Tomlin: Roethlisberger must prove he’s ready

Tomlin: Roethlisberger must prove he’s ready
By Alan Robinson
Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2012, 1:28 p.m.
Updated 17 minutes ago

Mike Tomlin’s message to Ben Roethlisberger: Show me you’re ready.

Roethlisberger, still healing from the rib and shoulder-related injuries that sidelined him the last three games, threw Monday and encouraged his coach with his progress.

But with an important game upcoming Sunday against the Chargers (4-8), the Steelers (7-5) apparently aren’t ready to wait all week to see if Roethlisberger can play for the first time since he was injured Nov. 12 against the Chiefs.

Roethlisberger will get an extensive look Wednesday in practice but, if he shows he is still not close to being game ready, the Steelers will give most of their practice week work to backup Charlie Batch.

At his weekly news conference Tuesday, Tomlin said Batch is being prepared to start Sunday. Batch played the last two games, throwing three interceptions in a 20-14 loss to the Browns before rebounding to lead the Steelers past the Ravens 23-20 on Sunday.


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If Ben is healthy and can play, he should play. But I don't want to see him rushed back like he was last season. I still believe that rushing him back cost us the division title. Everyone now sees that we can with Batch. I never bought into the belief that Ben at 80 percent gives us a better chance to win than Batch does. I want Ben back 100 percent heading into the playoffs.

Maybe Tomlin learned his lesson when he left Lefty in the first ratbird game too long and it cost us.

Quote :

Alan Robinson ‏@arobinson_Trib
It's been 3 weeks-plus since Roethlisberger was hurt. Improvement expected. But a huge step from being nowhere close to game ready in 1 wk.

Quote :

Alan Robinson ‏@arobinson_Trib
Not as convinced as others that Roethlisberger is likely to play. Don't think #steelers will linger if he can't show Wed he's not close.

As I said, Chargers can't make the playoffs. They have nothing to fight for. Throw Charlie in if Ben isn't 80%. Sorry Wally, a sprained shoulder won't be fully healed until the end of this month at LEAST. He won't be at 100% until then. Once he has enough strength to throw it 40 yards, he's ready. Wednesday will tell.