Brett Keisel: “Sounds good to me. We're excited to get another one. I think we have the makeup for a great team in here. If we can just stay healthy and play hard, then I think we have the guys to do it.”
Hines Ward: “I like Peter King. Look back in time. The years we won, we kind of flew under the radar. There is something about this team. We play pretty good when people count us out.”
Well-said Hinesy. The other big news of the day is “Big Ben” Roethlisberger’s meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell scheduled for Friday. Word is, that Ben will be asking for a reduced suspension to four games, down from six. More on that follows.
James Walker, ESPN.com
Earlier Wednesday we wrote about the unpredictability of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's suspensions with AFC North players. But one thing that is predictable with Goodell is he rarely, if ever, backs down from a decision. Goodell made a ruling in April that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will serve a conditional six-game suspension with a chance to be reduced to four with good behavior. The NFL took its time with the decision, waited for the facts, then carefully crafted a way for Roethlisberger to be punished while providing a chance to redeem himself. But according to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, Roethlisberger's reps will ask for less than four games during their meeting with Goodell on Friday. The request appears to be a shot in the dark. Roethlisberger has done and said all the right things the past several months. But is it enough to make Goodell go against the guidelines he already set for Roethlisberger's suspension? Probably not. Roethlisberger passed the first stage by staying out of trouble. That likely will get his suspension cut to four games. But wanting, or expecting, even more leniency this week falls in the category of "leave well enough alone."
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As I have said before, you may or may not believe Big Ben is sincere in showing us a different Ben. Some may think it’s an act. Some like myself think he is being real. Who better to tell us an honest and probably truthful opinion than oft-team spokesperson Hines Ward.
ProFootballWeekly.com, They Said It: the week of Aug. 30
Steelers WR Hines Ward, noting the changes he sees in QB Ben Roethlisberger, as quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Earlier in his career, he left the building and a lot of people didn't know what he did. He was just secluded by himself, but now he's opening himself up to guys. He's joking around with everybody, rookies included. He's a different guy."
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With that said from #86, opinions vary naturally. Additionally, is Roger Goodell a hypocrite? While he has thrown down some pretty harsh penalties on players found conducting illegal activities or acting inappropriately such as the case with Big Ben, it appears he has gone soft on others. Donte Stallworth had no business being allowed to return to the league so soon after killing a man on the streets with his car. Now comes the following opinion on Goodell’s handling of another case. That an more opinions from the ‘Burgh.
Chris Mack, ESPN1250.com, Goodell's Double Standard
I've repeated over the summer how my problem with Ben Roethlisberger was that he made a terrible decision just nine months in the wake of being sued for sexual assault and on the heels of a multitude of bad decisions including getting back on his motorcycle helmetless despite almost dying that way in 2006. However, his stupidity in Milledgeville could pale in comparison to Cleveland Browns' NT Shaun Rogers. Three years after violating the league's substance abuse policy, two years after a sexual assault allegation in which charges were never filed, and less than a year after teammate Robaire Smith was found to be in possession of a firearm at an airport, Rogers was busted for carrying a gun at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in April. Yesterday it was announced he will face no suspension and just a $400,000 fine. While Big Ben was a big jerk, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should get at least a few of your *&@! of the Week votes today on Stan & Guy for his double standard that apparently holds Steelers' quarterbacks to higher standards than anyone else.
The Return of Big [Headed] Ben?
For the first time since his post-Milledgeville, mulleted press conference in the Steelers' locker room, I'm worried we may be seeing signs of the self-absorbed Big Ben of the past 4½ years. Roethlisberger is lobbying for playing time on Thursday night so he can run the two-minute drill with the first team offense. So it's more important that Ben get time a full six weeks before he'll hit the field for real, than for Byron Leftwich, the presumptive interim starter, to get first team reps for the three weeks leading up to the opener? The selfishness Roethlisberger is showing in asking for even more unnecessary time with the starters is reminiscent of the big-headedness that got Big Ben into trouble in the first place.
