K Train

Ben will start on Saturday
Thursday, August 10, 2006
By BOB LABRIOLA
Steelers.com

LATROBE, Pa. – With one short sentence, Coach Bill Cowher settled an issue that has been percolating for eight straight weeks.

"Ben will start, and he will play for a short period of time, and I will leave it at that," said Cowher.

This should officially end the almost-daily questions/speculations about the physical effects of the motorcycle accident Ben Roethlisberger was involved in on the morning of June 12. Roethlisberger did require almost eight hours of surgery to repair facial fractures and a laceration on the back of his head, but he reported to St. Vincent College on time, he took part in every practice to this point, and he has looked like Ben Roethlisberger in every practice to this point.

Therefore, as the starting quarterback, Roethlisberger will start on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals at 4 p.m. And as the starting quarterback in the first preseason game of any season, Roethlisberger will play very little – just like the established starters at every other position.

"As has been done in the past, the starters will play a series or two," said Cowher. "Hopefully we'll look crisp, and then we can get a look at a lot of the younger players.

"I'm not looking for anything from (Ben in this game)," said Cowher. "He's been fine. The biggest thing is from a conditioning standpoint, and we'll continue to monitor that. With the accident he was not able to train as he has in the past, but he has looked fine out here throwing the ball. He was starting to get a little tired early this week, but I like where he is, and he had a very good spring. He was at every offseason workout and was throwing the ball great. I like his frame of mind.

"I don't think there's anything to this point, maybe until he takes that first hit, which is the last bit of apprehension he may have," said Cowher. "I still think it's there; he says it's not. I think it is, because I think it would be for anybody. He hasn't been on any injury list, he's had some nagging things, but certainly nothing pertaining to the accident.

"I'm not worried about Ben. It's more about our football team and making sure we're all on the same page and we get back to where we need to be. We have a tough opponent in Miami, and in a short period of time.

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K Train

Although im really looking foward to seeing ben play again, this first game im really interested in how Omar Jacobs will do. He holds the NCAA single season TD record and TD:Int ratio. I know that charlie batch has the #2 spot locked up, but im hoping Jacobs does good because i really dont like Shane Boyd, i saw him play for NFL europe and wasnt really impressed.

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J-Unit

I watched Shane Boyd play in college, and if he was the one that played for UK, then he was just awful. You wont have to worry about Jacobs beating him out, that is already settled.

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University of Tennessee Lady Vols 2007 National Champions

K Train

LOL, i wasnt impressed and jabobs is a truck.........6-5 250

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Blitzburgh Steelers

I wouldn't bet on that if I were you. I read reports a few days ago that suggested that Omar was on the verge of being cut, because Boyd had passed him on the depth chart. While I agree that Boyd sucks, and at least Omar had a good college career, that's the word a few days ago anyway. (I have no link, and don't have time to find it right now)

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Blitzburgh Steelers

I have mixed feelings on Ben coming back so soon. It's great to see it, but even if he's not apprehensive about it, I sure am. He goes down, so does our season, right down the toilet. With Ben and Charlie playing very little, it'll at least give the coaches more time to evaluate Boyd and Jacobs.

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K Train

Yeah but he seems to be 100% and it would be good for him to lead a series or two because it seems like hes in good shape and healed and as soon as he takes that first hit i think he'l get up and relize that hes done this before...i have no worries, and cowher wouldnt let him play if he thought there was a risk.

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EaglesFan

Thats great news for Steeler fans. It also proves how tuff Big Ben is. He should just play one quarter at least, so they can prevent him fom getting injured.

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2007 CFL Season: Argos 2-1

K Train

Oddly that means alot coming from an eagles fan.

BTW McNabbs looking sharp in preseason.

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Blitzburgh Steelers

They've said he'll only play one series, so probably just the 1st time the Steelers get the ball, and however long that drive takes.

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