Roethlisberger sorry for speaking out

PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger doesn't think he and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley need to be best friends to coexist.

The quarterback, however, also knows he can't start calling Haley out when things don't go as planned, no matter how bothered the Steelers captain may get by the play-calling.

It's why Roethlisberger apologized to Haley, coach Mike Tomlin and owner Art Rooney II after making pointed remarks about the direction of the offense following a 27-24 overtime loss to Dallas on Sunday.

"I let my frustrations jump out after a game, I don't usually do that," Roethlisberger said. "Usually, I keep it under control. I was just frustrated with myself and I'll be better at that."

Roethlisberger completed 24 of 40 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas but also threw a critical interception on the second play of overtime that set up the game-winning field goal. Afterward he expressed disappointment in Haley's decision to stay away from the "no-huddle" offense. And he wondered why Haley didn't feature tight end Heath Miller, who had six receptions for 85 yards in the first half and just one catch for seven yards in the second.

Looking back, Roethlisberger — who took full responsibility for the loss — figures he probably should have just kept quiet.

"We do have a lot of talks behind closed doors about things, about plays, play-calling," he said. "If I'm doing something that's not right on the field, we have talks about everything."

FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey — It all began as an intriguing idea, the thought of Tim Tebow running around as an exciting spark for the New York Jets' offense.

Then it all fizzled — before it really even started.

Rex Ryan acknowledged Wednesday that he had higher expectations for the seldom-used Tebow in the Jets' wildcat-style offense. And, so did the NFL's most popular and maligned backup quarterback.

"For some reason, it hasn't panned out to my expectations and maybe Tim's, either," Ryan said. "Defenses have attacked us a little differently. Maybe that's a contributing factor to it."

Ryan would not go into detail about why he chose Greg McElroy over Tebow to replace the struggling Mark Sanchez as the team's starting quarterback with two games left in a lost season. He reiterated his comments from Tuesday that it was his decision — and his alone — saying it was a "gut" call.

It was one that, predictably, didn't sit well with Tebow.

"Obviously, I'm a little disappointed," he said. "You try to handle it the best you can."

Tebow paused for a second when asked if he felt passed over by Ryan choosing McElroy instead of him.

"All you can ask for and all you want is a chance," he said. "A chance to go out there and play the game you love, and help this team win football games."

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Banged-up Roethlisberger set to rest as Steelers host Rams

PITTSBURGH — The choice is never really much of a choice for Ben Roethlisberger.

Given the option to play or rest his badly sprained left ankle on Saturday against struggling St. Louis, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback would rather take the field regardless of the pain or the risk.

"I'm in the here and now," Roethlisberger said. "That's where we are coaches and players and a team."

Then again, Roethlisberger allowed, it's never his call.

"That's a coach's decision, as always," he said.

And coach Mike Tomlin decided to go with veteran backup Charlie Batch.

A playoff spot already clinched, the Steelers (10-4) will try to keep their hopes for an AFC North title alive with Batch, who is 4-2 as a spot starter over the last six seasons.

Yet they allow they'll approach the game differently if Batch is under center. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians typically comes up with two game plans, one for Roethlisberger and another for the 37-year-old Batch, just in case Roethlisberger can't play.

On Saturday, it's time for Plan B.

Though he lacks Roethlisberger's big-time arm, Batch can still get it done. He went 1-1 last season while filling in as Roethlisberger served a four-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

"We can still make big plays with (Batch)," wide receiver Mike Wallace said. "But instead of catching the ball 50 yards down the field, maybe we do it 15 yards down the field and do stuff after the catch."

And with Roethlisberger's ankle limiting his ability to get out of the pocket, Batch gives the Steelers more flexibility in playcalling.

Though he passed for 330 yards in a 20-3 loss to San Francisco, Roethlisberger acknowledged the 49ers quickly figured out what was coming depending on how the team lined up. If he was under center, it was a run. If he was in the shotgun, he was going to sling it.

"I honestly think that's probably why they deferred when they won the toss," Roethlisberger said. "They were going to come after me."

St. Louis certainly figured to do the same with defensive end Chris Long and his 13 sacks leading the way. Instead Long will chase down Batch or third quarterback Dennis Dixon.

"(Batch and Dixons) are certainly more mobile," St. Louis defensive coordinator Ken Flajole said. "They have a little bit more scrambling ability. Ben does a great job of getting away from pressure, but that ankle I'm sure has been a problem for him."

Roethlisberger doesn't necessarily agree. Despite throwing the ball 44 times in San Francisco and taking a handful of shots in the process, the two-time Super Bowl winner wanted to play against the Rams even if he was "five percent" even if it adversely affected his team's postseason chances.

"I don't go out there worrying about playing with an injury," he said. "I don't go out there worrying about getting hurt worse."

Now he won't have to, making Saturday a battle of the backups.

St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford, didn't practice this week and appears likely to miss his fifth game of the season with a sprained ankle of his own.

Still, like Roethlisberger, Bradford would prefer to be on the field. It's why he refused to be placed on season-ending injured reserve even if the Rams are putting the finishing touches on an eighth consecutive non-winning season.

"It's my job, that's why I'm here," Bradford said. "I'm here to play football, I'm not here to ride the bike, I'm not here to sit on the sideline."

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