I guess Big Ben wants out (1 Viewer)

[Plorfu]

On my phone so no link, but I got a message from my NFL app and Rappaport tweeted it. Ben to Fitz for a few years? Also, I don't think I've lived through a worse season than this.

 

[FavreAndAwayAnIdiot]

I would have to think the Cardinals are done with retread QBs for awhile. Perfect year to find "the future" at the position.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

Appearing on GameDay Morning, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Ben Roethlisberger is not happy in Pittsburgh and the Steelers will listen to trade offers in the spring.
According to Rap Sheet, Roethlisberger's issues aren't just Todd Haley-related. The Steelers fielded trade offers for Big Ben last offseason, but they would surely have to be blown away to deal him. It's already hard enough to find franchise quarterbacks. Roethlisberger just wants to win. In the unlikely event Roethlisberger is dealt, NFL Network mentioned the Cardinals and Big Ben's former offensive boss Bruce Arians as a potential landing spot.

 

[MAC_32]

A divorce would be best for both sides.

 

[jurb26]

It's on NFL.com as a breaking new headline.... Ben looking for trade.

 

[Plorfu]

I would have to think the Cardinals are done with retread QBs for awhile. Perfect year to find "the future" at the position.

If anyone learns from their mistakes, it's the Cardinals!

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I think they'd really need to go all out on retooling that o-line for that trade to work

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Didn't expect the front-runners to get off the bandwagon this quickly, but when the QB wants to jump ship who could blame the fans?

 

[jurb26]

Didn't expect the front-runners to get off the bandwagon this quickly, but when the QB wants to jump ship who could blame the fans?

What in the world are you talking about?

 

[Blick]

I think they'd really need to go all out on retooling that o-line for that trade to work

Why? Ben has won two Super Bowls and been to a third with the worst O-lines in the league.

 

[Gottabesweet]

This just means he'll shred the Bills today.

 

[Steelers4Life]

I'd be in favor of it if the return is solid. Wouldn't diminish what he's done for the Steelers - no matter what, he'll be at worst the 2nd best QB in franchise history, maybe even more talented than Bradshaw.

This is going to be a few year rebuilding project even if we have Ben under center. The process would be sped up, and there's no point building around a QB who'll be 34-35 at best by the time the Steelers are legit contenders again. It was one thing when Ben was younger, running around the way he does. But for him to be doing that in his mid-30's? I don't see it.

Plenty of holes to fill on the lines right now, and safety is about a year or two from becoming a major issue too.

 

[Sabertooth]

Landry Jones a sneaky stash

 

[shadyridr]

Hes raped all the chicks in pittsburgh?

 

[GeeYouknit]

It's kind of a sad report for us Steelers fan's to hear but as its been pointed out it may be best for both sides.

I would just like to think about why for a second though. It's not like they haven't tried to get an O-line, they have, but those guys' development is slowed down by inury or they haven't panned out. They just drafted a RB who, what it seems like, is the back of the future and they have some young nice pieces that I like personally like Jarvis and Shamarko along with a solid but not impressive WR core to build off of. I don't blame him for trying to compete but this could also be a "Fire Todd Haley or I want out" cry from Ben.

 

[cstu]

Conveniently Ben is owed $18M in salary next year and the Steelers would have no dead money if they traded him.

 

[duaneok66]

Could the Cardinals even take on that kind of salary??

 

[PhD]

My guess is that Haley is out, Kirby is in, they have the RB and will want to go through him. Ben is thinking passing game to be sacrificed at the peak of his career.

 

[Ghost Rider]

It makes sense to trade him then, since only the top tier quarterbacks deserve that much money. Roethlisberger is a good QB, even a very good one at times, but he has never been THE reason the Steelers consistently win games; their defense has been. When you factor in the beating his body has taken over the years, which means his body will likely break down sooner rather than later, it makes sense for the Steelers to jump ship and save all of that money.

 

[MAC_32]

Landry Jones a sneaky stash

no.

 

[Bri]

Landry Jones a sneaky stash

The way it seems now-Either the Steelers system totally doesn't match him in a rare way that one guy just won't fit a team or he's not an NFL QB. The Steelers have done an excellent job training him and getting all sorts to work with him but everything I hear is that he's terrible.

He looked good at OU and I expected good at the NFL level. I'm surprised in that regard, but if you do a good amount of reading and look at the month the articles were written you'll see it just seems like nothing clicks for him.

Eli was a horrible rookie and then it was like the light turned on and he was far improved year two. I don't know what the future will hold for Jones. Today, I don't see promise.

 

[lod01]

Someone has their lips secured around a large pipe and is blowing some big time smoke. Now, the question is, who is it?

Wouldn't surprise me if it was Haley planting this seed.

 

[Banger]

Someone has their lips secured around a large pipe and is blowing some big time smoke. Now, the question is, who is it?

Wouldn't surprise me if it was Haley planting this seed.

that guys a disaster...he seems to be a problem on every team he's been with.

