The legend of Big Ben Grows

**metallicatz** · 09-11-2009, 12:36 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

He's absolute money when it matters most. It isn't pretty. He'll rarely be a fantasy numbers guy. But all he does is win, and that's all we care about. He's the only QB in the NFL who could thrive behind that horrible O-line.

**bgeno** · 09-11-2009, 01:27 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

He's in the upper echelon of QBs in my book.

Just because he doesn't put up the gawdy numbers that Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees put up doesn't mean he's not as good of a quarterback. He just does it in a different way (and I've said that on these boards before). He makes big plays, he extends others, and he is unflappable late in games.

"Different" is the key word when referring to Ben and comparing him to the other great QBs in the league now. The others are just typical big numbers, high touchdown totals guys... Ben will never be that (at least not behind this offensive line), but what he does is simply amazing, and he shouldn't be penalized just because he's not your standard QB.

Oh, and, by the way, he was 33 of 43 for 363 yards in that game.

**JBH3** · 09-11-2009, 01:41 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

In regard to his numbers they ain't that bad.

He needs some youth at WR, a better O-Line, but 2007 was a very solid fantasy season for Big Ben. Conincidentally that was when Faneca was still there too...:wink:

Prior to his Superbowl 43 performance I was skeptical about Big Bens place among the Manning's and Brady's of the NFL universe, but he's proving his worth...

Additionally...the others are more than just "typical big numbers, high touchdown totals guys"...because there is nothing typical about the numbers Brady, Brees, or Manning put up.

Those are elite numbers, not typical...and all three have their innate abilities that make them top5's... and like Big Ben seperate them from the rest of the pack.

**CW McGraw** · 09-11-2009, 01:50 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by metallicatz

He's absolute money when it matters most. It isn't pretty. He'll rarely be a fantasy numbers guy. But all he does is win, and that's all we care about. He's the only QB in the NFL who could thrive behind that horrible O-line.

I wouldn't say that Ben is the only QB who could succeed in Pittsburgh. Ben will admit that many of the sacks he takes are his fault. If you put Drew Brees on the Steelers, they'd be winning basically every game just because Brees can get rid of the ball quickly when it needs to be. I'll give Ben credit for tearing apart a top tier defense with no help from the running game. I'll even say he's the fourth best QB in the league, but the three QBs I rank ahead of him, Brees, Manning, and Brady, can make mediocre talent look good. Ben makes mediocre talent look mediocre. What separates great QBs from the rest is that very ability.

Still, Ben Roethlisberger is literally the exact same QB as John Elway. He doesn't blow the game for the first three quarters, and then becomes unstoppable in the fourth.

Am I the only one who thinks the Steelers should just run a No Huddle offense and let Ben run the show? That offense is anemic when Bruce Arians calls the plays, but is unbeatable when Ben is given free reign.

**Ewing** · 09-11-2009, 01:55 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by CW McGraw

Am I the only one who thinks the Steelers should just run a No Huddle offense and let Ben run the show? That offense is anemic when Bruce Arians calls the plays, but is unbeatable when Ben is given free reign.

Nope, I'm with you completely on that one. As for the article, the guy is on drugs if he thinks I'd rather have Ben than Manning or Brady.

**lonewolf371** · 09-11-2009, 01:56 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by CW McGraw

I wouldn't say that Ben is the only QB who could succeed in Pittsburgh. Ben will admit that many of the sacks he takes are his fault. If you put Drew Brees on the Steelers, they'd be winning basically every game just because Brees can get rid of the ball quickly when it needs to be. I'll give Ben credit for tearing apart a top tier defense with no help from the running game. I'll even say he's the fourth best QB in the league, but the three QBs I rank ahead of him, Brees, Manning, and Brady, can make mediocre talent look good. Ben makes mediocre talent look mediocre. What separates great QBs from the rest is that very ability.

Still, Ben Roethlisberger is literally the exact same QB as John Elway. He doesn't blow the game for the first three quarters, and then becomes unstoppable in the fourth.

Am I the only one who thinks the Steelers should just run a No Huddle offense and let Ben run the show? That offense is anemic when Bruce Arians calls the plays, but is unbeatable when Ben is given free reign.

Maybe that's because other teams only game plan for the running-game type Steelers. I think spreading the field would be a bad idea for them on a consistent basis. Yeah, they have great skill position players, but they have huge match-up issues in the trenches with most teams. Spreading the field against teams like the Ravens, Patriots, Chargers, or Jets could result in disaster. Much better to make the line of scrimmage a big mess of tight ends and fullbacks on both running and passing plays when you have those kinds of match-up problems.

