I guess Big Ben wants out (1 Viewer)

[Banger]

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.

That's how I see it too. It's basically him or me but one of us has to go. it will be Haley.

 

[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.

Thanks?

Don't mention it.

 

[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.

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

thanks for the catch, it will be interesting to see if arians MO will be like that of his predecessors when it comes to bringing in ex-PIT vets.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

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

thanks for the catch, it will be interesting to see if arians MO will be like that of his predecessors when it comes to bringing in ex-PIT vets.

Well, he already brought in Mendenhall.

 

[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.

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

thanks for the catch, it will be interesting to see if arians MO will be like that of his predecessors when it comes to bringing in ex-PIT vets.

Well, he already brought in Mendenhall.

sure, if whisenhunt had brought in one former steeler it probably wouldn't have been called out as an MO or pattern... he brought in OL levi brown and alan faneca, OLBs clark haggans and joey porter, CB bryant mcfadden...

we'll see what arians does, going forward?

fisher seems to like ex-titans, and has brought in finnegan, hayes and cook (that i can think of off the top of my head) in two years...

also, not sure if the old part (don't all old steelers...) referred to the chronological sense or meaning (how i took it), or as in ex/former? several/most of the vets brought in by by whisenhunt were "old" in the former sense... mendenhall not old, per se, even for a RB... he may be damaged goods because of the knee injury... ben isn't old, either, for a QB... some think he might also be damaged goods (though not to the degree of mendenhall) from too many hits, i think haley is the biggest problem...

 

[xenon]

Anybody feeling Big Ben tomorrow vs Detroit?