This is the third in a series of Throwback Thursday stories looking back on what Sporting News wrote about some of today's biggest NFL stars — right before they were drafted.
The following was a spotlight on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger originally printed in SN's 2004 Pro Football Draft Guide. When NFL writer Vinnie Iyer asked a scout about Big Ben's best attributes, he got a response that should still resonate with Pittsburgh fans.
MORE DRAFT THROWBACKS: Aaron Rodgers | Tom Brady
For player personnel directors and scouts who didn't get a chance to see Ben Roethlisberger dominate for Miami (Ohio) last season, he made sure to be in all the right places in the offseason. Despite his underclassman status, Roethlisberger showed up for a day at the Senior Bowl week in January to experience the off-field evaluation process.
"It was a smart move by him," said Todd McShay, of SN's The War Room. "More juniors of his caliber should do it to bring attention to themselves."
Roethlisberger also generated buzz by attending an NFL networking event in Houston on Friday before the Super Bowl.
"He has definitely left an impression on many people as someone you would like to have leading your team and representing your organization," an NFL scout told Sporting News.
Roethlisberger, at 6-5, 241 pounds, is wowing scouts, putting him neck and neck with Mississippi's Eli Manning in the race to become the first player selected in the 2004 draft.
MORE: Eli vs. Big Ben: Who did SN like better?
"One thing that might put Manning ahead of him is the fact Manning did his work against SEC cornerbacks," said Jerry Jones, a veteran draft analyst and publisher of The Drugstore List. "But Roethlisberger's stock is helped by what both Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich did coming out of the MAC in the NFL."
Roethlisberger had no trouble shredding any defense in or out of the MAC in 2003, as he completed 69.1 percent of his passes for 37 touchdowns and 4,486 yards. The RedHawks scored 41 or more points in 11 games.
Jones likes how Roethlisberger worked primarily out of the pocket in putting up his big numbers; pure shotgun spread formations often lead to the misevaluation of passers. He adds that Roethlisberger, who worked in a West Coast-like offense in college, makes the most of his well-built frame.
"Not many guys have such wonderful size and have such a rare ability to throw on the move."
