Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice on a part-time basis on Wednesday, which seems to indicate that he will start on Sunday. But the next question is, do the Steelers want to sit Ben for one week and give him more time to recover or should they get him back on the field so he's not working back up to speed against a very tough Broncos defense?Personally I'm a fan of getting him back out there as son as he's cleared to play, but only if it doesn't put him at a significantly bigger risk of further injury. Over the last two weeks, Ben has played as well as he has in any stretch of his career. And while Charlie Batch was also quite good last week, make no mistake: Ben was better.
I know, they both ended up with near identical passer ratings. But here's the difference. Ben was 16 of 22 in the game. His six incompletions included two dropped passes (one by Heath Miller and one by Hines Ward), one bad pass and three passes that were broken up by the defense. Charlie Batch was 8 of 13 and all five of his incompletions were because of bad passes by Batch. Hey, Batch was great and you can't expect him to not have a little rust when he's coming off of the bench, but against the blitz, Batch sometimes didn't set his feet, and he doesn't have the arm to simply gun it without good mechanics (unlike Ben sometimes) so it led to some passes falling short of his receivers. The reason their QB ratings were equal are because of Ward's catch and run 70-yard touchdown and Nate Washington's 50-yard bomb. But hey, I'm thrilled we have a backup as good as Batch.
So my vote is to see No. 7 behind center on Sunday, but what do you all think? Would you rather he get a week to rest and recover considering the Steelers are facing one of the NFL's worst teams?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-25-2006 @ 11:15PM
SteelLady said...
Just remember that a bad record doesn't necessarily mean a bad team, i.e. The Steelers. The Raiders may be the worst team in the league, but the Steelers would be stupid to come in unprepared and not put in their best quarterback at the moment. I'm Ben's biggest fan, but he seems to be accident prone lately, and a bit unlucky recently. Charlie Batch has turned in two stellar performances and is 3 and 0 as a starter. Ben (and Cowher)seems not to know when he needs to sit out and this is probably one time where it might be in the best interest of the team and Ben for him to sit out, possibly for the first half of the game.
Reply
10-26-2006 @ 9:20AM
Soozlu said...
I would like to see Ben sit this one. Purhaps play a few series and then bring in Charlie. Worrying about my boy big time. Its a larger issue then this game. Regardless of how this season plays out, the first concern is his health and longevity. Also, I will keep mentioning it till it happens but WHERE ARE THE FINES for that illegal hit or hits should I say?
Reply
10-26-2006 @ 1:36PM
Mariann said...
I think they should try to rest Ben. If Batch is doing ok keep him in. If they are losing the game and Ben is able to play then you can always put him in the second half. A concussion is nothing to fool around with and two in 4 months is especially scary. Also, I agree, WHERE ARE THE FINES AND POSSIBLY SUSPENSIONS? These hits were illegal, late and intentional. We know this now that Ben said he was taunted by one of the players who sacked him.
Reply
10-26-2006 @ 3:48PM
Bahama John said...
I really think that the Steelers should NOT let Ben play this week (or perhaps even the next 2 games). Charlie batch is quite capable of beating most teams in the NFL (he is constantly underated) not to mention the Raiders... If the Steelers manage to lose this weekend I am sure it will not be because of the QB play, so it makes no sense for the team to risk Ben's health and future. In only two years this young man has given the Steelers/fans somthing they longed for since the days of Bradshaw...We owe it to Ben to give him that time whether he wants it or not. I love the steelers and I love that Superbowl ring we got last year but I think I can wait another year if necessary..I think I owe at least that much....
Reply
10-26-2006 @ 4:00PM
Andrew said...
Another vote for resting Big Ben. Here is yet another example of media, fans, team management, and players (Ben himself) demanding to see a guy on the field - regardless of the impact it may have on his long term health, and ability to play the game in 2, 4, or 6 years down the road.
Get over it people. Give Ben a chance to rest. This isn't the Steelers of 2005, so don't pretend it is. A 2007 season with a rested and fully healed Roethlisberger, is better than a 2006 season with your boy on a stretcher, sipping the rest of his meals out of a straw.
Reply
10-29-2006 @ 7:34PM
Paul said...
Ben should change his name to Uselessburger,with all his turnovers he's cost the Steelers the season. I feel sorry for the defense having to play with inept boob. Put Charlie in now!!!
Reply
10-29-2006 @ 7:35PM
Paul said...
The Steelers running game is pathetic with Parker starting,he has one or two decent runs but basically gets 1 or two yards per carry.They need a power runner to wear down the defenses,not someone who can only run through holes if there is an opening.
Reply