Knee Jerks
The knee jerk reactions that were thrown out in the hours following the Steelers' loss to the Broncos were for the most part, pretty jerky. Cut Keenan Lewis for one boneheaded game? Are you kidding me? He'll be starting at corner for this team next year. Jonathan Dwyer didn't buy himself some more time with 80 yards on 16 carries? Unless he shows up as out of shape for practice this afternoon as he did for the run test July 31st, he'll get another shot.
Charlie Batch as the starting quarterback? If this were Ypsilanti circa 1996, maybe. And to suggest Dennis Dixon is done for in the quarterback battle would be to ignore the fact that the head coach and offensive coordinator of this team have very different ideas about how to run the offense with Ben Roethlisberger out.
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More on Ben Roethlisberger’s road to redemption.
Scott Brown, TribuneReview.com, Roethlisberger aims to rewrite legacy
As Ben Roethlisberger's charmed life appeared to be crashing down around him, following a second accusation of sexual assault, he turned to his Bible. "The first thing I read, the very first thing, was about the shepherd who loses one sheep. He goes out, finds it and leaves his whole flock and goes to find it," the Steelers' quarterback said Tuesday. "And that's so true." That passage is relevant to the transformation Roethlisberger has made since last March. He said he has found his religion after straying from it amid the rapid rise the two-time Super Bowl winner made to stardom. Roethlisberger has been more accommodating to fans and reporters since the start of training camp and has been more open with his teammates. He said he is at peace with himself following a turbulent offseason in which he avoided criminal charges in Milledgeville, Ga., but nearly threw away his Steelers career. Others have noticed the change as well. "Earlier in his career, he left the building and a lot of people didn't know what he did," veteran wide receiver Hines Ward said. "He was just secluded by himself, but now he's opening himself up to guys. He's joking around with everybody, rookies included. He's a different guy." Roethlisberger talked with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review during a one-on-one interview Tuesday. Here are highlights from the interview.
How do you assure fans that the new Ben is here to stay, that this isn't part of a script for someone who is trying to save his career?
“Actions always speak louder than words. And I've known from day one this is not going to be an overnight process. You're not going to win people back overnight. You're not going to win all of them back, period. But, like I said, my actions will speak volumes over the next days, weeks, months and years. I really believe that and I think people will (believe it), even the hard-headed ones that won't give me a chance. Over the years of seeing me and seeing that it's not just talk, more people will come around.”
You said you are more at peace with yourself. Why?
“It's a calming feeling when the Lord runs your life. And it's something I've always known as a church person, but I've never really believed it. I think I've known it but never believed it. And now I know it, and it's a great thing.
When athletes talk about finding religion, it produces its share of eye-rolling. Do you expect that reaction from fans?
“It's OK. I'm not going to be going out there and trying to push it on people and make it seem like all of a sudden I am this great person. That's not who I am. That's not what religion and faith is all about. You're not going to see me getting cross tattoos and wearing cross necklaces. That's not what it's about. So if they want to roll their eyes, that's fine. Because I know where I am at and God knows where I'm at, and that's all that really matters.”
You are human. You are going to have bad days. How do you sustain this new Ben?
“Nothing in life is easy. I wear this bracelet, 'Live like you were dying.' And every day you deal with it. I think when you have calmness and a peace and a love for your family, friends, football, your day; it makes things easier. And that's what is making this fun. This has helped me. During this time I hope to coach at a high school, volunteer. And taking it back to what it used to be, and how it really is and how fun football should be. Because I think I lost that a little bit with the business. Yes, it's a business, but it's supposed to be about having fun and playing football. That's what I'm getting back to.”
Do you still want to tell your side of the story about what happened in Georgia?
“I doubt I will ever even talk about it again. It's a bunch of chapters in my life that have closed and I am moving forward. I don't think you need to dwell on things in the past, just like football. You throw an interception, you move on. You have a bad season; you've got to move on because if you dwell on those things, it will bring you down. So to me, it's over. It's all about moving on and playing football.”
