THE HEALING PROCESS
Tony,
I was wondering myself about [Ben Roethlisberger’s recovery], and some of it happened to be well-articulated at 10 am this morning on 980AM (I was driving to work late, and I live in Virginia…)
It may take 7 weeks for Roethlisberger’s jaw to heal. But he won’t be eating normally until then. How much weight will he lose? How much will he be able to work out over the next several weeks, given his injuries? I’m guessing he won’t be able to work out for at least 4 weeks – and that is probably optimistic. So, even though his jaw will be healed in 7 weeks, he’ll be out of shape, cardio-wise…
Bottom-Line, Roethlisberger may miss some time getting back to playing shape.
Also, there can be brain swelling. He could also have long-term problems with concentration and memory.
Now, these last few things are "could." He also, easily, could not have these things arise. As a human being, I’m hoping he’s fine. As he is a Pittsburgh QB, I’m hoping that WE bang him up some as we stomp their rear ends…
Seriously, I’m glad he wasn’t killed. And, hopefully, he’ll drive a car from now on – especially in the city.
Our FIRST game with Pittsburgh isn’t ’til Thanksgiving weekend. So it probably doesn’t directly affect our games with them… even if he misses a few games (Rats!)
Mike Fudge
Mike,
I can only go by what I’ve heard and if that is true, Roethlisberger will be ready to put his practice jersey on in time to prepare for the Steelers’ season opener. But the Big Ben that puts on that jersey won’t be so big. As you correctly point out, he will not be in football shape not only from the standpoint of cardiovascular training, but from a strength and conditioning perspective as well.
It would be naïve to think that Roethlisberger can just step in and play well. Edwin Mulitalo learned that to try and get into football shape in season, is a difficult thing to do. Now I would imagine that the ramp up time needed for a lineman differs from that of a quarterback. But at the end of the day and come September 7, the Steelers will need to rely on their running game and their defense if they are to compete effectively early in the season without a 100 percent Roethlisberger.
And for the record, I want him at full strength when he takes on the Ravens. No excuses!
Bring it on,
TL
IN KEY WEST IT’S BEST
Hello Tony,
I’ve read 24×7 for a while, my compliments for a terrific and informative Ravens website. I happened to stumble upon the link to your Key West suggestions just in time for our trip to Florida. I printed off your list and took it with us. We actually stayed in South Beach and drove down to Key West for a couple of days 6/6-7. The Speak Easy was full, however they recommended their sister hotel Casa 325 on Duval Street; very nice place and they have a pool – $140.00 per night. The location is close to "downtown" yet surprisingly quiet due to the location sitting off and behind other buildings on Duval Street – very clean and well maintained, my wife was pleased with the facility.
Other suggestions for consideration for your informational link and or next trip:
-We had to have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe (outdoors of course)
-Take the cheesy train tour ride around town (very informative and it will orient you to the town)
-Dinner at the Blue Heaven restaurant (very different – a memorable dinner)
-You have to stop in to have a margarita at the Margaritaville bar (ask for Sherry the bartender)
-Breakfast at Camille’s located at Simonton & Catherine Streets (outstanding breakfast food)
-Lunch at Jack Flat’s Cafe/Bar on Duval Street – (excellent food at reasonable prices – great friendly service)
And you were right…
-You must experience the sunset festival in Mallory Square (go early to reserve a seat at dock side or you will be standing). The street vendors, artists and vaudeville type acts are very entertaining. The sunset "main attraction" is incredible…
-At least one morning you have to get up early to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic… a unique experience.
Thanks for the tips…
I also listen to the radio show whenever my schedule permits. Good Luck with the show!
All the best,
Jack Moore
Jack,
I’m glad you enjoyed the tips and your stay in Key West. I hope to make my way down there soon. Thanks also for tuning into GAMETIME.
As to your suggestions, I’ll give them a try. I have had a couple other site visitors suggest Blue Heaven and Camille’s. I’ve been to Jack Flat’s – great sports pub too! I’m not much into the Hard Rock scene, a bit too commercial for my tastes but I’ll try and keep an open mind and give it a whirl. Margaritaville doesn’t jazz me either. I was a bit disappointed by it when I first made my way to Key West about 10 years ago. To me, it lacks the ambience of traditional Key West taverns, bars and saloons and it could be in a shopping mall in Anywhere, USA. Just my opinion…
Perhaps it was Sherry that was the real star!
Cheers,
TL
MY MCCENTS WORTH!
Tony,
I wanted to offer my thoughts on the trade for McNair. I believe the Ravens finally have a legitimate QB who can provide leadership in the huddle, read a defense while working through his progressions, and then pick the secondary apart. McNair not only makes Jamal’s life easier (since he won’t see 8/9 in the box consistently), but he also takes the pressure off the line. This being said, the line still needs to gain leverage coming off the ball and start playing with controlled aggression. Perhaps with another year of losing under their belt they will have the necessary desire to reverse the downward spiral that has been the Baltimore Ravens.
If the offseason work ethic of Ogden, Mulitalo, and Flynn are any indication last season’s embarrassment has put the fire back in their bellies so to speak. It is hard to quantify what McNair brings to the table in wins. What we do know is McNair will make this offense both mentally and physically tougher. He leads by example and his track record confirms this. I also believe that the character issues that plagued this team will clear up like a bad zit if the team starts putting wins on the board early in the season, especially on the road.
