Ward wrong for questioning Ben

Ward's comments were disapointing, and he's lost some of the respect I had for him.

Lordy, heat of the moment. And lets be honest. Who cares, he is a team player, loyal steeler. Lets move on, bigger fish to fry right now...

Go Steelers, ya fought hard, was not embarassed at all being a steeler fan tonight.

David

I hope Bob's right and this is a case of Ward having the wrong words come out of his mouth when he meant to say something else.  Playing behind the OLine that past few years, playing 9 days after an appendectomy, etc. how can anyone question Ben's toughness?

I'm proud of the Coach Tomlin though for sitting Ben out.  I thought for sure that once Batch was ruled out with his injury, that it would suddenly be announced that Ben's injury was not that bad and that he would play.  Good for the team, the players, and the league that concussions are starting to be taken more seriously.  Arizona also did the right thing by holding Warner out of yesterday's game as well.

It wouldn't surprise me though if there is a locker room split regarding Ben.  Was it in 2007 that Ben somehow did not get team MVP despite having a great season?  Ron Cook mentioned today that Ben might have a diva reputation in the locker room.  Just wondering if there is Ben problem in the locker room that no one knows about.

Three years ago Ben played poorly in Oakland after a concussion in Atlanta. We have been debating that decision ever since. Several years ago Ben claimed he had a broken toe. Cowher questioned him on that. Seems like Ben can't win for losing.

The words of Hines Ward:

"I know he wants to be out there but life is way more precious than football. When football ends, you can still go on and have a productive life. What Ryan went through the last time he was there, to see him lose his spleen and to come to find out it was because of the Denver trip ... if it were me, I wouldn't play. It's not even a question. But I can't speak for somebody else. I don't know how he and his family feel about the situation."

Huh?  Is this the same guy that talked about Roethlisberger not wanting to play last night?  LOL.

Hines likes to talk out of two sides of his mouth.  Hines loves the attention.  This is Hines Ward being Hines Ward.  

Coaches were right Hines was wrong.  Whatever apology was needed I am sure it has been made. More pressing "pass defense"  and the status of the all too critical "Polamalu Knee"  To be fair I do have to say that the one guy in the secondary who seems to be playing well is Tyrone Carter. All others are of major concern.

I don't think this is a huge deal, but Ward sounded like an idiot saying this.

Someone above mentioned the 2007 MVP not going to Ben.  I have heard other Radio and print media mention his relationship with his teamates before as well.  Is he not well liked in the locker room?  Sounds like he is a bit of a loner?  

Just wondering.... he is a great QB regardless!

Ward does not owe Ben an apology.  This is just an overblown instance of a player (Ward) allowing a few words (50-50 in the locker room) to escape, then the sports media jumping all over it, magnifying it out of proportion for a few days.  Wards knows it and Ben knows it.

And you're right Bob, most of if not all of the players in the Steelers locker room know that Ben is fearless and would play if he could. None of us want to see Big Ben at age 65 mumbling and stumbling about all because he refused to sit out some pro football games forty years earlier.  That's what is at stake here - his future health.

But this team sure is a puzzle - no running game, no ability to stop other teams in the 4th quarter and in general a malaise of some sort that keeps them from playing at the level they attained last year?  The shine from those Super Bowl rings keeps blinding them as they try to play their game on the field.

Some of you can gloss over it and say "it isn't a big deal", "media jumping all over it", "bigger fish to fry", etc etc, but the fact of the matter is Ward screwed up and owes Ben a huge apology.

This wasn't a media scrum random question interview.  It was a sit down pre-taped deal and Ward had every opportunity to back off his words.  Costas gave him an out a couple times and Ward continued to give the impression that he would have played and it was a big game and threw his starting QB right under the team bus.

That isn't how a captain acts.  Especially one that had zero problem with Ryan Clark sitting out and said as much.  Maybe there is a rift, or maybe Ben isn't well liked, but you don't bring that public if you are a "true team player." Sorry, but Ward has lost a lot of respect because of those comments (pre and post game).

I am a huge fan of Wards play on the field (how could you not be), but his interview was kind of typical look at me, I play hurt, I am a warrior, no one gave me a chance stuff.  Sometimes he'd be better keeping his trap shut.

Got to agree with ericPitt after reading his post.  Costas did give him an out repeatly and he continued.  

