Ben Roethlisberger was on a conference call with the Denver media when the Tebow topic came up. If there is someone who can speak to getting credit for winning by playing with a defense that holds teams down, then Ben would seem to have the proper perspective.

It’s got to be tough. Every time you turn it on, you see something about Tebow. I can only imagine what it’s like for his teammates. Just watching today, it’s the Steelers versus Tim Tebow. No, it’s the Steelers versus the Broncos, so I can only imagine what it’s like for him with all the eyes and the attention on him and the pressure. It can’t be fun. I feel for him a little bit.

Hear that, everyone? It’s not Tebow vs the Steelers. In fact, if Denver is going to win this one, they are probably going to have to slow down the Steelers offense and keep it a low scoring game, because even with safety Ryan Clark out, I don’t see Denver lighting it up. It will be the defense taking advantage of Steelers’ injuries like Pouncey and Mendenhall to disrupt the flow.

Big Ben also had words about ESPN’s coverage.

I don’t think Tim calls up ESPN and says, ‘Hey, put me on every day, and make it the Steelers vs. Tebow.’ It’s probably tough for him to deal with that stuff.

 

Well, I mean, okay, ESPN has certainly been on the front line of pushing the Tebow coverage, from the Tebow-Centers to Preacher Skip shouting from the mountaintop. Tebow did do a phone interview with Bayless a while ago. We have had plenty of posts on Tebow, including this one, too, so I’m not going to be a hypocrite here. We write because it is of interest. You know what? I’m not sure if it’s ESPN wagging the tail on this one, though they are the most vigorous dog in accepting the wag. It wasn’t ESPN who caused a pastor in Colorado to claim God was making the Broncos win in an interview with TMZ. (The Broncos haven’t won since, and I don’t think we’ve gotten anymore theological lessons via TMZ.)

I think it goes beyond ESPN, and it’s a reflection of what people are talking about. And yes, there is lots of it. My sense is it has slowed over the last three weeks as the victories have ceased and the late game heroics dried up. If Ben wants Tebow not to deal with this stuff anymore, then the Steelers team can handle that. I suspect that Sunday’s game may put a close to it, or fan it further.

[photo via Getty]