Ben's status to be updated Friday - Cross your fingers Steelers fans

by cgolden on Dec 13, 2007 5:20 PM EST in News

On Tuesday, Coach Tomlin told the media that Ben had a sore shoulder and might be limited in practice on Wednesday but he 'didn't want to make more out of it than what it was.' Well it's Thursday and Ben has missed two straight practices. Coach T has said he will update his condition tomorrow, and unless Ben isn't on the practice field, I don't think we have anything to worry about. Ben takes a tremendous beating throughout the season, thanks to a shady offensive line and a couple of days rest is probably exactly what he needs before what looks to be a physical game against the Jags.

In a small side note, the Cleveland Browns continue to swipe ex-Steelers players, this time picking up center Marvin Philip the same day that he was released. Does anyone else think they might be thinking about a first round matchup in the playoffs?

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Hopefully

this rest will help him heal for the quick turnaround game against the Rams. I hate that we play a physical Jags team before our short week.

I hate these Thursday night games. For one thing very few people get them and there isn't much chance to heal your players up if you played the Sunday before.

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 13, 2007 7:04 PM EST reply actions

Just as a reminder...

Wanted to remind people that even if you don't have the NFL package you can watch the game live online. I don't think the NFL likes to advertise that very much for obvious reasons but you can do it.

I watched the Packer-Cowboy game that way.

Here is the link:

http://www.nfl.com/live

by Kirk B on Dec 14, 2007 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

what is

the fee per game? I wouldn't mind dumping direct tv next year, if the fee isn't too bad. Direct tv blows.

by steelerark on Dec 14, 2007 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

Looks like

they just show the talking heads and sometimes show a TD after it happens.

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 15, 2007 9:15 PM EST up reply actions

well

now they are showing the game!

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 15, 2007 9:20 PM EST up reply actions

thursday games

Similar sentiments about not liking Thursday games, especially late in the year when players are banged up. It's also tougher on visiting teams for long trips. A day (or most of a day) lost to travel on a short week is a proportionately bigger loss of preparation and recovery time than it would be on the usual seven-day schedule.

I'd like to see some stats about how visiting teams do on Thursdays. Maybe there is no trend favoring home teams. Either way, there is no excuse to lose to St. Louis especially if the North title is still on the line, which is likely to be the case. If we clinch the North on Sunday, maybe some guys will get a rest in St. Louis. But I don't expect Cleveland to lose to Buffalo. I think the spread is 5.5 points, which the Browns should cover easily. It's my best bet of the week.

But then again, I also like the Jets with 23.5 points vs. NE (and liked the Jets last week vs. Cleveland) ... so take that for what it's worth. If I knew what I was doing, I would be retired and living in the Caribbean. Well, that IS what I'm doing, no credit to NFL predictions though.

by steeler lifer on Dec 14, 2007 11:26 AM EST reply actions

Need to clinch 3 seed

I just read an article about the Chargers possibly winning out, and if we wan to maintain the 3 seed, we'd need to win out. Link below:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AoUqxCNFq_KVsOS.9IWWYVMdsLYF?slug=ms-32questions121207&pro v=yhoo&type=lgns

The Chargers have been inconsistent this year, but I think they're 7-2 in their last 9. And, according to the article, they, like the Browns have a much easier course than we do. I don't think we want the Jags again in Round 1.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 14, 2007 12:09 PM EST reply actions

wild card seedings

If the Steelers win Sunday and then clinch the No. 3 seed, one way or another, there is still a possibility they could face the Jags in the first round of playoffs. If the Browns win out (far from impossible) and the Jags lose their final game in Houston, the Browns will have a better conference record than Jax (8-4 vs. 7-5).

Like you, I'd rather skip Jax in the opening round of playoffs, and see how NE does against the SD-Jax winner.

by steeler lifer on Dec 14, 2007 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

True

The seedings can still move around, that's true. I guess, as they say, you never want to worry too much about who you're playing, because sometimes the team you want ends up beating you.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 14, 2007 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Ben returns to practice today

Ben practiced today and should be ready to go Sunday.

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 14, 2007 1:10 PM EST reply actions

Yes!

Good news. No slight to Charlie, but we need our Big Ben.

by steelerinRI on Dec 14, 2007 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

Totally agree

I think the Batch Man is a really good backup QB, but I think this team needs all of it's weapons in order to bounce back and make a statement this weekend.

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 14, 2007 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

Good news

Glad to hear that Ben will probably play this weekend.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 14, 2007 2:18 PM EST reply actions

How lucky we are

That we have two quarterbacks so good that we take time to apologize to the backup for not having the opportunity to play, while rejoicing at the return of the starter. Here's hoping we have this kind of arrangement for as far into the foreseeable future as possible.

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Dec 15, 2007 9:59 AM EST reply actions

from Rotoworld.com (not good news about Ben)

Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) appeared to struggle with his velocity during the media-portion of Friday's practice.
The Steelers did not run any pass plays over 15 yards in that segment and later "appeared to be favoring his right shoulder and throwing with a semi-sidearm motion". Big Ben is expected to play and while this could simple be a matter of gamesmanship on the part of the Steelers, the situation is worth monitoring the Sunday morning reports over.
Source: Florida Times-Union
Related: Charlie Batch

"It's time to plant some seeds. What that means is, hit them in the mouth. Ya know, plant some seeds. Show 'em what time it is." --Levon Kirkland

by steelerinchicago on Dec 15, 2007 2:47 PM EST reply actions