This is a bit off topic but in a way related. Is anyone else getting tired of the "look at me" antics being exhibited by the players?  It seems like we don't just see it after a TD or a sack anymore.  It's almost everyplay.  The chest banging, the pointing at the name on the back of the shirt, the in your face shenanigans?   Maybe I'm old school, but I don't feel it's intended to be part of the game.  Some want to claim it's part of the entertainment, but I find it nauseating. It really gets me when players perform when their team is losing.  These guys act like nobody has even played like they do.  They've allowed the players to be bigger than the game.  Kind of like Hines' interview.

I think Paul Alexanders comments on the showdown last night where much more stinging concerning Big Ben, I don't have the tape, so I don't have the exact words, but he really threw Ben under the bus.

I'm disappointed.  I truly expected Steelers fans and the Pittsburgh media to see through the sensationalism created by Rodney Harrison.

Hines didn't question Ben's decision- and it wasn't Ben's decision anyway.  Hines was speaking hypothetically about what other guys might be thinking.  "I could see some players or teammates questioning like, 'It's just a concussion. I've played with a concussion before.'"

And if Tom Brady sat out with a hangnail, you can bet Rodney Harrison would have had something to say about it.

JUST WIN BABY!

I'm disapointed also, I truely expected Ward to see the pitfall of talking about that to the national media, and the possible distraction/rift in the team it could cause.

Gotta be smarter than that Hines.

A disappointing statement by Hines Ward...But such is life when a team is losing.

There's no question that the Steelers did the right thing when they sat Ben down.

You don't take a chance on a 27 year old, 2 time SB Champion franchise QB in a game that "was not" comparable to a playoff game.

This season has passed the Steelers by ala the dreaded Super Bowl hangover.

As someone mentioned in another post....A Super Bowl hangover consists of a lack of sense of urgency....The recent feeling of already reaching the top of the mountain.

It's plain and simple that this is what we have here.

Get it over with....Rest up....Get in better shape.....And make another run at it next year.

However....Some heads will have to roll when the damage is officially complete. That has become more obvious as the season has progressed.

It was heat of the moment and probably taken out of context (any one remember Ben saying he wanted a "tall" receiver)?  Ben and Ward rank up there with Bradshaw and Lambert as my favorites...

Lets not distract from the real reason we lost last night and the other 4 games - Special Teams and the secondary...

I'm a huge Hines Ward fan! I know that Hines wears his heart on his sleeve. I'm also sure that Hines is extremely upset with losing this game and several others. But Ben is tough as woodpecker lips!!!! It is wrong to question a person's decision to play or not play with an injury. Especially regarding an injury to such a vital organ as the brain. I love ya Hines! But you owe Ben an apology!!!!

johncf - I don't think anyone is pointing to Hines' comments as the reason for the Steelers losing the game.  

leadoff -

What did Alexander say?  I am curious.  I didn't see it.

difference is Ward is Bens teamate....

Hines Ward is a warrior, a serious, die-hard one. Many things are said in frustration, such as our secondary stinks! But friends forgive friends, and media exploit friends who are frustrated.

1. Ward was wrong with his comments and you can bet that Tomlin will let him and the team know that.

2. Ward is a Captain and should know better; even if he believed what he said, he can't make those comments.

3. Holmes followed suit with similar comments and looked equally foolish.

4. It is disturbing that players will not back their QB---especially publicly---and at the first given opportunity.

5. This is not how professional teams and players should react to adversity.

The last time Ben tried to come back too soon from a concussion he played a major role in the Steelers loss to a 2-14 Raiders team.  I didn't think he should've played in that game and I don't think he should've played Sunday night.  I also think he needs to figure out that the head first dive is a bad idea.    Feet first Ben, feet first.  Your ability to play for another 10 years is more valuable to the Steelers then converting a 2nd and 2 play against KC in the middle of a season.

Bob,

The bottom line is this is allot to do about nothing. Ward himself was not questioning Ben heart. He was stating that some on the team might question it. Think about it he practices all week tells the world I'm fine assures his team mates then comes up lame at the last minute. Because of this Dixon does not get reps until Friday Did this affect.the game plan and DD prep we don't know? I would think it would some how but could be wrong. Most players considered this like a playoff game situation. Now that being said the team did the right thing in sitting Ben, I actually believe maybe he should sit next week too. We should be able to handle the Raiders since MT said they're in attack mode now! Oh wait they said something similar about the Chiefs! One more note. If this spat/dispute puts a fire under their butts then it's a great thing.