You have the chance to write one of the greatest redemption stories of all time. Do you ever think about that?
“In a way, but I got my redemption. For me, it's about other things. I want people to talk about when I am done with my career how great of a person I was. Did I have my faults?
Did I make mistakes?
Yes, everyone does. But look at who he really is. Look who he became when he grew up and matured. How did he finish up his career, and who is he now as a person.”
If you were writing the rest of the Ben Roethlisberger story, how would you write it?
“The fun part I think is that it's only a quarter or a third of the way done. I don't want to say, 'To be continued' right now. But I still think there's a lot of chapters left in this story.”
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Here’s the audio from that Q&A session:
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So while Ben sits for the first four weeks of the season at a minimum, what will he be doing? We now know he will be in Pittsburgh working out with George Whitfield who hails from San Diego, California and is a “quarterback specialist.” As for his meeting Friday, Ben said the following:
“I don't know if it's going to be a discussion, it's going to be a question-and-answer, or Goodell just does all of the talking, I think there are probably a lot of things I could tell him, but I want to make sure that we have the right answers and the truth, and the things we think will be beneficial. This is a different situation why I can't play. I will be so focused, taking mental reps on every single play.”
There are many topics we can rehash over Ben’s situation, but one that is more popular with the season approaching is just how the team will do without him.
NFL.com, Season Preview
Roethlisberger's suspension will be tough to overcome
Pittsburgh Steelers
Vic Carucci
Ben Roethlisberger's being suspended for at least four games likely puts the Steelers into an early hole. O-line issues also a concern.
Prediction: 7-9, third in AFC North
Steve Wyche
Ben Roethlisberger's suspension will hurt and the O-line play must improve. Defense will regain punch if Troy Polamalu stays healthy.
Prediction: 8-8, third in AFC North
Pat Kirwan
Ben Roethlisberger missing at least four games will hurt. Defense is excellent, but offense needs to do its part without its starting QB.
Prediction: 9-7, third in AFC North
Bucky Brooks
The ferocious defense returns to the ranks of the elite while keying the team's playoff run after missing out on the dance last season.
Prediction: 11-5, first in AFC North
Jason La Canfora
Despite offseason injuries and turmoil, I can see this team galvanizing. Surviving without Ben Roethlisberger early will be tough.
Prediction: 9-7, third in AFC North
Michael Lombardi
Their offensive line worries me, their corners worry me, and these worries make me feel they will be a .500 team.
Prediction: 8-8, third in AFC North
20.2
Amount of points the Steelers gave up per game. It was the first time since 2003 they allowed 20-plus. Even more uncharacteristically, they surrendered fourth-quarter leads in five of seven losses.
Byron Leftwich
The eighth-year pro will guide the Steelers' offense in the wake of Ben Roethlisberger's early-season suspension, and how well he fares will have a significant impact on the team's postseason prospects. Although Leftwich performed well as a fill-in during the team's Super Bowl run a few years back, he has only mustered a 24-25 record as a starter.
Mike Wallace
Wallace slides into the No. 2 receiver role opposite Hines Ward. As the team's third receiver last season, Wallace routinely provided explosive plays by using his speed and burst to run past defenders on vertical routes. He averaged 19.4 yards a catch and finished the season with six touchdowns. Given more opportunities to run short and intermediate crossing routes, Wallace should provide the Steelers' offense with even more big plays in the passing game.
Big Ben still No. 1
Believe it or not, but Ben Roethlisberger might actually turn out to be a nice draft value. Because of his suspension, Big Ben was no more than a low middle-round pick. Upon his return, he'll immediately be seen as a viable No. 1 fantasy quarterback in most leagues.
Three pivotal games
Oct. 17 vs. Cleveland
One of the AFC's oldest rivalries is renewed as the Steelers play host to the Browns. Ben Roethlisberger may or may not be available (if his six-game suspension is lowered to four, he could return for this matchup), but regardless of whether he plays, Pittsburgh will still be expected to beat Cleveland at home for the seventh straight time.
Oct. 31 at New Orleans
It figures to be crazy on Halloween night in the Superdome. This will be the first of three consecutive games the Steelers will play vs. division winners from last season, and pits the last two Super Bowl champions against one another. A victory could give Pittsburgh the momentum it needs heading into the second half of the year.
Nov. 21 vs. Oakland
Last year's dramatic Week 13 home loss vs. the Raiders was the fourth in a five-game slide and sent a clear message that the Steelers were not ready to defend their title. The rematch comes at a similar point this year, and Pittsburgh will be coming off a brutal three-game stretch against 2009 division winners. It can't afford another letdown.
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This weekend, the Steelers will get their roster reduced down to the legal number. There are difficult decisions ahead. Who’s on the bubble?
James Walker, ESPN.com, AFC North roster bubbles
With teams required to cut down to 53 players by Saturday, it's time to focus on the final rosters in the AFC North. Expect plenty of chatter internally this week among general managers, scouts and coaches throughout the division on who should make the team. This is always one of the most intriguing weeks of the NFL season. With that said, here are several noteworthy players on the bubble in the AFC North:
4. Justin Hartwig, C, Pittsburgh Steelers
Analysis: Hartwig struggled at center last year and lost his job this preseason to first-round pick Maurkice Pouncey. The Steelers believe Pouncey is a star-in-the-making, which leaves Hartwig's future in limbo. Despite the benching, there is no question Hartwig is one of Pittsburgh's best 53 players. That should be enough. But Hartwig also is scheduled to make a little more than $2 million this season. He's being paid as a starting center and that's no longer his role. There's a chance Hartwig could compete at right guard or simply be the first center/guard off the bench in the event of injury. Hartwig's experience and versatility help his case.
Cut-O-Meter: 30 percent
Jonathan Dwyer led the Steelers in rushing against the Broncos, but will it be enough to earn him a roster spot?
8. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Steelers
Analysis: Dwyer made a strong push late for a roster spot in Pittsburgh. After a disappointing training camp, Dwyer led the Steelers in rushing with 89 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's preseason loss to the Denver Broncos. Running back Isaac Redman has been stellar and secured the third running back job that was intended for Dwyer. Thursday's preseason finale will be vital for the sixth-round pick.
Cut-O-Meter: 55 percent
Here are additional names to watch:
Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
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Want another bubble?
Ken Laird, ESPN1250.com, Stillers Blog
For perhaps the final time in NFL history, teams' respective 4th preseason games will be played Thursday evening across the league. When the regular season schedule expands in the near future these last exhibitions will be a thing of the past. Who will miss preseason game #4? Only the handful of bubble players on each NFL squad's roster who are desperate for one final chance to make an impression and win a job. For the Steelers, here are their bubble guys headed into Thursday night at Heinz Field:
RB Jonathan Dwyer - If Dwyer is kept on the 53-man roster, he'll be having what amounts to a red-shirt year. He would be a gameday inactive for the entire season, barring injury, protected as a future asset. After coming up injured late in preseason game #1 and not playing game #2, Dwyer's 13 carry, 89 yard performance in Denver gave him a stay of execution. 4th quarter runs of 17 and 40 yards, coupled with a TD scamper, illustrate his ability as a runner. However, Dwyer is not ready to play either special teams or complete enough as a back to be counted on for blitz pickup and assignment-related details. Expect him to get plenty of opportunity Thursday night to prove that last statement wrong.
Ultimately, is 2nd year RB Frank Summers a better roster choice than Dwyer to help the team in 2010? RB Frank Summers - The "Tank" played in two games for the Steelers varsity last year before being placed on IR with a back injury. To Frank's credit he's worked extremely hard in a year's time to return as a better football player. The real question becomes whether Summers is the team's best lead blocking option (i.e. as close to a fullback as the Arians' offense allows). TE David Johnson, as well as RB Issac Redman and even TE Heath Miller make the need for Summers a question. Expect Frank to get plenty of work early Thursday to show one more time his value.
