With his broken nose taped as heavily as his injured right foot, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took to the practice field Wednesday as the Steelers prepared for its second meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Roethlisberger, who had surgery on the nose Monday after it was broken by Haloti Ngata in last week's 13-10 victory at Baltimore, didn't look "soft," as he was called by Cincinnati receiver Terrell Owens a few weeks ago after being sucker punched by Richard Seymour in a win over Oakland.

"A hockey player would have took that and kept on ticking," said Owens on his weekly television show with fellow wideout Chad Ochocinco. "It just shows you how soft Ben is."

Roethlisberger said Wednesday he got an endorsement from perhaps the world's greatest hockey player on the state of his broken nose.

"Mario Lemieux told me I finally look like a hockey player," Roethlisberger said.
Roethlisberger, still smarting from Owens' comment and his injuries, suffered the broken nose on the Steelers' first series against the Ravens. He did not miss a snap at Baltimore and seems particularly motivated by Owens' comments to beat the Bengals.

"I guess I'm soft or something," said Roethlisberger. "To me, it wasn't a question that I was going back in. I asked the trainers if there is any chance this would get any worse if I practice today. They said no. I just want to win games and try to win championships."

The latter part of that comment was aimed specifically at Owens. The Bengals have lost nine consecutive games to fall to 2-10, while the Steelers improved to 9-3 with their win at Baltimore.

Roethlisberger tried out a visor on his helmet at practice and has gotten the OK from the NFL play with it against the Bengals, hoping to avoid another shot to his face.

Ngata was not penalized for striking Roethlisberger but was fined $15,000 by the league on Monday. Prior to the Steelers' second offensive series, Roethlisberger spoke with referee Terry McCauley about the play.

"I just asked him if he saw the blood," Roethlisberger said. "I'm not one who cusses at the refs or anything, I just asked him if he thought (Ngata) went for my head. His response was, 'He was just trying to tackle you.'

"So I just let it go at that."

He hasn't taken the same tact with Owens, who earlier in the year called the NFL's decision to suspend Roethlisberger for six games - it was later reduced to four - for violation of the league's personal conduct policy "racist." Owens threw out the racism charge because he felt the league had come down more heavily on Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick, who drew a three-game suspension and went to prison for his part in an illegal dogfighting ring.

"I'm glad I get big ratings for (Owens)," said Roethlisberger.

Odds and end zones

Several Steelers players were upset over what they felt was a cheap shot taken by Baltimore guard Larry Chester at linebacker James Harrison's knee during an extra-point attempt. Chester was called for a false start after firing out at Harrison during the play. The Steelers were upset because they don't feel players normally fire out of their stance on PATs. ... Safety Troy Polamalu and wide receiver Hines Ward were rested in practice Wednesday. ... Tight end Heath Miller (concussion) and right tackle Flozell Adams (ankle) did not practice.