Ben's stats

I have been reflecting on all the hype about Ben's efficient and stats-worthy season, and to me, subjectively watching games, he did just not seem as spectacular as he did years ago. I recall fewer dramatic and marvelous Ben-type plays that gave him his mystique. Maybe that's a good thing. I wonder if his stats benefit dramatically from Brown's and Bell's ability to run after the catch. I just get the sense that he threw the ball better in previous years (at least further), and now he is throwing it shorter and his receivers are getting more yards after the catch.

Not saying this is a bad thing, just that it is different and, after all, it is a team game. I sometimes wish they didn't keep individual statistics, as one person's record is really 11 guys' record.

 

The biggest difference is the line. Ben doesn't have to do that anymore. He was your typical qb this year and it worked out great. Everyone wonder could he play the cerebral game and be a true pocket QB and this year he proved he absolutely could.

 

No I got to agree with Acorn here.

Ben is not fitting the ball into those tight windows with the regularity and decisiveness that he used to do it with. He seems to be trying to find his range the whole game before settling into a compromise with himself.

 

The knock I had on Ben in the past was he didn't study the defense well, he didn't know his check downs and he wanted to "play street ball". He has fixed those problems. I don't know if it is a function of maturity or because of Haley or both. He has certainly gotten better since BA left.

 

Bens best year 2014 period, no need to be picky. Shheeesh

 

I'm not knocking his best year, but don't you remember him ripping the ball in there on the goal-line? I would love it when it worked, but cringe every time!

 

They do track YAC. So if you want to see if you're right, compare those numbers to previous years, and compare them to other teams to see if the Steelers are getting more or less YAC than other top offensive teams in the league. Then you won't have to speculate, you'll know for certain

I'll help you out. We're #3 in YAC, so yes, we are getting more yards after the catch than most other teams. Comparing the Steelers YAC numbers to previous years, we were always in the top third of the league since 2011. Before that, we were in the bottom half of the league in YAC for a few years.

That still doesn't tell the whole story though. You need to look at why those numbers have changed, which is open to interpretation. Brown, Bell and Bryant are serious weapons with the ball in their hands, far more than Ward, Heath and Santonio were. So having playmakers will help increase YAC. So with guys like that, Ben can throw shorter passes and still get the same results. It's all about using the weapons you have the best way possible.

 

TH is a better all around OC than BA was and Munchek is a huge improvement as well. It's not surprising that Ben is healthy all season and putting up better numbers when you look at the quick decision making and protection he has. Both coaches are huge upgrades over their predecessors and now we are seeing the results. I always felt that the 3rd season for an OC is either make or break for the teams success. Munchak has done an unbelievable job in his short time here. Both coaches need to be retained for years to come.

 

Didn't mean to imply he didn't have a great year, but it sure seemed different than previous years, and different in a somehow less spectacular-looking way for Ben. The spectacularness of the offense used to be on Ben, and now it has transferred to Brown and Bell. Fun offense to watch when it is clicking, and Ben needs to be "on" for it to click, as every play goes through him, but he is less of the magician than he has had to be in the past.

All probably a good thing.

 

I respectfully disagree. I've seen every play of every game this season, and I've seen Ben do his usual "put it where only the receiver can get it" types of passes just about every game. So much so that the QB commentators have mentioned it with regularity. I don't think you can say that about 80% of the rest of the QBs in the league. JMHO.

 

Put it where they can get it is different. I think he's changed. I'd like to see that zip he used to rip across the middle the redzone though. I'm liking the evolution of Ben as a passer and I believe if he'd have been made to do it sooner this team would have at least another Lombardi and a few more trips to the AFCCG!

 

also seen the "I can't believe he threw it there", the "threw it high", the "shoulda thrown it away", and the "what we're you thinking" passes as well.

 

I don't think it would be fair to compare him now vs then. Completely different offense, and defence. Changes the whole grand scheme of things!

 

Never said that he was perfect. Simply stated that he still throws passes to receivers that not many other QBs get away with or can do at all. That's Ben, and it always has been. I don't think he's changed much. But again, my opinion based on observation.

 

I agree. Ben, both the good and the bad, has not changed much, but his surrounding crew has improved over recent years, the offensive philosophy has changed and gelled (there is one, now), and I am feeling confident.

 

If I remember right, those hard fast passes had to be slowed down because they would bounce out of receivers hands.

 

I also agree with Acorn. Surrounding crew has a lot to do with it.

 

Haley is the first teaching Coach that Ben has had IMO . The pre snap Ben is starting to round into shape . The dump off Ben is starting to round into shape . I think Ben is also learning how the running lanes effect the passing lanes on PA . The more Ben keeps upping his football IQ the better he will get .

Ben has always had the talent , but never had a Coach with the brass to force him to hone those talents . Ty Ownership and TY Coach Haley for taking it to task .