KR/PR Stefan Logan - Logan was the Steelers return man for 16-games in 2009, breaking the team record for kickoff return yardage (Ernie Mills had the old mark from 1995). Kick returns of 38, 88, 36, 49, 51, 56, and 40 dotted his resume throughout the year, although he did not take one the distance. His 26.7 KR average was 6th best in the NFL, while his 10.0 PR average was 13th best. This summer, rookies Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders have been given a shot to impress, with mixed results. Is Logan, the sure thing specialist, worthy of a roster spot?
WR Arnaz Battle - With Sanders and Brown seemingly locks to make the team, if Logan makes it a roster spot must be found elsewhere.
QB Charlie Batch is certainly a cut option, but so may be Battle. Arnaz is a solid veteran backup WR in a pinch, but the 4th WR rarely if ever sees the field for the Steelers as Heath Miller rarely comes out. So like Logan, Battle would really be kept as a specialist, in his case a core special teams coverage man. It certainly helps his old coach Al Everest is the new special teams coach here. And, Battle was guaranteed $975,000 when he signed. Chances are he makes the team, but good special teams work Thursday will go a long way towards securing it.
OT Tony Hills - A 4th round draft pick from Texas in 2008, Hills has been a two-year redshirt player. Finally, he's started to show a return on that investment this preseason as he's flashed in game action. 6'5, 304 pounders don't grow on trees, and he now should know the Steelers offense thoroughly. However, the free agent pickup of T Jonathan Scott makes it intriguing. Hills would never dress on gameday (Scott will), and in a pinch Ramon Foster can play tackle. So will they keep Hills around again? If the team does keep Hills, C Justin Hartwig is sure to get the axe. What's more important, a veteran backup pivot or a younger, 4th string OT? Probably, the young tackle.
DE Sunny Harris - The Steelers have drafted several depth defensive ends through the years (Ryan McBean, Orien Harris, Shaun Nua), but few have stuck around. It's a sheer numbers crunch on the defensive side, and Harris could be caught in that again. Last year, the team re-acquired Harris from Carolina (who pilfered him a year ago) when Aaron Smith was injured. But this year, Smith is healthy again, and Ziggy Hood and Nick Eason are solid backups already, so why keep Sunny? The answer is because in two years Smith, Brett Keisel, and Eason could be out of the league. However, keeping Harris means cutting an extra linebacker (Patrick Bailey) or cornerback (Anthony Madison) and I don't see it. Thursday is a big showcase game for Sunny to prove he's worth another redshirt. They'll try to get both Harris and rookie Doug Worthington on the PS.
LB Stevenson Sylvester - "Sly" has made plays all over the field through the preseason, on special teams and with the regular defense. His technique is not perfect, but his fearlessness and athleticism is tough to ignore. He's a 5th inside linebacker on a team with 4 good ones in front of him, so is he a fit here? Then again, Patrick Bailey has been kept as a core special teamer for 2 years without any plans for him to help the LeBeau 'D.' My hunch is Sly is taxi squad bound, but if Thursday he keeps flashing he could take Bailey's spot on the bomb squad.
CB Anthony Madison - Every year for about 5 years now, CB Anthony Madison hits the bubble watch in August and the debate ensues. Madison was a key part of the 08 Super Bowl season as a core special teams player, and his cut in 2009 (and eventual re-acquisition) was one of controversy. The Steelers missed him badly on kick coverage. This camp, he's also provided valuable depth at CB with the departure of Deshea Townsend. Madison has to beat out one of the younger guys, either Joe Burnett or rookie Crezdon Butler, not to mention prove more worth than either Sylvester or Harris, to make it. My guess is with a solid performance Thursday night, the Steelers don't make the same mistake twice and Madison stays.
