“He’s going to be bad, and I expect him to be benched by the middle of the season,” Tannenbaum said. “Ben Roethlisberger was a big, physical, get-the-ball-down-the-field quarterback. Stats don’t always paint the picture, but, in 2015, Roethlisberger was third in the NFL in yards per pass attempt. Last year, at 38 years old, he was 31st. He just checked the ball down.”
He checked down 12 wins. The oline sucked along with our running game. Ben won’t have to have to use the dump as much with our road grading guards and Harris and the new Italian army
Did a little reading on Big Ben today. He is well aware of the doubters and is really going to go in with a chip on his shoulder to prove the nah-sayers wrong. Might not be a good thing to poke at the bear. Also, Ben is working-out more and losing weight and being extra careful with his diet... he could be a new man come this season, who knows?
I'm not sure you can say he was checking down when the quick throws were by design. With the majority of throws being quick you are not checking down but you yards per attempt will go down. Doesnt mean he isnt wrong on Ben he clearly isnt the extend the play player he was earlier in his career but that doesnt mean he is done (though I do think he is more bad than good imho).
I refuse to read that article because I don't want to promote that kind of stupidity! Ben won't be benched, not a single chance it happens unless he's hurt. I'm not his biggest fan and I would have been fine with moving on from him this past offseason, but I think his arm is more than adequate. His arm strength really wasn't an issue last year. His accuracy and feel for the game just wasn't really there, so hopefully that comes back a bit better this year. What really needs to happen is he needs to be game manager Ben again. If Ben is attempting 35+ passes a game again, the Steelers are in trouble. He should be averaging about 25-30 passes per game this year. If that happens, the Steelers will challenge for the division again because it will mean the running game and defense are both being effective.
Imagine this sentence going through a sane person's mind: "How about we bench Big Ben for Haskins? That'll make our season a success"! I didn't think so
I think he should retire right now and work at McMurdo station in Antarctica. Any other course would only bring shame.
How many times have we read this? It's so frustrating to me and highlights my issues with Ben over the last 10 years. He just never committed to the game at the same level as his teammates. And it's not just physical preparation. His lack of film work has been mentioned by former teammates. His standing Friday tee time during the season has been widely reported. Veteran Ben has been a major disappointment.
I don't disagree with you, he's been disappointing on many occasions. The one thing that fascinates me about him this year, though, is all the hate being sent his way in the national media. Ben has been his best when he's been doubted and told he's no good. I was impressed that he showed up for, from what I can tell based on the reporting, every OTA session and every minicamp practice. That's unusual for him. I think he might be highly motivated this year and the physical ability has never been his issue, it's always been the mental and commitment that has been his problem. I'm very interested to see him play this year...moreso than in any year in the past few.
Good stuff guys! I think he brings his best... what ever that may be. I wouldnt bet against him and the Steelers will have a good running game and that a lone will help Ben or should. Run ability will either open the pass game or not... im thinking ben will have wide open targets... a lot. I just cant see the Steelers being a shit-show.... will be a battle for first between them and the Browns.
Honestly, everyone that knows me knows how I feel about Roethlisberger.. But there is a lot of truth in what you say mano. I am certain Ben realizes this is his last year in the NFL. Anyone that understands contracts, please fill me in if I'm missing something.. But Ben's contract has been redone to the point that it can't be redone anymore. The last revision was written to disperse money over the next 5 years (including this year) with the last 4 years being voidable that will accelerate those 4 years into next years cap. There is nothing left to convert and disperse any more. If he signs a new contract, it will be on top of the $10M cap hit for 2022. I don't think the Steelers are going to do anything in the future with Ben. He might have finally woke up and decided he needs to put forth 100% effort because it will be over in 6-7 months forever. It could be the Steelers saving grace. Though he still needs to figure out a way to avoid being sacked. The more he gets hit, the less he's going to give a shit. If they start out slow, say 2-4 at the bye week, then Ben's career is over, he will give up at that point, and more importantly they will give up on him. I don't think that will happen, please don't hate on me saying that it is, because I am not. The Steelers will be the Steelers and pull out wins they have no business winning. That first 6 game stretch isn't easy though. I could see them at 4-2 going into the bye, I'm not sure they start out 6-0 like last year (let alone 11-0). This is Ben's swan song, it will be interesting to see how it all ends.
No way that either Ben or the team "gives up" if they start 2-4! Sorry, but that's still far too early to give up on the season. Maybe, and I mean maybe, you could see the team look at younger players if they start the season something like 2-9. I think as long as another non-losing season is in play and, therefore, a potential playoff birth (because 9-8 might make the playoffs in any given year), the Steelers will be going full steam imo. This team is far more talented than many like to give them credit for. Even with one of the toughest schedules in the league this year, I expect them to be in every game. The defense is likely still top 3 in the NFL. The offense isn't nearly as bad as everyone wants to think it is! The OL is a huge question mark, but it just has to be better than last year's 30th ranked OL and with young, hungry players, a new OL coach and OC, and some different schematics, they could actually be significantly better than last year. Even if they end up in the 20-25 range, that's an improvement on a group that was good enough to get the team to 12-4 for goodness sakes! The skill players on offense are very strong. The WR group is one of the deeper, more dynamic groups in the NFL. Najee Harris brings a real threat as both a runner and a receiver. Ben is 39 years old, but if he has that workhorse RB who can also be a dumpoff option when the protection breaks down, he can be a successful QB. I'm hopefully optimistic about 2021. I think the demise of the Steelers has been greatly exaggerated and the more the national media tells me they're gonna suck, the better I think they're going to be! lol
Yeah this is a team that started 0-2, lost their 37 year old QB for the season and a day later sent a 1st round pick to the Dolphins for a safety - a pick many thought would end up Top 10, possibly Top 5. The Steelers and "giving up" shouldn't show up in the same sentence.
I'm not suggesting Ben will play in 2022 but his contract will have nothing to do with it. Yes, he has a 10.3M dead money charge but he had a 9.75 dead money charge in his 2021 deal. He could literally sign the same contract he signed this year if he were willing to play for 14M again. Would cost them 600k more in cap room.
I thought Haskins had a decent chance to become a starting quarterback in the NFL based off of the traits he displayed in college, but we never get a chance to get inside these kids heads and what I've seen from him so far suggests he is probably going to bounce around the league as a back-up for awhile. He may never really get another shot without something happening in front of him to force him into a role. I was pretty high on Rudolph coming out and I think a lot of the hate he gets directed at him is simply pettiness. I expect him to get a crack at being the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh when Ben is done (retirement or otherwise) and I could easily see him earning the right to get a longer deal that's competitive. If he starts for Pittsburgh next season and succeeds then he would end up with probably a 3 year deal at just above average starter's money. It would give him an opportunity to play his way into a big money contract that would essentially give Pittsburgh the bulk of his remaining quality years.
