A Threshold of Redemption Already Redefines Humble Ben Roethlisberger

By early Sunday afternoon, Ben Roethlisberger took the field to partake in pregame warm-ups, and minutes before the game, he stood near his empty locker in his return from a four-game suspension for violating the personal conduct policy.

If a stranger had sauntered into the conference room following his sensational performance while on the path to redemption, they wouldn’t have known that he was willing to restore his image and show true remorse. A middle-age man, ready to escape the troubles on his mind and return to dynamic form, is finally maturing and thinking wiser after he had been labeled a malefactor.


So, of course, it would be his chance, in a redemption stage, to prove to fans and teammates that he has taken accountability for his poor judgment and learned from his slip-ups. Haunted all offseason by his stupidity and sexual assault charges, although he wasn’t convicted in either case, Roethlisberger is more fascinating in a forgiving country and loyalists are kindhearted to welcome back the two-time Super Bowl champion.

In his absence, the Steelers were dominant without Big Ben orchestrating a stalwart offense. In his absence, the Steelers managed to win and relied heavily on their stingy defense, which usually defined a brand of resilience and toughness. Last week, he exchanged warmhearted hugs and smiles with his teammates and team executives in a friendly return.

If he has matured since the allegations, presumably he’ll avoid nightclubs on college campuses and intermingle with older women in his age group, not college girls at the wildest parties where numerous girls are intoxicated and, well, where Big Ben is horny.

By now, he clearly knows to avoid another sexual episode that could jeopardize his career and reputation with a franchise that emphasizes strong character. The Rooneys are committed to protecting their public image and exposing an excellent disposition. Though he wasn’t arrested or charged in either case, Roethlisberger had to face reality by serving a six-game suspension that eventually had been reduced to four games when he met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL Sheriff who decided to take lenient measures on a mysterious ordeal.

As it stands, however, Big Ben is a modest and matured individual, ready to escape the lingering scrutiny of his disturbing sex stories. For now, at least, it seems Roethlisberger’s troubles with sexual assault accusations came about from stupidity, foolishly partying with college students and nearly throwing away his rare commodities.


The Steelers, the NFL's most loyal franchise, trusted in Roethlisberger and declared that he’d be the face of the franchise as a valuable team leader. It’s easy to see how he was given a $102-million deal, proudly serving a well-respected, decorated organization before almost damaging a glistening career as his stupidity and senselessness created a frenzy.

In reality, he’s not portrayed as a malefactor and has never been charged with a crime, but Roethlisberger has shown a pattern of allegedly committing rape and inviting college women into the club’s VIP rooms. A long time ago, he wasn't getting the message and wasn't leaving college women alone. Today, he realizes the ramifications involved when he recklessly parties and associates with immoral women who are only looking for a good time, and then once the night is over they suddenly scream "rape!"

The possibility of the Steelers taking up another pursuit is very likely, especially with the return of Roethlisberger, who joined his teammates and led the Steelers to a 28-10 romp over the Cleveland Browns. Surely, he is more humble and grateful, given a second chance to clean up his image and navigate a balanced attack on offense. The Steelers are well-balanced and a pesky team in the AFC North, and poses a viable threat.

Without Roethlisberger's assistance, the Steelers surprisingly have not stumbled, as anticipated, and won three of their first four games with an almighty defense and a relentless rushing attack. With that, the Steelers survived the likes of Atlanta and Tampa Bay, without Roethlisberger handling the snaps and flinging passes. So now, however, the Steelers' faithful believe he’s a changed man, a humble individual with the mindset to lead the Steelers back into title overdrive.

It wouldn’t be premature to admit that he’s remorseful and has been heavily appreciated in the Steel City, a place he has considered home and brought to life, guiding the Steelers to a breathtaking finish for a thrilling Super Bowl victory against the improbable Arizona Cardinals that gave Pittsburgh its sixth title.

The Terrible Towel crowd at Heinz Field still admires Roethlisberger's heroics and clutch finishes. The fans support the troubled megastar, despite accusations of him disrespecting women and evoking a national disturbance. Earlier in the year, the boorish fans pleaded for the Steelers to release Roethlisberger, disgusted by his alleged misdeeds with a college woman in a nightclub in a small-college Georgia town.


