NFL Season Opens with Champs

Ben Roethlisberger can wave a Terrible Towel. But that's all he can do when the Pittsburgh Steelers begin defense of their Super Bowl title.

For the third consecutive year, the defending champions get to host the NFL season opener on a Thursday night when the Steelers meet the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field.

But Roethlisberger, the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, became ill during practice last Sunday and needed to have an emergency appendectomy, sidelining him for at least Thursday's game.

It was the latest setback for Roethlisberger, who nearly died in a June 12 motorcycle accident. Yet after undergoing surgery for multiple facial fractures, Roethlisberger missed no practice time during the preseason.

But after having his appendix removed, Roethlisberger will probably need at least two weeks to recuperate.

So Steelers coach Bill Cowher will turn to veteran Charlie Batch, who went 2-0 last season when Roethlisberger was out with a knee injury.

"We have confidence in Charlie," Cowher said. "He's started in this league and played his share of pressure games."

The 31-year-old Batch was a starter with the Detroit Lions from 1998-2001, compiling a 19-27 record. Last season with the Steelers, Batch was 23-of-36 for 246 yards and one touchdown with one interception.

But over the last two seasons, the Steelers are 27-4 with Roethlisberger as the starter and 4-3 without him.

Pittsburgh also will be missing running back Jerome Bettis, who rode into the sunset with a Super Bowl title, and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, who signed with Washington in the offseason.

On top of that, Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward did not play in any of the team's preseason games due to a sore right hamstring. But the Steelers' all-time leading receiver (574 catches) has practiced this week.

"You know I'm not missing this game," Ward said.

Pittsburgh's defense returns all but two starters and is anchored by nose tackle Casey Hampton, safety Troy Polamalu and linebackers Joey Porter and James Farrior. Brett Keisel replaces Kimo von Oelhoffen at right end and Ryan Clark succeeds Chris Hope at free safety.

Facing Pittsburgh's defense is a tough first act for quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who was acquired in the offseason by Miami from the Minnesota Vikings for a second round pick.

Culpepper tore three right knee ligaments in an October 30 game against Carolina. He made a miraculous recovery from that injury and played in all of Miami's preseason games.

The Dolphins have not had a Pro Bowl quarterback since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season. Since his retirement, the list of quarterbacks has included the likes of Jay Fiedler, A.J. Feeley and Brian Griese.

Culpepper's arrival brings instant credibility to an offense that was headlined by Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Chambers and running back Ronnie Brown, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft.

The Dolphins closed coach Nick Saban's first season with a six-game winning streak and finished 9-7.

But that doesn't quite compare to Pittsburgh's eight-game winning streak, including four postseason wins and a 21-10 triumph over Seattle in Super Bowl XL.


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