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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Roethlisberger injury no big deal

Ben Roethlisberger announced to the world today that he has a broken thumb on his throwing hand.

Let the drama begin.

Actually, the break is a small fracture, one he played with before in 2005. It didn't hinder Roethlisberger then and it won't now.

The one difference is that the Steelers are now primarily a passing team as opposed to 2005, when if he threw it 30 times in a game, it was a lot.

The Steelers will splint the thumb and he'll wear a glove to protect it. And as we've seen in the past, Roethlisberger usually plays better, more focused football, when injured.

The news could have been worse. Think about the situations in KC, Philadelphia and Houston.

28 comments:

Eric T said...

Typical Ben has to announce to the media about an injury. Not sure why he does this, whether he is looking for sympathy or whatnot, but its becoming an annual tradition. As long as he plays well I guess it doesn't matter.

Patrick said...

I wonder if he would announce an injury to his vagina.

adamg said...

Well, we all needed something to talk about during the bye week anyway.

Anonymous said...

Patrick,

C'mon man. Really? Big Ben could kick your ass all over your parent's basement and not even trip over your bed.

Jimbo

Anonymous said...

I lol'd

Anonymous said...

Dale,

Can you talk about the evolving roles of the players in the secondary. Is Keenan Lewis still the nickel with Cortez Allen the dime? Ryan Mundy getting seem be getting a lot of snaps too, but who's expense?

Steve-O said...

Dale,
I realize that Hines Ward sat out the last game due to an injury, but I think it's undeniable that as far as talent goes the youngsters are beginning to push him aside. Do you think its time for the old lion to sit in the shade and let the younger players start or does Hines still take on the roll of #2 receiver?

Dale Lolley said...

That package with Mundy takes Hampton and Timmons off the field, brings in Mundy and Lewis.

You can also sub Lewis and Allen for Hampton and Timmons.

They have some other packages as well, especially with all the injuries they had.

You had Keisel as a standup defensive end, etc. But now that they're getting healthy, you won't see as many of those.

PSUnGA said...

There is no doubt that Big Ben will play with a broken thumb. If a person can get sacked by a buick face first, and then play 2 months later.....they are tough.

Anonymous said...

When Favre plays with an injury he's a tough guy, when Ben does it he's a cry baby.

I guess it would be better if he left giving injury updates to the HC or some other staff member but Tomlin never seems to mention any injury Ben has. Lately Ben seems to be trying to hide when he's hurt or downplay it, so I don't think he deserves the "drama queen" label he has gotten.

Anonymous said...

dale,
the package you refer to with mundy that takes hampton and timmons off the field - who are the LB's that stay on the field?

Anonymous said...

Being tough and being a drama queen are not mutually exclusive. It's not an either/or situation.

I just hope his toe injury from high school, which nearly killed him when he reinjured it in the 2004 playoffs, is OK.

Sincerely,
Bill Cowher

adamg said...

I don't think anybody doubts he's tough. I'm sure there are plenty of other Steelers playing with and through injuries, but for whatever reason, BR likes to handle his injuries in public.

Patrick said...

he is a baby about his injuries. He always wants to be the wounded hero and its getting old.

How many times do you see him flap around on the field for thirty seconds, limp back to the huddle and run a good play? And if the coach or team doesn't announce an injury, he makes sure the world knows.

He is a great player, but this little trait has become annoying.

Anonymous said...

i too find it annoying, but i also do not know the circumstances around it being announced.

was #7 asked or did he offer it up? was he of the mindset "do you believe i broke my thumb again" or "look at me, i'm hurt, but i think i can still play." i think that matters.

also, isn't the nfl the only league where injuries and injury status must be reported (for the book makers obviously)? if #7 doesn't bring it up, aren't the steelers required to at somepoint anyway? i don't know how that works.

The Real Patrick said...

Patrick,
Maybe you and Ben can share notes about your vaginas.
The Real Patrick

Dale Lolley said...

They are on a bye this week, so there is no need to bring up any injuries. They don't have to report them.

As for the linebackers who stay on the field, Marc, that has been different over the past couple of weeks because of all the injuries.
Typically, they keep Farrior, Harrison and Woodley on the field.

Eric T said...

Marc,

I think coaches only have to disclose that information if impacts a players practice availability or gameday status. Like Dale said, no reason to do so on a bye week, especially from a player. Unless the player wanted the attention.

As was said above, nobody is questioning Ben's toughness. He has played through numerous injuries. Its just that he wants the media/fans to know about them. That's one thing that seperates him from other QBs and players in general. By this time of year, pretty much everybody is playing with some sort of injury, but Ben is one of the few disclosing it to the media.

Anonymous said...

dale,
that surprises me to take your best pass coverage LB off the field in situations like that.

Dale Lolley said...

Timmons has not had a good year by any stretch of the imagination.

Anonymous said...

it's been hard to tell with all the shuffling at LB. is there anything in particular he has had problems with?

kelly said...

I would still rather have Timmons in over Farrior in a coverage situation.

bruinmann77 said...

Dale was this the first game Hayward did not get in. Dale thought this was one of Kemo bad games he seems not capable of getting two good games back to back.

Anonymous said...

Hood had to fill in on the opposite side for Keisel earlier in the year and was ineffective, then gave him a pass because he was playing out of position. I think the same should apply for Timmons he's had to move all over the field filling in at both OLB and struggling to find his mojo on the inside. Definitely not playing up to his contract though. Just an observation.

Henry said...

Ziggy Hood can't shed blocks to save his life. His lack of tackles this year is evidence of that.

Dale Lolley said...

Timmons hasn't been getting off blocks and hasn't made many splash plays. It could be that he's been thinking too much out there.

Anonymous said...

off topic, but, i don't see how bengals beat ravens without hall at CB and green at WR.

Anonymous said...

To put it simply Marc, they don't.