Pittsburgh Steelers

*Although there has been no official word regarding Roethlisberger's status, all indications are that he is going to be able to start on Monday night.

*The decision on Ben Roethlisberger will be made this weekend.  I still have doubts that he can be back and effective as a starting quarterback 2 weeks after an appendectomy.  As the Steelers play on Monday night, Bill Cowher may leave this matter unsettled until after the Sunday games are done.  Be safe - don't look to start Roethlisberger this week.

*Signed Najeh Davenport to a 1 year contract.  2 years ago Brett Favre called this guy the best non-starting running back in the game.  Of course some of that was because the guy was right next to him, but part of it was his talent.  The Packers resigned him to a nice contract before last year.  This year they cut him.  That tells me he's not fully recovered and probably can't contribute a ton.  At best, he'll get some goal line work, but not much.

*Ben Roethlisberger is out for an indefinite period of time after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.  The Steelers have already stated that Roethlisberger will miss the opening game, but more than likely he will miss up to a month (3 games).

*Good news for the Steelers - Hines Ward has returned to practice and said to feel no bad effects from a lingering hamstring injury.

*Verron Haynes has won the backup running back job from Duce Staley who has looked slow in the preseason.  Haynes might be a decent handcuff to Willie Parker.  And if Parker can't get the job done at the goal line, it will be come Haynes job.

*Hines Ward announced he will be ready to go in week 1.  Great news for Steeler fans and the entire Pittsburgh offense.

*Bill Cowher says that no one will occupy Bettis' goal line role from last season.  This means that Willie Parker will probably get more red zone and goal line opportunities.  It's also possible that Duce Staley and Verron Haynes will split time replacing Parker at the goal line.  Cowher doesn't necessarily hate us fantasy leaguers, but he does make our lives more complicated.

*Another case of hamstring problems is striking Hines Ward.  In practice on Tuesday, he ran a few routes and removed his pads after feeling hamstring issues flair up again.  He will miss the rest of camp and possibly the first week of the season.  He stated that he will not be back until he is 100%.  Hines Ward is smart and a dedicated, hard working professional.  I trust him when he says he's hurting and trust he'll be back and valuable when it counts.

*There is a rumor that Duce Staley is being offered around the league.  The Dolphins or Eagles could still be in the market.

*Good news as Hines Ward has been able to return to practice after sitting out due to a bad hamstring.  Ward remains a top receiver choice.

*Roethlisberger played, completed 3 of 4 and threw a TD.  Don't worry about the thumb.

*Reports are that Roethlisberger's thumb is in fact sprained and he will most likely be held out of at least one preseason game.  He'll be fine for week 1.

*Ben Roethlisberger injured the thumb on his throwing hand at practice on the helmet of a teammate's shoulder pad.  This is the same thumb he injured late last season.  I worry about problems to a quarterback's throwing hand, especially the thumb, but this guy won a superbowl with a similar injury last year.  He'll probably sit for a while which could mean a slow start to the regular season. Head coach Bill Cowher says he'll be fine, which is good news. Roethlisberger is still a good back up fantasy quarterback option, though I would not start him in any but the biggest leagues.

*Word is that Big Ben will start the first preseason game.  amazing considering how close to dying he really was not very long ago.

*Hines Ward tweaked his hamstring and is missing practice.  Don't worry too much just yet.

*Roethlisberger is already working out and is talking about being ready for the start of camp.  Optimistic, but it seems like good news for the Steeler offense.

*Santonio Holmes has been charged with Domestic Violence.  I wonder if he lists Reuben Droughns and Randy McMichael among his heroes.  He's apologized to the team.  I don't think this will have a big impact on his performance, but it's just another thing for Bill Cowher to worry about.

*Roethlisberger will be released in a few days from the hospital.  Doctors say that they were able to repair each of his fractures.  Way too early to know if he'll be ready week 1 or not, though.

*What was Ben thinking!?!  Thanks to Joe for the email about the doctors having to put the straw back into that scarecrow.  I've been whistling 'If I Only Had A Brain' since I heard the news.  We don't know the impact yet, but you have to figure it's going to impact the regular season.  If nothing else, he'll miss a significant portion of preseason and not be ready when the bell rings.  Stay tuned, we'll know more soon.

http://www.steelers.com/  - Official Site

http://www.post-gazette.com/steelers/

http://www.pennlive.com/nfl/spnet.ssf?/default.asp?c=advance&page=nfl/teams/082.htm - news sites

http://secure2.steelers.com/team/player/ - roster

http://www.ourlads.com/secure/depthchart.cfm?index1=PIT - depth chart

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/stats.htm - stats

http://www.nfl.com/freeagency/afc-signings - free agency