Ben Roethlisberger Happy to Work out of Spotlight

Ben Roethlisberger happy to work out of spotlight
Jim Corbett
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...mlin/13298249/

LATROBE, Pa. — In this summer of Johnny Football, two-time Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is somewhat forgotten in the shadow cast by Cleveland Browns rookie and national media magnet Johnny Manziel.
Roethlisberger has no problem being out of the spotlight. His sole focus is getting the Steelers back into title contention. It's why he worked harder this past offseason than he ever has as he enters his 11th season.
"It doesn't bother me because I'd rather slide under the radar," Roethlisberger told USA TODAY Sports on Monday when asked about the interest Manziel commands. "I'll let them have all the attention and we'll just go to work. We just want to be the best team we can be. And we've got the them (Cleveland Browns) Week 1."
That's when Roethlisberger and coach Mike Tomlin's Steelers will have their say about who is a real contender in the AFC North.
"I don't care what the Joneses got going on to be honest with you," Tomlin told USA TODAY Sports after his team's first padded practice. "I don't spend a lot of time focusing on that."
But isn't it only human nature to feel slighted by all the Johnny Football buzz?
"You're going to talk about that dude? Ben's going to say, 'OK, I've got something to show you,'" Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp told USA TODAY Sports. "Ben is a top five quarterback all day."
Is Roethlisberger on his way to putting together a Hall of Fame résumé?
"I think he's still telling that story, still writing it," Tomlin said. "And that's what drives Ben."
In 10 seasons, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to four division titles, three AFC championships and two Lombardi trophies.
Yet Roethlisberger consistently is ranked behind Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and others despite a 105-51 career record, including 10-4 in the postseason.
"I don't think I'll ever get that credit," Roethlisberger said. "It will probably be when I'm done. People will look back and say, 'Wow, he was better than we gave him credit for.'"
Steelers President Art Rooney II has vowed to extend Roethlisberger's contract after the season. Big Ben currently has two years left on a deal that pays him $12.1million in base salary this season. That compensation pales in comparison to some of the other of the league's elite signal callers.
"I'm here to play ball now," Roethlisberger said. "I love that they said they want me to be a Steeler for life. I take them for their word."
The 6-5 quarterback is a lean 250 pounds after working with a personal trainer and a nutritionist for the first time in his career.
And he's stoked by the speed general manager Kevin Colbert provided him the past two years with second-year wide receiver Markus Wheaton and 2014 third-round pick Dri Archer, a running back who ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash and will spend time in the backfield and as a wideout.
"I know I'm 10 years in the league. But I'm only 32," Roethlisberger said. "We've got a good blend of young and second-year guys. I'm excited about this team. If we can stay healthy, we can be pretty good."
Roethlisberger is also pumped by the addition of offensive line coach Mike Munchak, whose zone-blocking scheme should help a talented young line open holes for Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount.
In March, Roethlisberger's wife, Ashley, gave birth to the couple's second child, daughter Baylee. Ben Jr. turns 2 in November.
"Ben's at that point in his career where he's got big-time focus and has an awesome personal life with the growth of his family," Tomlin said. "He's just in a good place. We're expecting big things from him."
Follow Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett.