Dec 30 2008
Steelers beat Browns 31-0, but with very large asterisk
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat up on the Cleveland Browns, in the last regular season game for the 2008 season. That’s really not too much to brag about, as Cleveland had a record of 4-11 going into the game. But some teams get a little lazy when their playoff spot is already assured, but a win is still a win. But amid the victory, there was also very bad news to report. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sustained a concussion deep into the second quarter, and was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
Big Ben gave the thumbs up as he was wheeled off on a stretcher, but this is probably something that will take a while to all sort out as to his medical condition. Byron Leftwich, backup quarterback, has come through well when he has had to step in for Big Ben, but he certainly isn’t as good. Steelers’ fans will have to wait and see what the doctors say about Ben’s condition. Let’s hope it’s not serious.
One piece of good news was the performance of Willie Parker in the Cleveland game. Cleveland is hardly a defensive powerhouse, but Fast Willie did run for 116 yards. That’s his best performance in quite a while. We’ll see what he can do when the Steelers have to face a tougher defense than that put up by the Browns. Now it looks like the Steelers won’t have Cleveland head coach Romeo Crennel to kick around anymore. He was let go the day after the Browns’ loss, at the end of a horrid season. Wherefore art thou, Romeo? Maybe we’ll find out in the next couple of months. In the meantime, the Steelers have a bye week, so that may give much needed rest time to a team that truly needs it. Go Steelers.
