Dunlap: Ben's Concussion Situation So Confusing
At this point, I can't tell up from down, a concussion from an optical-whatever-the-heck.
All I know is this, I wouldn't be surprised if Ben Roethlisberger, in the next day or so, comes out and says, "I'm askin' ya', what's the guy's name on first base?"
And Mike Tomlin replies: "Oh no, What's on second."
And then Roethlisberger comes back with, "I'm not askin' ya who is on second."
It sure feels that way.
Like some Abbott and Costello skit, dizzyingly negotiating us through a maze of bafflement and disorientation until we throw up our hands and say, "I don't know what the hell is going on here."
The confusion.
The mix-up.
The downright puzzlement of the Ben Roethlisberger might (or might not) have a concussion situation.
It doesn't feel as if the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing, but rather, it feels as if the right hand doesn't even know a left hand exists.
I hate to go all old-school on you, but can't you just see The Chief right now, if he were still alive and such a situation happened, calling all parties involved into his office and speaking through that chewed-on cigar saying, "we're embarrassing ourselves, boys; let's get on the same page."
Indeed, the Steelers, Roethlisberger, Tomlin and all parties involved need to get on the same page with the does-Ben-have-a-concussion stuff because it has gotten to the point where finger pointing is going on ---- and that's never a good thing.
The latest chapter happened on Wednesday morning in the Steelers locker room during Roethlisberger's media availability.
"I had no symptoms of a concussion; no headaches, no dizziness, no nausea, no any of that stuff that comes with it," Roethlisberger said. "That's why on the sideline when I told the doctors what I was feeling and my symptoms, Dr. Maroon and the rest of the training staff --- and Dr. Maroon, one of the best neurologists in the world --- said I didn't have a concussion. That's why I think I was so confused yesterday when coach Tomlin said I had one. I just think they need to get together and tell their players what's going on. I was just relaying what the doctors told me."
To rehash, Big Ben relayed that on his weekly appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday, when he stated firmly he didn't have a concussion.
About an hour later at his weekly press gathering, Tomlin stated the quarterback did, indeed, have a concussion.
It's still murky --- to me at least --- if Ben Roethlisberger ever did have a concussion. Again, it feels like that 'Who's On First?' routine and I'm just ready to shout, "I Don't Give A Damn" --- who actually played shortstop on that team, if I have it all correct.
What is clear, however, is that Roethlisberger is practicing on Wednesday. That and in the future, the organization, Tomlin and the player involved need to all be on the same page about what to say to the media are the only clear things in all of this.
Otherwise, it's turned into high comedy tinged with a bit of embarrassment and now finger pointing.
Colin Dunlap is a featured columnist at CBSPittsburgh.com. He can also be heard weekdays from 5:40 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sports Radio 93-7 "The Fan." You can e-mail him at colin.dunlap@cbsradio.com. Check out his bio here.