Ken Laird's bubble ins and outs:
IN: Stefan Logan, Tony Hills, Frank Summers, Arnaz Battle, Patrick Bailey, Anthony Madison, Jason Worilds, Thaddeus Gibson OUT: Charlie Batch, Justin Hartwig
PRACTICE SQUAD (Attempted): RB Jonathan Dwyer, WR Tyler Grisham, WR Brandon London, CB Crezdon Butler, DE Sunny Harris, LB Stevenson Sylvester, DE Doug Worthington, TE Eugene Bright
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Perhaps the biggest decision Steeler Nation awaits this week is WHO is going to be our starting quarterback until Ben returns.
Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk.com, Rumor Mill
Jon Gruden thinks Steelers should go with Dennis Dixon Much debate has occurred regarding whether the Steelers should entrust the short-term quarterbacking job to Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon, during the suspension of starter Ben Roethlisberger. Dixon earned a shot at work with the first-team by dramatically outperforming Leftwich in the first two preseason games, during which Leftwich played with the starters and Dixon played with the reserves. After Dixon stunk it up on Sunday night against Denver's top defense, the pendulum seemed to swing back to Leftwich. Count ESPN's Jon Gruden among those who aren't convinced that Leftwich is the answer. "The Steelers are a team that really relies on Ben Roethlisberger's improvisation,'' Gruden said during a Monday Night Football conference call, according to Jim Corbett of USAToday.com. "I've never seen a guy create more offense on his own. He gets out of some of the most incredible situations where he makes plays where they have him sacked twice and he still completes a pass. "The guy who fits them the best right now, the guy I would go with is Dixon.'' Gruden pointed to Dixon's mobility and his time in the system. "I realize he threw a couple of interceptions against Denver," Gruden said. "I just think his escapability, his ability to run for two first downs, create another two first downs scrambling out of trouble, checking it down, or finding a big play down the field gives him the edge over these other two quarterbacks. . . . All they have to do is win like they won in Ben's rookie year, run the ball, play good defense -- don't turn it over and make some timely plays in the passing game . . . . Dennis Dixon can do that.'' Adding an extra layer of intrigue to Gruden's assessment is the fact that, from 2002 through 2005, Gruden's defensive backs coach in Tampa was a guy who is now the head coach of the Steelers. So will Mike Tomlin listen to the guy to whom he once routinely deferred? Stay tuned.
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Despite not playing for the first quarter of the season, the respect for Ben Roethlisberger’s abilities on the field still stand out.
John Clayton, ESPN.com, Ranking NFL starting quarterbacks
Usual suspects earn my elite status, but Jay Cutler and even Kyle Orton could join them
The Golden Age of NFL Quarterbacks continues to evolve. Bubble screens make it easier for quarterbacks to continue drives through the air. More talent is moving into the slot in three-receiver sets, giving quarterbacks even more passing options. The increased use of shotgun formations and no-huddle offenses gives quarterbacks more control than ever and turns fourth quarters into thrilling roller coaster rides. For the past couple of years, I've preached how the league is divided into teams with elite quarterbacks and those without them. To win in this league, you must have an elite quarterback. Without one, the season can be long and frustrating. In ranking the league's starting quarterbacks, I have three categories. The first is the Elite level, which includes quarterbacks who can carry teams into the playoffs. An elite quarterback is one who can complete better than 60 percent of his passes, has the potential to throw for 4,000 yards and has fourth-quarter comeback ability. I am criticized for putting Baltimore's Joe Flacco in this category with Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees, but he absolutely belongs. In two seasons, Flacco has the numbers (6,584 passing yards, 61 percent completion percentage) and three road playoff victories to back up my ranking. You'll probably be more interested in who I don't have in this group.
The next category is what I call the Chad Pennington Division. Pennington, a former starter who's now a backup with the Dolphins, doesn't have the strongest arm but he once was good enough to take a team to the playoffs with a good surrounding cast or a favorable schedule. The quarterbacks who fit this mold include Denver's Kyle Orton, who I think has a very small chance even now to end up in the elite group.
The third category I call the Hit-Or-Miss Division. It is filled with young QBs -- hello, Mark Sanchez and Kevin Kolb -- who easily could climb my ladder or veterans who have reached their ceiling (Jake Delhomme) and have no chance of moving up.
