For the yinzers who championed Tommy Maddox over Kordell, move on. Nothing to read here. But here's the scoop on Ben, starting with the good...With all due respect to TB, Big Ben has more raw talent than any QB who's ever worn the beloved Black & Gold. He's got the size, the arm strength, passing touch, and the athletic mobility to be one of the all-time greats. And when his head is in the game, he makes great decisions. That's the QB we cheered from the day they called his name on draft day.
The problem with Ben:
Ben is more concerned with being "the QB of the Pittsburgh Steelers" than with winning games as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben likes everything that comes with the title, "Quarterback." He loves the spotlight and the fame, the fact that chics who nothing about the game will faithfully wear his jersey. He's also got tremendous athletic ability, which he relies on in lieu of hard work.
Ben's the dorky frat boy...the child who thinks that just because he joined a club, he has gained instant credibility in the cool arena. While Ben is looking for his baseball hat (and don't forget to flip it backwards), Peyton Manning is studying film.
Yes, the Steelers O-Line is brutal. But Ben's inability to make reads, poor timing with receivers, and constant happy feet in the pocket are clear signs he's not mentally prepared on game day. Throw in the fact that he doesn't even practice all week, and still gets the start on game day...it's just a big recipe for disaster.
The good thing about Ben is his knack for inspiring motivation in himself. After living off his new found popularity as a Superbowl winning QB in 2006, a season that very much resembles this one (by his play), Ben bounced back with a monstrous 2007. But once again in '08, he has floundered.
Is he hurt? Maybe. But if that's the case....GET OFF THE EFFIN FIELD!!!!! Just because you display the painful grimace after every interception, that doesn't make you "a leader." But this goes back to my main point. Ben is selfish. He's more worried about being called "the leader" than he is with being the leader. If his best interests were in that of the Steelers, he would've stepped aside last week, and handed the ball over to the QB who gave us the best chance to win last week...Byron Leftwich. Instead, Ben sat out the majority of the practices leading up to the game, and predictably struggled. That's the Ben I take issue with.
He's clearly the Beloved's QB of the future. Although that doesn't mean he should've played last week. Hopefully, Ben grows up sooner rather than later.
5 comments:
Coach Tomlin names the starter. Not the QB deciding whether he wants to play or not.
Play calling had much to do with Sunday's loss. Ben could play but having him throw 42 times? Even with a healthy Ben, I don't want him throwing 42 times.
3rd & 2 at our 16 with 1:30 left in the half and we want to throw it? What? Really?
Interceptions happen. Favre throws a sh*t-ton of them. Avoiding the chances of that happening is the key.
By the way, that interception before half was the same exact offensive play that was run in the 1st quarter that had Santonio picking up 23 yards. Same defense too. I still don't agree with the call howeva.
Cut Ben some slack, I happen to think as a football player (and football player only) he's a good leader. According to people I know that watched TB in his hey-day, those two draw very similar qualities in leadership. He helped guide us to a Super Bowl. Have faith brotha.
;)
I call bullocks.
Ben will most likely have a huge game Sunday for 3 reasons:
a) he's practicing
b) he's motivated
c) Norv Turner has crap on his face
Flyers game tonight?? Daniel Briere (you pussy) is out. Pulled groin, of course.
I have hated Ben since day one, so this was music to my ears...
next rant should be on how Jerome Bettis is a oily pile of turds who hung on long enough to rack up some TDs and pad stats and despite only being a 2 time pro bowl player he was NEVER the best RB in this own division and should NEVER be considered for the Hall of Fame. NEVER. NEVER. NEVER.
That's blasphemy in these parts. But I agree. People liked the way he danced back to the huddle. He was always a "me" guy, which is why he took center stage when we went to the Superbowl (that whole "The Bus is going back to Detroit" thing).
Dude had like 300 yards rushing that year. The only thing the Bus did for the Steelers that year was almost prevent them from getting to the Superbowl with his infamous fumble at the goalline.
But he was a compiler, which is why he'll get to the HoF. He was also a great self-promoter.
Willie Parker was, and will always be the better RB.
To add:
Jerome was on par with Bam Morris and Barry Foster. Both good RB's, but neither compiled or promoted themselves as good as Jerome. All 3 never won a Superbowl.
Oh...that's right. Jerome, technically, won a Superbowl. But he didn't play a part in WINNING a Superbowl.
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