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Ben Roethlisberger completes pass to Markus Wheaton against the Bengals Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Roethlisberger has thrived after big-name departures from Steelers

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

Roethlisberger has thrived after big-name departures from Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger didn’t offer a “no comment” when he was asked about Emmanuel Sanders Wednesday morning. But he didn’t exactly go on at length about the receiver who spent four seasons with the Steelers from 2010-13.

The Steelers quarterback offered a 12-word response when asked if he keeps in touch with Sanders and if he is surprised at his success in Denver.

“He’s a good player, worked hard and he’s doing some great things,” Roethlisberger said.

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Why so short on a former teammate? Well, it was only 16 months ago Sanders went on Denver radio and proclaimed Peyton Manning was a better leader than Roethlisberger. He inferred that Manning had a better work ethic.

“I feel like Peyton is a far better leader, in terms of staying after practice, catching balls, wanting guys to get on the same page with him, things of that sort,” Sanders said.

Sanders was once part of the famed “Young Money Crew” with the Steelers. He was drafted the same year as Antonio Brown, and along with Mike Wallace helped the Steelers reach Super Bowl XLV when they were rookies in 2010. For the three years they were together, Brown, Wallace and Sanders comprised one of the most dangerous receiving corps in the NFL.

But Wallace left as a big-money free agent after the 2012 season and Sanders did the same after the 2013 season.

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Now it’s Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton who compose arguably the best group of receivers in the NFL.

“It’s another good group,” Roethlisberger said. “A.B. is A.B. The other guys are young guys trying to be great. Markus sits in here every day, and we talk and communicate. Martavis is the same way. I think each one brings something different to the table, that’s all.”

Roethlisberger only got to spend four years with Wallace and Sanders. There already is talk the Steelers won’t be able to keep this corps of receivers together. Wheaton’s rookie contract is up after the 2016 season and Brown and Bryant can become free agents after the 2017 season.

Roethlisberger is hopeful this group can stay together for a longer period.

“You want to keep everyone together as long as you can, especially when you get the chemistry we have,” Roethlisberger said. “The longer you can stay together, the better you can be.”

As good as the Steelers offense was with Wallace and Sanders, Roethlisberger has enjoyed more success with the current group. Roethlisberger is averaging 332 yards passing per game this season, which is on pace for the third most in NFL history.

Brown has evolved into one of the best, if not the best, receivers in the NFL after Sanders and Wallace departed. His new crew gives balance to the offense in ways Sanders and Wallace could not.

Bryant is big and fast and supplies Roethlisberger with a deep threat, while Wheaton has emerged in the second half of the season as a viable third option. When the Seattle Seahawks did everything in their power to take Brown and Bryant away from Roethlisberger in a late-November meeting in Seattle, it was Wheaton who came through with 201 receiving yards and a touchdown.

“We have a competitive, positive group, young and exciting, similar to what we had when Mike Wallace and Emmanuel were here,” Brown said.

“Our group is real close,” added fourth receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. “We enjoy working hard. We enjoy seeing other people have big games. We had three games where a different guy had over 150 yards. We have a good group. Everyone knows their role.”

Brown keeps in touch with Sanders, who has 57 receptions for 788 yards and four touchdowns through 13 games. But he offered little when asked if Sanders will return to Heinz Field with something to prove to his old employer.

“I can’t expect anything from Emmanuel,” Brown said. “I’m totally focused on Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh offense and Antonio Brown getting wide open.”

Getting wide open against the Denver defense has proven difficult for most opposing receivers this season. The Broncos are No. 1 in the NFL in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense. They are allowing just 272 yards per game, and there is a big gap before the next-best defense. The No. 2 defensive team, Seattle, is allowing 308 yards per game.

The Steelers are coming off a 33-20 victory at Cincinnati, which had the No. 1 scoring defense entering the game. Now that distinction belongs to the Broncos, who are exuding confidence. Cornerback Aqib Talib referred to their defensive backfield as a “no-fly zone.”

“We’re doing some good things, but we’re not to where we want to be yet,” Roethlisberger said. “Last week was a good test. This one is going to be even bigger.”

Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.

First Published: December 17, 2015, 5:00 a.m.

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Ben Roethlisberger completes pass to Markus Wheaton against the Bengals Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.  (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)
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