Jake, got a question for you. What do you/other Steelers fans really think of Big Ben? I mean, you won the SuperBowl in spite of him. He does seem to come up big late in games, but he holds the ball way too long which leads to interceptions, sacks, and eventually more injuries for him. I will say the offensive line isn't doing him any favors either, but I just have always thought he's a bit overrated.
i've posted on this subject all season long. the same reason you hate ben is the same reason you love him.
this year has been worse than any other year, and we're 12-4. thanks to our defense.
but he, and most all the Offensive skill position players have been together for a while now. the only thing on offense to have changed was the dpearture of Jerome Bettis and some O line defections / changes.
our running game has dissipated to the point that i no longer consider us a physical down hill type team. I like Parker, haven't seen enough of Mendenhall yet.....but we need that 1-2 punch of a running game to get back to what Ben does best.
i don't think, nor will i expect, the steelers to put that offense on his shoulders. they need to shore up the o line, and run the ball. what we've seen this year is a direct result of a few things:
1. Ben does hold the ball too long. problem with that this year is, he's got too many attempts. for him to truly be effective, he shouldn't be putting it in the air more than 20 to 25 times a game.
2. the oline has been awful. the pass protection isn't there, in part because no one really fears our run game. rush the passer. i'd like to blame it on over blitzing, but the Titans got a sack with a three man rush. that's just wrong.
3. play calling. i don't see them changing routes or calling more slants, digs, roll outs etc.....to get the ball out of Ben's hands quicker. it seems to me that a lot of the routes take too long to develop. by that time Ben's running around for his life.
4. 3rd down. 3rd down and distance, and i dont have a stat to back this up, it just seems this way to me from watching all season, has not been advantagious. too many times we're in 3rd and 5+ yards to go.
5. 1st down. see #4 above. our 1st down play calling has been at least questionable.
6. Bruce Ariens. he's let this offense go this year to this point and there's been no appreciable improvement. Ben still doesn't throw the ball away. we still can't run the ball. if i had my way, Ariens would be done.
those are a few things that just stick out to me....
long way to answer that question, but i dont' put it all on ben's shoulder's, but there's not question he's part of the problem. he can throw it away. and he shouldn't have to be told that at this point.