(What if it splits the locker room? -- Bob Smizik)

Did you guys even listen to what he said? This fellow did:  "Ward never said they were "divided" 50/50.  That's a word Costas and Dan Patrick used in their "reporting."  Ward said the players were 50/50 over playing with a concussion." Apparently, the PG writers get paid to stir up readers just like the TV guys do to get ratings.

to fac226: do you really believe that Ward's comments re playing w/ a concussion were not referring to Ben playing w/ a concussion? C'mon, the entire line of questions was related to Ben and his concussion.

fac226 - This isn't just the P-G, it's all over the national sports media.  I'm starting to think that the NBC and the NFL is starting to think like the WWE.  The Sunday night show is turning into a spectacle, even more than Monday Night football ever was back in it's heyday.  I'm not using that as an excuse for Hines' statements, but NBC also played this thing up big time. The whole Sunday Night extravanganza is way overboard.

By the way, Hines has now made statements that he never was questioning Ben's toughness.  I expect the whole thing to fade away after this week.  

The worst part of this was freaking Rodney Harrison making sure that we all knew that this would NEVER happen on his perfect Patriots team... it made me want to throw up.

To all the Hines Ward apologists on here - this is what happens when you run your mouth to the national media, especially about controversial things in which you really have no say (who cares if Hines thinks Ben should play - it's up to MT and the doctors!).  Ward was dead-wrong with these comments, and he sounded like an inarticulate fool in the process, seeming to suggest that Ben should have lied to the doctors and spouting cliche-ridden nonsense like "i'm a competitor" (no really Hines? we never would have guessed) and "this is really like a playoff game" (no it's not, it's big game but a win is a win right now).  The fact is, he said what he said, it came across badly, and he owes Ben an apology, and he should also expect a dressing-down from MT.  He should also make a vow to keep his mouth shut going forward, he plays much better than he talks, and the Steelers really have no need for the kind of talking he and some others (most notably Santonio Holmes and Ryan Clark) have been doing this year.  Say what you want about being a captain, but this is not leadership.......

Timwayne, amen.  Spoken like John Wayne.

update: now it's the lead story on Yahoo's main web page.....nice work Hines....way to promote team unity.

What a maroon.

I listened to Hines' comments and I think this is getting a bit overblown.  Certainly Hines may have wanted to rephrase his comments but I didn't take this as an attack on Ben.  Comments can easily be taken out of context.  Yeah, he probably needs to have a face to face with Ben to clear the air, especially since this has taken a life of its own.  

I love this:

l.yimg.com/.../wardben.jpg

Caption: "Why Hines?? Why??"

Dixon was great?  really?  He was horrible in the 2nd half.  I know it was his first game against a good D, but great!?????

His passer rating was in the 60's?  He threw the game deciding pick and almost threw 3 others.  GReat?

Ward and Holmes are both speaking like IDIOTS. This very selfish attitude is the exact reason the Steelers are 6 & 5. This team needs to pull together and start playing like a TEAM.

PS After this season it's time to hire an offensive coordinator with some imagination.

BFD...Dixon WAS great last night.  Considering he never started, considering the hositle territory and who we were playing, taking into account the fractioning in the locker room and even his inability to read the zone, on top of an offensive coordinator who wouldn't know a misdirection or an off-tackle run play if it hit him in the face....yes, Dixon did fine last night.

Ron -

fine and great are very different.  

Ben started as a rookie and didn't lose in 15 games.... that was great.

I am not saying he lost the game, but I see everyone blaming everyone by Dan Rooney himself here and Dixon.

Dixon was not great.

It would be something to see that kind of commitment to running the ball with Ben under center sometime though.

Ron Shanklin,

You are right about DD, though wrong about the play-calling. Arians had no choice but to drastically simplify the plays that would be available for this game. And Chris Collingsworth reported that BA had a sitdown with DD and specifically asked him which 15 plays HE (DD) was comfortable with. What we saw, was essentially what DD wanted to go with. You can't expect too much of a playbook on such short notice. And I thought the game plan worked very well, considering it had to be drastically simplified.