Here’s to a healthy and very successful ’06 season. It all starts with one common goal – Miami in ’07!
Chip, Greensboro
Chip,
In my most recent Lombardi’s Way, I echo a few of your thoughts on McNair. I certainly think that McNair makes the Ravens mentally tougher. I’m not sure about the physical part. Boller while injured often he certainly is a tough competitor. I think that they are more physically capable with McNair yet McNair’s recent history of injuries is a bit of a concern, not so much for the games he’s missed, but for the practices that he’s been forced to skip.
Miami in ’07? Sounds like a vacation to me.
TL
GO TO WAR MISS AGNES!
Tony,
The real reason I’m writing is that your story of the 3 stacked TV’s and Chuck Thompson commentary affected me to the point that I’ve been laughing, and mostly crying into my keyboard all morning missing my Dad, who died in 2003 at the tender age of 73 from complications of a hip replacement.
Just when you think you’ve got a handle on this grief thing and that a certain amount of time has passed….Wham, you read or hear or see or feel or remember something and the tears start all over again.
Well, enough of my ramble. Thanks to you and Rick for the sensitive and timely remembrances of your Dads. I suppose its okay for Ravens’ fans to cry after all, and like you, I’ll never get over the loss of my Dad, as you’ll never get over the loss of your Mom. I don’t think we’re supposed to, since they’re a part of us.
Bob Treadaway
P.S. I just discovered the joys of podcasts since my daughter gave me an Ipod nano 2 weeks ago for my birthday. Any chance that Gametime will be made into a podcast? That would be Raven heaven.
Bob,
I’m happy to hear that you were able to laugh at our stories and hopefully those tears in some way brought your Dad a bit closer to you during those moments. Your comment, “they’re part of us” hit me square in the chest! I couldn’t agree with you more.
As for your Ipod and podcasts, first let me say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Secondly, you can download the current GAMETIME shows. Just click on this link then when you are there, right click and download to your computer, right into Itunes. I’ve had several of our visitors write in to say that they listen to us on the train, on the plane and at the gym. That’s good stuff!
Soon we’ll be expanding our podcast offerings to include no less than a fantasy football only program. Stay tuned!
TL
I WONDER, WONDER, WONDER WHO?
TL,
I was wondering what you think of DE/LB Rod Green. What kind of camp did he have? I do not have him making the roster this season, however. I think they signed an almost identical, but smarter and tougher player in DE/LB Gary Stills from the Chiefs. Isn’t Stills almost a lock, while Green is really on the bubble, especially with the drafting of another similar player at the same position(s) in LaCasse? I know Green has talent, but he’s been given a few years and obviously hasn’t picked up the system well (disorder or not).
On a side note there are currently 6 CBs that have a good chance to make this team: Rolle, McAlister, Pittman, Prude, Ivy, and Martin. Do we really carry 6 CBs and who has the best chance of getting cut? The S position [outside of Reed] have very similar players: big special teamers. Ward, Landry, and Sapp are pretty similar and probably are all beasts on special teams. Who makes the cut? Also, how has WLB Tim Johnson looked at the camps? I see him making the team as the final LB, mainly because there is no depth behind Bart Scott and only Mike Smith behind Ray Lewis.
Thanks!
Sincerely,
John S., Allentown, PA
John,
Let me first make this point drawing from my observations of OTA’s. It’s still very early but I think that the Ravens’ special teams play in the coming season may end up being their best ever. I’ve heard players say that they like Frank Gansz, Jr.’s approach to special teams and clearly he is more vocal and hands on than predecessor Gary Zauner. The Ravens have many young athletes looking to make the roster. They also have players that are struggling to find their respective places on offense and defense. The beneficiary of this is Gansz. He’ll have a number of players fighting to remain a Raven and the best place that they can show up film is on special teams.
Rod Green is one such player. He has done very little as a DE/LB and as you correctly point out, Gary Stills is a better alternative and is taking practice reps away from Green. Green looks a bit lost to me and his intensity is missing. I definitely see him as a player on the bubble despite his athleticism and size. He’ll need to step it up in August. LaCasse doesn’t really have Green’s speed but he is being coached up by Jeff Fitzgerald. He’s another interesting player to watch yet I think he’s a long shot.
As for the CB’s, the same it true – the need to show up on tape while on special teams. In my opinion, Prude is ahead of both Martin and Pittman and if I had to rank them based on OTA’s, Prude is the clear leader followed by Martin then Pittman – the exact opposite of the order in which they were acquired. Corey Ivy is a feisty player and looks to be one of the special team’s captains. He’ll stick. The competition at safety will be intense as well with Ward, Landry and now Sapp. We’ll see what they do in pads. Landry is big and strong and will probably be better suited for run support. Ward shows flashes of brilliance but I question his focus. He’s a bit of a free spirit. Sapp doesn’t support the run well and while he’s solid covering tight ends (something the team will need given the impressive list of TE’s they will face in 2006), he is average at best covering slot receivers.
Again it’s still very early but Tim Johnson looks like he’ll get a chance and in OTA’s he held his own. We’ll see what happens when they pump up the heat and the volume!
Some like it hot,
TL
