Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had one of the best seasons of his career in 2012 despite missing three games due to a sprained throwing shoulder and a dislocated rib. By the end of the year, Roethlisberger was still being bothered by his injuries, but he said he now feels great and is already working out, aiming on progressing in 2013.
"I think I ended the season healthier than I have in a long time," Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I know that sounds crazy because of my ribs and chest, but I played three or four games at the end of the season and I was actually getting healthy as the season was ending. ... I'm working out earlier this year. I took one week off, one week. I have no issues."
Fantasy Analysis:
Nothing is won in March, but it's good to hear that Big Ben is already 100 percent. If he had played in every game last year, he would have thrown for 30 or more touchdowns. However, Ben gets hit a ton and while he is extremely tough, he seems to be always nicked up if not incapacitated. He doesn't miss as many games as a Michael Vick, but he is a big injury risk. It's hard to depend on him to play 16 games, which he has done just once in his career. Plus, his fantasy value will be negatively impacted with the inevitable loss of wide receiver Mike Wallace. Roethlisberger's 2012 numbers were extremely good for a man who played in 13 games. But I wouldn't draft him on those numbers as I think he is unlikely to repeat them. That's why I currently consider Big Ben to be a fringe QB1.