 

[McGarnicle]

Did he give up the rapin'?

 

[Donnybrook]

I could see the Vikings persuing Big Ben.

 

[lod01]

Someone has their lips secured around a large pipe and is blowing some big time smoke. Now, the question is, who is it?

Wouldn't surprise me if it was Haley planting this seed.

that guys a disaster...he seems to be a problem on every team he's been with.

Pretty much. He did give himself credit for helping develop Marty Booker in the 90s and Tony Romo on his wiki page. That page reads like a 'look at me'.

 

[lod01]

I could see the Vikings persuing Big Ben.

I could see about 10 teams pursuing him.

Vikings

Raiders

Browns

Buffalo

San Fran

Arizona

Houston

Tenn

Jax

TB

STL

 

[Ghost Rider]

Why would SF want him? Yeah, let's ditch our young, up-and-coming QB for a beat-up, aging QB. Yep, that's the way to go.

 

[lod01]

Why would SF want him? Yeah, let's ditch our young, up-and-coming QB for a beat-up, aging QB. Yep, that's the way to go.

Jesus, have you seen this guy play lately? Ben could instantly make them favorite for the SB. Right now they are just ham and eggers.

 

[Banger]

Someone has their lips secured around a large pipe and is blowing some big time smoke. Now, the question is, who is it?

Wouldn't surprise me if it was Haley planting this seed.

that guys a disaster...he seems to be a problem on every team he's been with.

Pretty much. He did give himself credit for helping develop Marty Booker in the 90s and Tony Romo on his wiki page. That page reads like a 'look at me'.

haha...wow..THE Marty Booker? quite an achievement....

 

[drummer]

Why would SF want him? Yeah, let's ditch our young, up-and-coming QB for a beat-up, aging QB. Yep, that's the way to go.

Jesus, have you seen this guy play lately? Ben could instantly make them favorite for the SB. Right now they are just ham and eggers.

With all the off-field booze problems with current 49er players, adding one more wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[msommer]

I could see the Vikings persuing Big Ben.

I could see about 10 teams pursuing him.

Vikings

Raiders

Browns

Buffalo

San Fran

Arizona

Houston

Tenn

Jax

TB

STL

I would hate to have Big Ben in Tennessee, frankly I think he is scum and do not ant him associated with a team I hold dear.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Why would SF want him? Yeah, let's ditch our young, up-and-coming QB for a beat-up, aging QB. Yep, that's the way to go.

Jesus, have you seen this guy play lately? Ben could instantly make them favorite for the SB. Right now they are just ham and eggers.

6-3 is being a ham and egger? Okay. Kaepernick has only started a little more than a season's worth of games, so it is understandable that there will be bumps in the road, but his upside is pretty high, especially if/when he actually has a reliable set of pass catchers to throw to. Besides, Roethlisberger hasn't been that great this year.

 

[Dizzy]

Did he give up the rapin'?

He's not a rapist... he makes love to women while they're asleep. Huge difference.

 

[Franknbeans]

I call BS on all of this trade talk and am starting to believe Rappaport is a hack.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

I call BS on all of this trade talk and am starting to believe Rappaport is a hack.

After Ian started backtracking, it was obvious he or his source had issues in the story he was telling.

 

[Bankerguy]

I call BS on all of this trade talk and am starting to believe Rappaport is a hack.

After Ian started backtracking, it was obvious he or his source had issues in the story he was telling.

I personally believe the Steelers floated the story....Big Ben played his cards. Now the Steelers will have leverage on the renegotiation.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

I call BS on all of this trade talk and am starting to believe Rappaport is a hack.

After Ian started backtracking, it was obvious he or his source had issues in the story he was telling.

I personally believe the Steelers floated the story....Big Ben played his cards. Now the Steelers will have leverage on the renegotiation.

No effing way. Not our style. Could cause massive issues forward, they don't do short term.

 

[treat88]

I call BS on all of this trade talk and am starting to believe Rappaport is a hack.

After Ian started backtracking, it was obvious he or his source had issues in the story he was telling.

I personally believe the Steelers floated the story....Big Ben played his cards. Now the Steelers will have leverage on the renegotiation.

No effing way. Not our style. Could cause massive issues forward, they don't do short term.

Like when they "retired" Arians?

I don't think the Steelers floated the story either, but they absolutely do short term both in PR and in financials.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

I call BS on all of this trade talk and am starting to believe Rappaport is a hack.

After Ian started backtracking, it was obvious he or his source had issues in the story he was telling.

I personally believe the Steelers floated the story....Big Ben played his cards. Now the Steelers will have leverage on the renegotiation.

No effing way. Not our style. Could cause massive issues forward, they don't do short term.

Like when they "retired" Arians?

I don't think the Steelers floated the story either, but they absolutely do short term both in PR and in financials.

Coaching </> Players.

 

[treat88]

I call BS on all of this trade talk and am starting to believe Rappaport is a hack.

After Ian started backtracking, it was obvious he or his source had issues in the story he was telling.

