The normally loud and rambunctious Steelers locker room was almost silent on Monday. Players were given the day off, a chance to spend a little extra time with their families as part of the Christmas holiday and to rest their tired bodies after playing two games in six days.
Some players did come in, getting treatment and hitting the weight room. But as the day wore on, the locker room was almost a ghost town, with the exception of two individuals, quietly talking while playing an intense game of pool.
"I won," Charlie Batch proudly said afterward. "I beat (General Manager) Kevin Colbert. We try to get one in per day. I get the best of him sometimes. I am leading him right now."
Batch's success should come as no surprise. After all, he is on a hot streak. Batch led the Steelers to a 27-0 win over the St. Louis Rams at Heinz Field on Saturday, and afterwards scored big with families in need that he played a "Secret Santa" for. It was only fitting that he came out on top in pool.
The hope now is, if Batch is needed this week against the Cleveland Browns that things will continue to go his way.
Ben Roethlisberger was unable to start against the Rams, still battling a high ankle sprain suffered in the last meeting against the Browns. Batch doesn't know what to expect this week, whether it will be him or Roethlisberger.
Last week he got the majority of the snaps with the first team, finding out late in the week he would start. Whether that's the case this week or not he will approach things the same way he always does.
"I go in every week preparing that way, as if I am going to be the starter," said Batch. "The only difference is the physical reps you get during the course of the week. I think for me any time you get an opportunity to practice with the starters that is great. Ben normally takes the reps with the starters, I get the scout team. Any reps you get with the starters you have to welcome that.
"That is the only difference during the week. I won't know until the week goes along what is going to happen, but I will prepare the same way."
