SteamRoller67 Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 The Steelers offense line is average at best. They can't run the ball, can't pass protect (except against a 3 man rush) and generally had an awful night. Why the Titans only rushed 3 and dropped 8 most of the night is baffling. Whatever Ben Roethlisberger's salary is, it's too low. If he isn't 245 pounds, he gets sacked 9 times by my count. The Titans were only credited with 4 sacks on the night. Ben Ro's ability to avoid the rush is pretty amazing for a big guy.
R. Rich Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 But....but.....I thought Roethlisberger was overrated? I know I read that somewhere here.
MaineMoxie Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Yeah, Roethlisberger is underpaid. I can't remember the exact stat, but at one point last night Al Michaels said the Steelers were almost at the bottom in how many sacks they allowed last year which proves it is possible - though very rare - to be successful with a bad O-line. You just need the right quarterback...
Chandler#81 Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 IMO, it's a combination of Ben's willingness to hang on an extra second or two to let a route develope. He can do this better than most NFL QB's because he's so damn big and strong. I also don't underestimate Tenn.'s pass rush/blitz capabilities.
H2o Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Ben played alright, but it was the defense that shut down Tennessee for the most part. They were getting pressure on Collins all night long and also did well to stuff the running game.
R. Rich Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Yeah, Roethlisberger is underpaid. I can't remember the exact stat, but at one point last night Al Michaels said the Steelers were almost at the bottom in how many sacks they allowed last year which proves it is possible - though very rare - to be successful with a bad O-line. You just need the right quarterback... Ben works to keep plays alive 'til something develops DOWN THE FIELD. That's why he takes so many sacks. If he held onto the ball as much as he does, and when he did throw the ball threw it mainly to RBs and TEs, then I could draw a comparison to the Bills. Apples and oranges here. IMO, it's a combination of Ben's willingness to hang on an extra second or two to let a route develope. He can do this better than most NFL QB's because he's so damn big and strong. I also don't underestimate Tenn.'s pass rush/blitz capabilities. Looks like the Titans need to develop depth for the interior. Those guys who gave Haynesworth a rest (Jones, Brown, et al) are now getting the majority of the reps. They wore down as the game went on, and it showed.
bizell Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 R. Rich, absolutely correct. Ben gets sacked a lot. Some of it is due to bad blocking, some of it is due to him trying to make a play out of nothing.
Phlegm Alley Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 I also think it was Ben's ability to pump fake his way out of trouble as well. Think about it. You're taught as a D-Lineman that if you can't get to the QB, get your hands up in the passing lane. Tennessee's D-Line thought that on numerous occasions that they weren't going to be able to get to BR so they just kept putting their arms up which bought BR more time in the pocket.
SteamRoller67 Posted September 11, 2009 Author Posted September 11, 2009 Ben played alright, but it was the defense that shut down Tennessee for the most part. They were getting pressure on Collins all night long and also did well to stuff the running game. What? 33/43 & 363 yards against a solid Titans defense is a little more than alright. Ben single handedly saved 12-15 plays with his feet/toughness.
tennesseeboy Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 BR is one stud quarterback. I'm kind of at a loss trying to find the combination of size and agility and smarts. Maybe Bradshaw at his best is the closest I can come to off the top of my head.
Beerball Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Ben works to keep plays alive 'til something develops DOWN THE FIELD. That's why he takes so many sacks. If he held onto the ball as much as he does, and when he did throw the ball threw it mainly to RBs and TEs, then I could draw a comparison to the Bills. Apples and oranges here. Looks like the Titans need to develop depth for the interior. Those guys who gave Haynesworth a rest (Jones, Brown, et al) are now getting the majority of the reps. They wore down as the game went on, and it showed. The play to the rookie WR baffles me. How is it he was able to find a soft spot in the Tenny zone? What was Collinsworth talking about when he repeatedly mentioned stretching zones out? Are these things legal in the NFL? Should we convene a meeting of the competition committee?
Flbillsfan#1 Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 BR is one stud quarterback. I'm kind of at a loss trying to find the combination of size and agility and smarts. Maybe Bradshaw at his best is the closest I can come to off the top of my head. Yeah I see the similarity between the two. As much as I love Bradshaw, I think Big Ben is better.
bluv Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 What?33/43 & 363 yards against a solid Titans defense is a little more than alright. Ben single handedly saved 12-15 plays with his feet/toughness. How many points did they score? 13? If that game was against the 07 Pats or the Colts the Steelrs would have been down 21-0 midway thru the 2nd quarter. The D held in the redzone and on top of that blocked a FG and a FG was missed. What if they played the Colts and they shutdown the Steelers running game the same as thge Titans did? Do you think there O-line could block Freeney and Mathis after falling behind? What if they played a Steelers clone D that would unleash the dogs; do you think the results would have been the same? The Steelers O-line sucks but Big Ben gets the best out of them. But while Ben is a good QB he is not as great as some make him out to be. He wouldn't get those chances to lead his team to 4th quarter victories if the D doesn't keep the games close. Its not like he is carying the team on his back leading a high powered offense winning shootouts. Ben played an OK game; especially statwise. But he does hold onto the ball too long. Sometimes this is a good thing for at least as someone pointed out he looks to throw the ball down the field. But if the Titans hadn't gotten soft (like the Bills vs the Pats) and played a conservative, soft zone the second half without taking mixing it up and chances then this is what you get: instead of getting killed with big plays against single coverage you get torched and picked apart in zone coverage. Either way you are getting used!
eball Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Big Ben also throws the ball to receivers who APPEAR TO BE COVERED (take note, Trentative) and allows his WRs to make plays. He's a big time QB.
Beerball Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Big Ben also throws the ball to receivers who APPEAR TO BE COVERED (take note, Trentative) and allows his WRs to make plays. For that matter so did Collins.
Bad Lieutenant Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 IMO, it's a combination of Ben's willingness to hang on an extra second or two to let a route develope. He can do this better than most NFL QB's because he's so damn big and strong. I also don't underestimate Tenn.'s pass rush/blitz capabilities. I've never seen a quarterback who is so unaffected by pressure and constantly having defenders draped over him. !@#$ the Jaguars-I hope they're happy with the way Reggie Williams panned out.
eball Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 For that matter so did Collins. That's correct. All of the best (or most experienced) QBs have learned this.
GG Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 If we had high confidence that our D could hold an opponent to 10 pts in regulation, and our QB could take the ponding that Ben takes, then there would be less handwringing about the OL.
Bad Lieutenant Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Big Ben also throws the ball to receivers who APPEAR TO BE COVERED (take note, Trentative) and allows his WRs to make plays. He's a big time QB. It doesn't hurt that he has 2 guys in Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes who are both great at competing and battling for every ball thrown their way.
R. Rich Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Ward has done a good job of taking Holmes under his wing and develop him (imagine that) as a complete WR. His route running looks sharp, his awareness is very good, and his blocking has been pretty good as well. It would be nice if Owens would do the same for Lee Evans. Evans has great speed and is good on the 9 route (go route), but his route running in general is subpar and his blocking isn't anything to write home 'bout either.
Recommended Posts