How long will the Pittsburgh Steelers be without the services of QB Ben Roethlisberger? We know it can be as many as 6 games and Steelers Nation will be holding their breath that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will reduce it after his meeting with Big Ben later today. The hope is it will be reduced to 4 games. This is a tough way for the franchise to start this season and they need their 2 time Super Bowl winning QB if they want a shot in the tough AFC this year. The Steelers open at home next week against the Atlanta Falcons and then hit the road for their next 2 games against the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In week 4 they are back home hosting the always tough Baltimore Ravens right before their bye week. That is not the easiest 4 game stretch and I wouldn't be surprised to see them start 1-3 which puts them in a tough spot to get out of. If Commissioner Goodell stands firm and keeps the suspension at the original 6 games then Roethlisberger would miss a home game against the Cleveland Browns and a road game at the Miami Dolphins and his first game back would be on the road against the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints with his team sitting at 2-4 and needing a miracle to get back into the AFC Playoff race.

We have finally reached the end of the NFL Preseason schedule after the slate of games tonight. I couldn't be happier and I'm not the only one who feels this way! I wish all teams can get through tonights games injury free. Most teams will not play their starters to much anyway as the 4th game is usually used to look at players who are on the bubble and need to catch the eye of the coaching staff. The NFL is one week away from the Thursday Night opener in New Orleans next week and that is where my mind is as I type this. I need to refocus a bit because there are plenty of big NFL story lines to come in the week leading up to the opener. How long will Big Ben have to sit and what uniform will Matt Leinert be wearing when he suits up next week? What about Brett Favre's ankle? It's time for me to shut up! 

Look here is the deal, yes it sucks that Stephen Strasburg is having Tommy John surgery. Who's fault is it? Nobody, thats who! I've heard some people start the grumbling about the injury and wanting to blame someone or something because he got hurt. This is a very common injury among baseball pitchers, like an ACL tear in football or basketball. It's one of those freak things that happens to players in sports. I don't think the Washington Nationals are to blame for this and I wish people would just shut up and stop playing the blame game!     

No, this can't be happening! Please say it ain't so, Mr. Rizzo! The two words you never want to hear if you are a pitcher are Tommy John. It's a real bummer because this kid exceeded the hype and was better than advertised and has his head on straight. It looks like it could be anywhere between 12-18 months before Stephen Strasburg can return. I'm stunned and really don't know what else to say.    

On September 13th at 6pm the Washington Wizards will be holding an open tryout for a new PA announcer at Verizon Center. Anyone interested can participate, all you have to do is sign up! Good Luck to all that apply!