It’s been a rather quiet week, which is not unexpected considering it’s a bye week for the Steelers and it was New Years. With that though, I honestly thought we’d hear, more about the condition of QB Ben Roethlisberger and what is going on.
Yes, I know that the word is the concussion he suffered vs the Browns is considered “minor” and he should be back for the playoff game a week from tomorrow, but one has to wonder just how okay he’s going to be. Ben didn’t practice on Friday, and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians made it out like it was not a big deal.
“He’ll be fine. If he’s not, we won’t change,” said offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. “We’re still going to run what we run and be who we are. He wouldn’t have gotten any of the reps anyway.”
My concern is not all about the concussion and how it plays out, but about how he plays early in that divisional playoff game. Go back to the first two games after the concussion he suffered vs the Falcons back in the 2006 season, and he threw 4 picks and one TD in a 20-13 loss to Oakland, and three picks and one TD in a 31-20 home loss to the Broncos the next week.
Not good.
I know times have changed and this team seems ready to go for a run, but we all know that with a running game struggling, Ben is going to maybe be at or near his best to beat a good team like the Colts or Chargers. We shall see.
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mark
January 3, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Historically speaking, no, Ben has not played well following concussions. The only thing in his favor is the bye week. I also want to think that early on the game, we can see what Ben has but the Steelers have not got into a rythym and scored a lot early in a game all season.It might take a half or more and that would be considered “normal” for this offense this season. I would hope, however, that if Ben is hurting the team by throwing picks and fumbling Tomlin would yank him for a healthier Leftwich. There is no next game for the Steelers if they dont make the right decisions next Sunday.
Rayman
January 6, 2009 at 9:17 am
I am not worried about Roethlisberger. # 7 ‘s post season record is 5 wins and 2 losses. He has proven he can do just enough to win or he can carry the team on his back when he needs to. 12 – 4 against the toughest schedule in the league this year. Ben will be fine and the Steelers will go to the AFC championship.
paulette
January 6, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I say start with Leftwich and then when we’re spanking the Chargers, put Ben in. You never know anymore which Ben is going to suit up for the game. Why take chances. We need this one. My biggest fear is that Tomlin won’t pull Ben if even if his playing sucks.