Ben opts out of Pro Bowl

[mightyguru]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NFL&id=1181&line=166702&spln=1

Ben Roethlisberger passed on a chance at the Pro Bowl to nurse the right shoulder injury he suffered in Week 17.
"His shoulder was not 100% from our final game in Miami," Steelers P.R. man Dave Lockett said. "Our doctors and trainers have recommended that he should allow it to heal 100%." Roethlisberger didn't require surgery, and figures to be just fine for OTAs in May. Matt Schaub will go to Miami instead.

Hmmm...well, at least got the Pro Bowl invite. Don't really blame him for turning it down...it's not in Hawaii this year.

[Spike]

Good - give Ben an extra month to rest

[THE flafan]

...and no golf in Nevada either!!!

[cpollock]

...and no golf in Nevada either!!!

Hmmmm when the Steelers hit their loosing streak that story sort of disappeared .. didn't it .. Hope it is gone for good ..

[cpollock]

I bet a lot more opt out of this game too ..

1. it is the week before the Superbowl so there will be 2 teams not represented
2. it is only on Miami ... players go there all the time ..
3. Don't think that this change will help the pro-bowl .. think it is going to be worse for it. I know I probably won't watch it .

[SteelerFan448]

Good - give Ben an extra month to rest

Well, I guess Ben won't be working on his game this offseason now. ;)

[Spike]

Ben's game has always been booze and broads - where you been?

[Matt6999]

I think it was very wise, even if healthy. We don't want him to get used to having time in the pocket.

[Drink IRON City]

I sure its whats best for ben / team. You think he just makesthat decision, hell no. Also, I think pro bowl is in miami just this year. Thought I read somewhere, it moves back to hawaiinext year.


Salute the nation

[Acerero]

Ben is a Pro Bowl game manager

[Lloyds legend]

I'm glad Ben is not going to play because I have banned it this year. If he would have played I may have revoked my ban. I don't know how they can call it a Pro- Bowl when the two championship teams won't be represented.

[tdub88]

Freakin' drama queen........

[fogdoctor]

Its a cover up. He really hurt it pounding IC Lights.

[blegursky]

I have no objection to Steelers being selected to the Pro Bowl. I`d like to see 10 or 12 a year. I`d prefer that NONE of them actually play in it.

[Dakota Steeler]

You have to wonder if Ben would have been able to play IF we had made the playoffs?

[Stainless]

I wish The Pro Bowl would go away.

[CAH]

I don't like the Pro Bowl nor any type of all-star game. The rules are changed so that makes it just a "side show".

[blkgld4lifer]

I'm glad Ben is not going to play because I have banned it this year. If he would have played I may have revoked my ban. I don't know how they can call it a Pro- Bowl when the two championship teams won't be represented.

Courtesy the brilliant Roger Godell.

[steelerlyn1017]

I'm glad Ben is not going to play because I have banned it this year. If he would have played I may have revoked my ban. I don't know how they can call it a Pro- Bowl when the two championship teams won't be represented.

So the 9000 players from the Vikes and the other 9000 players from the Colts won't be showing up....lol.

[Steel Dino]

The NFL should either eliminate this game or change who plays in it...

I would rather see a college game with rosters of NFL hopefuls for the upcoming season play each other...

[GRBman]

Hey, nobody watched it in Hawaii either. I kind of like the idea that you'll see a lot of players in and around the game that you wouldn't normally see...and it is going to be easier for the fans to attend the game state-side than in Hawaii...

[ben#7]

Since Ben turned the invite down. Will it still count as a pro bowl season in the records?

[markymarc]

While I think this was another bad idea from Goodell, I can see what he was trying to do in order to give the fans something to watch the weekend before the Super Bowl. I still say that 2 weeks is way too long of a break between the championship games and Super Bowl. Ben probably didn't want to go since he would not be able to bring Bruce Arians with him :-)

[ronburgundy]

On one hand I like the idea of playing it before the Super Bowl. More interest and I don't have to go a week without football. On the other hand, no one playing in the SB will play in the Pro Bowl, by definition they will be some pretty good players, and a number of players with nagging injuries (like Ben) will say "Fuck it, why bother?".

[razorsteel09]

Would much rather see a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Game after a Super Bowl Bye week than another snooze-fest Pro Bowl
Hey Roger some other brilliant ideas to spice up the Pro Bowl.
1. The players can share other team decals on their helmets as they do in college All Star Games
2. The winning confrence automatically wins the coin fip of the Super Bowl
3. Have the game played in London each year.and save one fan base a home game each year.
4. Play it on an Arena Size field in a NBA Stadium (since so many miss areana ball)
5. A skills contest....can't wait to see Nate Kaeding go against Shane Graham in the FG kicking contest
6. Losing coach has to job interview with Al Davis
7. Ask the Monkeys to play the halftime show (a warmup for the SB hasbeen show)
8. Sideline reporters in thongs
9. Show the Madden Version of the Game instead of playing an actual game. Ratings might be higher and the game would be more intense
10. Smear the Jerra Jones With the Football Gamel (would love to see the classic playground game played with NFL players and douche owners)


.in other words All Star Games "suck"

[omar10213245]

I don't like the Pro Bowl nor any type of all-star game. The rules are changed so that makes it just a "side show".

agreed. the only all-star game with a hint of merit would be MLB's.

[mightyguru]

Since Ben turned the invite down. Will it still count as a pro bowl season in the records?

yep.......

[markymarc]

It's funny how the MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL now suck so bad. At least the college all star games are fun to watch!

[pghfrank61]

Call me crazy but the game I used to like was the Super Bowl Winners play the college all stars. A loooog time ago.

[SteelerScott]

While I think this was another bad idea from Goodell, I can see what he was trying to do in order to give the fans something to watch the weekend before the Super Bowl. I still say that 2 weeks is way too long of a break between the championship games and Super Bowl. Ben probably didn't want to go since he would not be able to bring Bruce Arians with him :-)

Yes, I prob won't still watch, BUT would be more likely to do so when it's before the SB, rather than after.
I like the idea as much I like Ben resting.

In the meantime Ben, do some fn' crunches! You're starting to look like your fanbase.

[Marshall Karp]

Call me crazy but the game I used to like was the Super Bowl Winners play the college all stars. A loooog time ago.

I had almost forgotten about these, but I remember watching a couple and I remember the last one. Can't remember for sure, but I don't think they showed this on live TV. Frank, Dandy Don, and Howard called the game, but it was shown on the following week's Wide World of Sports. Anyway, for the history of it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_All-Star_Game

[SteelChip]

...and no golf in Nevada either!!!

For some reason I believe he will do his best to avoid Nevada for awhile, at least until the trial.

[StLouisSteel-v5]

The NFL should either eliminate this game or change who plays in it...

I would rather see a college game with rosters of NFL hopefuls for the upcoming season play each other...

This is basically what the NHL has with the World Junior game and such. It's great! I would love to see that too. The NFL Combine Bowl.