Top 5 Quarterbacks by Merril Hoge

http://burgh.us/9ds

 

Hahaha. It takes an ex-Steeler to put BR at #2. Very few of the other talking heads even include Ben in the top 5. Not that I agree with them, but BR will always have more doubters then the Brady's, Rodgers, Mannings, of the world.

 

The problem with Ben is at times he plays like he did yesterday against the Pats, then other time he makes decisions that even a monkey wouldn't make. It's all mental for Ben, always has been, and I'm afraid always will be. He doesn't read defences overly well, he never has, and he admits that. Even with that, he can play very, very well if he would just slow things down and not over-think it. Like yesterday when they were backed up in their own end, Ben was scrambling. Mendy was wide open on the left side of the field. Ben looked towards him twice, but you could clearly see he wanted to get the ball down field. In the end he took a sack. The next play, he threw it right to the Pats defender. If he had just thrown it to Mendy when he clearly saw he was open, he wouldn't have been in a 3rd and long situation and that interception doesn't happen.

Ben has all the tools to be elite, but he's holding himself back by being stubborn. Sometimes a check down to the RB is a great play. Sometimes throwing the ball away is a great play. Once Ben learns that and doesn't force it, he'll be known as elite by everyone.

Sure, you take the good and the bad with ben, but more times than that, he gets sacked rather than extending the play with his size and strength. Throwing the ball away or checking down to the RB is a better play than risking the sack.

 

I know he is a steeler, but out of all the talking heads over at espn I think merril is as good as it gets. he is very good at breaking down film and simplifying things for us. I put alot of stock in what he says because he knows what he is talking about. I think ben can be as good as he wants to be. I think he gets it now and is working toward being the best

 

I was thinking the very same thing on that series. Very poor decision making from Ben on 2 downs in a row there. Had he hit Mendy on that play it's 3rd and short or who knows maybe Mendy even runs for the 1st. Either way like you said the interception most likley doesn't happen because he wouldn't have needed to make up 3rd and a mile. That said I think Ben did a much better job yesterday in general of being more patient and taking what the D was giving him. Hopefully the older he gets the wiser he gets and we'll continue to see more of that out of him raying:

 

Hoge is an excellent analyst. Simms could learn a thing or two from him!

 

Some of Ben's bad habits showed up vs the Pats. Fortunately, his overall good play over shadowed some of his bad habits. That doesn't happen every week. I don't believe he will have as much time to pass the ball vs the Ravens as he did vs the Pats. If good Ben shows up, Steelers have a chance to blow the Ravens off the field. I believe that because the Ravens offense has been inconsistent this season.

 

Up to the time that Ben threw the interception, I really liked what Ben did. He took what the defense gave him and did not force his throws. I thought this showed a lot of maturity on Ben's part. The interception I can forgive because I just do not think Ben saw the Patriot at all. Ben is coming along.

I did not like hearing on the "Jim Rome Show" or was it "Around The Horn" tonight say that as good as Ben played, the Steelers cannot win in the playoffs if Ben throws it 50 times. I disagree as I think Rodgers did that last year and so can we.

The media overall just does not want to believe that Ben can take control of the game. However, I seem to remember him doing just that in the Super Bowl vs. the Cardinals

 

Ben is not a pretty pocket passer, so he doesn't make a good "face" for the league. Therefore, he will never get the attention. It's going to be funny to hear the excuses once he has more rings than Brady.

 

Agree totally.. Steelers have a faster set of wide receivers now and those crossing routes, screens and slants seem to be working with the speed we have added to this team.

I say it has and will work in playoffs.. Still predicting 12-4

Bman

 

I know you weren't asking me, but I think we're going to lose to the Ravens this upcoming Sunday, and I think we'll lose to the 49'ers. I don't like the way we matchup against either team this year.

 

He didn't ask me either, but I'm going to comment. Not that I think we will lose, but I think our toughest games are against the ravens and one game against the bengals and then the 49ers. Not for any other reason other than our crazy amount of injuries. Otherwise I know we could win out, but know they are always a stupid loss or two. I felt like one of those we out of the way. I though we turned the corner with the Pats win, but now it's gotten very interesting. Too interesting.

 

Bengals are the surprise team this year. Their receiving corps has a lot of potential, and their D has played really well so far.

 

I love "Hogee" but he's a bit of a homer. Ben may be in the top 5 mix but I think #2 is a stretch. The fact Hoge has Cam Newton at #5 (over Brees!) is way off, in my opinion. :bs: