September 12, 2006

Big Ben: Should he play Monday?

posted by MI-STEELER to football at 09:36 PM - 16 comments

You know he will. An appendectomy isn't like it was 20 or 30 years ago. Small incision. He's practicin, he's playin!

posted by jtroy4 at 11:18 PM on September 12, 2006

I've conducted some thorough research (erm, I checked one or two sports-med websites) and it doesn't seem particularly rare for people to be playing sports a week after undergoing an appendectomy. That said, Cowher's gonna look like a Grade-A doofus if Big Ben gets hurt as a result of not forcing him to fully rest up for an additional week. Batch did a decent job with the (mostly) dink & dunk passing game last week. Even though it's MNF, I'd still let Batch take snaps for an additional week.

posted by Bixby23 at 01:48 AM on September 13, 2006

It's not like Batch hasn't started in this leauge before. I know it was for the Lions, but he did start games and on top of that the Steelers won both of their games when Batch started last year. I know he's not the best QB in the leauge, but why take the risk of injuring your stud when you have a capable backup?

posted by treak4455 at 03:34 AM on September 13, 2006

There's no hurry to get him back, but no reason to keep him out if he's not healthy. Should he play Monday? That's up to his doctor. If he's healthy, he's in. If not, then not. No should about it.

posted by chicobangs at 05:01 AM on September 13, 2006

Kinda a lousy FPP- but anyways, I think that they should just ease him into the game. Let Batch start, play at least a half, and see how he does. If he starts doing bad- then put him in. But, if he pplays like he did last week, then Charlie's job is safe for another week.

posted by Kendall at 05:23 AM on September 13, 2006

I think with Big Ben that he needs to find a rhythm and Cower knows this so they will get him in as soon as possible because they want him ready for when they play the Bengals which would be his first game back if he doesn't play on Monday. I think from experience they know, Big Ben takes a game or 2 coming back from an injury to do what he do.

posted by warstda at 06:45 AM on September 13, 2006

If there's any doubt at all, Cowher would be foolish to rush him into the lineup to play the Jaguars on the road. They nearly beat the Jags here last year with Roethlisberger out and Maddox playing in his place. How do the Steelers not rate more than one Monday night game coming off a Super Bowl win? They have a rabid fan following all over the country.

posted by rcade at 07:34 AM on September 13, 2006

Let him play. I've got him on my fantasy team, and his backup is Brett Favre.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:36 AM on September 13, 2006

How do the Steelers not rate more than one Monday night game They also have two Thursday night games (counting the opener) and a Sunday night game. Not too bad since the late-season Sunday night games are TBD.

posted by SummersEve at 07:51 AM on September 13, 2006

Yes, he should play. But he absolutely should wear a helmet.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:17 AM on September 13, 2006

Ben said last night he was going to practice today. Since it is raining here in Pittsburgh, he'll be practicing inside. I don't know how he heals so quickly but he he does. If he isn't hurting too much from practice, you can guarantee he's playing.

posted by dbt302 at 08:35 AM on September 13, 2006

I agree with warstda.

posted by scully at 10:08 AM on September 13, 2006

If he can give 100 leg lifts without slacking off, he's healed enough to play. (Disclaimer: IANAm.d., although I've had to deal with a transmuscular incision roughly about that far down.)

posted by alumshubby at 10:55 AM on September 13, 2006

OH! Sir, this recruit knows how he heals so damn quickly. He's, what, 24? At that age I recovered from dings pretty quickly too.

posted by alumshubby at 10:56 AM on September 13, 2006

Regarding primetime games...both my sons pay the $200 for Sunday Ticket. Last year the Stillers were on regular TV at least 10 times. I was also bummed when I saw the TV schedule since they were SB champs...I am sure that if they keep winning they will be on more. If not, my sons will get there moneys worth this year..

posted by MI-STEELER at 03:32 PM on September 13, 2006

No. No he should not play.

posted by SummersEve at 06:30 PM on September 19, 2006

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