**JBH3** · 09-11-2009, 02:00 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by lonewolf371

Maybe that's because other teams only game plan for the running-game type Steelers. I think spreading the field would be a bad idea for them on a consistent basis. Yeah, they have great skill position players, but they have huge match-up issues in the trenches with most teams. Spreading the field against teams like the Ravens, Patriots, Chargers, or Jets could result in disaster. Much better to make the line of scrimmage a big mess of tight ends and fullbacks on both running and passing plays when you have those kinds of match-up problems.

Yea...I agree w/ that, and also take advantage of Hines Ward's run-blocking abilities in those bunch/multiple TE sets.

Trying to run the ball against a healthy TENN D...even minus Haynesworth, isn't a very good litmus test to your teams overall ability to run. The odds are stacked against you that you likely won't have much success running regardless.

**slickdtc** · 09-11-2009, 02:00 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by JBH3

In regard to his numbers they ain't that bad.

He needs some youth at WR, a better O-Line, but 2007 was a very solid fantasy season for Big Ben. Conincidentally that was when Faneca was still there too...:wink:

Prior to his Superbowl 43 performance I was skeptical about Big Bens place among the Manning's and Brady's of the NFL universe, but he's proving his worth...

Additionally...the others are more than just "typical big numbers, high touchdown totals guys"...because there is nothing typical about the numbers Brady, Brees, or Manning put up.

Those are elite numbers, not typical...and all three have their innate abilities that make them top5's... and like Big Ben seperate them from the rest of the pack.

Agree with pretty much all of this. Brees, Manning, Brady... I think if you plugged them into PIT they'd be doing mostly the same things as Roethlisberger. None of those 3 guys are as mobile as Big Ben, but they can shift and shimmy there in the pocket as well as any. It's not all about being fast but having that sixth sense of pressure and stepping up or away from that pressure to give yourself an extra moment.

But the youth at WR comment... the only receiver they have over 28 is Hines Ward.

Also, they drilled it into our heads last night that Big Ben has a great pump fake. But it's the truth and I really did notice it last night. I think he pumped on every play. Including Reed's GW FG.

**JBH3** · 09-11-2009, 02:05 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by slickdtc

Agree with pretty much all of this. Brees, Manning, Brady... I think if you plugged them into PIT they'd be doing mostly the same things as Roethlisberger. None of those 3 guys are as mobile as Big Ben, but they can shift and shimmy there in the pocket as well as any. It's not all about being fast but having that sixth sense of pressure and stepping up or away from that pressure to give yourself an extra moment.

But the youth at WR comment... the only receiver they have over 28 is Hines Ward.

Also, they drilled it into our heads last night that Big Ben has a great pump fake. But it's the truth and I really did notice it last night. I think he pumped on every play. Including Reed's GW FG.

Youth at WR (other than Holmes) that can contribute...Limas Sweed? (aside...Mike Wallace looked pretty good, but it's one game...)

Is that better?

**lonewolf371** · 09-11-2009, 02:07 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by JBH3

Youth at WR (other than Holmes) that can contribute...Limas Sweed? (aside...Mike Wallace looked pretty good, but it's one game...)

Is that better?

Holmes is pretty good. He might be the the best WR on the team, now. Now that he's in his fourth season, he should be in his prime and ready for a breakout year.

**slickdtc** · 09-11-2009, 02:12 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by JBH3

Youth at WR (other than Holmes) that can contribute...Limas Sweed? (aside...Mike Wallace looked pretty good, but it's one game...)

Is that better?

Much better!

**Wenkinator** · 09-11-2009, 04:13 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Funny... I remember watching that game and noticing the horrible play call by the Titans during the final 5 minutes of the 4th being the reason they lost.

He made so many dumb throws last night, and the Steelers only scored 13 points. He gets way too much love for sloppy play.

**TheWatcher** · 09-11-2009, 05:19 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

^^^ It's not how you start but how you finish. And he was very, very sharp when it mattered most.

**tripwire** · 09-11-2009, 05:28 PM

Re: The legend of Big Ben Grows

Originally posted by Wenkinator

Funny... I remember watching that game and noticing the horrible play call by the Titans during the final 5 minutes of the 4th being the reason they lost.

He made so many dumb throws last night, and the Steelers only scored 13 points. He gets way too much love for sloppy play.

OPSports should start having interviews before they let anyone and everyone sign up.

The legend of Big Ben Grows

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