By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com


 

            Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a 1-0 record – as a head coach that is.
 

            Roethlisberger took part in the Campbell’s Chunky Chili Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida and coached the AFC team to a win over his NFC coaching counterpart, Vilma McNabb, the mother of Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, in a game of paper football.
 

            “I played paper football against Mrs. McNabb,” said Roethlisberger, who has a contract with Chunky Soup and took part in the game as part of their fight against hunger. “It was my toughest game of the year. It was a lot of fun. We are helping with their million-can food march that they are doing. It’s a great opportunity and a lot of fun. It’s a great cause.”

     
            Roethlisberger, who was named the Sporting News Rookie of the Year this week, feels that he will be better prepared going into the 2005 season with a year under his belt.
 

            “I need to be better prepared next year, mentally and physically,” said Roethlisberger, who was on ESPN Radio’s Dan Patrick Show. “It’s a long season with the preseason games, the regular season and the post-season if you are lucky enough to make it. It takes a toll on your body. It’s tough. I have to be more mentally prepared next year than this year.”

 

            While he will take some time off, Roethlisberger does plan on spending plenty of time this off-season working with the coaches and learning more about the offense.

           
            “I’m going to be in Pittsburgh trying to get ready for next year,” he said. “I am going to be learning our offense more. I am going to sit down with coach LeBeau and learn about defenses to help me be better.”

 

            Roethlisberger isn’t sure who is going to come out on top in Sunday’s Super Bowl, but he does think it will be a good game.

 

            “I don’t know who to pick,” said Roethlisberger. “I think it’s going to be a good game. I think it’s going to be a better game than people think. I think it’s going to be a defensive game unlike a lot of people think.”