Interesting Ben Take

I had my TV on ESPN this morning and on First Take the topic of Big Ben came up.
Stephen A Smith and Max Kellerman both said if Ben takes this team to a Super Bowl without AB and L Bell than it would change histories perception of him as being a tier below Peyton Manning, Rodgers and Brees.
They said it would say he should be considered just as good as them or even better, behind only Brady of his era.
It would also change perception on L Bell and AB by saying they were the problem all along.
But if the team stuggles, it will hurt Bens legacy even further showing he cant carry a team; and show that Ben was the problem and not AB or L Bell.
Its an interesting thought about how much pressure is on Ben this year, perhaps more pressure than he has ever had on him.
It will be fun to watch!

 

Ben's best chance is with a dominate defense.

 

I agree but I also think with a very good defense and the way the offseason on has gone I think he feels renewed. I don't think he is so much under pressure as he has his own standards he wants to meet and surpass.

 

He most probably wants another SB or two (just to catch Bradshaw as the greatest Steeler QB ever). Defense needs to be better than the offense & he can get there.

 

I think the truth lies somewhere in between. I don't think we have to be a dominate defense either, just solid. Last year in a couple of games if we made one stop we win. In a couple of games if we made one kick we win. That could have been a three to four game swing from the nine we won. We were good enough to play toe to toe with the best in the league. I think we have added enough to get that swing in our favor this year. Even with the subtraction. It's not all on Ben at all. It's got to be team. A different guy at different times has to make a play. Health will determine a lot.

 

If Ben's best chances are with a dominant defense, couldn't we say the same thing about Tom Brady too?! For that matter, Drew Brees until recently?! Aaron Rodgers the same given he has not had a Top 10 Overall defense in over seven years?!



Those New England defenses that have won Super Bowls have given up ZERO points in the Fourth Quarter in their past three. Why people do not ever put that into consideration with how Brady has been winning his hardware recently baffles me. It does not make sense.



American Gridiron Football is often quoted as the ultimate team sport for a reason. All 53 have to win. Heck, Adam Vinatieri should be in Canton for the sole fact that, without those great kicks in New England's first three, there is no "Patriot Dynasty".

 

I wish Ben would wear his helmet at practice. If it's not a big deal, then why is everyone else wearing one, except for 11 on 11 scrimmage.

It's nothing new. Last year I watched team dynamic stretch and Ben did one rep and walk to sideline, while the others do the rest of their reps. No helmet until scrimmages. It just bugs the crap out of me allowing it to happen. He is the only QB I see not wearing a helmet during individual or group sessions.

Last year in training camp, everyone took notice of a more slim Ben. It was very obvious that Ben was in better shape. Everyone keeps score of everything.

What is really sad.....little boys asking their dads why Ben doesn't have to wear his helmet at practice? I actually heard a kid at St. Vincent tell another boy that he is going to tell his Pop Warner coach that he isn't going to wear his helmet the whole time at practice either. Who says these guys actions don't influence others?

 

The defense doesn't need to be dominant, they need to create more turnovers, and keep up with their sack numbers the last 2 seasons with at least 50.

 

I love Ben but, no matter what, I'd rank him behind Manning and Brees. Just about even with Rodgers

 

It definitely brings up a good topic of conversation. A great QB is supposed to make those around him great so how does this season play out? I don't think this season will determine his ranking among the other top QBs but it will definitely add to the overall body of work. Personally, I would love for Ben to limit his INTs and have a great season to prove to everyone he is a top tier QB because I think he is overlooked at times.
Yes he's the QB of my favorite team so I'm biased but I still want him to shut up the David Carr's of the world. His performance this year without Bell and Brown will determine a lot in regards to his perception by national viewers/media imo.

 

Someone should tell Stephen A and Max that Ben has already won 2 Super Bowls without Bell and Brown.

 

Stephen A Smith's opinions are garbage after what took place this off-season. He calls himself a Steeler fan but he showed his true colors. Closet Browns fan

 

I have learned our sack numbers don't mean much. Sack on 2nd down and it's 3rd and 22 with a completion lol. You are correct with turnovers. Turnovers, and 3rd and longs stops need to be improved.

