Big Ben Questionable for the Ravens Game

[ToonaRockGuy]

For the Steeler Nation, from Yahoo Sports:

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AP - Nov 3, 3:21 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- What doesn't look questionable about the Pittsburgh Steelers' injury-complicated quarterback situation is coach Bill Cowher's decision to keep not one, but two proven backups behind Ben Roethlisberger.

Cowher said Tuesday he won't know until later in the week whether Roethlisberger can play in Sunday's game at Baltimore. Roethlisberger, who is listed as questionable, has missed two games since having knee surgery Nov. 3.

If he can't play -- and the Steelers are hopeful he can -- then Tommy Maddox will be their third starting QB in four games.

"There is no defined starter right now," Cowher said.

Charlie Batch started and won the last two games in his first extended playing time in four years, but will sit out at least one game after breaking a bone in his right hand during a 34-21 victory over Cleveland on Sunday night. Batch played about as well as a backup can during the first half, completing 13 of 19 passes for 150 yards and breaking off a 15-yard run.

The Steelers want Roethlisberger to play against the Ravens (2-7) not only because he gives them the best chance of winning, but so he can get back to game speed before pivotal games against the Indianapolis Colts (9-0) on Nov. 28 and division rival Cincinnati (7-2) on Dec. 4. Roethlisberger hasn't played since a 20-19 victory over Baltimore on Oct. 31, undergoing arthroscopic surgery to clean up damaged cartilage in his right knee three days later.

The Steelers won't rush him back and possibly jeopardize his status for the final six weeks of the season.

Roethlisberger underwent therapy and threw some passes Tuesday, normally the players' day off. But Cowher wants to see if he can throw passes without being in pain and has full range of motion in his right knee. The team starts practicing for the Ravens on Wednesday.

"I can't give a long term diagnosis," Cowher said. "We'll assess it day to day."

Linebacker James Farrior (knee), left tackle Marvel Smith (ankle) and running back Willie Parker (ankle) also are questionable. Farrior, an All-Pro linebacker last season, and Parker, the team's leading rusher, didn't play against Cleveland.

"The good news is nobody is on injured reserve, but it seems I spend half the news conference reading the injury list," said Cowher, who listed 13 players as probable or worse. "But nobody is going to feel sorry for us, and we're not going to feel sorry for ourselves."

Cowher isn't second guessing his training camp decision to keep Batch, a former Lions starter who had thrown only eight passes in four years going into the season. Roethlisberger, at 23, figured to start every game, and former starter Maddox was set as his backup, so keeping Batch looked to be a luxury.

Not now. When Roethlisberger sat out with an injury to his other knee, Maddox played terribly in a 23-17 loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 16, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble -- causing him to lose his backup job to Batch.

After Batch was hurt Sunday, Maddox played the second half and went 4-of-7 for 22 yards. The Steelers threw little after wide receiver Antwaan Randle El's 51-yard scoring pass to Hines Ward on a reverse put them up 24-7 in the opening two minutes of the second half.

"I think Tommy will be fine," Cowher said. "I wanted him to get some confidence -- some of it is him pressing. He sees the field so well, he might be his own worst enemy when he tries to get ball in there with four (defenders around). ... So I think it's good he had half of the game Sunday."

Maddox, then the starter, injured his right elbow at Baltimore last season, allowing Roethlisberger to move into the lineup as a rookie. Roethlisberger has since won 18 of 19 regular-season starts. The Steelers haven't lost on the road since that 30-13 defeat at Baltimore on Sept. 19, 2004, winning their last 11 road games.

The Steelers also have former Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford on their practice squad, and Randle El was a rollout quarterback at Indiana before moving to wide receiver in the NFL.
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[RobTheDrummer]

The smart thing to do would be to leave him out for this game. I mean, why risk him getting hurt again against a very physical team? Especially when they are shitty this year anyway. I say take another week off and be ready for the Indy game.

[f.sciarrillo]

As long as maddox doon't throw the ball steelers should be o.k .. I would like to see ben in there this weekend. But if it means giving him more time to heal then that is fine. The big picture is what we should be looking at, not the petty things like the ravens. .

[RobTheDrummer]

You know though, after some thought...we need to beat the ravens again. We're on top of the division and we need to stay there. So, I have some faith in Tommy...even though he really sucks, he has a good team to support him. He's just lackin confidence! I mean, Imagine if you were doin great in a band and then you had to miss a show for some reason..ok? And then they get this young attractive new guy and he tears it up...when you come back to play, you're confidence will be shot. STEP UP TOMMY AND DO YOUR DAMN WORK!

[f.sciarrillo]

I can see maddox feeling that way. He could also be feeling like he shouldn't care because he knows he is going out the door this year ..

[AtoMikEnRtiA]

as a non steelers fan.. this is my thought...

Hines Ward, and Antwaan Randel El were both quarterbacks in College - why couldn't you atleast PREPARE one of them for an emergency of this sort - if only for a game or 2, I guarantee you neither one of them have lost it when it comes to Quarterback skills, when you play football as long as they both have, you couldnt possibly lose it all. I mean - Randel El, even not throwing a ball or playing a game at QB in like 3 or 5 years is still better than Tommy Maddox who was a first round draft pick. Hines Ward was as good, if not better than Batch in college - so why not try one of those two?

Whats the worst that could happen - they have a bad start to the game, Cowher pulls one of them and puts Maddox back in and runs the ball? Just my .02

[lonewolf]

Cowher considers Randle El and Ward to be 4th and 5th on the quarterback depth chart. He will coach accordingly.

[AtoMikEnRtiA]

Cowher considers Randle El and Ward to be 4th and 5th on the quarterback depth chart. He will coach accordingly.

well sadly, 4th and 5th right now on the depth chart are almost being forced to being bumped up to 2 and 3. if i were him i would seriously be having Randle El practicing for the next month or so as QB/WR - maybe the steelers need another utility player for a few months.. hey.. doesnt Kordell Stewart still play in Baltimore.. maybe they could use him again lol

[Punkinhead]

Cowher considers Randle El and Ward to be 4th and 5th on the quarterback depth chart. He will coach accordingly.

well sadly, 4th and 5th right now on the depth chart are almost being forced to being bumped up to 2 and 3. if i were him i would seriously be having Randle El practicing for the next month or so as QB/WR - maybe the steelers need another utility player for a few months.. hey.. doesnt Kordell Stewart still play in Baltimore.. maybe they could use him again lol

Randle El did take some snaps this week. If Maddox goes down, he's it most likely. But even at that, it's going to be an ugly game Sunday, no matter who plays QB.

[Banned]

Do not worry about Randle El. He holds THE record for total yards in a career in Big Ten history. As the option QB for Indiana, he was virtually unstoppable. I think he totaled over 10,000 yards in 4 years.

There is no defense in the NFL that is designed to stop a running, option formation QB, esp. one as fast as Randle El. This could end up one of the most exciting games of the year, if Cowher has the guts to go with a option QB.