Big Ben: I'll help rookie Rudolph like I've helped all QBs in past

Ben Roethlisberger vows to make himself a resource for rookie Mason Rudolph, saying that's consistent with how he's treated other Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks throughout his career.

"I've never been the type to be rude or mean to other quarterbacks," Roethlisberger told reporters after Steelers practice Tuesday, courtesy of ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "... I've had a lot of quarterbacks through here that have been younger than me that I've tried to help any way that I can, so I'll continue to do that."

Roethlisberger appeared far less enthusiastic about being a possible mentor to Rudolph after the Steelers selected the Oklahoma State product in the third round of April's draft. Big Ben immediately questioned the pick, and later told a Pittsburgh radio station he might have to "point to the playbook" if the rookie came to him with a question.

"I think people took some things that I said into a context that I was going to be mean or rude or whatever and that was not it at all," Roethlisbeger said. "If you listened to the whole conversation, it was said in jest and laughing and having fun."

The 36-year-old also offered a positive assessment of Rudolph's first outing in voluntary organized team activities.

"He's got a big arm. He seems to understand the offense, seems to not have any issues in the huddle, so I thought he did really well," he told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Rudolph enjoyed a prolific college career and could be groomed to take over for Roethlisberger when the two-time Super Bowl champion calls it quits.