News from Bill Cowher's press conference (1 Viewer)

[Godsbrother]

Bill Cowher was rather terse in his weekly press conference today, answering many questions with a one word response and long glares.

He said that he never considered pulling starting QB Ben Roethlisberger last week in favor of Charlie Batch and that Ben is not on a short leash this week if he struggles against Denver.

Six players were listed as OUT for this week's game: LB Arnold Harrison, RB Verron Haynes, C Jeff Hartings all have knee injuries, WR/PR Willie Reid (foot), LB James Harrison (ankle) and S Mike Logan (hamstring). Arnold Harrison and Verron Haynes have been placed on IR and will miss the rest of the season. Cowher said that they will make two moves to fill those roster spots.

NT Casey Hampton (hanstring) is questionable as is LB Clark Haggans (ankle), though Haggans did play last week.

Cowher was asked which RB will take over Verron Haynes' 3rd down role and replied that he did not want to name anyone at this time.

Anyone that thinks Cowher isn't upset about how the Steelers are playing should see this press conference.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Not too much Going on around here anymore...... I like it sooooo much better!

 

[Godsbrother]

Not too much Going on around here anymore...... I like it sooooo much better!

Thanks for your wonderful insight of the topic, as usual.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

Anyone talking about that is an idiot with a very short attention span.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Not too much Going on around here anymore...... I like it sooooo much better!

Speak of the devil......

 

[Warpig]

Not too much Going on around here anymore...... I like it sooooo much better!

Awww...what the hell... Just for you buddy.

 

[redman]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

I actually think it would do him some good from a health standpoint. He's already suffered two concussions, a broken facial bones complete with an automobile collision and surgery, another surgery to remove an appendix, and a variety of the typical hits a QB gets in games, all within the last 5 months. I know that they feel they can still compete for their division title, but Batch has actually played shockingly well in his absence. Ben's supposed to be their QB for the next decade - I fail to see how you put that at risk after a 2-5 start.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The only way I sit Ben is if it's a medical issue. I trust the Steelers' team doctors if they say he's green lighted - they're widely known as the best medical staff in the NFL.

 

[nightshift]

Not too much Going on around here anymore...... I like it sooooo much better!

Better?

 

[redman]

Not too much Going on around here anymore...... I like it sooooo much better!

How are you guys holding up in the Pacific Northwest now that the Seahawks were robbed by the refs in three of the last four weeks?

 

[CrossEyed]

I'm going to the game on Sunday and I'll be

I expect the Steelers to come out pretty fired up at home and beat the Broncos. Not that it will mean much in the long run, but at least it should be a fun game to be at.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

I actually think it would do him some good from a health standpoint. He's already suffered two concussions, a broken facial bones complete with an automobile collision and surgery, another surgery to remove an appendix, and a variety of the typical hits a QB gets in games, all within the last 5 months. I know that they feel they can still compete for their division title, but Batch has actually played shockingly well in his absence. Ben's supposed to be their QB for the next decade - I fail to see how you put that at risk after a 2-5 start.

I think those are two different topics -- benching and rest/recovery. I agree that he probably should have come back later than he did. However, I've heard some critics think that he needs to be benched and/or that Batch might be better, etc. That is just absurd.With triggers like that, I wonder how many times Terry Bradshaw would have been benched.

 

[CrossEyed]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

I actually think it would do him some good from a health standpoint. He's already suffered two concussions, a broken facial bones complete with an automobile collision and surgery, another surgery to remove an appendix, and a variety of the typical hits a QB gets in games, all within the last 5 months. I know that they feel they can still compete for their division title, but Batch has actually played shockingly well in his absence. Ben's supposed to be their QB for the next decade - I fail to see how you put that at risk after a 2-5 start.

I think those are two different topics -- benching and rest/recovery. I agree that he probably should have come back later than he did. However, I've heard some critics think that he needs to be benched and/or that Batch might be better, etc. That is just absurd.With triggers like that, I wonder how many times Terry Bradshaw would have been benched.

Actually, Bradshaw got benched a number of times early in his career.

 

[redman]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

I actually think it would do him some good from a health standpoint. He's already suffered two concussions, a broken facial bones complete with an automobile collision and surgery, another surgery to remove an appendix, and a variety of the typical hits a QB gets in games, all within the last 5 months. I know that they feel they can still compete for their division title, but Batch has actually played shockingly well in his absence. Ben's supposed to be their QB for the next decade - I fail to see how you put that at risk after a 2-5 start.

I think those are two different topics -- benching and rest/recovery. I agree that he probably should have come back later than he did. However, I've heard some critics think that he needs to be benched and/or that Batch might be better, etc. That is just absurd.With triggers like that, I wonder how many times Terry Bradshaw would have been benched.

I agree.

 

[BGP]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

I actually think it would do him some good from a health standpoint. He's already suffered two concussions, a broken facial bones complete with an automobile collision and surgery, another surgery to remove an appendix, and a variety of the typical hits a QB gets in games, all within the last 5 months. I know that they feel they can still compete for their division title, but Batch has actually played shockingly well in his absence. Ben's supposed to be their QB for the next decade - I fail to see how you put that at risk after a 2-5 start.

I think those are two different topics -- benching and rest/recovery. I agree that he probably should have come back later than he did. However, I've heard some critics think that he needs to be benched and/or that Batch might be better, etc. That is just absurd.With triggers like that, I wonder how many times Terry Bradshaw would have been benched.