I personally believe the Steelers floated the story....Big Ben played his cards. Now the Steelers will have leverage on the renegotiation.

No effing way. Not our style. Could cause massive issues forward, they don't do short term.

Like when they "retired" Arians?

I don't think the Steelers floated the story either, but they absolutely do short term both in PR and in financials.

Coaching </> Players.

Santonio? Miledgeville?

 

[SportsGuru311]

I think it is time for him to move on

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

don't all old steelers go to Arizona and end their career now?

 

[DoubleG]

Did he give up the rapin'?

He's not a rapist... he makes love to women while they're asleep. In the bathroom. Huge difference.

FYP.

 

[Dizzy]

Did he give up the rapin'?

He's not a rapist... he makes love to women while they're asleep. In the bathroom. Huge difference.

FYP.

Thanks?

 

[msudaisy26]

I could see the Vikings persuing Big Ben.

I could see about 10 teams pursuing him.Vikings

Raiders

Browns

Buffalo

San Fran

Arizona

Houston

Tenn

Jax

TB

STL

This is the worst list of all time. Do you realize there were only like 6 to 8 teams that lined up for Peyton. Plus you have to trade for Ben, he isn't a free agent like Peyton was.

Vikings - yes aging Peterson decent weapons in the passing game.

Raiders - No. They have young starter even if he sucks they are going to be in a position to take a qb in a good draft to take one and rookies don't make 18 million.

Browns - no they are stocking up picks, probably to get a qb. They might give Hoyer another shot.

Buffalo - No they just drafted a qb in the first. They have a very young team too.

San Fran - No they have a young and cheap qb that fits their offense. Ben doesn't fit that offense at all.

Arizona - yes. They have a championship caliber defense and good weapons on offense. Plus the Arian connection.

Houston - no there season is lost and if they are smart they see what Keenum can do for the rest of the season. Even if he flops they will be in a position to grab a qb in the draft.

Tennessee - maybe, depends on how bad Lockers injury is and how they finish the year.

Jax - no they are drafting a qb in the first round, they are in a massive rebuild.

Tampa - same as Jax but their rebuild could be a lot quicker.

St. Louis - Maybe but only if they can move Bradford. Contracts are probably close and they have a good defense and some pieces on offense.

 

[Bob Magaw]

My guess is that Haley is out, Kirby is in, they have the RB and will want to go through him. Ben is thinking passing game to be sacrificed at the peak of his career.

props for being first post to mention haley...

it was predicted haley would be a problem, and here we are, just about a season and a half later, and rothliesberger wants out...

wonder if haley is canned, he will still want out?

 

[Bob Magaw]

don't all old steelers go to Arizona and end their career now?

more so when ex-steeler coaches whisenhunt and grimm were there.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

don't all old steelers go to Arizona and end their career now?

more so when ex-steeler coaches whisenhunt and grimm were there.

pretty sure Bruce Arians is an ex-steeler coach, only been there 1 year, give him time

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

From what I'm hearing through league back channels, Rappoport got it wrong. Big Ben didn't ask for a trade, the NY Jets made an inquiry about his availability and some preliminary talks were made about a possible deal. ( Keep in mind that GMs around the league talk trade and possible moves all the time. This is why so many people dismissed the Jay Cutler smokescreen when he wanted out of Denver, when there were talks made regarding Matt Cassel. In casual discussion, GM's are always feeling out other GMs and possible scenarios to improve their team. Generally the press will only report on potential deals that make it to the ownership level. i.e. the trade talks have gotten to the point where it needs the owners rubber stamp on it to make a deal. A few GMs or essentially GMs all but in name like Belichick can operate as they wish with only cursory interference by ownership, but in most cases, most franchises need ownership rubber stamping to move a large deal)

Big Ben, with a restructure, makes a lot of sense for the Jets. That defense is about a year away from being Top 5 and young enough to stay elite for a 3-4 season run. I don't think most fans realize how devastating that Jets D line can potentially be if it hits on all cylinders at some point. You are looking at enough raw talent to create a historic level elite defensive line. Holding onto Rex Ryan makes the Jets more of a reload situation than a full reboot with an entirely new front office.

The components are Big Ben friendly, strong D, be left alone on offense, dedication to a power rushing ground assault. Big Ben isn't going to win another ring by chucking it up 55 times a game in the desert.

The Jets are about one excellent offseason away plus Big Ben from being a pretty dangerous squad.

So where is the part where Rappaport got it wrong?

So the Jets inquired annnnddd...?

The Jets do have a great line (ask the Saints).

However I think the real point if there is any to all this is that Ben has never been happy with Haley and he ain't gonna get happy with Haley and if anything it's in a 'him or me' mode going into next year and regardless this year has been so bad and so non-Steelers tradition (poor defense, poor line, poor running game) that Haley will have to go. Things will be reconfigured starting at the OC.

Anyway doesn't Rooney call the shots? He's not letting Ben go.