Former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw: Ben Roethlisberger Should Not Be A Steeler

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

Former Pittsburgh quarterback and current NFL analyst Terry Bradshaw stated on Fox NFL Sunday that Ben Roethlisberger should have been traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a result of his off-season actions that earned him a four-game suspension.

He stated that San Antonio Holmes was traded as a result of his actions and what Roethlisberger did was far worse than Holmes’s indiscretions.

The trade came after Holmes' incident in a nightclub coinciding with Ben Roethlisberger's own legal troubles, and the Steelers wanting to set an example of its players.

Had Holmes not been traded, the Steelers would've simply released him, dealing him a similar fate to that of former first round pick Huey Richardson, who was traded for a 7th round pick one year after going in the first round

Bradshaw also stated that Roethlisberger should strive to be remembered by three letters behind his name: “NFL not TMZ.”

During Roethlisberger’s absence, Dennis Dixon has been given the job of field general by head coach Mike Tomlin.

Dixon has previously started one game for the Steelers, in 2009, going 12 for 26 and 145 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He has a quarterback rating of 60.6.

I remember that game and at the time, I had questions about Dixon’s ability replace Roethlisberger.

He seemed tentative at best, but he did get the job done. In any case, he is definately a better choice than Charlie Batch or Byron Leftwich.

The first four games of 2010 is certainly a make or break situation for Dixon. If he was to quarterback the Steelers to victory in those games, he could be given a competitive shot at the starting job upon Roethlisberger’s return.

It is given that Roethlisberger is the starting quarterback for the Steelers. It is his job when he returns and will be for some time if he can keep his nose clean.

In 2009, Roethlisberger played 15 games for the Steelers, going 337 for 506 and 4,328 yards and 26 touchdowns. His rating was 100.5.

Dixon has a good arm and was a very accurate passer at Oregon, but he needs seasoning before he is going to have the skills to permanently take Roethlisberger’s job.

Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore could certainly provide that seasoning, but Dixon had better be ready to mix it up he wants everything to come together in 2010.