Tennessee Titans' wide receiver Nate Washington offered some pretty high praise for neophyte NFL quarterback Zach Mettenberger today by comparing his progress in the league to that of Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Washington, who's had an opportunity to play with both the 'Bergers, told reporters that in his estimation, Mettenberger is currently far ahead of where Roethlisberger was at the same point in his career, according to Terry McCormick of 247sports.com.
Washington originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005, Roethlisberger's second season.
"It was '05, and it was his second season and they had just come off a (15-1) season, and it was beneficial to him. The coaching staff at that time had done an outstanding job of working him in," Washington said. "I will comment and say that I don't think Ben coming in is the same as Zach Mettenberger. At this stage he's at now, I think Zach understands the NFL a little more than maybe Ben did at that time, but the thing that Ben had at that time that was maybe a little more beneficial was he had an outstanding running game."
Washington played with Big Ben for three seasons before joining the Titans in 2009. Mettenberger was drafted this past year.
According to Washington, Mettenberger's not only more pro-ready, but he's being asked to do much more than the Steelers asked of a young Roethlisberger.
"He had that run game and everything that he had to do was built off our run game, whether it was play action, or whatever else it was, it gave Ben an opportunity to go out and be adjustable to whatever the game was, whereas Zach we're kind of throwing him out there and saying, 'We know you're capable of showing your arm and your ability.' That's the leeway I think they're kind of giving him."
Despite Washington's bombastic assertion, Mettenberger can only hope to have the same kind of career that Roethlisberger has had thus far.
But if the Titans are to find their way to eventual NFL glory, they'll need the rookie to develop along much the same trajectory as the Pitts-Berger.
