lamberts-lost-tooth
01-07-2009, 08:35 AM
No special attention for QB Roethlisberger
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
If Mike Tomlin will be watching Ben Roethlisberger a little more closely Sunday, the Steelers' coach wasn't letting on.
Tomlin offered curt answers of "No" when asked Tuesday if Roethlisberger will be monitored to see if he shows any signs of distress in the AFC divisional playoff game against the San Diego Chargers or if he will be replaced by backup Byron Leftwich if he struggles.
Roethlisberger will be playing for the first time since getting knocked out of a Dec. 28 game against the Browns with a concussion. Roethlisberger practiced for the first time since the Browns game Monday and said he will be fine for Sunday.
• The Steelers will be as healthy Sunday as they have been since the first week of the season. All of the players that have been nursing injuries will suit up against the Chargers, Tomlin said at his weekly news conference.
"We've got a clean bill of health," Tomlin said. "I think the bye week and off week worked in our favor."
• Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson had only five carries for 25 yards before leaving Saturday's AFC wild-card game against the Indianapolis Colts with a groin injury. Tomlinson has said he doesn't know if he will play against the Steelers.
Tomlin is preparing for the five-time Pro Bowler and 2006 NFL MVP anyway.
"We expect him to play," Tomlin said. "Guys like him find a way. Guys like him defy the odds."
The Steelers don't get much of a bargain if Tomlinson is unable to play. His backup, Darren Sproles, rushed for 105 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the Chargers' 23-17 overtime victory over the Colts.
• Tomlin said he didn't sense the Steelers had lost their edge after watching them practice Monday. The Steelers had been off over the weekend because of the first-round bye they received in the AFC playoffs. Tomlin said the Steelers' practices have generally been crisp and intense because of the difficult regular-season schedule the team played. Monday, he said, "was just a continuation of it. I don't think we're going to lack emotion or intensity (against the Chargers) by any stretch."
• Steelers merchandise was the third-best seller on NFLShop.com from April 1-Dec. 31, according to the NFL. The only teams that had more merchandise sold on the site were the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Three Steelers jerseys ranked among the top 20 sellers on NFLShop.com, including those belonging to strong safety Troy Polamalu (No. 4), Roethlisberger (No. 10) and wide receiver Hines Ward (No. 18).
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_605974.html
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
If Mike Tomlin will be watching Ben Roethlisberger a little more closely Sunday, the Steelers' coach wasn't letting on.
Tomlin offered curt answers of "No" when asked Tuesday if Roethlisberger will be monitored to see if he shows any signs of distress in the AFC divisional playoff game against the San Diego Chargers or if he will be replaced by backup Byron Leftwich if he struggles.
Roethlisberger will be playing for the first time since getting knocked out of a Dec. 28 game against the Browns with a concussion. Roethlisberger practiced for the first time since the Browns game Monday and said he will be fine for Sunday.
• The Steelers will be as healthy Sunday as they have been since the first week of the season. All of the players that have been nursing injuries will suit up against the Chargers, Tomlin said at his weekly news conference.
"We've got a clean bill of health," Tomlin said. "I think the bye week and off week worked in our favor."
• Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson had only five carries for 25 yards before leaving Saturday's AFC wild-card game against the Indianapolis Colts with a groin injury. Tomlinson has said he doesn't know if he will play against the Steelers.
Tomlin is preparing for the five-time Pro Bowler and 2006 NFL MVP anyway.
"We expect him to play," Tomlin said. "Guys like him find a way. Guys like him defy the odds."
The Steelers don't get much of a bargain if Tomlinson is unable to play. His backup, Darren Sproles, rushed for 105 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the Chargers' 23-17 overtime victory over the Colts.
• Tomlin said he didn't sense the Steelers had lost their edge after watching them practice Monday. The Steelers had been off over the weekend because of the first-round bye they received in the AFC playoffs. Tomlin said the Steelers' practices have generally been crisp and intense because of the difficult regular-season schedule the team played. Monday, he said, "was just a continuation of it. I don't think we're going to lack emotion or intensity (against the Chargers) by any stretch."
• Steelers merchandise was the third-best seller on NFLShop.com from April 1-Dec. 31, according to the NFL. The only teams that had more merchandise sold on the site were the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Three Steelers jerseys ranked among the top 20 sellers on NFLShop.com, including those belonging to strong safety Troy Polamalu (No. 4), Roethlisberger (No. 10) and wide receiver Hines Ward (No. 18).
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_605974.html