Maybe Ben isn't washed up after all

This year is still a work in progress so who knows what reality is right now, or will be. I'd imagine if I went back to last year when we were 11-0 that people weren't saying Ben was washed up but maybe saying he was after our last 6 games. Let's see the total body of work before proclaiming Ben is or isn't something or another. As far as the offense is concerned, Ben isn't the driving force of our offense like he was years ago. He needs an OL to block, WR's to get open and catch, and as much of a running game as possible for him to be productive (and stay healthy). All of these parts are a work in progress at this point that could either get much better or not. Depending on which direction they go, so goes Ben. If, and that is a big if, Ben can finish the season, then we'll know. JMO>

 

Here we go again. Ben skips practice all week and shows up on game day looking like crap.

Why can't Tomlin sit him down for a game, until he is healthy enough to practice with the rest of the team during the week.

 

Who else is going to call the Offense?

 

I thought he had been middle of the pack for much longer than that, but he's actually been bottom third for two seasons now according to QBR. I think most of us are in agreement that the year he was basically injured the whole year should have been his last year, but this goes to show just how pathetic Rudolph and anybody else that has backed him up must be that they cant establish themselves as being starters above him. A guy that is essentially a shell of himself and the guys that play behind him cant show him up in preseason or practice.

 

Watch the tape. LoL. I haven't missed watching a game since 1997. Sorry I go more than by stats. If MOF made such a big deal Lamar Jackson would be the greatest Qb that ever lived. Nobody throws 2 the middle of the field as much as him, but he's not, and only does so because he can't throw down the sidelines accurately in the pocket. I don't know who brain washed You into thinking You have 2 throw 2 the middle of the field 2 be a great, good, or even a competent Qb. LoL

 

Lamar Jackson now has 12 turnovers (to Ben's 7) and threw for under 250 yards against the 4th worst defense in the league.
He has only thrown over 300 yards twice. That was his 4th game with under 250 yards passing, and threw for 167 yards against the Chargers.

Jackson's rushing ability on top of his QB abilities can't be ignored.
The point is, his team only has 1 more win than the Steelers, and you don't hear people saying Jackson is washed up despite being only a marginally better passer than Ben this year.

 

Very much agree. Also, stats, of and by themselves, are whatever you want to interpret them to say. Just look at Covid for example. Same with Ben. Stats are not insignificant but there is one other criteria, at least for me, that comes into play as much as any other metric, the Eye Test. All here know what good football looks like, what good players playing good looks like, seeing not only a team win, but how it was done. I am on board this ferris wheel but my eyes tell me we are nearing the high water mark of this year and not that confident we will best the Lions. Then again, that is why they play the game. JMO>

 

Lamar's struggles have absolutely zero to do with Ben being washed up.

 

At least for me, the comparison is to show that even good QBs can look bad if only the poor performances are cherry-picked.
That doesn't mean that Ben is playing good, but that Ben might be playing well-enough compared to his peers.

For "who I'd want instead of Ben", I'd have to exclude QBs on the rookie contracts (not available as a free agent), or who make significantly more than $16M this year. That pool of players is rather underwhelming.

(You made the comparison of Mahomes to Ben. But how much would the team have to give up to trade for someone like him, or to move up in the draft? That year, they'd have to pay to move from 30 to 10. Imagine this defense without Watt, probably Fitzpatrick and another valuable player too.)

For instance, I wouldn't want Cam Newton.
The Saints got Winston for cheap and he has actually played like a QB instead of a turnover machine this year. But at the time, I wouldn't chose him over Ben either. (Have to be careful when using hindsight.)

I predicted that Jackson would wear out before the end of the season, which would destroy their playoff chances. He has proven me wrong before, but his recent slump might be a sign that the Ravens will continue their decline (before they face the Steelers). Even though Jackson is better than Ben, it would be like last year (11-0 Ben versus end-of-season Ben).

 

Ben is no where near peak-Ben.
The question is, can he do enough, if the rest of the team (in particular the defense) is playing well?
In his last 4 games, his completion % and yards/attempt are better than his first 4 games. It is wishful thinking, but I hope he can continue that improvement, even though it is still well short of the top tier QBs.

Lamar is giving context about Ben's play. Saying Ben doesn't have enough 300 yard games makes it fair to ask if that number is really that strong of an indicator of a QB's success.

 

I have to be careful to not make it sound like I'm arguing something I'm not.

His limitations are a concern. (His past 4 games are better than his first 4. I believe he can play better still, to the point that those concerns won't catch up to the team. But yes, that will require some luck for him to stay healthy.)

Ben right now is below average for starting QBs, so yes, there are a ton of QBs that I'd probably want, if they were magically available and I could completely ignore drafting and salary costs. I also think there are a ton of QBs that the team could have reasonably got this off-season, who would have done worse than Ben is right now.

I also want the Steelers to have All-Pros at every position. That is not going to happen. I understand wanting that, but I wouldn't expect that, given the salary cap and the other 31 teams also fighting for talent.

 

Nobody....I mean Nobody said I was the I was the only one watching football. You said ...Go Look if You don’t believe Me....I needed 2 watch the film....Well tell me what that suggests other than I don't watch....
Then You get upset because I said I haven't missed a game since 1997.
That be like a cop asking why I don't have ID...then getting mad after I show it 2 Him. LoL.
But of course I'm talking 2 a Guy that just said last week He would Take Lamar over most Qbs...So...I really think I don't have much 2 discuss with You about Qbs.

 

Winner. Thank You.
Lamar. LoL.

 

From reading this thread, I am to conclude:

1. I might be the only one who watched the 2019 season and game 16 last year. (lol)
2. Mason is not better than Ben. Stats don’t matter. Mason is the equivalent of LJ in the 2015 playoff game vs the Bungles. We we’re doomed. Then Ben came back on the field. Just like he did Monday night, he put together a drive that retook the lead for good.
3. Elway and Peyton Manning ended their careers on a high note, but not because of a consistent stat attack. They had a solid team that they provided leadership too. The only QB on the Steelers’ roster right now that can do that is Ben.

 

Great Post..
You know Payton was way worse His last Year than Ben is. I guarantee Broncos thought....Man if We can Win a SB with this Broke Down A$$....Just wait till We get one with a stronger Arm, Younger, and Faster. How did that work Out. LoL. I think they are still searching...while that team is gone,, and did nothing since..
People forget there's Way more 2 playing Qb.

 

Save for the winning drives, they weren’t in desperate situations. Ben knows this and can play smart with the ball.

I would love for Mason to show he’s the guy someday. But all I’ve ever seen from him is a four yard pass.

 

then you haven’t been paying attention.

 

So, point me to a game that I overlooked

 

Ben is good just older.No off. line Receiver being dumb.THE TOILET PAPER defence