PITTSBURGH -- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will miss one game and possibly two after arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday.A piece of torn cartilage was removed from his right knee.Coach Bill Cowher said Roethlisberger will definitely miss Sunday's game against Green Bay. But it's possible he'll return as early as the Steelers' game Nov. 13 against Cleveland, even though the operation normally sidelines a player 10 to 14 days.Roethlisberger, who missed a loss Oct. 16 to Jacksonville with a hyperextended left knee, initially hurt his right knee Sept. 11 against Tennessee.The right knee bothered him again after his shoe stuck in the turf as he was being hit by Baltimore linebacker Jarret Johnson during the first quarter of the Steelers' 20-19 victory Monday night.Roethlisberger stayed in the game and directed a fourth-quarter drive that resulted in the game-winning field goal, but only after telling Cowher the right knee was bothering him and he might have to take himself out of the game.Roethlisberger had an MRI exam Tuesday, and the Steelers decided to go ahead with the operation after consulting with specialist James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala."Ben wants to play through everything," Cowher said Thursday. "He's been very cooperative and he understands it, and he's handled this well. He felt good yesterday and wanted to practice today."Cowher said there was a risk involved in continuing to play Roethlisberger without repairing the knee, and that if the injury continued to worsen the quarterback might be out as long as a month.Charlie Batch, who has thrown only eight passes since the 2001 season with Detroit, will replace Roethlisberger on Sunday in Green Bay.Batch, a former Lions starter, came to the Steelers in 2002, and moved up on the depth chart after Tommy Maddox had four turnovers in the 23-17 overtime loss to Jacksonville. Maddox committed a fumble and threw an interception that was returned for the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
Wow. The packers might pull out a win next week. <span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Putting the Jets closer to the #1 overall pick</span>
Even if Charlie Batch play, we'll be alright. Because I know Brett Favre gonna make mistakes when we blitz him. I mean, cmon, don't their o-line sucks? We could even win the game with our defense. Thank god Tommy Maddox isn't playing but I can tell you deep inside my heart that Charlie Batch will play better than Tommy Maddox. We'll still have Ward so he'll make him better. We'll probably run more. I just doubt Green Bay will beat us. Do we gotta pass? no.. we'll run and hopefully we'll be very successful in the running game I hope.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ven0m @ Nov 3 2005, 03:47 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Wow. The packers might pull out a win next week. <span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Putting the Jets closer to the #1 overall pick</span> </div> I really doubt it. Pittsburgh is gonna run all over them
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rockANDallstar @ Nov 3 2005, 01:29 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ven0m @ Nov 3 2005, 03:47 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'> Wow. The packers might pull out a win next week. <span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Putting the Jets closer to the #1 overall pick</span> </div>I really doubt it. Pittsburgh is gonna run all over them </div> Good luck running the ball when the opposition knows they cant pass it. I guarantee Green Bay will be playing Run Stuff Defense...Put 7-8 people in the box every single play to stop the run and force Charlie Batch/Tommy Maddox to beat you. Its the same exact defense teams do against the Jets, put 8 in the box to stuff Curtis Martin and force Vinny Testaverde to beat them.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Good luck running the ball when the opposition knows they cant pass it. I guarantee Green Bay will be playing Run Stuff Defense...Put 7-8 people in the box every single play to stop the run and force Charlie Batch/Tommy Maddox to beat you. Its the same exact defense teams do against the Jets, put 8 in the box to stuff Curtis Martin and force Vinny Testaverde to beat them.</div>It won't matter, we're gonna play better since it's on the road (10-0), we could run all day and win the game by Defense because we been playing really good Defense on the road. If we start Bettis, game will be on his hands, just give him a chance, he'll get it done. They can bring 9, 10, or whatever down the box, but we'll just play so good smash football against them. That's what we are so good at. I'll tell you this, Bill Cowher will definately have a game-plan, believe it or not but I know he will and it'll work.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>They can bring 9, 10, or whatever down the box, but we'll just play so good smash football against them. That's what we are so good at.</div>If a team brings 10 people in the box you will not be able to run regardless of how good smash football you play. Anytime the Steelers are without Big Ben it is a challenge for them to win. Willie Parker has been on and off this year with his rushing and if the Packers are going to bring 8 in the box then Bettis should get more carries than he's been getting the past few weeks. I think Batch should use Heath Miller more than just in the red zone. He can get the defense out of position and may free up some other guys. Al Harris didn't allow Chad Johnson to get a TD last week so lets see if he gives one up to Ward with an amateur QB taking the snaps.
I think you guys are forgetting just how important Big Ben is to the Steelers and their success.He IS the Steelers. The Bus isn't gonna play, Ward isn't 100%, Duce hasn't takin' a snap in god knows how long and relying on Willie Parker is like flipping a coin.Don't underestimate Brett Favre and a team that has been backed into the corner for far too long.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I think you guys are forgetting just how important Big Ben is to the Steelers and their success.He IS the Steelers. The Bus isn't gonna play, Ward isn't 100%, Duce hasn't takin' a snap in god knows how long and relying on Willie Parker is like flipping a coin.Don't underestimate Brett Favre and a team that has been backed into the corner for far too long.</div>Of course he is important to our team but we don't need to pass. About The Bus not playing, that is where you are wrong. He been playing, but only for 3rd and short, and such. He'll definately be getting a lot snaps, believe me. Our game-plan will be this.. run the ball more than 40 times. I know it. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for Brett Favre but they got too many problems and it isn't Favre, it is other issues. About Ward not being 100%, you're right but he is a very tough player. He should be okay. But i'm telling you guys, Just because Big Ben won't play doesn't mean we are in trouble.HEY, we got Defense! and you gotta realize we are playing on the road and that is when we PLAY best!! You watch, we'll be fine. You just gotta give us some credit to our offensive line and defense. just watch.
