Roethlisberger eyes redemption
No NFL quarterback has started his career like Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, who has gone a year without losing a regular-season game.
There’s one game he would like to take back, though, and it’s the only loss on his NFL resume. It came against the team he faces Sunday for the third time in 12 months – the team that turned his perfect rookie season into a not-so-perfect one.
The New England Patriots are the only team that’s found a way to beat Roethlisberger, who is 15-0 during the season and 16-1 counting the playoffs. The lone defeat was that 41-27 loss in the AFC championship game in January, the only game Roethlisberger hasn’t won the last 29 times he stepped on the field as a starter in the NFL or in college at Miami (Ohio).
With the Patriots showing him a different defensive look on nearly every play, Roethlisberger appeared confused and unconfident – possibly because he was coming off a shaky performance in an overtime playoff win over the New York Jets. He passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns, but threw three interceptions that were pivotal to New England opening leads of 24-3 and 31-10.
He has watched that game tape several times in the last nine months, but still isn’t quite sure what he should learn from it.
“It stayed with me for a little while just because you’re disappointed with a loss,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “But you don’t dwell on it, you don’t let it bring you down because you want to get better, and find out how you make mistakes so you can learn from them.”
Texans evacuate Houston
The Houston Texans canceled practice for today and asked all players to leave town immediately as Hurricane Rita barreled toward the Texas coast with 165-mph winds.
Coach Dom Capers said the team, which has a bye this week, was looking at alternatives that include practicing next week in Cincinnati before the Texans’ game on Oct. 2 against the Bengals.
Texans’ players were told to secure their homes, then evacuate quickly.
Panthers doctor indicted
A doctor who was accused in a television report of writing illegal steroid prescriptions for three former Carolina Panthers players has been indicted on federal charges.
James M. Shortt was charged with 29 counts of distributing steroids and human growth hormones as well as a conspiracy charge, U.S. Attorney Johnny Gasser said. The indictment did not specify who received the drugs.
But a person familiar with the indictment said they were current and former members of the Carolina Panthers, bodybuilders and at least one police officer.
McNabb, Owens, Akers ail
Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens missed practice with injuries, but it’s unlikely either player won’t play in Philadelphia’s game against Oakland on Sunday.
McNabb, who sat out one practice last week with a bruised chest, hurt his groin right before halftime against San Francisco. Owens has a nagging abdominal/groin injury. Also, kicker David Akers was limited in practice because of a hamstring injury.
“ Michael Vick was held out of practice with a sore left hamstring, but the Atlanta quarterback said he may play Sunday at Buffalo even if he can’t practice the rest of the week.
“Jets running back Curtis Martin missed practice with a bruised right knee and is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game against Jacksonville.
“Minnesota will likely be without two starters for Sunday’s game against New Orleans – wide receiver Nate Burleson and linebacker E.J. Henderson.
“San Diego left guard Toniu Fonoti had a plate surgically inserted in his broken right hand and it’s doubtful he’ll play in Sunday night’s home game against the New York Giants.
“Safety Lawyer Milloy had surgery to repair an injured right thumb, leaving his status uncertain for Buffalo’s game against Atlanta on Sunday.
“Carolina safety Mike Minter missed practice with a strained calf that could end his streak of playing in 64 consecutive regular-season games.
Around the league
Veteran quarterback Doug Johnson, signed in the off-season to give Cleveland protection behind starter Trent Dilfer, was released by the Browns. The club claimed rookie quarterback Derek Anderson on waivers from Baltimore. …
Green Bay placed Pro Bowl receiver Javon Walker on injured reserve after he blew out the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the Packers’ opener two weeks ago. He’ll have surgery once the swelling subsides, then embark on a rehabilitation that could take up to a year. … Houston coach Dom Capers benched two starters, cornerback Phillip Buchanon and linebacker Jason Babin, for their poor performances in hopes of spurring the team’s struggling defense.