Cowher Isn't Fretting Over Roethlisberger's Appendectomy

There were moments when the Pittsburgh Steelers managed to go Hollywood after winning the Super Bowl in February.

And then there were those Ben Roethlisberger moments, which played out like a Hollywood horror story.

First, there was Roethlisberger's June 12 motorcycle accident that required seven hours of surgery for multiple facial fractures. He recovered nicely and did not miss any practice time during training camp. In fact, he played better in the preseason than he did a year ago.

Then, on Sunday, he arrived at the team's training facility feeling ill and doctors determined that he needed an emergency appendectomy. He will miss tomorrow's opener against Miami, then will be evaluated on a weekly basis.

Cue his understudy, quarterback Charlie Batch.

"This is why Charlie is here. Charlie will be fine," Steelers Coach Bill Cowher told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It's a situation that can happen to any football team. You can go out there and have a starter go down, whether it's an ankle or something else of that nature. That's the nature of the business."

Batch will need to stay healthy if the team is to repeat as Super Bowl champion. Seven franchises have accomplished the feat, and if the Steelers are to do it again, they'll have to accomplish it without the leadership of retired fullback Jerome Bettis, as well as, for a while at least, Roethlisberger. In addition, the Steelers have lost starters Antwaan Randle El, Kimo von Oelhoffen and Chris Hope.

Still with the team are star safety Troy Polamalu, wide receiver Hines Ward, guard Alan Faneca and running back Willie Parker.