Ben's Comments about Bruce Arians

Please tell me how Ben's quotes show that he is challenging Rooney.

"When I get back I'm going to go up to Mr. Rooney's office and ask him what he wants from me, what he wants from this offense, because I think that's a viable question for him."

"He's our owner and our boss, so I really would like to know kind of what he wants and where he sees our offense going because I'd like to tell him where I see us going."

"We feel like we are really close to being an elite offense," said Roethlisberger, who will play in his second Pro Bowl. "For your leader to be gone is kind of a shocker for us, but you've got to be ready for it, and whatever the Rooneys and coach (Mike) Tomlin decide is our next step. I think the (Steelers') mind was made up, and B.A. was kind of ready to move on as well."

Rooney also said during a wide-ranging interview that the Steelers need to cut down on sacks and that Roethlisberger needs to "tweak" his game.

"From what I understood from that was, just not get hit to so much," said Roethlisberger, who was sacked 40 times in 15 regular-season games in 2011. "I think some of that's on me; some of that's on linemen. It's on everybody, so I'll put it on me and try to make those adjustments."

 

Hey Mort - here we go again. I am going to put myself in the minority and say that it is Mr. Rooney who shouldn't have made comments about Ben to the media. Good bosses know that criticism is supposed to be done behind closed doors and praise should be done in public. He shouldn't have made a comment about Ben's game to the media. If he wants Ben to do something different, he should have gotten Coach Tomlin and Ben in his office and talked it through. Not make comments in public and leave your star QB hanging out there. Changing the OC was the right decision, but you have to expect that it is going to create uncertainty and concern for the players and making statements like that just makes it worse.

 

Let's not play dumb. We all know what Ben meant when he said those things. He is not happy Arrians was not asked back. So that is his reason for making those comments.

Regardless, you just don't do that. Ben is the player and Rooney is the Owner. You must know your role in the organization.

I don't think Rooney was out of line and over critical by what he said. I appreciate that he gives a state of the franchise and addresses each season. Most owners don't do that.

Ben is a good QB but he has a questionable character and nobody has caused that but himself. Therefore he needs to watch what he says in the media, period. He needs to show his maturity and show that he has grown and he continues not to do this. That is why people give such a hard time.

 

I find the the leader comment a bit curious. So if Arians was the leader when was he leading? By his own admission he let Ben be Ben not sure if that is leadership but hey what ever floats your boat and since Tomlin is the spiritual guide for this group of men I can see that Ben would think Arians was his leader.

 

Exactly.

 

Tomlin_Era is exactly right, as others have said. After listening to the interview I don't see how anyone can have an issue with this. In fact, after listening, I can't believe how much space and time we all have wasted on this topic. This whole thing has been blown way out of proportion and I think ole' mort is just a Ben basher, possibly a troll, that has a serious issue with reality.

As someone once said, time to move on folks. Nothing to see here!

 

There is no possible way to listen to what Ben said and come away with anything negative. I'm not talking about reading what he said but actually listen to it. Anyone who has LISTENED to it and still comes away with it being a negative is just looking for an excuse to bash Ben. You can deny it, say "no I like Ben" but I'm calling BS on anyone who listened to it and still has a problem with it. :bs:[/quote]

After listening to the audio for the first time, It's clear to me there was no malicious intent. Thanks for linking that up for us. Again, the comments don't convert to text very kindly.

 

This is an excellent point.

 

After listening to the audio for the first time, It's clear to me there was no malicious intent. Thanks for linking that up for us. Again, the comments don't convert to text very kindly.[/quote]


+1 Couldn't agree more. I just listened to it and I cannot see how anyone could take Ben's comments as abrasive or high and mighty. If anything I think he came across as pretty mild-mannered.

 

You know I thought about this too, some and I am starting to lose any faith that Tomlin actually has control of things at all. I looked at the end of that Denver game where it was such a clusterf*** at the end. You look at that last drive where they got off to a great start moving the ball about 40 yards to the Denver 45 yard line and then complete chaos. They had about 40 seconds on the clock and let the clock bleed down before calling the second time out. This is where you say to yourself WTF. If you call a time out right away...you got serious options. You only need 10 more yards for a legitimate shot at a game winning field goal. You could have even run the ball or put the threat of into the game. But what do the Steelers do - typical grab bag bull**** and have no plan.

