September 19th, 2004 was an unbelievable day. The Baltimore Ravens were coming off of an embarrassing loss to the Cleveland Browns, a game in which they lost 20-3. The talk in Baltimore was focused on the makeup of their Super Bowl-bound team. Is this the team that was picked by many to not only win the AFC north, but to also represent the AFC in February?
These questions filled the airways and local papers throughout the week. Although it was early on, the Steelers had won their season opener in Pittsburgh and were coming to town to put some distance in the division. The Ravens couldn't lose this game, they wouldn't.
Baltimore dominated in every facet of the game. Everything that could go wrong for the Steelers did. By the end of the game, the city of Baltimore was riding high again, beating a huge rival at home and tying for the lead in the AFC North at 1-1. Yes, the season was early, but their biggest threat in the division was just exposed.
Not only did Baltimore shut-up trash-talking linebacker Joey Porter by virtually eliminating him from the game, but they also knocked out starting quarterback Tommy Maddox. It wouldn't be until mid-November before Maddox could even throw a football again. Although the Steelers had seasoned veteran Charlie Batch (a former starter for the Detroit Lions) on the roster, he was placed on injured reserve at the beginning of the season.
So, as it turned out, some rookie came in and threw a couple of interceptions and looked like what any typical 22-year-old kid would look like facing such harsh conditions on the road.
Too bad this wasn't just some kid.
At the time, it appeared that Baltimore was clearly going to run away with the division. The Steelers were headed four hours west of Baltimore, but light years behind them. They did not have a starting quarterback anymore, the leader of their defense was silenced, and all hope was just about lost.
This chain of events even got the calm and collected Alan Fanaca, a Pro Bowl guard and team captain to respond to the media. ''Exciting?'' Faneca responded. ''No, it's not exciting. Do you want to go work with some little young kid who's just coming out of college?''
Most fans consider a season like this lost. "Okay, we'll put in the rookie and let him gain some experience and give it a go again next year," echoed the Steelers faithful. Congratulations, Baltimore, you won the battle and the war. Most rookies would crumble under this type of pressure.
Not this kid, not this rookie. The third quarterback to be taken in the 2004 draft was Ben Roethlisberger, taken 11th overall. He sure lived up to his name "Big Ben"; he was 6-5, 241 lbs. Some considered him the best talent, but also the least NFL-ready.
He couldn't possibly be ready, could he? He only started playing quarterback as a senior in high school, and didn't face the best talent in college when he went to Miami (Ohio). None of this ever got to this kid, though; he remained as calm as a seasoned veteran.
Since that September 19th game, Big Ben has been the biggest surprise in the NFL. He has re-energized the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers to a 5-1 mark and has won a Rookie of the Week honors for each performance. He is making believers out of NFL greats throughout the league. Bill Parcels, Michael Irvin, and Dan Marino have all acknowledged his potential.
His latest accolades include: AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Cowboys. Big Ben was 21-of-25 passing (84%) for 193 yards with 2 touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and posted a 125.5 passer rating. NFL.com also ranked him the No. 1 rising star in the league.
All of this has caused quarterback controversies throughout the league, most notably in Baltimore. Kyle Boller was also a first-round pick and is expected to take the franchise to great heights, but it barely looks like he can pickup a blitz.
"Boller is the NFL's 29th-rated quarterback and is in charge of the league's worst passing attack for the second-straight season," reported the Baltimore Sun on 10/20/04. The cries are indeed coming out of Baltimore. Why isn't he having the same type of success? Why can't he develop as quickly?
Some say Pittsburgh's receivers and a re-established running game are the main reason. Undeniably, they play a significant part, but to think Kyle Boller is only a couple receivers away from great play is ignorant to his horrific play. If you can't read a defense and you constantly make poor decisions, it doesn't matter if you have Terrell Owens playing for you. At least T.O. understood this.
Pittsburgh knows all to well what it is like to deal with sub-par quarterback play, with the only thing being consistent was the weekly disappoints. Pittsburgh had long endured a shaky quarterback named Kordell Stewart; now some are calling for him to start in Baltimore. Interesting, isn't it?
Ironically, none of this would have ever happened if it weren't for Baltimore. Big Ben would be on the bench and who knows if he ever plays a snap in 2004? In what was a horrible day for Steelers fans throughout the country, September 19th wasn't so bad after all. They now have a starter for the season, and with Tommy Maddox expected back, a veteran backup who is familiar with the offense. It may have only been five games, but it is clear the team and the city have a very bright future with this kid.
This season was in jeopardy, the team looked like it was about to fall apart, but an unfortunate turn of events, turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
And they have their biggest rival to thank.