Steelers Notebook: Big Ben gets Stanley Cup fever

lamberts-lost-tooth · 05-21-2008, 03:29 AM

Steelers Notebook: Big Ben gets Stanley Cup fever
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This time, the Steelers quarterback will do it in the supporting role of a fan when he roots for the Penguins in the Stanley Cup final at Joe Louis Arena against the Detroit Red Wings.

"I plan on making a trip to Detroit and plan on being at all of the home ones if I can," Roethlisberger said after practice yesterday.

He, coach Mike Tomlin, football operations boss Kevin Colbert and other Steelers players have attended many of the Penguins' NHL playoff games, in addition to regular-season games at Mellon Arena.

"I love watching them play," Roethlisberger said. "They have a great chance. It will be a good series. I don't want it to go to seven because I hope they can sweep it, but a Game 7 and us winning it would be pretty sweet."

Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory when the Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks two years ago in Detroit, where Steelers fans were estimated to make up 75 percent of the neutral-site crowd.

It will be a little different this time, since the Red Wings make their home in Detroit.

"I know they will be there in full effect," Roethlisbeger said of Penguins fans. "It was great for us because there were so many fans there. It's so close. It will be good for the fans."

Tomlin said he quickly became a Penguins fan since arriving in Pittsburgh last year. He attended one of their games, in fact, during one of his interviews for the job.

"It's awesome. I'm like another emerging hockey fan. My boys enjoy it, we enjoy going to the games. Man, they have an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup, and I'm excited like everybody else is in Western Pa."

Players on the shelf

Rookie halfback Rashard Mendenhall (hamstring) joined veterans who are not going through full practices because of injuries.

Among them are guards Kendall Simmons (shoulder) and Chris Kemoeatu (hamstring), receiver Hines Ward (knee) and defensive ends Aaron Smith (biceps) and Ryan McBean (foot).

Tackle Marvel Smith skipped the day to attend to a personal matter and safety Troy Polamalu continues to train in California.

"What we want to do is come out of this offseason with a football team that is in shape, ready for training camp, and a football team that's healthy," said Tomlin, who will have spring practices each Tuesday through Thursday for this week and the next three. "So the guys who are not healthy at this point, we're gong to exercise a little caution."

Ward did practice after watching on the field during the mandatory minicamp at the beginning of the month, but Tomlin has him on a limited repetition count.

One player who did resume practicing is tackle Jason Capizzi, returning from a foot injury.

Simmons' shoulder surgery

Simmons, the starting right guard, had surgery with a scope on a shoulder May 14 after hoping to avoid doing so. The surgery, he said, was a "clean-up" to remove loose particles that were causing him pain.

"It's something I tried to hold off and be stubborn about it and get through it," Simmons said. "I didn't want to miss any games this year because of stubbornness. It will give me a chance to recover from it."

Kemoeatu, hand-picked to replace Alan Faneca at left guard, injured his hamstring working out over the past two weeks and did not practice as a precautionary measure.

2 rookies still in school

Linebacker Bruce Davis, the team's third-round draft choice, will miss three-fourths of the team's spring workouts because his semester at UCLA does not end until June 6 -- one week before the Steelers end their organized team activities June 12.

Roy Lewis, an undrafted free agent from Washington, is the only other rookie in that situation.

"Those guys go to quarter schools, they really can't come back until their school is done," Tomlin said, citing an agreement between the NFL and the NCAA. "It's unfortunate for them, but it's just that short-term misery. I'm sure they'll be prepared to catch up."

***Galax Steeler*** · 05-21-2008, 03:37 AM

Good to see players out there supporting the pens.

Steel Pit · 05-21-2008, 05:24 AM

Roethlisberger's hometown is about an hour south of Detroit. Just 2 minutes north of Detroit is Windsor, Ontario Canada, a city with a casino. I'm sure that Ben will have a great time this weekend. I know that I would, FOR SURE!

TackleMeBen · 05-21-2008, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel Pit

Roethlisberger's hometown is about an hour south of Detroit. Just 2 minutes north of Detroit is Windsor, Ontario Canada, a city with a casino. I'm sure that Ben will have a great time this weekend. I know that I would, FOR SURE!

why go to winsor, when there are three great casinos in detroit. greektown, motor city and mgm.. they are much nicer than casino winsor.

and that way you dont have to fight the border police to get out and in the country. and the michigan economy could use some of his money too..lol

Steel Pit · 05-21-2008, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TackleMeBen

why go to winsor, when there are three great casinos in detroit. greektown, motor city and mgm.. they are much nicer than casino winsor.

and that way you dont have to fight the border police to get out and in the country. and the michigan economy could use some of his money too..lol

Good information, it's been more than a few years since I've been up that way. I may have to head to Detroit, but then again, maybe not. Wasn't Detroit listed as the country's latest "Murder capital"?

TackleMeBen · 05-21-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel Pit

Good information, it's been more than a few years since I've been up that way. I may have to head to Detroit, but then again, maybe not. Wasn't Detroit listed as the country's latest "Murder capital"?

i am not sure about that. downtown isnt bad. its outside downtown you have to worry about. just stay away from the westside..lol when i first moved here i wouldnt go downtown without a guy friend going with me. but now i take my two kids to tigers games and feel pretty safe. they cleaned up downtown for the superbowl and are still working to make it much better. with the three casinos it has helped alot. and they are beautiful(unfortunely i have been to all three

).

HometownGal · 05-21-2008, 07:58 AM

It's great to see our sports franchises supporting each other.

XT and I have seen Steelers players at many Pens games at Mellon Arena - even before this season.

