THE flafan
10-06-2008, 01:25 PM
not to step on mesa Steelers toes, but I thought this was a good read:
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=467739
They should start getting used to using this headline in Pittsburgh media all throughout the Steelers' 2008 season: "Big Ben does it again."
To imagine where the Steelers would be this season if someone other than Ben Roethlisberger were their quarterback, it would probably be where the Bengals and the Browns currently reside in the AFC North -- the bottom.
Instead, with him standing tall inside and outside of the pocket no matter how many hits he takes, no matter how many pass rushers fly toward him, the Steelers are alone in first place at 4-1 after a 26-21 victory in Jacksonville.
Roethlisberger came into Sunday night's game having been sacked 15 times in his first four games, most in the AFC. Against a Jaguars defense that had produced only five sacks, he was dropped three more times while under constant duress.
The Steelers' pass protection has had problems with all kinds of pressure through five weeks, and it isn't showing signs of improvement.
Roethlisberger is having all the usual quarterback ailments while absorbing blow after blow, most notably injuries to his shoulder and hand. A quarterback without his amazing level of physical and mental toughness would have packed it in.
Yet Big Ben, all 6-5, 241-plus pounds of him, keeps getting back up to make the necessary plays to win games. He did it last week in the second half and overtime against a relentless Baltimore defense. He did it this week, using his mettle and mobility to foil the Jaguars in the fourth quarter.
With Tom Brady lost for the season and Peyton Manning still regaining rhythm after having offseason knee surgery, we're able to appreciate other great quarterbacks in this league.
Eli Manning, in the same 2004 draft class as Roethlisberger and now with his own Super Bowl ring, appears to have ascended to that level. Drew Brees dazzles no matter to whom he's throwing. But Roethlisberger has dealt with a much higher degree of difficulty. Consider that the younger Manning and Brees have been sacked a combined nine times, and that the Eagles sacked Roethlisberger nine times just two weeks ago in Philadelphia.
The Steelers' offensive line did give Roethlisberger time to throw on some plays against Jacksonville. That's when we got to see his strong arm on display, such as the 48-yard touchdown strike to put Pittsburgh ahead for the first time, 17-14 in the second quarter.
But it's almost prettier when Roethlisberger fights through the contact, sneaks away, extends a play and delivers downfield magic. He did that twice on the Steelers' game-winning touchdown drive on Sunday. No matter how many times you hit Roethlisberger, if he has another down, he's dangerous.
It also helps that his receivers have the same kind of toughness to hang in there. Hines Ward is a prototypical tough wideout, and it's rubbed off on tight end Heath Miller and speedster Santonio Holmes. Roethlisberger and his top receivers are that kind you would expect to play in the Steel City.
The Steelers need to provide Roethlisberger with better protection, but realistically, looking at the injuries and other personnel issues affecting the offense, it will take another offseason of drafting and free-agent hunting to make significant improvements. In other words, they're stuck with a shaky group in front of him for the rest of this season.
The best the Steelers can do can get protection help from their backs and receivers, and also stay committed to running the ball to help wear down opposing pass rushers. Going no-huddle, having him throw out of the shotgun and rolling him out are other ways to reduce the pressure. Expect to some more favorable adjustments when they come out of their Week 6 bye.
After what he has played through in the first five weeks of the season, Roethlisberger deserves a couple weeks off.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=467739
They should start getting used to using this headline in Pittsburgh media all throughout the Steelers' 2008 season: "Big Ben does it again."
To imagine where the Steelers would be this season if someone other than Ben Roethlisberger were their quarterback, it would probably be where the Bengals and the Browns currently reside in the AFC North -- the bottom.
Instead, with him standing tall inside and outside of the pocket no matter how many hits he takes, no matter how many pass rushers fly toward him, the Steelers are alone in first place at 4-1 after a 26-21 victory in Jacksonville.
Roethlisberger came into Sunday night's game having been sacked 15 times in his first four games, most in the AFC. Against a Jaguars defense that had produced only five sacks, he was dropped three more times while under constant duress.
The Steelers' pass protection has had problems with all kinds of pressure through five weeks, and it isn't showing signs of improvement.
Roethlisberger is having all the usual quarterback ailments while absorbing blow after blow, most notably injuries to his shoulder and hand. A quarterback without his amazing level of physical and mental toughness would have packed it in.
Yet Big Ben, all 6-5, 241-plus pounds of him, keeps getting back up to make the necessary plays to win games. He did it last week in the second half and overtime against a relentless Baltimore defense. He did it this week, using his mettle and mobility to foil the Jaguars in the fourth quarter.
With Tom Brady lost for the season and Peyton Manning still regaining rhythm after having offseason knee surgery, we're able to appreciate other great quarterbacks in this league.
Eli Manning, in the same 2004 draft class as Roethlisberger and now with his own Super Bowl ring, appears to have ascended to that level. Drew Brees dazzles no matter to whom he's throwing. But Roethlisberger has dealt with a much higher degree of difficulty. Consider that the younger Manning and Brees have been sacked a combined nine times, and that the Eagles sacked Roethlisberger nine times just two weeks ago in Philadelphia.
The Steelers' offensive line did give Roethlisberger time to throw on some plays against Jacksonville. That's when we got to see his strong arm on display, such as the 48-yard touchdown strike to put Pittsburgh ahead for the first time, 17-14 in the second quarter.
But it's almost prettier when Roethlisberger fights through the contact, sneaks away, extends a play and delivers downfield magic. He did that twice on the Steelers' game-winning touchdown drive on Sunday. No matter how many times you hit Roethlisberger, if he has another down, he's dangerous.
It also helps that his receivers have the same kind of toughness to hang in there. Hines Ward is a prototypical tough wideout, and it's rubbed off on tight end Heath Miller and speedster Santonio Holmes. Roethlisberger and his top receivers are that kind you would expect to play in the Steel City.
The Steelers need to provide Roethlisberger with better protection, but realistically, looking at the injuries and other personnel issues affecting the offense, it will take another offseason of drafting and free-agent hunting to make significant improvements. In other words, they're stuck with a shaky group in front of him for the rest of this season.
The best the Steelers can do can get protection help from their backs and receivers, and also stay committed to running the ball to help wear down opposing pass rushers. Going no-huddle, having him throw out of the shotgun and rolling him out are other ways to reduce the pressure. Expect to some more favorable adjustments when they come out of their Week 6 bye.
After what he has played through in the first five weeks of the season, Roethlisberger deserves a couple weeks off.