In the Pennington and Hit-Or-Miss divisions, I rate the chances those QBs have to reach elite status. Some have a greater chance than others because they have not reached their ceiling. Others (Alex Smith, Byron Leftwich) have hit their head on the ceiling and have no chance to reach elite status.
You can rank the starters on your own here.
So let the arguments begin.
THE ELITE
1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Analysis: With two Super Bowl rings, Roethlisberger ranks with the elite of the elite quarterbacks in the league. His suspension is a wakeup call, but as a quarterback, he's almost impossible to stop when he rolls out of the pocket and when the game is on the line in the fourth quarter.
Arrow is pointing: Flat
5. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings
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Would you like the opportunity to rank the NFL’s best quarterbacks? You can at the following link that lists how football fans have done so thus far.
ESPN.com, Rank 'Em: NFL Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning
2. Drew Brees
3. Tom Brady
4. Aaron Rodgers
5. Brett Favre
6. Philip Rivers
7. Tony Romo
8. B. Roethlisberger
9. Eli Manning
10. Matt Schaub
11. Carson Palmer
12. Joe Flacco
13. Donovan McNabb
14. Matt Ryan
15. Jay Cutler
16. Vince Young
17. Kevin Kolb
18. Matt Hasselbeck
19. Kyle Orton
20. Mark Sanchez
21. Matt Cassel
22. Chad Henne
23. Matthew Stafford
24. David Garrard
25. Jason Campbell
26. Alex Smith
27. Sam Bradford
28. Jake Delhomme
29. Matt Moore
30. Derek Anderson
31. Josh Freeman
32. Trent Edwards
33. Byron Leftwich
34. Matt Leinart
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For the record, here’s how I place them:
1. Peyton Manning
2. B. Roethlisberger
3. Drew Brees
4. Tom Brady
5. Brett Favre
6. Carson Palmer
7. Aaron Rodgers
8. Joe Flacco
9. Matt Ryan
10. Eli Manning
11. Tony Romo
12. Matt Schaub
13. Donovan McNabb
14. Philip Rivers
15. Kyle Orton
16. Chad Henne
17. Matt Hasselbeck
18. Kevin Kolb
19. Jake Delhomme
20. Mark Sanchez
21. Matthew Stafford
22. Jason Campbell
23. Jay Cutler
24. Matt Cassel
25. Matt Moore
26. David Garrard
27. Josh Freeman
28. Byron Leftwich
29. Vince Young
30. Derek Anderson
31. Matt Leinart
32. Sam Bradford
33. Trent Edwards
34. Alex Smith
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Last season, Mike Wallace was a huge surprise. Now he’s an NFL sophomore. Can he top his story from last year? One writer thinks so.
Vinnie Iyer, TheSportingNews.com, In the NFL, who is this year's ...
While the Green Bay Packers try to do their best New Orleans Saints impersonation, here are six more potential doppelgangers to watch:
... Miles Austin?
Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers. Now a starter, he has the hands, speed and big-play ability to have a Pro Bowl breakthrough in his second year. "With Hines Ward working the other side, he steps into the role that Santonio Holmes had, stretching the field as a deep threat," former Steelers coach Bill Cowher said.
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Finally for today, the newest Pride of Pittsburgh has made a major step forward. It’s little Jackie Evancho that talented young contestant on “America’s Got Talent.” Jackie made the show via YouTube and once on stage, she wowed Howie Mandell, Sharon Osborne, and Piers Morgan. Now, thanks to the folks at home watching and those in the ‘Burgh, they have voted our little princess from the Steel City into the top 10. Jackie took the stage on Thursday night and told a nationwide audience, “I want to thank Pittsburgh, because that’s my home town, I really love Pittsburgh.” We love you back Jackie! You truly are amazing and gifted at such a young age. You have done us VERY proud! If you missed her performance on Wednesday night, watch it again here. She absolutely is just AMAZING!
Email Mr. Steeler:
mistersteeler@comcast.net