if Roethlisberger was. Chuks Okorafor was penalized for a false start on the first play, leading to a three-and-out on the first possession. Eric Ebron appeared to drop what would have been a catch for a first down, although safety Will Harris might have gotten his hand on the ball. Najee Harris had two negative runs after the plays were blown up at the line of scrimmage.
But there was so much more good than bad. Johnson was so wide open on his big play that Roethlisberger was able to get away with hanging his pass a second too long. Harris turned a short catch into a 46-yard gain by putting explosive moves on linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Austin Bryant to get to the corner. And both of Freiermuth's touchdown catches were terrific.
Roethlisberger on Johnson: "I didn't like the throw. I thought I put too much air under it. Luckily for me, he's a heck of a football player."
Roethlisberger on Harris: "I was excited to see that catch and run. I thought that was pretty special."
Roethlisberger on Freiermuth: "He works hard. He's a Steeler. He reminds me of another tight end we had here."
I don't know about you, but I've seen enough from Roethlisberger, Johnson, Harris and Freiermuth.
That Buffalo game can't get here soon enough.
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com and Twitter @RonCookPG. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Cook and Joe" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