As for Dixon himself, we all have to be encouraged that he looked as poised and effective as he did.  Yeah, he threw a crucial pick, and yeah, he finally ran into trouble when the Ravens figured out that the zone defense  made it difficult for him to recognize things. But all things considered, how can we not be happy with what he DID do right, after suddenly being thrust into that situation with zero experience as an NFL starter?

As for Hines Ward, I knew all this was coming. Well, for not seeing for himself that this was coming, Ward does get the dunce cap for creating the unnecessary distraction. And yes, Ward owes a personal apology to Big Ben. But, I'd find it hard to believe that Hines hasn't already spoken to Ben about this. Hines is no Terrell Owens. He IS the team-player and the conscientious person we all believe him to be. As I said yesterday, he just showed poor judgement this time. He's human. He's allowed to make a dumb mistake.  He needs to atone by apologizing to Ben, and then to the team for being this week's "the guy." And then this will blow over, as well it should.

I think Ward's increasing frustration with the poor level of play by the Steelers this year had something to do with his comments.

He fired a shot over the bow of the coaching staff last week after the loss to the Chiefs -- and he fired one over Ben's bow before the start of last night's game.  The coaches deserved his shot.  In a way, Ben did, too.

Statisically, Roethlisberger has been great.  However, the offense as a whole has not been putting away teams when they've had the chance and have been growing increasingly worse in the red zone.  Roethlisberger needs to accept his share of the blame in that.  Who knows, maybe Roethlisberger's been carrying some attitude in the locker room and Ward decided to call him on it.

Hines Ward's a Super Bowl MVP and one of the hardest, if not the hardest, working members on the Steelers.  He gets a pass from me.

Here's the skinny....why is Ben even dressed for the game?  He should have been inactive for the game and dressed in street clothes like Polamalu and Kemoeatu.

Maybe it is time for Hines Ward to move on.   Ward because of his mouth is becoming the kind of guy that Steeler management has always deemed unwelcome.

'Burger in California

I don"t believe that your comment regarding Ben needing to accept responsibility for not putting teams away. And having been increasingly worse in the red zone have anything to do with what Ward said. Ward basically said that he blows the doctors off sometimes and doesn't tell them how how really feels. Well, that's fine for him. But if Ben actually did have a concussion that is an injury to a vital organ in the body! The brain! Hines shouldn't be making comments like that as it may lead some people to believe that Ben is weak. Worse yet! Young people who look up to Hines may try to imitate him! I don't believe that Ben is weak. I believe that he is a warrior who like the rest of the team for the most part. Isn't playing particularly well this time of year! Hines shouldn't have commented on an injury that could affect someone's future and life. He needs to apologize to Ben. Because Ben is one tough dude who wants to win bad!!!!

Concussions, ie refer: Hoge, Merrill. Was commenting on one of his segments on ESPN yesterday morning and it's absolutely frightening how close that guy came to death and a miracle that he recovered. Good God, the Steelers are one of the poster boy's for head induced traumas and their ugly outcomes, Webby, Long, Hoge, etc. As violent as the game is today and the beatings that Ben takes on his best of days, I applaud Maroon's decision to sit him. I think Ben is certainly Diva prone and I don't know how that plays out with his peers in the locker room, but how anyone can question his toughness is beyond me. This season certainly appears to be shaping up as one of those "What Could Have Been" types, with the losses to the Bears, Bengals twice and the Chiefs all wins there for the taking, last night's game should have been a moot point and not even a discussion of sitting down Ben. The Steelers have nobody but themselves to blame for being where they are in the standings and the fact that Ben did not play last night was probably one of the better things the Steelers have done this year. Even with that the Steelers had a chance to steal one from the Ravens, but yet again blow a 4th qtr lead and had tackling issues that would have made the Browns blush.

I agree with Bob. The last thing this teams needs now is hint as dissension in the locker room. Is Hines mad that Santonio is Ben's favorite receiver?

Besides, didn't NBC report last night that it was Tomlin's decision to sit Ben? Maybe Hines is a cheap shot artist after all.

For those who asked, Paul Alexander called Big Ben a "drama queen" to criticize his supposed fake injuries. I believe he brought up the broken toe incident. And Paul wonders why he has no real job sports job in the area.

BFD, I'd say Dixon played very well considering the fact that the team believed that Ben would start the game most of the week. Remember, Dixon only got to practice with the first team on Friday. I commented when the game started that I hope they don't call any slant patterns. Of course that's what they called on the interception.

