Big Ben OK in his first start back for Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger's preseason debut was much like the crowd's reaction to his preseason debut at New Meadowlands Stadium: mixed.

As the troubled Steelers quarterback lined up under center for the first time at 12:46 in the first quarter, the reception was mild - a spattering of boos interspersed with some cheers, mostly from the sprinkling of Pittsburgh fans waving Terrible Towels.

With Eli Manning sitting out and giving way to Rhett Bomar, there was no Big Ben versus Eli, forever-linked-by-the- 2004-draft story line to ballyhoo, which subtracted some of the drama. But there was Big Ben and baggage: the controversy that hangs over him following two sexual assault allegations, an impending suspension, and the affixed eyes of the commissioner's office.

Roethlisberger, held out of the Steelers' first preseason game last week, started and went 6-for-8 for 76 yards and an interception. He played three series before being relieved by Byron Leftwich with 7:09 left in the second quarter. Leftwich is expected to start while Roethlisberger serves his suspension (tentatively six games) at the beginning of the regular season.

Roethlisberger completed his first three passes, two to Heath Miller. The first dropback was a naked bootleg to his left that resulted in an 8-yard throw to the tight end in the flat.

The interception came on his fourth attempt, a floated deep ball that Corey Webster snagged. Roethlisberger was pressured after taking the shotgun snap but pulled out of Justin Tuck's grasp (flashing his signature in-pocket elusiveness) and rolled right before heaving the long pass for Mike Wallace along the right sideline. The ball, however, was underthrown and fluttered, allowing the cornerback to undercut the receiver and make the play at the Giants' 29.

On the Steelers' next possession, Roethlisberger led a 13-play, 58-yard drive that drained 7:05 off the clock and ended in Jeff Reed's 26-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead at 10:43 in the second quarter. The highlight was a 17-yard bullet pass to Antwaan Randle El to convert a third-and-14 from the Giants' 26.

The quarterback's longest completion was an 18-yard curl to Matt Spaeth that got the Steelers to the Giants' 35 with 1:35 left in the first quarter.

These preseason exhibitions, of course, will be Roethlisberger's only game action for nearly two months. He was given a six-game suspension by commissioner Roger Goodell in the wake of accusations of sexual assault. He was not charged.

The two-time Super Bowl champion was also ordered to undergo a behavioral evaluation - which he cleared - in order to play in the preseason.

It's believed that if Roethlisberger complies fully with Goodell's orders, the suspension could be reduced to four games, which would allow him to make a return Oct. 17 at home against the Browns. Should the full six-game sentence stand, he'll be out until the Halloween night matchup against the Saints in New Orleans.

Roethlisberger, who inked an eight-year, $102-million contract in 2008, will forfeit at least $2 million of his salary with the four games missed.