Roethlisberger mind games
This week's unfolding saga of Ben Roethlisberger's availability is most curious. After suffering a concussion in overtime of a loss at Kansas City, the Steelers quarterback was medically cleared almost immediately for Sunday night's game in Baltimore.
He then practiced fully -- according to the Steelers' injury reports -- all week. And on Saturday, it was determined, presumably at some high level, that Roethlisberger would not start against the Ravens. In fact, he'll be the emergency quarterback and would play only if Dennis Dixon and Tyler Palko become disabled or there is a coaching change that would prevent either Dixon or Palko from returning.
Keeping Roethlisberger out is the prudent thing to do for a player with his history of concussion (at least four with the Steelers). But how the Steelers arrived at this point is almost bizarre, especially faced with a must-win situation in a hostile environment. Concussions have been a major theme of the NFL season to date and the league has been monitoring head injuries closely.
Going from Roethlisberger to Dixon, who has thrown one pass in the NFL, presents quite a dropoff. Losing Charlie Batch to wrist surgery after the KC game leaves the Steelers with no experience at the game's most important position. Palko was signed only this week to the practice squad, but will serve as the backup quarterback.
It would be a delicious subplot if Palko gets into the game. He was Dave Wannstedt's quarterback of choice at the University of Pittsburgh when Joe Flacco went there. Flacco saw the writing on the wall -- that he wasn't going to play -- and left for Delaware. Now Flacco is the established NFL quarterback and Palko is some guy trying to hold a job.
Comments
I will believe that Rothliesberger is out when I see him standing on the sidelines when the Steelers begin their first offensive series.
Until then the Ravens should presume that he is playing.
Posted by: Gil | November 28, 2009 3:19 PM
Big Ben not playing in a game that quite possibly will knock the loser out of the playoff hunt?
I believe it when I see it Sunday night.
Posted by: Fran from Glen Burnie | November 28, 2009 3:31 PM
You writers are all crazy if you think Roethlisberger is not going to play in this game! The biggest game of the year for both Ravens and Pittsburgh and Roethlisberger won't play, you need to find a new job because you suck at this one! Furthermore, as intelligent as Coach Tomlin is, he would have signed a veteran back up if Roethlisberger wasn't going to play. He would not trust a 3rd and 4th string non-playing quarterback to face the Ravens with the playoffs at stake. Stop playing mind games with the fans; everybody in Baltimore is not that dumb.
Posted by: Vanessa | November 28, 2009 4:44 PM
The conspiracy theorist in me says this decision was made by the league, specifically Commissioner Goodell, who has been facing pressure from Congress on the concussion issue. In return for being the good league citizens (aren't they always?), the Steelers will receive the benefit of favorable officiating to the tune of, let's say, 12 or so Ravens penalties being called to only 3 or 4 against the Steelers.
Posted by: Ray | November 28, 2009 4:53 PM
ITA with Gil and Fran. I think that the steelers are just trying to fool us into believing that Rothlesburger won't so that the Ravens will be lured into a false sense of security and then they won't be ready to play them tomorrow night. just watch when big Ben seidles onto the field and the steelers think that they will have the last laugh when it will really be us because we will be ready for them
Posted by: teelee86 | November 28, 2009 5:13 PM
Rather than be optimistic, I immediately thought back to Rob Johnson stepping in for Mark Brunell...
Posted by: Chuck | November 28, 2009 5:25 PM
The "Questionable, Probable" stuff is meaningless -- 99% of the time players in that category play -- it's a waste of time to write this. The "Doubtful" category -- these guys are 50/50 at best and most often do not play. As for Big Ben, I think he may not play tomorrow night because it is all over the media. If I had to bet -- I'd say, he is out.
Posted by: mlv | November 28, 2009 7:29 PM
I would bet my life savings Big Ben doesn't play tomorrow. I'm certain he wants to but why risk permanent damage - and when playing against the Ravens, you can bet it will be a hard fought battle with our defense pulling out all its weapons. To risky for Ben, especially against the Ravens.
Posted by: Lisa | November 28, 2009 7:53 PM
The thought of Bart Scott plowing into Big Ben a couple yrs. ago was probably still on Ben's mind and was causing the small migranes during this week.
