Sorry, I just don't see it. I know Ben can perform in flashes, that is why his QB rating stays fairly high. And he is certainly an improvement over the likes of Slash. But he remains maddeningly inconsistent and prone to high highs like the playoff run and low lows like the Superbowl performance or his struggles against the JAGS last season. Sometimes he even appears to have played well then, statistically or in small game windows. But he is a gunslinger at heart, maybe that is what some love about him - as do some fans in Texas and Wisconcin. He is not a student of the game, and he's a handful to coach. Cowher managed him brilliantly for the first two seasons, but behind the scenes Ben was increasingly chomping at the bit to be something he isn't. I think that is why Cowher left when he did. He got one for the thumb, and he knew the Rooney's would commit to the QB irrespective of some issues the coaches were having with him.
Not sure if Timlin learned the lesson last year, but he seemed to have some eye opening moments on the sidelines over the course of a rookie season that started out with guns a blazing. It's gonna be Ben's way or the highway for his new coaches for the next several seasons as the Steelers live (or die) on the arm of a gunslinger. UNLESS THEY GET BACK TO MANAGING A RUN FIRST OFFENSE THAT PASSES SITUATIONALLY AND STRATEGICALLY AND ASSEMBLING A DEFENSE THAT WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. But then Timlin won't likely feel pressure from the top as the Rooney's on some level likely see it for what it is. And with that thumb ring came contentment to just remain competitive for the time being. Another reason Cowher likely left.
I think Hinds Ward knows what Cowher knew too...
You're pretty good at putting others in their places, Mo, like the guy you slammed for not knowing about cap numbers. Now it's your turn to get schooled for all to see.
Your portrayal of Ben as a stereotypical "gunslinger" type is proved wrong by none other than the Cold, Hard Football Facts. Now for the reality:
Roethlisberger’s 87.9 passer rating stands as the ninth-best in NFL history – one spot behind Brady (88.4) and one spot ahead of Drew Brees (87.5), two quarterbacks you routinely hear mentioned among the game’s elite.
More importantly, though, is Roethlisberger’s amazing 8.25 yards per pass attempt. Topping 8.0 YPA is virtually unheard of at the pro level.
In fact, his amazing 8.25 YPA stands as third-best in NFL history, behind just two of the greatest quarterbacks ever: Otto Graham and Sid Luckman. These are no ordinary Ottos and Sids who Roethlisberger finds himself among. In 18 years of NFL play, Graham and Luckman appeared in 11 championship games, winning seven of those title tilts.
Just five quarterbacks in NFL history topped 8.0 YPA for their career. There are no Swatches on this list of NFL record-setters, just the sweet dulcet chimes of Rolexes, Bulovas and Big Bens.
TOP 5 ALL-TIME PASSING YPA LEADERS
Player (Years) Yards Att. YPA Title Games Titles
Otto Graham (1950-55) 13,499 1,565 8.63 6 3
Sid Luckman (1939-50) 14,686 1,744 8.42 5 4
Ben Roethlisberger (2004-present) 8,519 1,032 8.25 1 1
Kurt Warner (1998-present) 20,591 2,508 8.21 2 1
Norm Van Brocklin (1949-60) 23,611 2,895 8.16 5 2
- Among players with a minimum 40 NFL games and 1,000 pass attempts
- Bold indicates HOF quarterbacks
To put this list in prosaic terms, among all the quarterbacks who have taken a snap in the NFL over the past 50 years, none have carved up opposing defenses with their passing arm as efficiently as Roethlisberger.
"Maddeningly inconsistent" huh? You wish.
Congratulations, you are now officially schooled and tooled. You have, no doubt, confused Ben's mobility and ability to create plays on the run, with recklessness and inefficiency. The hallmark of the lesser-sophisticated football observer. (Note: Ben only added to these numbers with 07's 104 rating, 32 to 11 TD-to-INT performance. Continuing on as one of the most efficient passers in NFL History.)
Likewise, your assessment of the Cowher-Ben situation is hopelessly wrong. Note the stats of both Roethlisberger and the Steeler run game during their championship playoff run:
Quarterback: Roethlisberger (2385 passing yards, 17 TD, 9 INT) had an outstanding regular season, posting a 98.6 passer rating and generally displaying the presence that led him to be named 2004 NFL Rookie of the Year, but reserved his best play for the postseason. "Big Ben" is 49-of-72 passing (68.1 percent) for 680 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception through three 2005 playoff games, for a lusty passer rating of 124.8.
Running Backs: The Steelers running game has struggled somewhat during the playoffs, with both Willie Parker (1202 rushing yards, 18 receptions, 5 TD), and Jerome Bettis (368 rushing yards, 9 TD) averaging well under four yards per carry. Parker has just 132 yards on 47 carries (2.8 avg.) on the ground...
As you can see, Pittsburgh's run "support" was laughable; clearly it was Roethlisberger's incredibly EFFICIENT passing that carried the Steelers to Detroit. IN FACT, Roethlisberger was the QB who finally did what no other Steeler QB under Cowher ever did: overcome the inevitable Steeler run-game fizzle that always occured in the playoffs. Far from needing Cowher, it was Cowher who desperately needed Ben to gain a ring. If not for Roethlisberger, Cowher retires ringless. It's that simple.
Far from "managing" Ben, it was in fact Ben's ability to break free from the Cowher "run first, play not to lose" scheme that propelled the Steelers to a ring. You have gotten the situation 180 degrees wrong.
That's why your words...
UNLESS THEY GET BACK TO MANAGING A RUN FIRST OFFENSE THAT PASSES SITUATIONALLY AND STRATEGICALLY AND ASSEMBLING A DEFENSE THAT WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
... are simply not true. The Steelers won a championship doing exactly the OPPOSITE -- they rode their QB's arm to the Super Bowl, not their running backs' legs. The numbers prove it beyond all doubt.
The Rooneys "committed" the big money to Roethlisberger because they know in fact this is true. Roethlisberger, not Cowher (or Bettis for that matter) is the factor that gives the Steelers a chance to truly compete for a championship. Because, as the first set of stats show, Roethlisberger is in FACT one of the most efficient QBs to ever play the game. This, combined with on-the-move playmaking ability that blows away any other QB in the game, is why they invested the big bucks.
Lesson over. Your tuition bill will be arriving shortly.