By the time he trotted out of the tunnel Sunday, a teary-eyed Roethlisberger greeted the roaring crowd and he received a standing ovation.

In the end, Roethlisberger talked about the crowd reaction, delighted that hundreds cheered loudly and wore his No. 7 jerseys.

“Amazing,” he said. “That was part of the emotion I was feeling. It put tears in my eyes, to hear them cheer like that.”

But in this world, you cannot please everybody.

Some people may never ever anoint Roethlisberger, furious over his off-the-field nonsense. His poor judgment was absolutely unnecessary and outrageous, but some people believe he paid the price when he served a suspension, minimizing the possibility of becoming a fallen star in the most famous league.

“You can tell he’s humbled to be where he’s at,” said Steelers tackle Max Starks. “He’s happy to be back. He appreciates it.”

Yes sir.

Sometimes, it takes an awful blunder to instill reality into the minds of big-headed athletes, and he certainly needed a reality check or the next time he might have been convicted on rape charges. Normally, a player is rusty for missing a number of games, but more than ever, Roethlisberger had an impressive 112.7 passer rating. Thrilled to be back with his teammates, he communicated on the sidelines and laughed, cherishing the moment in a game that he accounted for 257 yards and three touchdown passes.

It marked his first dazzling performance since he was accused of sexual assault. He reveled in the cheers that he felt were lost after the accusations, played brilliantly against the division rivals and spoiled Colt McCoy’s NFL debut on Sunday. All praise came in the third quarter on a drive that gave the Steelers a 14-3 lead, when Roethlisberger connected with wideout Mike Wallace for a 50-yard pass. Then, on the next play he tossed a 36-yard pass to tight end Heath Miller, which set up an 8-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward.

On a threshold of redemption, Big Ben repossessed his righteous name and played like a two-time champion, with an aerial spectacle that intensified the crowd. As it seems, the Steelers are in pursuit of capturing instant gratification.

The Big Ben in Pittsburgh is maybe just as valuable as the structure in London.

Only time will tell.

Denver Broncos' Flawless Drive is Wasteful, If Bothered By Pesky Steelers

It felt like a playoff game, I swear. Seems football fanatics are getting a head start in a sneak preview, and how a fascinating postseason may square off. Two bottomless defensive teams, and two flawless defensive coordinators describe the kind of teams assembled. As it turns out, the Denver Broncos are subjected to an unbelievable year, and survived disastrous turmoil that nearly battered an entire organization.

So now, it’s hard admitting that the Broncos are near the top of the AFC conference in the same year of a grotesque divorce with franchise quarterback Jay Cutler. Lack of communication between him and egotistic coach Josh McDaniels had apparently dismantled morale, including disputes with discontent wideout Brandon Marshall.

Judging all the disruptions, the Broncos weren’t speculated to have a flawless season. Although, they seemed unbeatable before losing to the Ravens last week, Denver musters likely the deepest defense in the league, an essential factor to their powerful rampancy facing most teams this season.

Of course, against Pittsburgh, exploiting defensive schemes normally doesn’t fair too well. In the game, hard-hitting, physical bulrushes and unsympathetic sacks identified physical toughness, which unleashes the heart of ambitious competitors willing to encounter an action-packed fray confirming legitimacy.

By now, our society can discern why the Steelers are defending champs, and the lone franchise with six Super Bowl titles. Despite a usual sluggish start, their reckless and daredevil quarterback Ben Roethlisberger lives up to his nickname Big Ben.

From most viewpoints, he’s the league’s best quarterback managing big plays and conserves the clock in critical moments. Considering he’s the greatest quarterback in clutch situations and rallies the Steelers to victories, the tenacious and fierce defense keeps the sluggish offense alive.

Coming off a bye week Pittsburgh might have been rusty, but recharged in the second-half against the resurgence of the Broncos. It’s a usual trait seen often by the Steelers, recovering from first-half droughts and escapes at the end with victories. After all, we are accustomed to the late heroics and savior defense salvaging applause at the end of the night.

