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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > February > 02 > Entry
Congrats, Big Ben: Nobody does it better
I remember it as if it were yesterday …
It was Wednesday, July 30, 2003, and Ben Roethlisberger was standing behind the ropes on the upstairs field at Georgetown College, watching a Cincinnati Bengals practice at training camp.
He was there with his Miami RedHawks head coach — the late Terry Hoeppner — and some teammates, who made the pilgrimage from Oxford, Ohio.
Big Ben, about to enter his junior season at Miami, took in the Bengals’ morning practice. His eyes were focused on Bengals rookie quarterback Carson Palmer, the University of Southern California’s Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft.
“I wanted to see Carson play,” Roethlisberger told me that day. “I’ve never seen him. I wanted to just kind of see how his demeanor is and how he plays. He’s really impressive.”
Roethlisberger said he was looking forward to his opportunity to play in the NFL.
“That’s the ultimate goal — to get out here and play on Sundays and get to these camps,” he said.
Palmer said he didn’t realize Roethlisberger was in attendance, and would’ve liked to have met him.
“I didn’t get a chance to talk to him, but I’ve definitely heard about him,” Palmer said. “He’s a great quarterback.”
And the rest — as we all know — is history.
http://www.drafthistory.com/years/2004.html
Roethlisberger, the No. 11 overall pick of the 2004 draft, captured his second Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
How sweet it is …
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band gave a spectacular halftime performance.
http://primetime.tv.yahoo.com/
And the Steelers and Cardinals played an incredible game that topped last year’s Giants-Patriots thriller.
The weekend’s only bummer: Wide receiver Cris Carter — the former Middletown High School, Ohio State and Minnesota Vikings’ legend — was not voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As for Super Bowl XLIII, the game had more twists and turns than Mid-Ohio’s road course.
There was James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return for a TD on the final play of the first half — the longest play in Super Bowl history.
There was Kurt Warner’s three TD passes for the Cardinals.
And there was Big Ben and MVP Santonio Holmes working their magic on the game-winning and career-defining drive.
The Steelers’ first-round draft picks from 2004-06 go like this:
Ben Roethlisberger, tight end Heath Miller and wide receiver Santonio Holmes.
Holmes was selected No. 25 overall — one pick after the Cincinnati Bengals took cornerback Johnathan Joseph at No. 24.
http://www.drafthistory.com/years/2006.html
On NBC’s cluttered stage of talking heads — lowlighted by Matt Millen’s inane stupidity — Mike Holmgren was right. The Cardinals scored their final TD too early.
Even Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt
Giving Big Ben two-plus minutes — Holmes made four catches on the final drive — is asking for it.
Congrats to Big Ben, Mike Tomlin, James Harrison and the Steelers.
As for the Cardinals, they can just go away.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: NFL
Comments
By Doco
February 2, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this
Why the disdane for the Cardinals? And why the support for the Steelers and James Harrison? For being a punk and holding down and punching a little special teams guy? He should have been tossed. Ben, a born and raised Ohio boy, was a 49ers and Broncos fan growing up just to spite his home-state teams. The Steelers are great and deserved to win. But I HATE them, and can’t imagine a Bengals or Browns fan being happy for them.By Brian
February 2, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this
I’d be more than happy to see the Cardinals stick around for another run with Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin. They’re fun to watch. James Harrison on the other hand should have gone away via an ejection after his thug-stunt in the 4th quarter. NBC including the architect of the league’s first 0-16 team, Matt Millen, on their bloated panel (and seating him next to a true class act in Tony Dungy) was like school in the summertime: No class.By R Young
February 2, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
Love the Mid Ohio analogy. Chick a race fan; who new? As a Bengal fan I am happy to see Dick LeBeau get another ring.By Steve F
February 2, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this
Now I know what Red Sox fans felt like watching the Yankees win championship after championship all those years.By cincy anon
February 2, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
“As for the Cardinals, they can just go away.” That’s cold Chick. They showed heart and soul playing in that game. They weren’t the better team but it made for some fun football. Lots of talent and can-do spirit. Bengals fans need to see more of that. Sadly, Mike Brown will look at them breaking their 62 year drought and think “Hope is alive!”By photoman
February 2, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
Well, I hope COC was watching and saw SH’s ending TD and the fact that Holmes didn’t have to do some “stupid pet tricks” after his touchdown. Perhaps the Bengals players can see what a good NFL championship team looks like on the field in a really big game and see how far they are from becoming one of them. CP could have already been a winner if he would have played QB for many other teams. Makes me feel sad for him. Perhaps he’ll see the error of his ways in signing with the Bengals and look to go elsewhere.By photoman
February 2, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this
John Elway was quoted as saying prior to being drafted in 1983 by the Colts that he “didn’t feel the team could allow him to be successful”. In watching CP’s career as a Bengal, we can see what JE was referring to.By Derrick
February 2, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this
I can’t agree with your assessment of Bruce Springstein’s halftime performance. In my opinion it was awful. Penalties doomed the Cardinals deserved or not.By photoman
February 2, 2009 6:30 PM | Link to this
With Matt Millen’s appearance as a talking head, NBC must of figured the Lions fans would not be watching the Super Bowl.By CDouble13
February 2, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this
As a Bengal fan, and an AFC North observer, I refuse to give the “Stealers” credit for anything…There would have been FBI agents ready to execute Chad Johnson had he punched someone or did the antics Holmes did after the TD, but the “Stealers” get praised…They had the refs in their pockets the entire game as though Pittsburgh was going to be deemed the winner one way or another… I think the “Stealers” are classless thugs…from Ward’s cheap shot, Harrison’s thuggery,to the cheap shot that sent the Bengals into their latest abyss, and even the calls that gave holmes a td he did not score against the ravens that cost B’more a game and the abismal officiating in the sb, I wonder who in the NFL is on the “Stealers,” payroll. If the Bengals did any of the above, they would be punnished and scrutinized by the NFL and the media, but since it’s the “Stealers,” its all good…Screw PittsburghBy CDouble13
February 2, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this
As a Bengal fan, and an AFC North observer, I refuse to give the “Stealers” credit for anything…There would have been FBI agents ready to execute Chad Johnson had he punched someone or did the antics Holmes did after the TD, but the “Stealers” get praised…They had the refs in their pockets the entire game as though Pittsburgh was going to be deemed the winner one way or another… I think the “Stealers” are classless thugs…from Ward’s cheap shot, Harrison’s thuggery,to the cheap shot that sent the Bengals into their latest abyss, and even the calls that gave holmes a td he did not score against the ravens that cost B’more a game and the abismal officiating in the sb, I wonder who in the NFL is on the “Stealers,” payroll. If the Bengals did any of the above, they would be punnished and scrutinized by the NFL and the media, but since it’s the “Stealers,” its all good…Screw PittsburghBy john
February 2, 2009 11:06 PM | Link to this
Alright Chick, I almost fell for your blog. The only reason you wrote this blog was to get all of us “True” Bengal fans fired up!By Ironmike
February 2, 2009 11:37 PM | Link to this
Some are just luckier than others. What a different picture for both players had Palmer had the good fortune to have become a Steeler and Roethlisberger the misfortune of a Bengals career.By buzzsaw
February 9, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
If all you “BunGAL” fans we’rnt so jealous you my be able to apprieciate a good team like the Steelers. You guys suck Steelers rule. Like they said they are now the best franchise in NFL history. GO STEELER….