For Big Ben, Its Time To Get Back On The Field

Enough Street Clothes, Its Time For
Ben To Suit Up and Play!

Let me preface this article with one thing...this IS NOT ABOUT Ben Roethlisberger's health.  I realize that Big Ben's health as a human being, and as a Pittsburgh Steelers QB is the utmost importance when it comes to decisions on who plays and who sits.  I am approaching this article in a different way than most might think after reading the title of this post.  Read on to let this make more sense.

I am going to trust Mike Tomlin that he consulted the doctors and has taken their advice to heart in terms of the potential of Ben's shoulder injury.  I also trust that he wouldn't put Ben on the field if there is a chance of further injury.  Regardless of all of those possibilities surrounding this injury, it is time that Big Ben gets back on the football field.  Not simply because he is the best QB on the team, the team leader, and an offensive captain.  More than all of those reasons is that he needs to get back into the rhythm that he had before getting hurt.  This offense is based around timing routes and getting the ball out of the QBs hands quickly.  This is one of the main reasons why the offense struggled under Byron "Takes 10 Seconds to Throw" Leftwich. 

On top of the fact that the offense is built around getting the ball out of the QBs hands, I feel it is my duty to tell SteelerNation that it might not be a huge statistical game for Big Ben.  Sure, he has been known to surprise all of us from time to time, but you have to think it will take a few games for him to trust his abilities, to not fear re-injury, and to get back into the timing with his WR corps again.  Ben could struggle in the game, but a 85% Big Ben is just as good as a 100% Charlie Batch, in my opinion.  The Steelers can beat the Chargers with an 85% Ben, and could certainly do so on Sunday even if Roethlisberger doesn't have a great game.  To me, this game is about him gearing up for the home stretch.  The next 3 of 4 games the Steelers play are in Heinz Field, and all 4 are very winnable games.  The Steelers can really put some pressure on the Ravens and the rest of the AFC if they are able to win the rest of their games heading into the postseason.  I know that all of SteelerNation will be holding their breath on Sunday when Big Ben takes the field, but I'm here to suggest that he will play a solid game and the Steelers will use the running game to help their QB coming off injury.  Lets just hope he gets up after that first hit!  Either way, its time for Big Ben to suit up and get back on the field...