Pittsburgh Steelers: Media Over Blowing This Whole Captain Thing

Good afternoon loyal reader, I promise I'll keep this one short (I know how many articles you have to read instead of doing work).

A lot of people, especially the four letter network, have been weighing in on this whole Ben Roethlisberger not being elected captain by his team.

There is a lot of speculation that this is a message from the players to their quarterback.

Honestly, I highly doubt that. 

First off, he's their quarterback plain and simple.  Dennis Dixon is going to have to light the world on fire if he's going to get the starting job after the bye-week.

As the starting quarterback "C" or no "C" he is the offense's leader.  He is the one they'll all be depending on late in the game if they need a score to win.  They will all look to him, and because of his past play on the field they'll all rally behind him with confidence.

Secondly, a captain has to be there for the team. 

Roethlisberger is suspended not injured.  Being suspended means he can't participate in any team activities.  He can't train at their facilities of even watch game film.

I think not being elected captain is because for the first quarter of the season he is essentially not on the team (so to speak).

I assure you he will be the leader of this team (at least the offense) upon his return and after (possibly) another AFC North title he will once again where the "C" on his jersey the next time we see football, be it 2011 or 2012 baring a possible lock-out.