Concerned about Big Ben on MFL (1 Viewer)

[Frank Black]

I remember last year when the Eagles and the Ravens were able to limit NE on offense. They both seemed to have a similar personnel to harass the heck out of Brady and limit the WRs from getting open. There are only so many teams who have that certain kind of personnel. I don't what defensive turnover the Ravens had last offseason, but they have a blueprint to follow from Philly's success last week against the Steelers.

Does Pittsburgh have the personnel to make the appropriate adjustments if Baltimore tries to replicate Philly? If not, I am seriously concerned about Big Ben's ability to make it through the game, considering he is already banged up.

 

[Godsbrother]

You have reason to be concerned but I don't think it is necessarily a given that Baltimore will be as successful as the Eagles were.

For one, the Steelers (and Ben) had no problems against Baltimore last season and I don't think the personnel on either team has changed all that much. Plus you would think the Steelers are well aware that Baltimore is going to be coming with the blitz and have had over a week to gameplan get ready for it.

Also the Steelers gameplan for the Ravens is going to significanty different than the Eagles. The Steelers went into that game expecting a shootout with a high powered Pnilly offense. I don't think they'll approach it the same way when you are playing a low scoring offense like the Ravens.

I am not predicting a monster game from Ben but I am not expecting a disaster either. I think both teams are going to be fairly conservative (the Ravens more than the Steelers) and put the game in the hands of their defenses.

 

[gheemony]

I am concerned am sitting Ben for JTO (v. NO). This Ravens defense is different than last years. They are much healthier. I think they are back to being the Ravens defense of old. I think it's going to be a slugfest, and I worry about Ben making it through the game, especially since we don't really know the extent of his injury.

 

[Lash]

i said in a Big Ben thread after watching Minny harass the heck out of him in preseason that the PIT pass protection is not very good

and ben has always held onto the ball for as long as he can get away with it

it is why his YPA is so high - he just takes the sack instead of the throw away incompletion

 

[DrJamesAndrews Fan]

I'm starting Ben with confidence. At Home, Monday Night, Versus the Ravens who he & Ward usually plays well against.

 

[travdogg]

I'd go as far as to say Ravens>Eagles. This is going to be a low scoring slugfest with lots of turnovers. I think Ben has a rough game and the Ravens pull off an upset.

 

[roadkill1292]

You have reason to be concerned but I don't think it is necessarily a given that Baltimore will be as successful as the Eagles were.For one, the Steelers (and Ben) had no problems against Baltimore last season and I don't think the personnel on either team has changed all that much. Plus you would think the Steelers are well aware that Baltimore is going to be coming with the blitz and have had over a week to gameplan get ready for it.Also the Steelers gameplan for the Ravens is going to significanty different than the Eagles. The Steelers went into that game expecting a shootout with a high powered Pnilly offense. I don't think they'll approach it the same way when you are playing a low scoring offense like the Ravens.I am not predicting a monster game from Ben but I am not expecting a disaster either. I think both teams are going to be fairly conservative (the Ravens more than the Steelers) and put the game in the hands of their defenses.

GB, in the embarrassing blowout against the Steelers last season, the Ratbirds were without both starting CBs and paid a heavy price when the team's offensive woes contributed great field position -- Ben took advantage of both situations and lit 'em up. Hines was great as he always seems to be against Baltimore.But the Ravens defense is at almost full-strength right now (Kelly Gregg and Dawon Landry are down for the count) and playing with its old verve. Ben has been struggling and there's no Willie Parker to lean on (not that he's ever hurt the Ravens much in the past). While I think this one still goes to Pittsburgh, it won't be an easy one and Ben most likely won't put up giant numbers.Oops, almost forgot that Baltimore won the last meeting, although it's true that it was a fairly meaningless game for the Stillers.

