Pittsburgh Steelers Waiting for NFL’s Ben Roethlisberger Ruling
What’s the biggest reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers are being counted out by many this year? There’s a simple answer: Ben Roethlisberger, also known as "Big Ben."
Everyone knows that Roethlisberger will be missing at least the first four games of the season, and possibly up to eight games. His suspension by the league stands at six games now. As the Steelers now get set for training camp, they’ll have to wait for the specific amount of time that Big Ben will not be under centre for the Steelers, who need him badly if they want to compete with the improving Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
Commissioner Roger Goodell is visiting the Steelers’ training camp next week, but not as it relates to Roethlisberger. The commissioner has seven training camp visits planned.
Goodell suspended Ben Roethlisberger for six games in April after the quarterback (QB) was accused of sexual assault of a Georgia college student. Even though he was never charged, Goodell stated that Roethlisberger had still violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Goodell added that the suspension could be reduced by two games if Roethlisberger avoids further behavioural issues and does everything the league asks of him.
The Steelers will have to make do without him in the meantime: “Toward the end of training camp is the timetable to find out," Steelers president Art Rooney II said.
While Roethlisberger sits, the Steelers will turn to Byron Leftwich to manage the offence and help the team avoid an early season slump that many are predicting. As of right now, Roethlisberger’s suspension stands at six games, meaning he’d be able to return for the October 31st game against New Orleans Saints. If the suspension is reduced, then he would be eligible to return for the team’s October 17th game against the Cleveland Browns.
"All we're concerned about is Ben and, at this point, it's six games," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said. "Whether it gets reduced or not, it's up to the commissioner."
The Steelers face the challenge in training camp of ensuring that both Roethlisberger and Leftwich take enough snaps to prepare for the season. Leftwich has practiced with the first-team offence all offseason and will most likely be the starter heading into the season.
Also on the depth chart are Dennis Dixon, who started one game last year, and long-time backup Charlie Batch.
"I don't think they have a set rotation, I don't think they have an exact 1-2-3 order," Colbert said of the coaches. "I think over the course of the preseason they'll get that. They also have to factor in how much work Ben will get, knowing that he won't be available for the minimum of four games."
The Steelers face an unusual situation as this is the first time in history that the team will have to prepare two starters for the upcoming season. Yes, all teams work with multiple quarterbacks, but never has a team had two starting quarterbacks for different parts of the season.
When Roethlisberger does eventually return to the line-up, some are concerned that it will take him a while to find a rhythm and to get to the top of his game quickly. Roethlisberger is coming off a great season. He threw for a career-high 4,328 yards, along with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. However, it wasn’t enough, as the Steelers missed the playoffs the year after winning its sixth Super Bowl in franchise history.
Colbert is not worried about his franchise quarterback though: "Ben will be prepared. Ben is a super competitor that I think will come back with a real strong desire to prove that he's still a great quarterback."
The Steelers better hope he is ready because the Bengals and Ravens will do everything they can to get the Steelers down and out early.
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