Big Ben or Big Bernie?

They say that the past is destined to repeat itself.

If that’s the case, Ben Roethlisberger had better be careful, or at least watch some tapes from 1986 and 1987. Or maybe he should just call Bernie Kosar.

It wasn’t too long ago that a golden boy with blue-collar appeal stole the hearts of an industrial, football-crazed town. Songs were written about him, commercials featured him, and his picture graced every sports magazine.

Yes, Bernie Kosar had quite a season in 1986, leading his hometown Cleveland Browns to a franchise-record 12 wins.

He threw 17 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions, all while throwing for 3,854 yards.

Kosar and the Browns had the heart of Cleveland in their hands. It was a strange time when Clevelanders didn’t wonder if the Browns would make it to the Super Bowl...they knew they would.

Of course, history, at least national history, has forgotten much of it. 1986-87 is John Elway’s season. The word “drive” is still enough to wake any Clevelander out of a dream in a cold sweat. Lord only knows how many votes George W. Bush lost in northern Ohio for incorporating John Elway into his campaign stops.

Here we are, 18 years later.

Roethlisberger’s numbers are eerily similar to those of the 23-year old Kosar. In his rookie season, Roethlisberger has the same amount of touchdown passes, and only one more interception than Kosar had in ’86 (Kosar was in his second season). Roethlisberger did have a much higher completion percentage than Kosar in the regular season (a pretty amazing 66 percent to Kosar’s 59 percent), while throwing for fewer yards.

But Roethlisberger also appears to be what Kosar was—a model citizen. Kosar was known for his visits to children’s hospitals and his donations to charities. While Randy Moss was getting headlines for ignorance and juvenile behavior, Roethlisberger announced he would donate his $18,000 check from Saturday’s Jets game to the tsunami relief effort.

Oh and there is one more thing—the music.

I knew the lyrics to “Bernie Bernie” better than those to “Louie, Louie” in the late 1980s. (I still do, actually).

Now there is a new song, “Roethlisberger and it sure is Nice” set to the theme of “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

Jimmy Buffett must be so proud.

Oh, and there’s one other thing. In 1986, with Browns’ first round opponent was a late-season struggling New York Jets team, who were 10-6 in 1986. They then won their first playoff game to face the Browns in the divisional playoffs.

Despite being major underdogs, the Jets took the Browns to overtime — they actually appeared to have the game won — before losing on a dramatic Browns field goal.

Do you see what I’m getting at?

Is Tom Brady the next John Elway?

The Steelers have won a franchise-record 15 games in the regular season and squeaked through one in the playoffs.
Why do I think the next game might be the toughest?