Greg123, maybe Ward's comments had nothing to do with his being frustrated with the team's or offense's play.  Nobody knows except him.

That said, Ward was fully on the side of Clark before the Denver game when the Steelers were 5-2 -- yet did a 180 when it came to Roethlisberger when the Steelers were 6-4 and sinking fast.  To me, that says something changed -- because with the Clark issue he made his understanding of life beyond football clear.  So the issue here is what caused that change?

Is Roethlisberger above criticism?  I hope not.  Because he's his own worst enemy when it comes to hanging onto the ball too long so he gets sacked, hurried or hit, running for the first down stripe with his head leading the way and, lately, throwing picks after long drives deep into opposing territory.  In case nobody noticed, Dixon wasn't sacked once last night.

Maybe Ward was miffed and decided to give him a kick in the butt in order to save this season.  Either that or he felt Roethlisberger should've made an "all in" or "all out" decision earlier in the week so the team would be as prepared as possible -- instead of how it turned out.  I doubt that, though, as the Clark decision wasn't made until late, either.

Whatever his motivation -- I'm OK with it based on his work ethic -- although he and the receiving corps as a whole could do themselves proud by remembering their routes and hanging onto balls that hit them in the hands more often.

However, his true reasons will remain one of the great unsolved mysteries of the universe.  Just like Tiger Woods' wife "rescuing" him by bashing out the back window of his Ca-did-al-ack -- when he was up in the driver's seat.

Dr. Hines Ward needs to shut his mouth and worry about his own game.

Again this year, he has had some critical dropped passes and a key fumble against the Titans in Week 1. (After which, Ben totally supported him.) So let Ward spend his life punch drunk Joe Frazier and Muhammed Ali and any number of former NFL players.

Remember, Ben played the entire playoffs last year recovering from a concussion, while Ward was basically out for the Super Bowl. Has Dr. Ward forgotten that injures happen to every player before big games???

I agree with the previous commenters who suggest that it may be time to move on. I'm fine with Holmes and Wallace. Sweed may be deserving of a crack at the number three slot--MAYBE--if not one can be found via free agency.

After listening to the interview twice on ESPN radio today, all I can say is "typical Hines Ward".  He makes everything about himself.  He turns the question around to answer "I've had concussions before and played", "I've played hurt", "I've been dinged up and played".   The guy loves the attention, and cries and whines when the  attention isn't on him or the discussion isn't about him.

After all the talk about concussions in the NFL, especially in the last 2 weeks, you would think the guy would have a clue.

Pingback from  Hines Ward Comments | Jamming Online

this is all about Ben's image in the locker room.  I'm sure his teammates are tired of hearing about all of his nagging injuries and the drama that seems to follow him.   As for Ryan Clark, the guy almost died, literally.  And Clark is a headhunter who has knocked many WR's and RB's out of games.  He popped his shoulder out twice last season, came back and still lit up opponents going over the middle.  And I don't ever remember hearing him talk about how beat up his body was feeling.

Why did we need NBC to tell us this?

Where was the Post-Gazette all week?

Isn't that why it charges extra for PG Plus -- for the inside story?

Where do I sign up for NBC Plus?

Some excellent points are being made on these postings.  I will still stand by Dixon because of his composure last night; as far as the playcalling, misdirection and off-tackle plays are no-brainers for the QB; BA could've still kept the playbook dummied down (no offense to Dixon) and used a variety of run plays instead of the predictable up the middle.  Everyone should realize, and I think we all do, that both Ben and Hines play hurt, and they both take a good beating and keep on truckin'.  But do our bosses tell us what they do and why with our fellow employees?  None that I know of.  So it was a last minute decision to start Dixon.  So what.  Do your job and shut your mouth.  You get paid big bucks to do your job and shut your mouth.  It was always evident to me that Wines Hard and Ben did not get along; I had heard that Ward campaigned hard for Harrison for team MVP 2 yrs ago and in fact campaigned against Ben.  This is nothing new about the rift between Hines and Ben.  Besides, what Bob Smizik said was right...Ward backed Clark 100% for not playing in Denver, which was a Tomlin decision anyway.  But Tomlin doesn't get the same pass this time, and neither does Ben?  Hmmmm...I wonder why that is.

