The Ward-Roethlisberger Recriminations Go Passive-Aggressive

Hines Ward made headlines two weeks ago when he impugned quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s toughness and willingness to play immediately after finding out that doctors forced Big Ben to the sidelines as a result of post-concussion headaches rather than allow him to play against the Ravens. Ward later apologized and the two players reportedly cleared the air. ↵↵Ward wasn’t exactly neglected in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders, as he hauled in six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, so it appeared both had moved on. But it looks as though Ward tweaked his hamstring, which has him listed as doubtful for Thursday’s game against the Browns. ↵

↵↵In his weekly chat on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Web site, Ed Bouchette noted that the irony of Hines missing the upcoming game because of an injury other players have often tried to power through has not escaped Big Ben.↵

↵↵⇥Ben had an interesting answer to that question today. I thought he was poking a little jab at Hines Ward when someone asked about not having his WR for this game. he said, and I’m paraphrasing but close on this: Hines has to do what is best for Hines.↵↵↵That’s a quote that would benefit greatly from audio. With the general negative tenor of the locker room, Ben bearing some lingering bitterness wouldn’t be a huge shock. Or it could be that he chose his words indelicately. Even if the latter if the case, he has to know how closely words will be parsed anytime the media gets the slightest whiff of acrimony among of roster.↵

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