Steelers News: Sanders, Mann, Roethlisberger

The Steelers are trying to keep their hot streak in December going as they’ll face the Denver Broncos this Sunday at Heinz Field.

While the team gets ready for their last home game of the regular season we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Friday, Dec. 18^th.

He didn’t mean it that way

Steelers Teresa Varley spoke with some players of the Denver Broncos about the upcoming matchup and particularly with receiver Emmanuel Sanders about his return to Pittsburgh. Sanders was a third-round draft pick by the Steelers in 2010 out of SMU. He left in 2014 in free agency to the Broncos.

More from Steelers News

• Mel Kiper Jr. makes predictable pick for Steelers in first NFL mock draft
• Steelers news: Brian Flores odds to land HC job, no projected compensatory picks, and more
• Why Jordan Addison to the Steelers is a good idea
• 4 reasons Steelers would have been embarrassed in the NFL playoffs
• The easiest cut the Pittsburgh Steelers will make in 2023

Once arriving in Denver Sanders was obviously asked to compare the two quarterbacks; Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. Many thought Sanders took a dig at Roethlisberger by emphasizing how much of a “leader” Manning was and how much time he devoted to the receivers after practice, helping them get on the same page. Sanders insists now that his comments were taken out of context.

"“Yes. I never would’ve said Ben didn’t work hard. This is what the situation came down to. Obviously, you have the recorder, you asked to compare, compare, compare. Right? So, anything that I say, anything that comes out of my mouth, it’s never “Oh man, that’s awesome what he said about Peyton.” It’s always, “Oh, its bad what he said about Ben.” What I said was everybody in the National Football League knows that when it comes to Peyton, this guy is the ultimate leader. He’s a guy that approaches the game different than anybody I’ve been around. That goes for every quarterback I ever played for, college, anybody. Obviously, this is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The question was, “What is the difference,” and I said its how Peyton prepares. That’s different from all of the quarterbacks in the National Football League. I wasn’t taking a shot at Big Ben. I know Big Ben is a great player, he’s been great. He has two Super Bowls and I was excited to play with him. Ben made me a better player; he molded me into the player I am today, just running the Bruce Arians offense and Todd Haley offense. So, I have nothing but love for Ben. That wasn’t a shot at Ben. If anything, it was trying to uplift my quarterback now and let everyone know that what you hear about Peyton is what you get. He’s the ultimate leader.” – Emmanuel Sanders"

The reality is that it really isn’t that big of a deal. Of course Manning is more meticulous about preparation; it’s kind of what he’s known for. But also Sanders should have really had a bit more gratitude for Ben, considering without him Sanders would never had been offered the kind of contract he got in Denver.

Reigning in the Steelers receivers

Steelers wide receivers coach Richard Mann has a tough job keeping one of the best receiving corps in the league in line week in and week out. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explains that the team meetings for the receivers involve snacks, fines, and pop-ins by Ben Roethlisberger.

Mann also isn’t subtle about making sure everyone knows that Antonio Brown is and will continue to be the offense’s first option. The balance that the guys like Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton and even Darrius Heyward-Bey have to realize is that their time will come but whoever is going to give the team the best chance to win is going to get the ball the most.

No big deal

Part of the reason the it’s no big deal about Emmanuel Sanders’ return to Pittsburgh is that his departure wasn’t that big of a deal. Ray Fittipaldo of the PPG reminds us that Ben Roethlisberger has actually thrived after the departures of receivers like Sanders and Mike Wallace.

Next: The Still Curtain Week 15 NFL Picks

Antonio Brown has evolved into a better receiver as well with Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton than with Wallace and Sanders. Say what you will about the Steelers drafts when it comes to finding members of the secondary but they’ve been on point with drafting and developing receivers for the past five years and counting.