I watched the Ward interview again and it seems obvious that this wasn't a slip of the tongue or something harmless said inappropriately.  I think Ward said what he meant and thinks Ben should have played.  That's too bad.

Thundercrack wrote re: Ward wrong for questioning Ben

on Mon, Nov 30 2009 5:44 PM

After listening to the interview twice on ESPN radio today, all I can say is "typical Hines Ward".  He makes everything about himself.  He turns the question around to answer "I've had concussions before and played", "I've played hurt", "I've been dinged up and played".   The guy loves the attention, and cries and whines when the  attention isn't on him or the discussion isn't about him.

__________________________________________________

My thoughts exactly.  Hines has a major inferiority complex.  It is what drives him.   He always thinks he is being slighted whether he is or not.  I believe his intention was to talk up his own toughness and he didn't realize (or care?) how his words were going to be preceived.

As far as the interception, that was not a called slant.  Baltimore blitzed and both the qb and receiver read it making that his blitz control route.  Baltimore dropped the end into zone in front of the hot receiver and Dixon never saw him there.  They basically suckered Dixon into making that throw and he threw it.

this is somewhat funny to a browns fan, given the steelers success the last decade or so.  It's nice to see other teams having their problems.  But I will say this: If I'm Big Ben, the next practice I can, I whip a ball 100mph at Wards' head and hope I knock some sense into him.  What a frickin' idiot, calling out the one guy who's had as much to do with Ward's success as anyone else.  I'm not questioning Ward's toughness..Lord knows the havoc he's done to my Browns. I am questioning his intelligence, Holmes too.  Just because you made one great catch in the SB doesn't give you the props to be calling out Ben either......

So much for the Christmas card to the Ward residence....

The fact that people care about this is idiotic.  The team is frustrated, losing, and a last minute loss of the best player on the team in the face of a critical game with an always tough opponent would frustrate me too.  Hes vented his frustration at the situation, it just happened to be during an interview.  Are all of you saying you've never said something you didn't mean just because you are all *** off?  Hines has watched Ben take shot after shot the entire time hes been here, he knows hes not a wuss.  They're both good guys who play hard every down.  Start caring more about winning out the rest of the season and trying to get a wild card berth, or maybe even the fact that our secondary is absolutely miserable and were going to keep losing and getting big plays made on us.  Seriously, anyone want to tell me a good play that has happened where the name Gay is called?  IN conclusion, it happens, they'll kiss and make up and hopefully steer this team to the playoffs.

There's a Browns fan on this site?  Well, I guess I don't really blame you.  I wouldn't spend much time on a Browns site either if I was you.

AP616,

"Seriously, anyone want to tell me a good play that has happened where the name Gay is called?"

I could try and be cute and point out that he did strip a ball and cause a fumble the Steelers then recovered... But alas, your larger point remains true. Gay was clearly targeted by the Ravens, and for good reason. Here's hoping he steps up his game IN A HURRY. Because other teams study tape, and if I were them, I'd target the hell out of Gay, too.

Ward was out of line with his comments and owes Ben a private and public apology  

Prior to this  Ben hadn't

missed a start due to injury since the season opener in 2006. How that doesn't buy him the benifit of the doubt in the locker room is beyond me?

I saw all the email traffic on this topic and thought I'd share my perspective (no that it means anything at all), I am on hines side on this one because he has been the face of the franchise since he was drafted. He has contineuously sacrificed his body to make play, often times protecting his other teammates. Ward is a true warrior for our team and should be admired.....not muzzled as some of you have suggested. Now granted I understand that Ben has concussion like symptoms and wasn't cleared by medical staff. I am wondering if the same hit or same "symptoms" arose for the likes of James Harrison, Hines Ward and Ryan Clark would they too sit on the bench??? Maybe.....Maybe not, who is to say? I'd take my odds that Hines would live the headaches and play on. No one else seems to mention that SH didn't exactly reprimand Ward for his comments, which leads me to believe that there is a possoibility that in that locking room Ben isnt as highly regarded as all of us out here thinks he is regarded.......just on observation...........for those of you calling for the steelers to get rid of Hines, do yourself a favor and cheer for another team.......i am sure the browns need some help

