Ron Cook: On the bright side, Michael Vick can win, too

ST. LOUIS Maybe this will help on a Monday mourning that feels pretty rotten despite the Steelers’ 12-6 win Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

Go back to second game of the 2004 season. Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox went down in the third quarter at Baltimore with a serious elbow injury. A rookie named Roethlisberger took over and struggled in the 30-13 loss. After the game, several Steelers veterans whispered their season was over. All-Pro guard Alan Faneca even said he wasn’t the least bit excited about playing with a rookie quarterback.

Roethlisberger led that 2004 team to 14 consecutive wins and the AFC championship game.

Hey, I am trying to be positive here after Roethlisberger went down Sunday in the third quarter with a potentially serious knee injury.

None of the Steelers proclaimed the season over at least not publicly but a few of you probably did. I know I was thinking it.

“I understand that. I’m sick as well,” Michael Vick said. “We hate to see Ben in that position. A guy who is so good at what he does ...”

Roethlisberger was coming off an historic season and was headed to another when Rams safety Mark Barron crawled into him and took out his left knee. Many Steelers grumbled that defensive players aren’t supposed to be allowed to hit a quarterback low “I know if we did it, we’re getting called for it,” defensive end Cam Heyward said but they also realized a penalty wouldn’t have changed the outcome of the play. The team is looking at life without Roethlisberger at least for a significant time, if not the rest of the season. Vick took over Sunday and almost certainly will start Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field.

“We understand Ben is a big component of our team, but we’ve got faith in a lot of other guys,” Heyward said. “Who’s to say Le’Veon (Bell) can’t go for 200? Who’s to say (Antonio Brown) can’t take over games? We’re just going to ask Mike to play his game. He was brought in here for a reason. We’re going to move forward.”

Like the team has a choice, right?

The winless Ravens probably aren’t going to feel sorry for the Steelers.

“It’s big shoes to fill,” Vick said. “I can’t do the things Ben does. I just have to play the way I know how to play. That’s why they brought me here. I’ve got to do everything right. I know how to do it right. I’m just thankful for the opportunity. Guys in this locker room believe in me. I’m playing with some great talent. Being around Ben these last four or five weeks, watching how he operates, watching how he works ... he’s definitely an inspiration. I love Ben, I love being with him, I love being with these guys. I’ve just got to try to keep everything together until he gets back. I think we can go out there and get it done.”

Roethlisberger was among the first to congratulate Vick after the game Sunday. “He just told me, ‘Great finish,’ ” Vick said. But Vick knew the truth. He didn’t try to win the game. He just tried not to lose it. He took few chances and completed 5 of 6 passes for 38 yards. The Steelers defense finished the game and won it.

“He got us out of the stadium. That is what the backup quarterback’s job is,” coach Mike Tomlin said, adding he will expect better after Vick gets practice time this week with the first offense.

The signing of Vick in August wasn’t popular with all Steelers fans because of his prominent role in a dog-fighting ring and the subsequent prison time he served. But Tomlin is glad to have him now. The entire organization is. His experience alone makes him a better alternative than third-stringer Landry Jones.

“This guy has been in the National Football League a long time. Nothing is really new to him,” Tomlin said of Vick.

The support motivates Vick.

“I’m so thankful for Mike Tomlin,” he said. “I wasn’t ready to give up on football. (Tomlin) sees a lot in me. I’m thankful for that. I don’t want to let him down or the organization or the players I’ve met.”

Guard Ramon Foster said the offense will rally around Vick. Heyward, speaking for the defense, said the same thing.

“It’s going to test our character,” Foster said. “That’s exactly what it is. We’ve got to rise up to it. It’s as simple as that. We can’t make excuses. We’ve got to play ball.

“It’s a long season. If Ben’s out for however long, you know he’s going to come back hot. Our job is to put him in the best situation coming back so he doesn’t feel like he has to be Superman.”

Can the Steelers beat the Ravens with Vick instead of Roethlisberger? Absolutely. The Ravens have their own issues at 0-3.

Can the Steelers remain competitive if Vick has to start for a month or so? Sure. Any backup quarterback would love to give the ball to Bell or throw it to Brown. And the defense was outstanding Sunday.

Can the Steelers make the playoffs if Roethlisberger is out for more than a month or six weeks? Don’t be silly. This isn’t 2004.

I can’t be that positive.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Ron Cook is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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