I think this is the sort of stuff where Rooney said no more and pulled the plug on BA.

 

I had listened to it before and i really don't care how he said it. The point is it was said. Ben is an 8 year veteran who has been to 3 Super Bowls, been accused of rape (twice), had a negative article written in sports illustrated about him, been criticized by many steeler great (Hines, Harrison, Bradshaw, etc...), and is one of the most controversial players we have in the league. So he has been through a lot and should know better than to make comments like this. He wants his image to be restored, but by making comments like this is not going to help.

If these comments weren't a big deal, then they wouldn't have been talking about it on every show on ESPN, NFL network, Sports radio, etc...

It is very easy to make excuses for Ben and say "well he didn't mean it in a bad way", because he wins games and has been successful, but we all know that Ben was mad that they didn't bring Arrians back and that was the root of all of this. Regardless, he made the comments and he cant take thm back now. It is what it is, I just hope it doesn't spark anymore negativity.

 

Exactly the response i expected. LOL!

 

My computer crashed earlier, so thank you to everyone that beat me to responding. Mort, I don't know what kind of vendetta you've got against Ben, but it seems a little excessive.

 

Everyone see's you raising your BS flag, T-E. The truth is Mort raises some valid points. I'm sure there are many fans in the 'burgh who feel the same way but know that it might not be the most popular opinion, therefore don't express it. Mort doesn't think so highly of our QB and he's entitled to express that opinion just as you're entitled to defend your opinions. And that, my friend is no bs.

 

I really do not have a vendetta against Ben. i just call it like it is. I wish Ben would not have done some of the things he has done and i wish he would work on restoring his image, but it is clear he isn't going in that direction.All the things i have stated about Ben are true. it's easy to forget these things just because Ben won some football games.

To me the pittsburgh steelers are more than just winning football games. It is about being a top of the line organization who is blue collar and prides themselves hard working high character individuals. Ben has fallen short of this line and continues to show his imaturity. Some of you may not care about this, but there are plenty of steeler fans that do. I am one of them.

We all know Ben is pissed they didnt bring BA back and that is the root for the comments he made. He questioned Mr. Rooney publicly, to me thats not cool. Regardless of what everyone thinks the context was, he said it and you can't take it back.

 

I think Ben as the centerpiece of the offense has every right to demand 'clarity' from management. Look, they fired BA, who Ben liked, and then there's a commnet from Art II on what he wants. If I'm Ben, I want to get this clear. What exactly do you want? More running?, more no-huddle? differerent calls in different situations? Don't make me guess and when I guess wrong start firing coaches or moving players around. This is a fair request of managment. Maybe it shouldn't have been aired in public, but both Ben and Art II did that.

If Art II is smart he, Tomlin and the new OC will have a two/three day sit-down and agree on what they are going to be on Offense.

 

What has Ben done to help his image? Sure people around him say that he has changed, what do you expect them to say?

I want to like Ben. He is our QB, but i expect him to act like every other Steeler, not like he is above it. Here are a few examples...

-Max Starks gets cut, so Ben wears his jersey to practice that day. That shows his disapproval for everyone to see. It is not his place. That is Rooney, Colbert, and Tomlins decision, not Ben's.

-Ben makes comments about how important it is that the Steelers don't get rid of BA win or lose, the day before the Broncos playoff game. Poor timing. Worry about winning the game and nothing else. Also, not his place.

-And now the comments about Rooney. Again regardless what the context was, it was said. Therefore it is out there in the media. Ben could have answered the question differently, so it wasn't a big deal. He obviously knew what he was saying and what it was going to cause.

All these things show signs that Ben has not changed. Its not that hard to see it. They show signs of immaturity. I don't see Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, etc... making public comments in the media what the organization needs to be doing. And these guys do everything for their teams. Sorry, the proof is right there.

As for people expecting too much out of athletes. These people are paid millions of dollars and are role models for our children. They better be held to a high standard.

 

they are NOT role models for our children! we the parents are the role models

 

Obviously parents are, but you can't avoid the fact that the youth of america looks up to athletes. It's unavoidable.