 

[Kiddnets]

seiously considering benching him for Campbell..........never thought Id say that

 

[Godsbrother]

GB, in the embarrassing blowout against the Steelers last season, the Ratbirds were without both starting CBs and paid a heavy price when the team's offensive woes contributed great field position -- Ben took advantage of both situations and lit 'em up. Hines was great as he always seems to be against Baltimore.But the Ravens defense is at almost full-strength right now (Kelly Gregg and Dawon Landry are down for the count) and playing with its old verve. Ben has been struggling and there's no Willie Parker to lean on (not that he's ever hurt the Ravens much in the past). While I think this one still goes to Pittsburgh, it won't be an easy one and Ben most likely won't put up giant numbers.Oops, almost forgot that Baltimore won the last meeting, although it's true that it was a fairly meaningless game for the Stillers.

You make some good points although I wouldn't say that Ben has been struggling, only that his line played a horrendous game last week. I agree that Ben will most likely not put up great numbers but I think much of that will be due to the change in game plan. I don't think the team's offensive philosophy this week against the Ravens will be anything like the one they went into the Eagles game with. So I agree that we won't see a big fantasy game from Ben -- I just don't believe it will be the absolute disaster last week was.

 

[packersfan]

Interesting to note that FBG has upgraded Roethlisberger in its latest projections tonight. Heath Miller was upgraded as well. They still aren't projecting Roethlisberger to do very well against the Ravens but he has been upgraded.

 

[RBM]

seiously considering benching him for Campbell..........never thought Id say that

Same situation here. Probably wont when it comes down to it though.

 

[Judge Smails]

I am staying far away from Big Ben this week. Some people will latch on to the "5 TD's in a half vs. the Ravens last year" angle, but Sharks know that was without their entire secondary. Different game this year. Schlereth was on the radio this morning and said he expects the Ravens to DESTROY the Steelers. I see no reason to expect anything different than what I saw last week from the Steelers. They need to face some softer D's before they will do anything.

BTW - Griese ove Big Ben for me this week.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Schlereth was on the radio this morning and said he expects the Ravens to DESTROY the Steelers.

I heard that too & couldn't believe it. Unless the Ravens score 3 D/ST TDs & Pittsburgh disintegrates on D, I don't see how they can score enough to destroy anyone - much less the division favorite at home in a pissed off mood. I could see the Ravens winning if everything breaks their way, but it's almost impossible for me to construct a scenario where they blow out the Steelers & keep a straight face.

 

[Fantaholic]

Parker is out. Ben is still nursing some sort of shoulder soreness. And, this is Baltimore/Pittsburgh we're talking about. The most accurate assumption to make is that it will be LOW scoring. 13-10 is well within the realm. The fact that Parker isn't playing allows the Ravens to bring the pressure all night on Roeth unless of course Mendy opens it up a bit. But, he's a question mark at this point.

 

[roadkill1292]

Schlereth was on the radio this morning and said he expects the Ravens to DESTROY the Steelers.

I heard that too & couldn't believe it. Unless the Ravens score 3 D/ST TDs & Pittsburgh disintegrates on D, I don't see how they can score enough to destroy anyone - much less the division favorite at home in a pissed off mood. I could see the Ravens winning if everything breaks their way, but it's almost impossible for me to construct a scenario where they blow out the Steelers & keep a straight face.

Baltimore is still an offensively challenged team. So far, they haven't made the kinds of silly mistakes that put them deep in holes like they did last year but it's still gonna be a rookie QB starting on the road in an extremely hostile environment.Now, having said that, if the Ratbirds have a lead in the fourth, the Stillers are down a couple of D linemen this week and may be hard pressed to prevent the Ravens from bringing the big thunder and grinding them down like they've done the first two games.

 

[Sir Psycho]

seiously considering benching him for Campbell..........never thought Id say that

Same situation here. Probably wont when it comes down to it though.

Benching Big Ben for Griese.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

This really needs to be a poll...

I'll set the over/under at 5 sacks on Ben.

Over or under?

 

[DrJamesAndrews Fan]

Big Ben is 3-1 Vs Ravens at Home, 10 Td's in those 4 games, has scored over 20 points in all but 1 game. Don't bench him.