Again, the defense was too massive and energetic, accelerating and rushing to force Denver’s Kyle Orton into three interceptions. Again, the defense pressured the Broncos, outplaying the flawless frontline and secondary and bullied an uneasy Orton.

Again, the Steelers had a matchless offense, arranged by a crafty Big Ben, who orchestrated three second-half touchdown passes en route to a 28-10 victory.

But bigger worries are the Broncos. In the Mile High City, folks are worried about Denver, whose record is 6-2 when two consecutive losses increase panic attacks. Being in a weak division there’s not much to worry about. Instead, they should be strongly bothered by the Steelers.

Later in the season, of course when postseason play arrives, the Broncos will need to garner concepts in ways to trounce the defending champs, a challenging mode to breakthrough in the playoffs. A Steelers-Broncos rematch is likely to reoccur in the playoffs, and contemplating sufficient tactics for mitigating a pesky defense of rushing on nearly each possession, is obligatory for defeating Pittsburgh.

Putting more pressure on Roethlisberger is pragmatic as well as limiting probability of the Steelers pulling off a heartbreaker in final moments. Known for stinginess and greediness, the Steelers are more powerful than Denver, unless they’re equipped to hinder Pittsburgh by outscoring them.

More staggering was their ability to dominate the Broncos on Monday night, scorching in the second-half and outscored Denver with an overwhelming score of 76-10.

Its painful not having the similar pedigree of a high caliber offense that could compile points instantly on the scoreboard. The Steelers were just prepared and formed the Blizburgh, trapping the line of scrimmage to disallow Orton of duplicating similar patterns, which led to early success.

But more problematic, the Broncos defense weakened, intimidated by the Steelers toughness and amazed with guru defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s intellectual play calling on the sideline. To be straightforward, his play calling was productive and usually finished on good terms, outcoaching Denver’s defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and the disappearing defense.

Where were the tough-minded defensive backs, such as Brian Dawkins or Champ Bailey? Where was rookie linebacker Robert Ayers, after the second-half when he sacked and forced a fumble before returning it 54-yards for a touchdown? Lastly, where were the nimble play calls by Nolan?

For much of the season, the Broncos have been very impressive in their pugnacious secondary. Instead the Steelers entered a hostile territory, sprinted out of the visitors’ tunnel rusty but pumped and comfortable for the challenge.

At halftime, Pittsburgh trailed 7-0 in a neutralized environment, where Pittsburgh fans swung the Terrible Towels spoiling a home game for the Broncos. Mostly, throughout, an uptight night Denver faithful booed Orton for throwing three interceptions.

Was it really his fault? The Broncos failed to run the no-huddle offense, designed to make opponents fatigued. I also think the Steelers were a better defensive force, in which the Broncos offensive line failed to cease. Hate to say this, but it felt like a game played in Pittsburgh. With less than two minutes left, Terrible Towels started swinging, and Steelers’ fans terribly celebrated in front of petulant Broncos fans.

Much of the game, the Steelers pushed the ball on the ground with the quickness of Rashard Mendenhall, blowing by Denver defenders in the low altitude for 155 yards. The sixth-ranked Steelers defense, though, shut down a swaggering rushing game. Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno were limited in stomping the Steelers knack on defense.

Of course, momentum shifted in the second quarter, when safety Tyrone Carter picked off one of his picks and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown. Most games don’t pass without a relentless Troy Polamalu slowing down the rush or picking off a wayward throw.

As usual, he exploited his speed and read all angles of the field in Denver. His intercepted pass on the Broncos’ 25-yard line put the Steelers in position to capitalize, and dictated the final outcome of an AFC showdown when Roethlisberger fired a pass to rookie Mike Wallace completing 21 of 29 passes for 233 yards.

By evaluating the game, the Broncos are working progress and have much to work on. In the upcoming weeks, Denver needs to accumulate defensive awareness and enhance tactics to trounce the Steelers. For now, if the Broncos look to thrive, they must beat the Steelers. Like getting off to a fast start, the Broncos will have to make adjustments fast.

If Denver ignores defensive woes, what a waste it would be.