Big Ben wants to play on Sunday

Here we go Brow-nies, here we go! Woof, woof!

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

They need the win, and they can't get it without him

Might as well play him, he's about as likely to suffer brain damage as I am to crash my Ferrari.

Ha! G'luck with that. Broken/cracked rib injuries are no joke. You can't even laugh.

It's killing him to watch, and it might kill him to play (rib into the aorta or something like that). Despite the fact that the Steelers are lost without him, everyone involved in this should be careful not to risk a more serious injury to him.

It's a bad idea to put Big Ben in there Sunday. An OL that can't protect him, and some dirty players on the Ravens are what would certainly lead to him being out for the full year.
Don't think for a second that they wouldn't be looking to end his career, or at the very least his season.
I don't think whistles, or getting rid of the ball is going to prevent him getting helmets in the ribs until he's done. I imagine a few penalties or small fines are worth taking out Roethlisberger, and as a result the Steelers.

Run the ball, don't fumble, play defense and force Flacco into his usual mistakes. They may lose, but at least they'd have Bid Ben the next week. They aren't going to win the division, but they are still in the mix for a wild card.

Exposing an injured Big Ben isn't worth the risk.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 12:08 PM ET  11.26 by SouthernBlueFan

It's killing him to watch, and it might kill him to play (rib into the aorta or something like that). Despite the fact that the Steelers are lost without him, everyone involved in this should be careful not to risk a more serious injury to him.

Spot on -- as was the comment about the Ravens trying to cheap shot him...they have already and they will again. I could see Ngata or Suggs actually punching him in the injured spot repeatedly after a tackle...Ngata actually punched him in the face and broke his nose a few years ago...and didn't get penalized -- thanks Roger Goodell!

Despite that, I lay the last two losses at the feet of Tomlin. We could have won both games, most likely comfortably, with just a slightly above average backup QB, but Tomlin seems to have a man crush on Byron Leftwich even though the rest of the league knew he was a stiff. Charlie Batch used to be a capable backup but he's pushing 40 for pete's sake and has lost serious arm strength -- not that he ever had a rocket. Tomlin and the GM are responsible for the sorry state of our backup QBs...if we had Matt Moore, Brian Hoyer, or any number of other guys out there at the beginning of the season, Steelers likely 8-3 and right in it. Easy to say I know, but Leftwich and Batch were hideous.

I would have a realy hard time believing that a displaced rib (that could rupture his freakin' aorta) could heal that fast. If he had been hit a little harder on that play, dude could have died right there on the field. They need to be really, really sure he's good to go.

Stupid to play him even borderline ready. Even with him this is not your fathers Steelers.

Ben better sit down somewhere.

"...but Big Ben says he wants to do all he can in order to be on the field"

Try pom-poms and a skirt.

This guy knows he's needed and is willing to play, he's crazy, and he's a Gammer, he's all about his team winning! Got to love his attitude!!!

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 12:04 PM ET  11.26 by Rex Racer

Might as well play him, he's about as likely to suffer brain damage as I am to crash my Ferrari.

LOL. You don't drive it in bad weather I hope! :-)

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 12:24 PM ET  11.26 by spaul

It's a bad idea to put Big Ben in there Sunday. An OL that can't protect him, and some dirty players on the Ravens are what would certainly lead to him being out for the full year.Don't think for a second that they wouldn't be looking to end his career, or at the very least his season.I don't think whistles, or getting rid of the ball is going to prevent him getting helmets in the ribs until he's done. I imagine a few penalties or small fines are worth taking out Roethlisberger, and as a result the Steelers.Run the ball, don't fumble, play defense and force Flacco into his usual mistakes. They may lose, but at least they'd have Bid Ben the next week. They aren't going to win the division, but they are still in the mix for a wild card. Exposing an injured Big Ben isn't worth the risk.

WAH WAH WAH DIRTY RAVENS PLAYERS WAH WAH WAH.

Like the Steelers and other teams don't have any dirty players/cheap shot artists? Gimme a break, Spaul.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 12:40 PM ET  11.26 by West PA

Spot on -- as was the comment about the Ravens trying to cheap shot him...they have already and they will again. I could see Ngata or Suggs actually punching him in the injured spot repeatedly after a tackle...Ngata actually punched him in the face and broke his nose a few years ago...and didn't get penalized -- thanks Roger Goodell!

maybe you can use your terrible towel to wipe away all those tears?!

you actually still think that Ngata purposefully punched ben? it wasn't even a punch! it was a forearm which accidentally went into his facemask opening! If Ben would just go down like other QB's then Ngata wouldn't have had to put his arm where he put it to help force him to the ground.

i don't like Goodell, either. but you can't blame him for the no-call on that. it was 100% incidental and an accident.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 12:27 PM ET  11.26 by Zaphod.Beeblebrox

BigBen should play the rest of the season w/o a helmet. He can't hurt anything, his head is full of cement!

Pehaps Weeden should barow that cement head??? ;^)

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 12:03 PM ET  11.27 by Double J.

.i don't like Goodell, either. but you can't blame him for the no-call on that. it was 100% incidental and an accident.

Bull pucky. Nothing is ever 100%!!!

Ben's been cleared medically for contact. If he can throw and that's a big if we all know he'll play!