Week 17 - Dec. 28 vs. Cleveland

[DCSteelers]

So frustrating w/ the Ben injury vs. a meaningless game.

Good if only a concussion- I'd think he'd be ready on Jan 11.

I have confidence in Leftwich--- he reads his progressions very well and in that respect, the ball comes out quicker.

w/ our D, I think we can win the divisional round if Ben is not ready.

[steelerfaninCO]

Limas Sweed has more penalties then catches this year.

[The Emperor]

We have to get a better OL or Ben will not last long.  Great win 31-0 and nice game from Carter. 

[jcharding]

I don't have a problem with playing Ben, or any of the other starters, despite the lack of import to this game.  Its not a momentum thing, but rather so many teams have shown over the years that when you rest your starters in week 17 you then come out flat after the bye and either play a terrible first half or lose the game entirely.

There are no right or wrong answers about playing guys, both ways have merit, but given the recent history of #1 and #2 seeds in the playoffs I think that playing guys was the right call for the Steelers.

[give'emthaboot]

Ben will be fine, all the stretcher b.s. was just a precaution.  Ben seemed to be pretty responsive throughout, sure he never got up, but he never looked groggy.  I thought initially he just had the wind knocked out of him.  Obviously, this team can go as far as Ben takes it. 

You do have to wonder why the offense seems so much more fluid with Lefty in there, though.  :huh:

[ben2hines4six]

I wonder about that as well.

Could be that Lefty just makes quicker reads/decisions, could be that the o-line blocks a little harder to compensate (knowing he is a statue), could be that the opposition doesn't prepare or game-plane much (if at all) for the backup qb, or perhaps Byron does not have the green light to audible or input plays into the offense, and just executes them.

More then likely, it is a combination of all those factors.

I kind of wish when things aren't going so well they would throw a wrinkle or two, like having leftwich out there for a series or two to throw the other team off a bit....he seems to do well in spot duty when called on to play in a pinch.

My $0.02.

[aj_law]

Lovely weekend.