Roethlisberger Continues to Get Most of First Team Snaps in OTA’s

Ben Roethlisberger was back on the field with his teammates on Wednesday, and just like Tuesday he took most of the first team snaps with the Steelers offense. Mike Tomlin talked for the first time of the OTA today, and didn’t state how he was going to divide up the snaps in training camp between Roethlisberger and soon to be starter when Ben is suspended Byron Leftwich.

“The minute you step on the field at Latrobe, you’re competing for work, you’re competing to make it,” Tomlin said Wednesday. “You’re preparing yourself to face the challenges of the season. So it’s a different approach. One of the fundamental differences is that we’re suited and booted in training camp. And I acknowledge that’s a big element of the game.”

It seems more and more that Leftwich is going to be the unquestioned starter for at least the first four games when Roethlisberger sits on the sidelines for his suspension. It’s an interesting position for a team to be in to try and split time between their franchise starter and the guy that needs to get snaps to be ready to start the season against the Falcons.

And don’t forget the team wants to try to get Dennis Dixon some snaps as well. Got all that?

“What we really want to do is give Ben quality reps so he can get re-acclimated and improve and work on his game,” Tomlin said. “And we want to continue to give Dennis his reps because he is a young guy. For the purpose of this week, if there’s a reduction it is going to be at the expense of Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch.”

How it will be when camp starts for snaps and reps remains anyone’s guess.