What's Wrong With Roethlisberger?

[.GR]

Almost no one connected with the Steelers wants to talk about what's ailing Ben Roethlisberger and how that ailment is affecting his performance. Asked about Roethlisberger's health, coach Mike Tomlin said, "I'm not going to make that the story line, and neither will he. He was well enough to play today." Asked how he felt, Roethlisberger said, "You guys are never going to hear me make excuses. I don't care what it is ... shoulder, thumb: no excuses." But, even if no one is willing to address Roethlisberger's health, it's obvious that what was diagnosed as a low-grade shoulder separation is hampering his play. How do we know that? Here's how: In the past three games, two of which were losses, Roethlisberger has thrown one touchdown and eight interceptions. And that's after throwing nine touchdowns and three interceptions in the first six games. Roethlisberger has been missing most of the Steelers' practices recently, but insisted that is not a factor in his play. There is sure to be a demand from many in the Steeler Nation and some in the media to replace Roethlisberger with veteran backup Byron Leftwich, who performed so well in relief against Washington last week, in what was the Steelers' only win in the past three games.

 

[House of Steel]

Countless times, I cringe everytime Ben tries to throw that ball and doesn't put enough zip into the pass. How many times has this man been intercepted? I swear against the Colts, we should of had Leftwich starting. He won't even acknowledge the fact that his shoulder is in more pain than we are letting on. He better not cost us any more games. This Sunday against the Patriots, our OL got to play their best ever along with Ben. Not having Willie in the rushing game is going to make matters worse, however, I am confident enough that Melwede will carry the load just fine. I tell you what, Ben screws this game up and I will be calling for Leftwich to start.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

From the missing helmet most likely... Rattled his brain probably a little bit...

 

[House of Steel]

From the missing helmet most likely... Rattled his brain probably a little bit...

:butwiggle: That is the same lame excuse I hear from rival fans every stinking day. When will it ever quit. LOL. OK, so maybe that is the truth of the matter.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

:butwiggle: That is the same lame excuse I hear from rival fans every stinking day. When will it ever quit. LOL. OK, so maybe that is the truth of the matter.

No, it will never quit. Oh, come on now. I get along with all Steeler fans.

:headsmack: :headsmack:

He wears a helmet playing football but not on a motorcycle??? I mean come on. Seems like to be a QB in the NFL you'd need at least some what of common sense.

 

[elcheato]

I think it's just a matter of time until he is out of this league, that motorcycle accident was devastating, remarkable that he had such a great year last year but with this bad O-Line, he could be getting career threatening injuries soon.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

he needs a year off, that's what he needs. Get his head straight, heal up, relax. He pushes himself so hard every off season, and he's so hard to bring down. He's had that accident a few years ago, but his offensive line isn't helping him at all. I say get outta there...

 

[House of Steel]

he needs a year off, that's what he needs. Get his head straight, heal up, relax. He pushes himself so hard every off season, and he's so hard to bring down. He's had that accident a few years ago, but his offensive line isn't helping him at all. I say get outta there...

As much as I dispised reading this, your absolutely right. It is that offensive line that isn't going to get us anywhere deep in the playoffs. We are lucky Melwede Moore is able to run pretty good behind that joke of an OL. I have to give Ben a lot of credit where it is due, he has put up with a lot of sacks and miscues. Losing Alan Faneca to the Jets is really starting to show it's ugly face up. There has been games where the OL did a marvelous job, but I give them a C- for their performance so far this season. I do wish Ben would sit out and let his shoulder heal, the more he plays, the more damage is going to bring to that shoulder and it could very well end his career as some of you mentioned. I've called for Leftwich to start many times. I just wish Batch didn't go down in the Preseason. Losing Mendenhall was a big blow also, but again, I take that back cause Melwede Moore has been a real blessing. Nate Washington has shined brightly as a receiver this season too which is a breathe of fresh air.

The biggest reason why we are 8-3 is the defense of the Steelers. Thank God for Dick LeBeau. He is just a genius around that exotic blitzburgh plan. Congratulations to him on 50 years in the NFL. Very geniune man. Never seen a man work as hard as LeBeau has.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

your absolutely right, except for Moore. He ran well because it seems the only thing that O-Line knows how to do is create holes in the run game. Their decent when it comes to run, but they lack pass protection. And let's face it, I'm just not sure how much moore Big Ben can take. We've seen him get benched once or twice this season due to injury causing poor performance. Ben just isn't VERY moveable in the pocket. He's so tough to bring down, and I love that part of him. He's a dam fighter, but he's still taking too many. Guy wassacked 76 times in 2009. and in 2007 was sacked 47 times. Surprisingly tied for 4th most in the league, i remember #1 was Kitna. OVer 60... but still, 46. That's just over 3 sacks per game. Same with 2007. 47 times, ranked 2nd most. Kitna had 53. Guess what, one team did good last few years, the other just plain sucks. Let's not let Big Ben reach that level.

Ben's so far been sacked 32 times, almost as many as his entire Defense has. Guess what, tied with JT O'Sullivan for 2nd most in the league, behind Cassell who has 34. The key to their future success is getting him off the top of that list.

 

[House of Steel]

Absolutely. Point taken very well. It really bugged me to see how the Steelers dealt with Alan Faneca. Granted, he was getting up there in age, but the man performs as well as any OL I've ever seen. He was being robbed of being paid like a top offensive lineman. Of course, the Rooneys shelled out $100 million contract on a guy they don't know if he is going to survive 6 to 7 years behind that joke of an offensive line. I really wish we would of kept Faneca for a few years more. We are sorely missing his strength, wisdom, and encouragement. He was a heck of a player that taught the line to move with chemistry everytime he was on that field with em. Granted, we do have some games where the OL is fine, but most of the time, it is a damn joke. I hope the Rooneys, and Colbert realizes that the OL is a big priority come Free Agency and the NFL Draft this offseason. We could use some help in the secondary. Our pass protection is not anything to brag about either. Although, I think it was mentioned in the last game that the Steelers haven't given up anything over 40 yards in one pass with the exception of the Colts game. Wayne killed us. What is also another problem is, that damn secondary doesn't spike the ball down to dead, no, they tip them damn passes to make it easier for a second chance of an opponent taking the catch. Exactly what Ike Taylor did for Reggie Wayne. That just ticks me off. If your going to try and intercept the pass but can't, SPIKE THE F____G THING to a dead ball. Common sense you idiots. LOL.