Big Ben Back to Beginning: Facing Ravens (Roethlisberger/Steelers Try One More)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 12/26/04 | Ed Bouchette

[beyond the sea]

Ben Roethlisberger can take it full circle today against the Ravens. Back on Sept. 19 in Baltimore, the rookie quarterback was flung into the NFL's high seas, sink or swim. Today, he can skipper the Steelers to the AFC's treasure island, the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

"That first game, he got his feet wet,'' receiver Hines Ward said. "He's in the water now."

Roethlisberger went from "some little young kid who's just out of college" -- Alan Faneca's infamous description -- to royalty in Pittsburgh in the past three months. He's 12-0, a Pro Bowl alternate, Dapper Dan Man of the Year, a David Letterman guest, Big Ben, with sandwiches and untold babies named after him. He hasn't lost in the past 25 games, going back to his days at Miami (Ohio), as a starter. He did taste losing Sept. 19 when he replaced injured Tommy Maddox early in the third quarter and threw two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 30-13 Ravens victory.

It is the only Steelers loss in a 13-1 season. One more victory, either today or next Sunday in Buffalo, would earn the Steelers a bye in the first round of the playoffs, setting the stage for two victories at home to reach the Super Bowl in Jacksonville.

[Rummyfan]

Quite a shocker eh? Brady saves his worst game of the year - maybe as a pro period - for a game against a 2-and-eleven team that should have been a laugher. One of the things I have really admired about the Pats over the last several years is that they never lost to teams they were supposed to beat, i.e. last weeks' Dolphins. This in stark contrast to teams like Minnesota, New Orleans, Denver, and even Indy to some extent. Will be interesting to see how they rebound against NY today.

[beyond the sea]

And in the voice of Myron Cope "What's going on down there???"

Hmmm-Haaa!!! Yoi........... I'll be at the Cope-acabanna after the game for some totties and some conversation!

[beyond the sea]

It's a 1:00 p.m. game.

[MadelineZapeezda]

... the Steelers, Ratbirds, and Yankees are evil).

Hey, go find a Browns thread to ruin, if there is any!!!!!!sorry Browns

[beyond the sea]

However, their season just went out with TO. Oh they'll beat the Rams and whomever they play next week, but the playoffs are another matter.

You gotta love McNabb's mother on those commercials handing out the food for the team....... and getting the Gatorade treatment in the end!

That is BEAUTIFUL.

[Petronski]

ESPN: Reggie White, dead at 41 of massive coronary

[Petronski]

Rest in Peace

[Petronski]

Correction: He was 43 years old.

[fhayek]

Wow.

[xp38]

There are always so many factors to consider that affect the outcome of a game. Its just the nature of sports. Homefield is at least somewhat of known factor. Throughout sports roughly 60% of games are won by the home team. But that means 40% are won by visitors. Beyond that what else is there to consider. Past performance? Weather for outdoor stadiums? Talent? That's kind of a variable. How about how each player spent Christmas? What if some important player had a huge blowup with family yesterday? Maybe Brady was having trouble buying gifts and that threw him off last Monday...hehe.

[TheForceOfOne]

The Ravens will win by 13.

[ncpatriot]

I can't believe how this one man, Big Ben, has affected me. My husband is the football fan. But one Sunday I saw this kid throw one pass after another and I was HOOKED. Now, I know more about this team than my husband.

What is is about Roethlisberger?

[Steelerfan]

Great news!!! Any word on Staley?

[xp38]

RIP...I think he was one of the good ones. It's weird having celebs die who are just a bit younger then you are these days.

[beyond the sea]

Word on the street is that the Steelers' locker room ain't the happy place it should be at this point. Some of the veterans seem to think Big Ben is getting a little too big for his britches.

You talking to "Jeb The Sweet-Faced Bum" down on Penn Avenue again?

I think them there Stillers are as happy as can be, seeing that I was down there yesterday with 'da boys. The only thing that p.o.'s them is that Myron still hasn't gotten his playoff voice back yet since his fall!

Don't get me wrong though, this is pro football, and all the players on the field are professionals, and the outcome of the game is far from decided.

*******

But there is absolutely no Steeler veteran discontent

..... that any of the good old boys wish, this Sunday, to vent!

[beyond the sea]

I didn't say Burress would start.... I said that he is suppose to play.

Now that 'Meet The Depressed' is completed and Russert is finished, I'll turn on all the Steeler pre-game radio shows and see what's the latest scoop for younz!

By the way, the Jets may just be tough again this day......... do us another favor!

[beyond the sea]

Kor-dell.......... it's cold out here today Kordell

[airborne]

It's a 1:00 p.m. game.

Yeah. I have to leave at 3:30. We watch the pre-game skate and hang out with friends. They have the game on the big screen till warm ups, then it's on closed circuit in the concourse.

I'm a serious hockey nut!

[airborne]

Great news!!! Any word on Staley?

Not 100%, but ready to go.

[beyond the sea]

It's tough to believe the kid is too big for his britches. It ain't braggin' if he can do it. It's also tough to believe there could be much resentment for 13 and 1.

LOL. I agree.

see post 55.