The latest update on the supposed controversy between Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph seems to have at least ended on a positive note. Big Ben answered questions after the first voluntary workout, "I've never been the type to be rude or mean to other quarterbacks, I've had a lot of quarterbacks come through here that have been younger than me that I've tried to help any way that I can, and I'll continue to do that."
During an interview on 93.7 The Fan right after this year's draft, Big Ben seemed to be a bit disappointed and unenthusiastic about the Steelers drafting Rudolph. Roethlisberger cleared the air on the speculation stating, "I think people took some things that I said into a context that I was going to be mean or rude or whatever and that was not it at all, if you listened to the whole conversation, it was said in jest and laughing and having fun."
Big Ben even praised Rudolph, "He's got a big arm. He overthrew (Antonio Brown) even though AB won't admit it. He understands the offense, he doesn't seem to have any issues in the huddle."
After rifling a pass to fullback Roosevelt Nix, Roethlisberger took Rudolph aside and said, "Listen, you'll learn quickly that every throw doesn't have to be the hardest throw you can make. You don't have to put every throw on the chest as hard as you can. That's an opportunity to give him an easy touch pass. I'm just trying to instill little things like that."
Here's to hoping this is the last we hear about the media-induced controversy and now the focus can be 100% on a successful and healthy season.