 

[AngryPatriot]

It's the NFL on Monday Night! Steelers 35- Ravens 31. Just a hunch.

 

[dudaman]

I am staying far away from Big Ben this week. Some people will latch on to the "5 TD's in a half vs. the Ravens last year" angle, but Sharks know that was without their entire secondary. Different game this year. Schlereth was on the radio this morning and said he expects the Ravens to DESTROY the Steelers. I see no reason to expect anything different than what I saw last week from the Steelers. They need to face some softer D's before they will do anything.BTW - Griese ove Big Ben for me this week.

more often that not, the unexpected happens in the NFL (Miami @ NE last week is a perfect case in point). So where it looks like the Ravens have a clear edge, being 2-0, and the defense looking great, I'd have to say that the Steelers will be the polar opposite of last week when they play Monday.

 

[DrJamesAndrews Fan]

Also, Balt may be missing CB Samari Rolle.

 

[packersfan]

Also, Balt may be missing CB Samari Rolle.

That may be why FBG upgraded Roethlisberger in their latest projections yesterday.

 

[Restricted]

Parker is out. Ben is still nursing some sort of shoulder soreness. And, this is Baltimore/Pittsburgh we're talking about. The most accurate assumption to make is that it will be LOW scoring. 13-10 is well within the realm. The fact that Parker isn't playing allows the Ravens to bring the pressure all night on Roeth unless of course Mendy opens it up a bit. But, he's a question mark at this point.

Could work both ways with Parker out. If the running game is ineffective, it means that they will have to open up the pass. Of course, it will also test the blocking of Mendy, but they may bring in the better blocker/pass catcher M Moore, who I think is a sneak play for a RB3/Flex this week. I have to decide against Ben or Schaub.

 

[enVisionGTR]

Big Ben is 3-1 Vs Ravens at Home, 10 Td's in those 4 games, has scored over 20 points in all but 1 game. Don't bench him.

W 20-7 '04 14/19 221 2 td 1 int - Jerome Bettis - 27/117 4.3W 20-19 '05 18/30 177 2 td 1 int - Willie Parker - 14/63 4.5

L 31-7 '06 15/31 156 1 td 2 int - B. Roethlisberger 4/33 ; Willie parker 13/29 2.2

W 38-7 '07 13/16 209 5 td 0 int - Willie Parker 23/42 1.8

Concerning the 5 td game:

In reality, they [Ravens] had no chance at all. Not with all the big names -- Mean Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw -- who gathered to celebrate the Steelers' 75th season, whooping it up and pounding each others' backs with every big hit and turnover.

"It was a magical night to have those guys come and show their support," said Hines Ward, himself a member of the Steelers' all-time team that was honored at halftime. "You want to put on a show for those guys."

Former coach Bill Cowher got the crowd going by making a previously unannounced on-field appearance shortly before the opening kickoff as a steady rain fell.

Once they got started, the Steelers lived up to coach Mike Tomlin's pregame prediction they would feed off the noise and enthusiasm.

"Coach Tomlin said all week the team that was more physical would win," Ward said. "Last year Ben got beat up against them but today we were more physical."

Here's an interesting info about the game: The Steelers have won their last 12 Monday night homes games dating to a 1991 loss to the Giants.Big Ben will be getting off the ground quite a bit. So far he's been sacked 13 times with 9 of them coming from a blitz happy defense. Baltimore loves to blitz totaling 6 sacks in 2 games.

To add more incentive for a hard-hitting game - http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3610947

The first-round pick from Illinois, whose first career start will come against the Ravens on "Monday Night Football," recently sent a text message to friend and Ravens rookie tailback Ray Rice saying he's going to have a big game against the NFL's top-ranked defense. Obviously, Rice, who often praises the Ravens' defense as "scary," passed the text message along to his teammates, who are not taking Mendenhall's proclamation lightly.

"He said later that he was just joking, but it's too late,'' Ravens linebacker Bart Scott said. "Thanks for the bulletin-board material, rookie."

Anyone else excited !?