The Steelers are 1-2, without Troy Polamalu, and face a huge test against the Chargers on Sunday night. The biggest story line heading into the weekend? Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers' offensive line headlining a WWE Raw (!) event Monday night. Evidently, there are concerns that Big Ben and his five fat friends aren't taking their day jobs seriously. Because everyone knows that true professionals think about football every waking moment.
In any event, left tackle Max Starks isn't worried. Via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
"It is just like saying that television is a distraction. It is on a Monday evening, six days away from a game. We have an off day the next day. I don't see how that is considered a distraction. ... For us, we are regular guys just like everybody else. If people go out on the weekends, is that a distraction from your work Monday through Friday? I don't think so."
And that's pretty much my take. If these guys want to kick it at a wrasslin' match, knock yourselves out. There are worse ways to spend your time away from football.
Also worth mentioning: head coach Mike Tomlin sounded like he didn't know about Big Ben's plans before the media brought it up, but would only offer a "no comment." Thankfully, left guard Chris Kemoeatu served as the voice of reason (which is like Limas Sweed leading a seminar on How to Make Catching Touchdown Passes Look Easy!): "It is our day off ... so, I don't know, did we have to clear it with Coach? I guess if he tells us otherwise. On your day off, you want to get your mind off football and there is stuff like this we can do."
