Ben's play on Sunday

Overall I thought Ben played OK on Sunday, but then I saw this on FootballOutsiders (http://www.footballoutsiders.com/quick- ... uick-reads):

"Late in the first quarter, the Steelers had the ball in the red zone, nursing a 3-0 lead. Roethlisberger’s next nine dropbacks resulted in one interception, one sack, six incompletions, and just one completed pass — a 7-yard gain on third-and-10. By the time Roethlisberger threw for another first down, Denver was ahead 20-6. He played better in the second half to force overtime, but it’s largely his fault that a comeback was necessary. He was also sacked four times in his last 11 dropbacks."

I know lots of things contribute to this (dropped passes, poor O-line), but these stats are compelling.

 

Personally, I thought we saw what Ben is capable of in the 2nd half. He looked good, threw well and moved well. I'm not sure what they did to him at half (although I have an idea) but it worked. Too bad it was too little to late!

 

How many runs and/ or play action passes?

 

It was obvious that Ben was very limited in his productivity from the ankle injury. I'd say he was probably playing at 60% of his normal ability. He did bring the Steelers back though after I screamed to get him out of the game.

 

Very interesting, indeed. I agree with you that there are several factors playing into all of this. For example, Bob Labriola stated Denver was getting consistent pressure, and penetration, into the Steelers backfield, while rushing only three defenders. According to Bob, one of those came during the crucial comeback drive when the steelers were around Denvers 40/45 yd line. Ben took a sack, I believe, that pushed the Steelers back to around their own 45 with only several seconds to go. Poor O-Line play. What about clock management? And why didn't Ben get rid of the ball? That's pretty sad...

Here's hoping the organization learns from the mistakes it made, this season.

 

He was definitely more mobile after halftime....too bad someone didnt think about shooting him up before hit was too late.

 

His INT was bad that was all on him. But being probaly at 60 percent he didn't play all that bad. A defense that was allowing 9 points a game gave up 29, and that's the rest of the story.

 

i think some of the blame can be layed on Miller also. it was a blitz and Ben threw the ball right at Miller and it was about a foot over his head. Miller never looked. he missed the blitz. how many times did we see the recievers not pick up on a blitz and miss the hot route this season?

 

From my point, it looked like Ben had to get rid of it THAT FAST (or at the least he felt like he did and I don't blame him) and it just didn't work out. Bad throw but I'm betting he heard footsteps!

 

the o-line played pretty well in this one. it never should have come down to OT. there were open receivers and ben held the ball to get it all in one play as ben usually does. they even made a comment about ben wearing # 7 because he always liked elway and liked that deep passing game. well ben lived up to it again. we can't keep putting all this on the o-line and the OC when ben does what ben wants to do instead of what's best for the team at that point in the game. he was inaccurate. twice for sure he missed open guys running up the sidelines, over throwing them. ben is not a touch passer. ben is not a drop back and get rid of the ball passer. ben rarely hits his guys instride. ben is slow at reading defenses. until we get a coach in here with the balls to say ben, if you don't play within the system we give you, your ass is going to the bench, it will not change. he has the talent to do this. we have given him weapons to work with. these plays they run give him many options. he has to take a long look at himself and play this game as a team game. bottom line.

 

Watch yourself. Too much truth about Ben's game will get you ganged up on here. Trust me. I know.

But you are right. Everyone says Ben is not Brady, Brees, Rodgers... But this is interesting... all those QBs do the same thing... hit the open guy... and in doing so they are never confused with being one of the other QBs. There is still a level of individuality, after learning how to use your offensive system to slice up opposing defenses. Because the truth is... once a QB decides to be okay with not gaining 20 yds per pass, then it becomes a question of: "Do I check down to my RB, hit my TE since he's such a big target in single coverage, or go deep to the WR who's not double-teamed?" All that is open... people blame BA, but BA draws up plays that leave Ben at least a couple options. Often times Ben passes on the easy-read, or misses the long bomb. And this was before the Browns bent his ankle 3 ways at once...

It just is what it is. No matter what changes this team makes... Ben's decisions will either open the offense up, or choke it to death.

I am going to have faith in Ben saying he's going to work with the offense in the off-season, and get his squad on the same page. Because Wallace needs to realize when Ben does actually get that ball out there he better dad-gummit PULL IT IN!!!!

 

I think we get more done in hurry up no huddle offense. Maybe we should run that all the time.

 

Patterns form too quickly. Opposing DC's and defenses would pin their ears back with exotic blitz schemes. Ben is good at no huddle, but only when the defense isn't ready for it. It's a good tool, but Ben ain't P.Manning. The no-huddle is best used sparingly. I'd like to see it at the beginning of the 3rd qtr if the Steelers are up by a TD or more (1 drive) and then late in the game. Opposing DC will try to plan around what was done in the 1st half... I think no-huddle there will throw them off and make them 2nd guess their adjustment. This would answer for all the statements that there isn't enough adjustment during the game. This would be a way to get adjustment and BA still use his plan. BA's plan is working... go no-huddle to confuse... then back to BA plan to keep the oppsoing defense off-balance. Of course, when the no-huddle is used would have to change, game-2-game... and they would need to beat some teams w/out it so there isn't a lot of tape to use to read Ben's no-huddle calls. These are just initial thoughts...