Bob,

Now Hines is the bad guy for a quote I believe  was taken out of context. This is similar to when BB said he would like a bigger wide receiver for inside the red zone. That was blown out of proportion too. When you start to lose this is kind of stuff that happens. Did he say Ben was a coward? Read the exact quote or go to youtube and listen to what he said again. Basically he said players have played with concussions and it's about 50/50 on who would play with one in this game because the importance of the game. The team brought that on themselves if they would have taken care of business and beat teams they should have. BB took most of the reps told everyone who would listen he was fine and passed all the test right? Then Friday said he was not 100% and most of his teammates did not know he was not a go until Saturday. I'm not a HW apologist it would have been better if he would have just kept his mouth shut. Plus MT and the medical staff handled this completely wrong. Monday MT said he did not know if he had a concussion but concussion like symptoms. They should have done exactly what the Cardinals did with Warner deactivated him and let DD get all the reps with the 1st stringers signed a veteran backup and gone from there. They made the right decision (sitting BB), but handled it the wrong way!

As I stated in an earlier post I would sit him this week too why rush him back? With a week work of prep DD should be able to get us past the dreadful Raiders at home. IMOP they rushed Troy back see what happened there. Now for those ripping Dixon like he lost the game sure he only completed 4 passes in the second have so what. Did he set the world on fire no, but did he do more than enough to win yes! He was poised for the most part and made plays. To those comparing BB and DD first games as starters here you go. BB 12/22/163/1/1 against a terrible Miami team and a defense that held them to 169 yards and forced 4 TO. DD was 12/26/145/2/1 this is without full reps with the starters except Friday against a good Ravens team that was desperate. The defense gave up over 300 plus yards forced 1 TO and gave up another 4th quarter lead. So the average person looking at the circumstances would say the way he was thrown into the fire he did a great job. Sometimes stats are misleading like the Steelers having the #1 ranked defense on paper, but not showing up on the field. They are officially ranked #3 now!    

The problem some fans have is they think they know the players because of their public appearances and TV commercials. We don't know anything about who they really are and act. I'm not saying that BB is not liked in the locker room, but we don't know. I've heard that he's considered a drama king because how he handled past injuries anybody remember the broken toes incident? Now because fans assume HW was attacking BB he's a coward, bum or idiot! Yep for the poster who hoped HW would get hurt, Sunday you were wearing his shirt screaming his name. I'm willing to bet if you run into him or SH today you would ask for their autographs. I know for certain all you brave internet posters calling names etc.. would be quiet as a church mouse and would not repeat a word of it to them in person. I don't know either of them. My question is has HW been known as an attention seeker or a player who criticizes his teammates in public since he been here? Anyway he has stated for the record that's not he meant and has apologized if it taken that way. I hope he has pulled BB to the side and said the same thing. The bottom line is these are grown men and if it is a problem (which I doubt it is) they will get over it. They don't have to hang out after the game just for 3-4 hours on Sundays or an occasional Monday. Like I said and Bob disagreed this can be good for the Steelers if it creates an us against them mode in the locker room just like 05.

"Hines has a major inferiority complex."

Calling DR. Tor Eckman,

Wow did not know you knew Hines that well you guys hang out on his off days? Or can you diagnose like Dr. Bill Frist by looking at film? Hey you can only take the man at his word. He said he did not mean it that way enough said! Ward has earned that much from the fans for how he has conducted himself on and off the field. I don't pretend that I know any of the players or how they're when the lights are off. Maybe HW and BB don't get along so what just make it happen on game days! When it rain it pours if the Steelers when out and get into the playoffs this will be a forgotten footnote. Off topic here but it was mentioned in another post Tiger Woods saga. You can either believe his wife broke out both back windows to get him out of the driver's seat or not. Now I've been around the block a few times and I never heard of BS like that. I know Europeans do things a little differently from personal experience but not that much! Is that the best his people could come up with?    

I think that Ben dressed for the game because I don't believe that the third QB counts against the active roster.  Am I correct Bob?

As far as the excuses go for Dixon. Didnt' Big Ben step in his rookie year and lead the team to the playoffs? But yet Dixon in his second year only knows 15 plays? No more excuses, learn the play book, come on I think BA's playbook is always "dummied down"

(Dixon knows more than 15 plays. I don't know where you got that.

