Ben Roethlisberger Likes Being The Under Dog

December 30, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks at the scoreboard and reacts to a holding call on the Steelers against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a rough 2012 by their standards. They finished 8-8 and missed out on the playoffs. Which was a huge step backwards after having Tim Tebow and his Broncos eliminate them from the playoffs the season before. Their division has gotten tougher with the emergence of the Cincinnati Bengals and the defending Super Bowl Champion Ravens.

But despite those back to back disappointing season, he isn’t feeling any outside pressure.

“No one is going to be more critical on me than me,” Roethlisberger said, via Sports Radio Interviews. “No matter how hard Cookie tries to get on me. But the pressure and being critical, I’m always going to put that on myself. That’s the thing that everyone is saying, but this is the earliest I’ve come to these voluntary workouts. I was here Day One. I have been working out for a long time. Seven days after the last game, I started working out. I’ve been working out. I’m in great shape. But I wanted to be there. I want those guys to see me. I want those guys to know that I want to be the guy this year that is ready to go and lead these guys. I put that pressure on myself. I want to get us back to the Super Bowl.”

But he hears people saying the Steelers are in for a tough few seasons.

“Good. Go ahead. I guess it depends on who you ask and that is fine. I’m with people saying that we’re going to be terrible and, ‘Let’s overlook them,’ because that means our opponents are doing the same thing. I like that. I like being the hunter. It’s kind of a fun place to be. I’m OK with that.”