I'm sure Ben will have a nice, cushy view from the owner's box.

Lord Stiller · 05-21-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel Pit

Roethlisberger's hometown is about an hour south of Detroit. Just 2 minutes north of Detroit is Windsor, Ontario Canada, a city with a casino. I'm sure that Ben will have a great time this weekend. I know that I would, FOR SURE!

Detroit has a casino

TackleMeBen · 05-21-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Stiller

Detroit has a casino

yes, detroit has three casinos to be exact

http://www.motorcitycasino.com/

http://www.greektowncasino.com/

http://mgmgranddetroit-px.trvlclick.com/

Preacher · 05-21-2008, 03:53 PM

From hockey to casino's in a blink of an eye!!

05-21-2008, 03:29 AM	#1
lamberts-lost-tooth Banned Join Date: May 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 10,829 Gender: Male Member Number: 2363 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Steelers Notebook: Big Ben gets Stanley Cup fever Steelers Notebook: Big Ben gets Stanley Cup fever Wednesday, May 21, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette This time, the Steelers quarterback will do it in the supporting role of a fan when he roots for the Penguins in the Stanley Cup final at Joe Louis Arena against the Detroit Red Wings. "I plan on making a trip to Detroit and plan on being at all of the home ones if I can," Roethlisberger said after practice yesterday. He, coach Mike Tomlin, football operations boss Kevin Colbert and other Steelers players have attended many of the Penguins' NHL playoff games, in addition to regular-season games at Mellon Arena. "I love watching them play," Roethlisberger said. "They have a great chance. It will be a good series. I don't want it to go to seven because I hope they can sweep it, but a Game 7 and us winning it would be pretty sweet." Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory when the Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks two years ago in Detroit, where Steelers fans were estimated to make up 75 percent of the neutral-site crowd. It will be a little different this time, since the Red Wings make their home in Detroit. "I know they will be there in full effect," Roethlisbeger said of Penguins fans. "It was great for us because there were so many fans there. It's so close. It will be good for the fans." Tomlin said he quickly became a Penguins fan since arriving in Pittsburgh last year. He attended one of their games, in fact, during one of his interviews for the job. "It's awesome. I'm like another emerging hockey fan. My boys enjoy it, we enjoy going to the games. Man, they have an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup, and I'm excited like everybody else is in Western Pa." Players on the shelf Rookie halfback Rashard Mendenhall (hamstring) joined veterans who are not going through full practices because of injuries. Among them are guards Kendall Simmons (shoulder) and Chris Kemoeatu (hamstring), receiver Hines Ward (knee) and defensive ends Aaron Smith (biceps) and Ryan McBean (foot). Tackle Marvel Smith skipped the day to attend to a personal matter and safety Troy Polamalu continues to train in California. "What we want to do is come out of this offseason with a football team that is in shape, ready for training camp, and a football team that's healthy," said Tomlin, who will have spring practices each Tuesday through Thursday for this week and the next three. "So the guys who are not healthy at this point, we're gong to exercise a little caution." Ward did practice after watching on the field during the mandatory minicamp at the beginning of the month, but Tomlin has him on a limited repetition count. One player who did resume practicing is tackle Jason Capizzi, returning from a foot injury. Simmons' shoulder surgery Simmons, the starting right guard, had surgery with a scope on a shoulder May 14 after hoping to avoid doing so. The surgery, he said, was a "clean-up" to remove loose particles that were causing him pain. "It's something I tried to hold off and be stubborn about it and get through it," Simmons said. "I didn't want to miss any games this year because of stubbornness. It will give me a chance to recover from it." Kemoeatu, hand-picked to replace Alan Faneca at left guard, injured his hamstring working out over the past two weeks and did not practice as a precautionary measure. 2 rookies still in school Linebacker Bruce Davis, the team's third-round draft choice, will miss three-fourths of the team's spring workouts because his semester at UCLA does not end until June 6 -- one week before the Steelers end their organized team activities June 12. Roy Lewis, an undrafted free agent from Washington, is the only other rookie in that situation. "Those guys go to quarter schools, they really can't come back until their school is done," Tomlin said, citing an agreement between the NFL and the NCAA. "It's unfortunate for them, but it's just that short-term misery. I'm sure they'll be prepared to catch up."

05-21-2008, 03:37 AM	#2
*Galax Steeler* The Virginia Hillbilly Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Galax Va Posts: 19,020 Gender: Male Member Number: 3287 Thanks: 50 Thanked 126 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Steelers Notebook: Big Ben gets Stanley Cup fever Good to see players out there supporting the pens. __________________

05-21-2008, 05:24 AM	#3
Steel Pit Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: London, Ohio Posts: 737 Gender: Male Member Number: 2140 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steelers Notebook: Big Ben gets Stanley Cup fever Roethlisberger's hometown is about an hour south of Detroit. Just 2 minutes north of Detroit is Windsor, Ontario Canada, a city with a casino. I'm sure that Ben will have a great time this weekend. I know that I would, FOR SURE!

05-21-2008, 07:58 AM	#7
HometownGal Living Legend Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Burgh Posts: 21,479 Gender: Female Member Number: 2413 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steelers Notebook: Big Ben gets Stanley Cup fever It's great to see our sports franchises supporting each other. XT and I have seen Steelers players at many Pens games at Mellon Arena - even before this season. I'm sure Ben will have a nice, cushy view from the owner's box. __________________ The Anti-Wahoo

05-21-2008, 03:53 PM	#10
Preacher Water Boy Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3 Member Number: 16327 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steelers Notebook: Big Ben gets Stanley Cup fever From hockey to casino's in a blink of an eye!!

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