The third QB does not count against the active number. The questions about Roethlisberger dressing involve the fact that if he could not start he should not be in uniform. Even if he were only used to handoff, as Tomlin said, he still could have been hit and reinjured himself. -- Bob Smizik

Columbus_fan,

Who from the team said DD only knew 15 plays did it come from MT, BA or DD? I can remember BB first game(s) and year as QB reading all his plays off of his wristband. Bus and even BB said he was limited to what he plays he could run. As the season progressed they expanded the playbook. When he started his first game against Miami I bet you they did not call every play. DD knows the playbook or he'd better. What happened was BB took 90% of the 1st team snaps from Mon-Thur and at the last minute was ruled out. So only on Friday did DD get most of the reps in preparation for the Ravens. Any coach with half of brain would find out what plays he very comfortable running. Oh less I forget most fans believe BA does not have one! Anyone who watches football knows there is no comparison between that dominating 04 team and this one. As a matter of fact it compares more to last year's team as well as Lebeau had the defense playing. Plus the wheels on the had Bus were still going round and round! Now could DD might have played a little better sure, but under the circumstances any objective person would say he did very good. He scored the go ahead TD with 6:24 left in the game enough said!

The quote about the 15 plays was not that DD only knew 15 plays, it was BA asking him to identify the 15 plays with which DD was most comfortable.  Does that sound a bit limited considering the guy has been on the roster for a full year plus 11 weeks of his second season?  Probably.

Tomlin's explanation as to why Ben dressed at all was bizarre and even arrogant.    He basically said that with all of the things going on, he had neither the time nor energy to deal with it.  What?  That was even more bizarre than his explanation of the Holmes deactivation (remember - he said it was NOT a suspension) versus the Jeff Reed pass that was issued this season.  Remember that one?  Holmes had the nerve to get in trouble later in the week while Reed and "The Urinator" Spaeth were smart enough to foul up with plenty of advance notice.

In the unlikely event that DD and Palko went down, the Wildcat would've provided enough options to eek through the remainder of the game, thereby keeping the $100 million invested in Ben safe, not to mention his cranium.

I'm not sure how MT manages his time, but apparently the weekends are pretty full for him.

PittDad wrote-

"Hines likes to talk out of two sides of his mouth.  Hines loves the attention.  This is Hines Ward being Hines Ward."

Amen, bro!  a few of those types weigh in here regularly as well...Spin Dr's. I calls 'em!!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DaqBaz wrote-

"Get it over with....Rest up....Get in better shape.....And make another run at it next year."

TOTALLY disagree...with 5 games left & sitting on the edge of playoff contention?  That defeatist attitude is not indicative of Steeler Nation, nor is it becoming of those from the City of Champions, who are known for their staunch work ethic...I say NO QUARTER!

btw, can someone kindly tell me how Tony Dungy won ONLY one Super Bowl?  Aparently there's nothing he doesn't know/couldn't do better than any other!  

***dreadfully starting to wonder if Wines Hard is not the dirtiest player in the league after that cheapshot***

CaliBurg wrote-

"Is Roethlisberger above criticism?  I hope not.  Because he's his own worst enemy when it comes to hanging onto the ball too long so he gets sacked, hurried or hit, running for the first down stripe with his head leading the way and, lately, throwing picks after long drives deep into opposing territory.  In case nobody noticed, Dixon wasn't sacked once last night.

Maybe Ward was miffed and decided to give him a kick in the butt in order to save this season."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Funny, because for every sack that's Ben's fault for holding the ball too long, he makes at least 2 plays by either eluding a sure sack and/or making a big play while under duress & the reason he holds the ball too long in the first place is usually because it takes Hines about 5 seconds to get open with that 5.4 speed.

FACT:  

- The Steelers have LOST back to back OT games...

- The Steelers have WON the coin toss in each...

- 80% of NFL teams winning the OT coin toss also win the game!!!

Of the last 8 Raven possessions,  after halftime & prior to the OT game winning FG drive, which was set up via turnover by the offense:

ONLY 1 ended with points allowed...a FG (3 pts.)

4 - Raven drives ended with punts, 2 were 3 & out!

2 - Raven drives ended with takeaways by the Steeler D!

*** Of note: One drive of the eight started in Steeler territory & 3 times the defense put the Steeler offense within 5 yds. of mid-field to start drives after halftime.  On the defensive side, the Ravens were set up on the Steeler 40 on one drive in the 4th & came away with ZERO!!!