As a rookie, Ben Roethlisberger was in a unique situation. The fact he was playing, let alone playing well, was unexpected. Despite his first round status, Bill Cowher and the Pittsburgh Steeler’s intent was to allow him to sit his rookie year. Learn from Charlie Batch and Tommy Maddox.
By Week Two, Roethlisberger had replaced both of them. Batch went down with an injury in the summer and Maddox was lost to an elbow injury mid-game against the Baltimore Ravens. Roethlisberger stepped in and stepped up, the Steelers going 15-1 on an incredible regular season run. While the good times were rolling, Cowher knew he couldn’t let the success be the team’s downfall.