The Reward Sometimes Isn't Worth the Risk

Should the Steelers Rush Big Ben Back
vs the Ravens, or Wait?

The Pittsburgh Steelers organization and Head Coach Mike Tomlin have some tough decisions to make approaching the 2nd installment of the Steelers vs Ravens game this Sunday.  All of SteelerNation is talking about whether or not Ben Roethlisberger is going to be able to play this Sunday in Baltimore.  Doctors have said there is a chance he could be medically cleared, but the chance of re-injury is always present.  Yesterday, Roethlisberger went through practice on a limited basis, which as Mike Tomlin says "leaves the door open" for the chance of Big Ben to suit up on Sunday.  Eventually, Tomlin is going to have to make a decision on Roethlisberger. 

It all comes down to the classic "Risk vs Reward" theory.  Sure, the Steelers could give Big Ben the green light and the Steelers could go into Baltimore and deliver a huge win that would boost their playoff chances immensely.  On the other hand, if they choose to "risk" putting Ben on the field too early, they are risking the chance that he re-injures his shoulder / rib, or has a setback.  If that happens, the Steelers could be seeing their most valuable offensive player on the field for the last time in the 2012 season.

If you ask me, the reward of Roethlisberger delivering a victory and potentially getting hurt in the process isn't worth the risk.  I know that on Twitter (you can follow me - @BnGBlitz) last week I said that even if Ben is 80% the Steelers should play him, but I've changed my tune since then.  To me, this is a football decision.  Think back to last season when the Steelers allowed Roethlisberger to play on an extremely injured ankle on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers (the "Blackout Game").  That game didn't go well for Pittsburgh, and it didn't help Roethlisberger either...he was dealing with that hampered ankle for the remainder of the season (including the playoff loss in Denver). 

The Steelers are a completely different team with a HEALTHY Roethlisberger under center.  When Big Ben is 100%, they can  beat any team in the NFL.  When Big Ben isn't 100% or a backup is in, every game becomes a coin toss.  Even with the realization that a banged up Ben is as equal as a backup, the Steelers need to realize the situation they are in currently in the AFC Playoff Race.  They still control their own destiny...even with a loss in Baltimore this weekend.  With that said, if one more week off is going to increase Big Ben's chances of being 100% upon his return, I say they wait for that and hope he can deliver 4 straight wins on their way to the playoffs.  If that happens then you have the best Steelers team heading into the playoffs with Roethlisberger at the helm, and not someone who hurts the Steelers' chances of winning.