Posted by: Dan R. | November 28, 2009 8:39 PM
tHE REASON HE ISN'T PLAYING IS BECAUSE HE WAS GETTING HEADACHES THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. HE WILL NOT PLAY AT ALL. THE STEELERS WILL NOT RISK IT
Posted by: JERRY MCCONNELL | November 28, 2009 9:02 PM
"The conspiracy theorist in me says this decision was made by the league, specifically Commissioner Goodell, who has been facing pressure from Congress on the concussion issue. In return for being the good league citizens (aren't they always?), the Steelers will receive the benefit of favorable officiating to the tune of, let's say, 12 or so Ravens penalties being called to only 3 or 4 against the Steelers."
I am a die hard in the blood "Stillers" fan that was born in Penn Hills.
Say what yins want but I think this guy has a point. There is something fishy here.
Posted by: Ron | November 28, 2009 9:35 PM
To me it sounds like Ben wanted to play all week, then possibly got these headaches and decided it may not be best. This hurts both sides, since Ben usually plays through most things Ravens most likely prepared for him to start and play. It also hurt the Steelers as Ben most likely got most to all the reps during the week with Dixon getting some....but not enough to be fully prepared. My guess is that he won't play and Ravens should be able to stop Dixon as he won't know what to do when Lewis comes through the middle....
Posted by: Dave | November 28, 2009 11:52 PM
This is just psychological subterfuge. The stealers know full well that Ben Lazarus Roethlisberger will play the entire game. Ben would be the last one standing after an asteroid strike. I'm sure the Ravens will not fall into this trap and will prepare accordingly.
Posted by: Ken | November 29, 2009 12:04 AM
At first I thought this was just a big smokescreen. But as more and more reports come in, it seems clear that despite the clearance earlier in the week, Ben was suffering headaches and the decision to sit this one out is the right call. It'll be interesting to see how well the steelers can get coached up. But since the Steelers have been having problems running the ball effectively, it's undoubtedly a major advantage to the Ravens.
It's also being reported the Ben is going to be the third/emergency QB, so I guess there's still some wiggle room there. But even in the past, when Ben has played after concussions, he hasn't been that effective.
Posted by: JB | November 29, 2009 12:06 AM
Steelers will still win without Big Ben.....the Defense will step it up a notch and cause turnovers while Dixon runs through the Ravens. Steelers 17 Baltimore 9
Posted by: jeff davenjay | November 29, 2009 12:47 AM
Whatever it is, it drives me nuts. I got 20 emails from friends at 87:34 last night when the story "leaked" on ESPN. I would be embarrassed as a Steeler fan IF he did play and this was even more of a mind game than it appears. The true Steelers Era of Run the Frickin Ball down there throats is gone. It just doesn't feel steelers.. throw first cry later... it's so, well hate to say it, Cowboys-ish. Rooney rule or not. The Steelers need a BUTT-kicker coach,,not a wanna be chess player. The only one getting their butts kick is us Steeler fans. Bummer I don't look good in Purple.. at least you guys play hard & bring it all night. Ah those were the days. We'll spot you 7 on the return game and use our 3rd string. I may not even watch! What's happened to this game we call Football.
~Pottsville Maroons RULE! Champs of '25
Posted by: Weston | November 29, 2009 8:06 AM
Big Ben is not playing. The political ramifications of having Ben hurt by the aggressive Ravens would would fall on the shoulders of Goodell. Get ready for Dixon. He has the potential to hurt us with his speed and agility.
Posted by: JRC | November 29, 2009 10:14 AM
It looks amazing!
Posted by: dimitbeba | November 29, 2009 12:10 PM
The Ravens tend to play down to the level of their competition. Don't believe me? See the Browns game. Pittsburgh with Dixon and the helm and missing Polamalu is still better than Cleveland. This will be a hard game for the Ravens.
Oh, Dan R., Bart Scott is a Jet now, unfortunately.
Posted by: Venkman | November 29, 2009 12:32 PM
Roethlisberger mind games - for real. This guy is the biggest DRAMA Queen in the NFL, he's always hurt and then comes back(he will tonight) and makes the big play/plays to win just in the nick of time. Anytime now I expect the white horse, calvary charge and of course the obligatory white bloody head bandage, pathetic smile and standard intermittent painful grimace(POSER). He's like the nurse that puts the pillow on the patients head just so she can revive them and be the hero.
Everybody keeps falling for this cretins act. Bo HO poor little Ben is hurt - AGAIN!!!
Watching this game tonight will be sicking because all we'll hear addnausiam is Roethlisberger this and Roethlisberger that until we all run from our homes screaming uncle - PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!! And of course the zebras will be throwing flags at the Ravens like its their duty to level the playing field, as always.
The hits just keep on coming........
Posted by: grey32 | November 29, 2009 2:28 PM