Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger finalize three-year deal, per sources

what the heck does Eli have to do with anything? Tom Brady is still winning super bowls, Ben led the league in passing yards, rivers took his team to the playoffs.

 

As long as it doesn't handcuff the organization going forward. (Salary Cap Issues)
If Fichtner has any balls which I don't think he does. he would/should be
finding out getting the other qb's some real time practice /game experience to see if we have anything to work with.

 

that wou!d be more of a head coaches call then the o-co. That's like pulling Joe haden out of a game to see if Brian Allen can play corner.

 

Exactly! And I believe Ben is still capable of being even better if there is a "team" around him instead of a circus.

I am beginning to believe you ride your elite QB until he fails and then go do "whatever" it takes to get your next elite QB. Despite the good indications on Rudolf, it just seems that you can't "produce" an elite QB anymore, you have to buy one.

 

I know guys play and succeed at 40 these days, but I doubt Ben can be one of them. He has been beat up and relies too much on physical skills. I could be wrong, but I'll believe it when I see it.

This will be unpopular, so flame away, but I think we're already seeing Ben in decline. But it's hidden by two factors:

1) his high number of throws make his total yds and TDs look great, but he getting those numbers by throwing 100 more passes than most of the league.
2) QB numbers all around the league have gone up in the last 10 yrs while Ben's really haven't. Ben's first two years his QB rating was 98, the league average was 82. Last year his QB rating was 96, but the league average was 92. You can look at his overall numbers and say "See, Ben hasn't lost a thing", but the rest of the league has gained on him.

Ben is still a very good QB, he's still good enough to win a title. The Steelers had no choice but to resign him, but I don't think he has 3 seasons left.

 

Eli has a lot to do with it Ben and Eli are about the same age. Your body can break down
at any moment and your on the hook for a poor contract. TB has never been subject to the
poundings #7 has most of his career. We shall see, all I hope is the Steelers don't set their team/franchise
back with an unbearable contract.

 

rivers has. Even brees is playing at a playoff level. All these guys have many miles on them. Ben the last five years has a lot less hits on him then early in his career. Eli is getting them on an old body now. There makes a big difference. Ben has finally started taking better care of his old body. We have a good team around him right now, not the time to start over yet. That will happen soon enough.