 

Actually their sacks sometimes leads to ints by the opposing QB, like the Tampa and Carolina game.

 

I absolutely loathe Max Kellerman. I think he's the dumbest, lowest IQ, biggest stupid-f*ck, on television. I'd love to knock that pompous, smug, arrogant look off of his mug.

I love how they take a quote from Vance that Ben is different from last year, and completely interpret it in a way that fits their Ben hating, AB apologizing narrative. What if it means that he's even more driven, even more focused, and even more determined than last year? What if it means that he's more relaxed and pleasant because he doesn't have the cancer that is AB jawing away in the locker room anymore? Or more relaxed, focused, and pleasant because he's not dealing with the side-show circus that is AB? That comment could mean a dozen different things, but these two choads take it that he's not as big of an a##hole and that it's proof that AB was right. Then they set the bar impossibly high (they better win the Super Bowl or else) for Ben to defend himself against their unsubstantiated claims.

Both of those idiots are jokes, but Kellerman is a piece of sh*t. I actually wish physical harm against him.

 

Can Ben win 2 more SBs with a solid defense? I don't think so myself but anything is possible.
With a dominate defense that can control the game, Ben is allowed to be Ben. Mistakes & picking himself up for the win all in one game.
I was biasedly conditioned by the Steel Curtain that brought back 4 Lombardi's.

 

One more SB win change your mind? If only he studied the game like these two instead of feeding off drama with his natural ability.

 

Wait. I just watched again. F*cking Kellerman said......and I quote......"he wasn't any good in his first Super Bowl run....'"

ESPN should fire him immediately for that comment. The knock on Ben when it comes to Super Bowls was how poorly he played the game when they won SB 40. But the response is always that he played 3 phenomenal games leading up to the Super Bowl and that they would have been there without him. And actually both statements are true.

But what is blatantly false, without debate, is what Max said.

Jesus, God please someone break this guys jaw.

 

I just stopped watching that show, media click bs. Blood pressure good again.

 

No one knows crap until it happens. The value of listening to talking heads (including those two} is less than worthless to me as they are wrong most of the time. Too many things can happen now until the end of the season both good and bad that can be or not be Ben's fault.

 

If it wasn't for Ben Steelers wouldn't of even had a Super Bowl run. He's the the one who tripped up Nick Harper when the Bus fumbled at the goal line.
He also generally played well in that game and the Denver game. He didn't perform well in the Super Bowl XL. But, saying he wasn't any good in the 1st Super Bowl run would be very incorrect.

 

Brown hasn't been seen in camp for 2 days in Napa. I think the "new" has begun to wear off for Chucky already.

It would be hilarious if AB disappeared from Raiders camp and showed up at Latrobe high school tonight because his ego can't handle Friday Night Light's without him.

 

No, 'cause SB wins don't tell the whole story. Hell, Trent Dilfer won a SB. Flacco won a SB. Dan Marino did not. Jim Kelley did not, despite going to 4 in a row!
I look at the old, "you're behind in the 4th quarter with 2:00 to play. Who do you want as your QB?" IMO, that would be Manning! (actually, Montana, but he's not in the discussion). With Brees, too, you just have confidence that he'd going to find way. With Ben, it's confidence but, he could just as easily throw a stupid interception!

 

He's probably jealous of Michael Thomas new contract, I'm sure him and Drew Rosenhaus will want a new deal .

 

I put him up there with Favre and elway... Tough and gritty bastards that gave you their all even in injury and all won/fell short in the biggest game and all give ya head scratching moments because they believe so much in themselves and their guys that they take some risks throwing the ball.

There's been plenty of times I'd have loved for Ben to throw it away but that not in his nature and I'd go as far as saying that his mindset in that arena has produced quite a bit more than it has wrecked.

Their first Super Bowl run wouldn't have happened without Ben in the playoffs. Sure he laid a stinker in the bowl but without him they were not getting there period. The Zona bowl he was clutch when it mattered most. Dude has done some amazing things on the field that we forget sometimes because we haven't brought the trophy home a couple more times during his tenure. He's also overlooked because of the bad press whilst acting like a dummy.

I give Bree's his due, but I take Ben over Peyton in the 4th on the game winning drive all day long.