Big Ben open to retirement

[shmessy]

Respectfully disagree. Loss or not, that a BIG statement to make.

24 hours after an emotional end of season loss = Hawt Tayke

Look it's nothing more than a shot across Tomlin's bow. Ben is sick and tired of babysitting the AB's of that team and, rightfully so, wants Tomlin to start acting more like a real HC.

I'm sure he gazed across the field at Gillette Sunday night, then turned and looked over at Joey Porter, looked over at Antonio Brown, saw the inexplicable Steeler D zone coverage strategy and wondered, why the hell am I putting up with THIS?.

 

[Froob]

Think he's just being a drama queen.

 

[RobertWeathers]

24 hours after an emotional end of season loss = Hawt Tayke

Look it's nothing more than a shot across Tomlin's bow. Ben is sick and tired of babysitting the AB's of that team and, rightfully so, wants Tomlin to start acting more like a real HC.

I'm sure he gazed across the field at Gillette Sunday night, then turned and looked over at Joey Porter, looked over at Antonio Brown, saw the inexplicable Steeler D zone coverage strategy and wondered, why the hell am I putting up with THIS?.

For anyone who has seen "Troy Aikman- A Football Life" , when it came to Troy calling it a career, that was exactly his thought process.

Aikman stated that he didn't retire b/c of head injuries but retired because the 'Boys's culture was that of a Carnival Cruise ship with strip clubs. The coaches were not strong and the FO/ownership was all about catering to the prima donnas.

With that said, Ben just lost in the AFCCG for crissakes. Its not like it was with Troy and they went 5-11 and were devoid of talent and Dave Campo has a 4 year deal. Pitt has some good young players.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Attention whore gonna whore. Wouldnt be suprised at this guy pulling a favre.

 

[TomPatriot]

I would retire too if tomlin was my coach. He's clueless. TB destroys that zone defense. They did nothing to change up the scheme.

I don't think that's true. They tried man on several plays, blitzed a little, played most of the possible zone coverages. With 3-4 exceptions, they don't have the personnel on defense.

 

[qbno12]

It was either Peyton/Flacco/Big Ben in playoffs against us in AFCCG. With Peyton gone, and now Big contemplating retirement we may see more of Flacco in playoffs unless Colts somehow end up in AFCCG

Edit:: Forgot Carr and Raiders. I don't see too many teams playing competetive football in AFC next season.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Think he's just being a drama queen.

Correct. Since Brett Favre retired, Ben's taken on that role. This is just the next part of it. We'll be having this retirement discussion for the next 5 years.

 

[TomPatriot]

He has 18,200,000 reasons to play next year.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

That's big news.
I don't know whether he's going to follow through, but I don't think we can take it lightly. Though, as someone else has observed, he'd be leaving beaucoup de bucks on the table.
Good news is that there is another "big story" distracting from the usual nonsense leading up to the SB.

 

[chasa]

honestly that team is the same with out without him. they played us harder with thier backup.

 

[qbno12]

honestly that team is the same with out without him. they played us harder with thier backup.

Also, that was a home game for them.

 

[meatface]

Injuries
+
Aging
+
Big game blowout loss
+
Possible decline in skills
+
Diarrea de la boca
=
Retirement talk


No real surprise

I expect money will keep him playing another year or two at least, his dead money hit i the whole salary next season but drops by 6 million in 2018 and 2019

 

[patsfanincleveland]

His comments about the game being 'too big' for young guys seems telling, as well. Must suck to work so hard and get to a game where you get smashed like that by a team who has a lot of cap space and a lot of young talent.

Tough to want to get up for another year of being smashed by the Patriots as a best case scenario when you've already got your rings.

When they were 4-5 he also called out the entire organization.

Throw in a dope smoking RB and "stats" WR who worries more about FaceSnap and it's logical.

Frankly, looking at that defense, it would be logical that he might be thinking about an exit to Arizona. He was always really close to Bruce Arians and they don't have the same issues.

 

[WinstonSmith]

Attention whore gonna whore. Wouldnt be suprised at this guy pulling a favre.

Yep, he'll be back. In Ben's mind no often means yes...

 

[dannydyn]

24 hours after an emotional end of season loss = Hawt Tayke

Look it's nothing more than a shot across Tomlin's bow. Ben is sick and tired of babysitting the AB's of that team and, rightfully so, wants Tomlin to start acting more like a real HC.

I'm sure he gazed across the field at Gillette Sunday night, then turned and looked over at Joey Porter, looked over at Antonio Brown, saw the inexplicable Steeler D zone coverage strategy and wondered, why the hell am I putting up with THIS?.

Hey, if we trade Garapollo, I'll be more than happy to sign him for a vet minimum to back Brady up...

 

[patchick]

Respectfully disagree. Loss or not, that a BIG statement to make.

OK, but remember when Earl Thomas said much the same right after breaking his leg?



I do think Ben is on the homestretch -- he's having more and more trouble staying healthy. But the timing of this statement seems more like "heat of the moment."

 

[The Gr8est]

I think this is more a subtle message to the Rooneys that Ben is not happy most likely with Tomlin. Honestly if your Ben, and you go into a game against the Patriots and they play the same exact defense that Brady has picked apart for over a decade and your defensive players admit that they were "not ready for" or "surprised" that the Patriots used an up temp offense, then whoever is running your team and your defense needs to get FIRED!

Roethlisberger is a great QB, he hit what 15 or so passes in a row on Sunday. The guy has won two Super Bowls and one with a last second TD. But as the years start dwindling down and you look around you and see that level of incompetence in your coaching staff, it must make you pause.

I can sympathize with Ben. He isn't the reason they lost.
Imagine how Brady would feel if he put all the effort into preparation that he does, and had a clown of a HC who made it all for naught by failing to prepare and be ready for an opponent you have faced many times before, who used an offensive game plan you have seen before, but failed to make the necessary adjustments.

I imagine in a scenario like that Brady would be thinking retirement or trade.

 

[mosslost]

This could be nothing, but with his injury history...something to think about.

I really doubt he retires BUT... it would be kind of funny for his career to begin with a first year AFCCG beat down to NE, then end with a 12th year AFCCG beat down as final game.

 

[Bill Lee]

Frankly, looking at that defense, it would be logical that he might be thinking about an exit to Arizona. He was always really close to Bruce Arians and they don't have the same issues.

It doesn't seem logical from a salary cap or legacy point of view.

 

[fnordcircle]

Must be an opening in that retirement home for rapists.