 

If I recall correctly. In the first half

Wallace dropped a 52 yd bomb. Perfectly placed no matter what Simms says.

Sanders dropped a 3rd and 8 pass for 12 yds. Right at his numbers.

There was about another 2 or 3 dropped passes by the TE's or WR.

On Ben's INT you see Heath clearly wide open running up the middle, if he wouldv'e slightly glanced at Ben, he wouldv'e made the catch easily. Look AT THE QB VIEW OF THE REPLAY the ball was right there. I noticed Ben telling Miller something right after that play walking off the field.

I also see on numerous occasions where Wallace can't get up field by his defender. That's why he was running around the line of scrimmage all night even when Ben bought some time.

Legursky couldn't seem to snap the ball on Ben's count. On numerous occasions the ball was either snapped high or low or not at all. You seen 5 or 6 times Ben stomping his feet to tell Legursky to snap it.....

I think overall Ben had a pretty good game considering he was probably about 80%, and playing behind a bangedup OL against a pretty solid Def on the road in Denver....

 

Unscientific Poll ? Has Ben improved under BA?

 

I think you are saying ben hasn't improved. I think that is a problem but he has improved off the field. There have been no news stories of his drinking and sexual exploits.

That's a big improvement.

 

You mean, Has BA improved under Ben? The answer would still be No!

 

Mac I agree with what you are saying, however, Denver was getting pressure with 3 men rushing. I have a hard time saying the line played well when they were getting the pressure that they were. I'm not on Ben's jock nor am I completely against the OL that we have... I can't get over the pressure they were able to get.

 

it wasen't immediate pressure. ben had alot of time to make a read and throw the ball. there were passing lanes and a decent pocket. on a couple of delayed blitzes they came up the middle, but an nfl qb has to deal with some of that and get rid of it. an o-line can only keep them out so long no matter who they are. they gave him ample time on near every down. there were a couple of plays they got there quick and if you look it was kemo again chasing his man back to the qb, or kemo going over to help double on a guy that scott was taking care of already and it left a gapping hole up the middle. he's terrible at that. alot of the reason i wanted essex at center and legs at LG for this one. most was ben waiting for the receivers to get open deep, when people were open from the 5-15 yard range. i'm not changing my mind on this. he did it against cleve. SF and cleve again. they gave him time and it kills drives.

 

no

 

Ben was terrible. He basically threw 3 INT's. One was negated due to an offside on the opposite side of the field and one was dropped by Champ Bailey, something that rarely happens. That's just plain luck, and most times, both those passes would have been INT's. Ben also missed several wide open WR's. I'm starting to wonder if Ben is on his way down, quickly.

 

Yeah, I think this board knows you hate Ben by now.

Your hate towards Roethlisberger goes far beyond football. Maybe it's personal.

Come on man, your hatred towards Ben runs so deep. It's hard to imagine you watching a game and cheering on Ben. You're probably at the edge of your sit every game hoping he chokes so you can come here and gloat about it.

Ok fine you think he sucks. But, when you talk about Ben I sense some insecurity issues that you're having with yourself. You're trying to manipulate people on these boards suggesting he's a bad, awful QB on an otherwise perfect team...

How can you be so hard on a QB thats won 2 super bowls and took us to 3?

 

Charlie batch has two super bowl rings to. Its a team sport. Did the Steelers win those two rings just because of Ben? I doubt it. I don't hate Ben. I think he was a big doofuse for getting in those situations that embarrassed the organization and portrayed him as a rapist. I chalked that up to just being a hick from Ohio. I'm being realistic is all. For most of the season Ben has played mediocre. He wasn't hurt as bad as everyone thought. If he would of put up 21 points on the bronco's in the 2nd. qtr., that game would of been over. Example: Watch how Brady does it!

 

it wasen't immediate pressure. ben had alot of time to make a read and throw the ball. there were passing lanes and a decent pocket. on a couple of delayed blitzes they came up the middle, but an nfl qb has to deal with some of that and get rid of it. an o-line can only keep them out so long no matter who they are. they gave him ample time on near every down. there were a couple of plays they got there quick and if you look it was kemo again chasing his man back to the qb, or kemo going over to help double on a guy that scott was taking care of already and it left a gapping hole up the middle. he's terrible at that. alot of the reason i wanted essex at center and legs at LG for this one. most was ben waiting for the receivers to get open deep, when people were open from the 5-15 yard range. i'm not changing my mind on this. he did it against cleve. SF and cleve again. they gave him time and it kills drives. [/quote:3a725z9k]