We’re just a few short days away from the 2010 debut for Pittsburgh Steelers franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Steeler Nation has been waiting for this day ever since news broke earlier this spring of his alleged wrongdoing in a Georgia bar. Most fans believed Roethlisberger would be suspended for some period of time, but not as many thought the Steelers would be positioned so nicely in the standings upon his return. At 3-1, the Steelers are in great shape to make a run at a third playoff berth in four years. Now it’s up to Roethlisberger to hit the ground running and lead the Steelers’ offense. Big Ben is admittedly nervous and excited about trying to do just that.

“I’m excited. But I’m not to the peak of my excitement yet, that will probably come later,” Roethlisberger said before Wednesday’s practice. “I’m anxious, excited, a lot of emotions. But, like I said, a lot of it is under wraps right now because we’re focusing on practice.”

As for the reception he’s expecting from the Heinz Field faithful on Sunday? Roethlisberger just hopes it’s as warm as the one he received during the preseason.

“Hopefully a lot of cheers,” Roethlisberger said when asked about the fans. “In the preseason there was a lot of it. So I hope nothing will change.”