Ol Ben "Worn Down"

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports...ith-schuster-matt-canada/stories/202106010137

Hopefully an emphasis on running the football keeps his throws down in the 35's

 

I don't think Bens elbow was fully healed when he started last season and it caught up to him by midseason and hampered him beyond that point. He most likely began 2020 at about 85% healthy and finished about 65% healthy although he would never admit that. If it appears to be an age thing with Ben early in the season and he does start making mistakes, don't expect Tomlin to put a short leash on him.

Ultimately, they need to go into this season with a run first mentality and see if there are Oline improvements and see if Najee can move the chains. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on Ben yet but you can bet people will be screaming for change by the 2nd INT if it comes in game 1. I'm not one of those people.

 

At his age, and after surgery...Would there be any off season programs/ training techniques to STILL be able to strengthen a surgically repaired elbow?

 

Not sure why everyone wants to avoid the big HUGE elephant in the room. Ben is 39 years old, taken more abuse than most QB's a career long habit of not really staying in the best shape. Now lets throw in what probably should have been a retirement type injury. Ben was as healed as he is going to get. Even if he throws less this year we will see the same thing. He will start to break down again somewhere Mid season. Yes he will still have some moments where he does "ben" things. But the amount of people dreaming that a almost 40 year old extremely beat up qb with a history of being out of shape is going to come back better than before from a major injury is just extreme wishful thinking.

 

I believe the reason I avoid the Elephant in the room ....Is ...IMO...that I have not seen MANY players, regardless of Age come completely back the 1st year from their surgerys.

 

I would agree with that being plausible here in this case if Ben wasn't 39, taken all the abuse he has and took care of himself more. As much as i hate to say it, I would believe it for somebody like Brady. Ben is the opposite of Brady for the most part.

 

I think it is less about the elbow and his throwing arm even though they drive the car and more about his knees. If his pain level is such that he can't take snaps under center it will really limit the options in running the football.

 

I'd be doing a lot of 12oz curls to start with and then work my way up to 16-32oz.

 

About 137 of us wanted to yank him after the 2nd interception of the Cincinnati game last December. We were right.

 

Well then I guess you should start making your "Put Mason In" signs right about now.

 

It really limited us last season. And if we can't run a full, multi-formation offense, Najee will be wishing he went later in the draft. Ben's elbow had nothing to do with running 75% shotgun last season. Ben's elbow won't have anything to do with us not running 75% shotgun this season.

 

Is it too soon to cut eye holes in a paper bag?

 

Hopefully lower than 35

 

Nah, since they spent the money on Ben let’s kick the tires. I do think Rudolph should get a lot of first team reps in camp and preseason, but that will probably happen just to not wear Ben out.

 

A little too soon to go full on Detroit mode with this team.

 

Rocker or recliner? The first helps build your legs, the 2nd option (one I use) supports my lower back and fat a$$ from the workout strain.

 

This, always thought last year his bad throws down field was because he wasn't stepping into his throws because of his knees. This should be watched real close this year.

 

I think people have been unfair about Ben. It was actually unfair to expect him to throw 30-45 times a game at his age and coming off elbow surgery. I think he can be a great asset to this team if we can get back to the run-pass balance of 2005 or even 2008. Hopefully our new RB can help in that department. Elway couldn't probably play like 1987 in 1998 but he was good enough to bring home SB trophies. He was actually more successful late in his career than he was early in it.

 

Fine. [folds up paper bag and puts it in an easily accessible drawer]

 

We are doomed.

 

Ben is fine. Everything is fine.

 

I wish there was a rating that said "Very optimistic, but psychotic."

 

Exactly my thought..High throws ,Deep Balls with no air and many more wobbly balls .. All of these are signs of bad knees IMO .. IMO he changed his entire delivery about 3 seasons ago and I speculate that is when the wheels came off ...

 

Admit it. You have a brown paper bag with eyes cut out for every season.

 

The Pgh Steelers will never be in Detroit Lion Mode.