FoxSports.com’s NFL Insider Jay Glazer reports via his Twitter account that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will be ruled out by the team for this week’s key matchup against the Ravens. Second year quarterback Dennis Dixon will get the start in Roethlisberger’s place. Reportedly Roethlisberger was was suffering from exercise induced headaches, so the team decided it would be best to shut him down.
Obviously this is huge news, and it means that the team is going to need to find a way to do two things:
1. Run the ball with great success & 2. Play takeaway on defense and find a way to come up with some points via turnovers.
This is a terrible blow for a team that is desperate for a win. Ugh.
brainwise
November 28, 2009 at 12:11 pm
At least the Ravens’ offense has been sputtering. Good luck to DD. And best wishes for Big Ben to make a full recovery and to continue playing at a high level.
mark
November 28, 2009 at 4:57 pm
This is most disturbing news. To practice all week and then not play? Dixon was probably shorted many snaps during the week and the Ravens are not the team to “grow-up” against. I want Big Ben to be healthy when he is playing, so this is not a jab at his decision. I am just amazed that it took until Saturday afternoon to realize that Ben wasn’t playing. Now who is the 2nd Qb? The 3rd? Dixon will be protected by game planning, but the Rb’s and Line need to play their best game… ever. This one might come down to whoever s defense can generate turnovers and possibly transition them to points. Certainly field position will be HUGE. If Dixon can run the offense from the 30 or 40 instead of inside the 20, it will make a world of difference in allowing him to move the ball through the air. Regardless of the Rb’s, at some point Dixon will have to throw. I see a ton of Bubble-screens, and Heath Miller will be more important than usual. Mewelde Moore might be the most important player on offense for the Steelers as he tries to get 1st downs and clear out passing lanes for Holmes and Wallace to make a few BIG plays.Good luck Dennis Dixon and the Steelers. The Ravens are tough, but this can be done. Who knows, maybe Logan can give them a lift that other special teams seem to give our opponents!