'Big Ben' Has Surgery, Out for Thursday

KDKA Pittsburgh ^ | 9-03-06

[Cyclopean Squid]

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH Sources tell KDKA that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had surgery.

KDKA has learned he had an appendectomy.

Roethlisberger was absent from today’s practice.

Coach Bill Cowher is holding a press conference at 6pm.

Tune into KDKA-TV News at 6:30pm and stay with KDKA.com for the latest on this developing story

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

[Terpfen]

If stats are any indication, Harrington's a good opener and a good closer. He sucks during the middle.

He's our backup. He'll do a fine job in that role. This is Culpepper's show.

[smith288]

But how is Ben's thumb?

[rintense]

For the Fins sake, I hope it is Culpepper's show. Harrington's problem is... Harrington. He's a head case and in MHO, he doesn't have the mentality or leadership required to be a starting (and even decent backup) in the NFL. There is a reason Marinelli signed two high profile QBs and let Joey go. Plus, Joey is not a locker roon favorite. His 'Everyone one here hates me and I hate everyone here' whine this past off season did not help.

[MikefromOhio]

For the Fins sake, I hope it is Culpepper's show. Harrington's problem is... Harrington. He's a head case and in MHO, he doesn't have the mentality or leadership required to be a starting (and even decent backup) in the NFL. There is a reason Marinelli signed two high profile QBs and let Joey go. Plus, Joey is not a locker roon favorite. His 'Everyone one here hates me and I hate everyone here' whine this past off season did not help.

That and he looks like the Quarterback from The Water Boy....

[Terpfen]

His 'Everyone one here hates me and I hate everyone here' whine this past off season did not help.

It ain't whining if it's true.

He's been nothing but smiles ever since coming down here. Must be the fact that the team actually supports him.

There is a reason Marinelli signed two high profile QBs and let Joey go.

Yeah, it's called "starting over." There's a reason Childress let Culpepper go, too. What's hilarious is how Millen tried to hold out for a better trade deal, even though they were going to cut Harrington anyway.

[Terpfen]

I wouldn't go that far. I do wish he'd drop the Y from his name to sound less like a kid, though.

[MikefromOhio]

LOL

[justshutupandtakeit]

Wonder if this could have been a side effect of the motorcycle accident?

[justshutupandtakeit]

How Charlie even has a job as qb is a mystery to me. He has never shown anything but mediocre ability in the pros. I know I was always happy to hear he would be the Lions' qb whenever the Bears had to play them.

[MikefromOhio]

Batch's problem hasn't been ability, but decisions that he would make with the ball.

Last year he was showing a better decision making process while Big Ben was down with a knee injury.

He's not a starter, but he's better than Kyle Boller and Trent Dilfer as a backup

[justshutupandtakeit]

I would not agree with your last sentence and would take either over Batch.

Bears' fans are certainly happy to see that our qb situation for the first time in years is solid.

[MikefromOhio]

Remember I had to watch Dilfer this past year as a Brown.

Not what I'd call fun.

Maybe 10 years ago I'd take Dilfer, but not in the here and now.

[Cyclopean Squid]

Never mind the Browns' QB situation--do they have a center?

[MikefromOhio]

They just traded for Hank Fraley.

Now while I'd rather have LeCharles Bentley, Fraley was a pro-bowler something like 3 years ago...

Hell he MIGHT be the Pro-Bowler for the Browns this year....

[Terpfen]

... our qb situation for the first time in years is solid.

What?

[rintense]

Not really. It's a business, and you try to recoup the money invested in your players. Harrington had some value, even if it was a conditional low round pick. Harrington isn't that smart either. He turned down the chance to start in Cleveland in order to be a back up in Miami.

And yes, his whining was true... because he made it so. He had no confidence in himself so neither did the team he was supposed to be leading. You'll see. Then again, I hope you don't. And the reason he's all smiles, well, they don't call him Joey Blueskies for nothing!

[Terpfen]

It's a business, and you try to recoup the money invested in your players.

Except Harrington was going to be cut in June regardless. Saban offered a higher draft pick, Millen turned him down, Saban said "Fine, I'll wait until you cut him and then sign him as a free agent." Millen caved and accepted a conditional pick, proving again why he has a record of 21-59 in Detroit.

Harrington isn't that smart either. He turned down the chance to start in Cleveland in order to be a back up in Miami.

You mean it's actually not smart to be on the team with the better chance of getting to the Super Bowl?

He had no confidence in himself so neither did the team he was supposed to be leading. You'll see.

Pretty sure support from your teammates and coaching staff, combined with a pretty good preseason performance, can do wonders for confidence.

[BluH2o]

A Dolphins victory on opening day will be the perfect thing ...

Miami beat the Broncos in last seasons opener in Miami. Broncos roared back beating San Diego the following Sunday in Denver and didn't look back for the rest of the season. Until they were paired up against the Steelers in the AFC championship game.

[Terpfen]

Indeed. The Broncos should make a deep playoff run this year, too.

The difference between the 2005 and 2006 Dolphins is that less than 15 players are still around from the Wannstedt days. Oh, also Dom Capers and Mike Mularkey.

[xpertskir]

Charlie Batch is probably the best back up in the league. As a Pittsburgher and a huge fan, they can get it done without Ben. Dolphins lose.