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Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was most noted for his fourth quarter performances and rare combination of size and quickness in the earlier portion of his career.
The legend of Big Ben grew into one of the tough quarterback, playing with injuries and still shaking off defenders with a throw of the shoulder. Some of that legend was born in the first half of the 2005 season, when Roethlisberger sustained a knee injury on a game-winning drive in San Diego in Week 4 of that year.
Two interesting points to that situation: The hit from Castillo, square on his knee, drew neither a fine nor a penalty, which would not have been the case had that happened in 2012 (or perhaps on a different quarterback). Also, Charlie Batch replaced Roethlisberger with 1:05 remaining in the game, needing just three handoffs before Jeff Reed could bang home the game-winning field goal.
The following week, Tommy Maddox would get the start, and turn the ball over four times, twice in overtime, as Jacksonville defeated Pittsburgh 23-17.
Roethlisberger had surgery following the win over the Chargers, but would return to contribute to a dominant Steelers 27-13 win over the upstart Bengals in Cincinnati - the Steelers' franchise-record 10th consecutive road win.
That was the game Steelers safety Troy Polamalu flattened Bengals QB Carson Palmer after an interception. Roethlisberger was 9-for-14 with two touchdowns and a pick on a bum knee. He was also 24 years old.
It's obvious having the surgery was the right thing to do, and he has plenty of time to rehab it before camp. Good things happened the last time Roethlisberger had this surgery, and as odd as it is to suggest a surgery is an omen of good fortune, at least it didn't happen in the middle of the year.