NFL: For Ben Roethlisberger, Readiness Will Be a Big Challenge

For Ben Roethlisberger, the long journey back is just beginning.

He's hurdled a few of the challenges, such as completing a battery of psychological evaluations and making all of the proper comments to the press outlets.

However, he still has a long road ahead of him.

It will take years to win back the support of a loyal but expectant fan base. Steelers fans not only expect victory, they expect their players to act like pillars of the community. Not hormonally and morally challenged college kids.

He can start by making a seamless return to the playing field when his suspension is finally lifted.

That, however, will also be a huge challenge.

Roethlisberger's suspension allows him to participate in the offseason program, training camp, and the preseason.

After that, he's out of the office until he's permitted to return.

That means no practices, no meetings, and obviously no games.

During that time, however, Roethlisberger must maintain his conditioning, his readiness, and his edge.

That won't be easy when he won't be allowed to work with his offense.

This is, perhaps, the biggest hurdle remaining in the short term. How he handles it will go a long way to determining how easily he overcomes the other obstacles.

If he returns and is in usual form, making plays and winning football games, other players will find it easier to allow him a leadership role on the field and in the locker room. He's already said all the right things, but his performance will go a long way toward dictating how he is received.

Fans will also respond to their quarterback making the big plays they are accustomed to seeing. It would be virtually impossible not to cheer a Roethlisberger touchdown, regardless of how you feel about his off-field activity.

If, however, Ben returns and is out of shape, off his game, and contributes to a losing streak, fans will not only be crying for Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon, they will be begging the Steelers to deal their star-crossed field general.

Players would also find it difficult to look to him as a leader if he cannot keep himself ready while he's out.

This will be the big test moving forward.