And at the same time, the Steelers seem to have a capable backup QB in Charlie Batch. That's a very nice luxury to have. You need that when your QB can't play to his potential due to injury. It just seems dumb that the Steelers haven't taken advantage of that QB depth.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

I actually think it would do him some good from a health standpoint. He's already suffered two concussions, a broken facial bones complete with an automobile collision and surgery, another surgery to remove an appendix, and a variety of the typical hits a QB gets in games, all within the last 5 months. I know that they feel they can still compete for their division title, but Batch has actually played shockingly well in his absence. Ben's supposed to be their QB for the next decade - I fail to see how you put that at risk after a 2-5 start.

I think those are two different topics -- benching and rest/recovery. I agree that he probably should have come back later than he did. However, I've heard some critics think that he needs to be benched and/or that Batch might be better, etc. That is just absurd.With triggers like that, I wonder how many times Terry Bradshaw would have been benched.

And at the same time, the Steelers seem to have a capable backup QB in Charlie Batch. That's a very nice luxury to have. You need that when your QB can't play to his potential due to injury. It just seems dumb that the Steelers haven't taken advantage of that QB depth.

They have. Batch has played all of one game and half of another. Roethlisberger plays when their gold-standard medical staff says he should. The guy is a Super Bowl winning QB with the second highest passer rating in the NFL since his first game, you don't bench him if he's cleared to play.

 

[stevegamer]

I think the handling of Roethlisberger actually will show the Steelers medical staff to not be the best in the league. Here's why:

1. Batch is a pretty decent backup QB, who has shown he can help you win - this year.

2. Your franchise QB is being pummeled from all fronts, and has not been really healthy all yea - he started from way behind with the accident.

3. Concussions are a tricky thing, and generally you want to play it safe.

4. He looked HORRIBLE and should've been pulled last week. The Steelers lost mostly due to 2 people: Roethlisberger & Cowher. At 3-4 they aren't dead. And the goal is to win the games you play, while keeping the big picture in mind.

I understand you don't want to pull Ben, but I think his confidence should be solid enoughto know that's he's just physically not right during the Raider game.

 

[CrossEyed]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.

Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

 

[stevegamer]

They have. Batch has played all of one game and half of another. Roethlisberger plays when their gold-standard medical staff says he should. The guy is a Super Bowl winning QB with the second highest passer rating in the NFL since his first game, you don't bench him if he's cleared to play.

But when I see him play like that - which is a LOT worse than his usual standard - I start to wonder about his condition and if he really was well enough to play.

 

[DawgPoundNJ]

So who is shaping up to be the backup to FWP now that Haynes is done for the year? Is it looking like Duce or Davenport?

 

[redman]

4. He looked HORRIBLE and should've been pulled last week. The Steelers lost mostly due to 2 people: Roethlisberger & Cowher. At 3-4 they aren't dead. And the goal is to win the games you play, while keeping the big picture in mind.

They're 2-5.

 

[stevegamer]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

I have no idea why they didn't do that. I think they would've won the game with Batch. Easily if they had played him the whole way, but just the second half would've been enough.

 

[stevegamer]

4. He looked HORRIBLE and should've been pulled last week. The Steelers lost mostly due to 2 people: Roethlisberger & Cowher. At 3-4 they aren't dead. And the goal is to win the games you play, while keeping the big picture in mind.

They're 2-5.

Exactly my point. They probably would've won that game with Batch instead of Ben and been 3-4.

 

[redman]

They have. Batch has played all of one game and half of another. Roethlisberger plays when their gold-standard medical staff says he should. The guy is a Super Bowl winning QB with the second highest passer rating in the NFL since his first game, you don't bench him if he's cleared to play.

But when I see him play like that - which is a LOT worse than his usual standard - I start to wonder about his condition and if he really was well enough to play.

I agree. Steelers fans, essentially as I and obviously others are seeing things, you're asking us, "Who do you believe, me or your lying eyes?" I look at Ben and I'm concerned because he sees out of sorts and not himself. He's not making quick, confident decisions with the ball like we're accustomed to seeing. Yes, that offense has some other problems, but he looks like a different guy. You can't help but wonder whether the abundance of medical issues he's had has something to do with it.

 

[meanjoegreen]

Talk of Ben being benched is beyond laughable, to me.

I think Ben should have been benched last weekend. I don't think he was totally ok from his concussion, and that was apparent in his play. Batch has done well in his place, and I think it would have been a good decision to have pulled Ben out of the Oakland game. You put in the player who gives you the best chance to win, and that was not Ben at quarterback last weekend. His turnovers were a key factor in them losing. He was not ok.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

They have. Batch has played all of one game and half of another. Roethlisberger plays when their gold-standard medical staff says he should. The guy is a Super Bowl winning QB with the second highest passer rating in the NFL since his first game, you don't bench him if he's cleared to play.

But when I see him play like that - which is a LOT worse than his usual standard - I start to wonder about his condition and if he really was well enough to play.

I agree. Steelers fans, essentially as I and obviously others are seeing things, you're asking us, "Who do you believe, me or your lying eyes?" I look at Ben and I'm concerned because he sees out of sorts and not himself. He's not making quick, confident decisions with the ball like we're accustomed to seeing. Yes, that offense has some other problems, but he looks like a different guy. You can't help but wonder whether the abundance of medical issues he's had has something to do with it.

Im almost wondering if the hit from the Atlanta game triggered some post traumatic stress from the motorcycle accident.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

A pitcher is different than a thrower. You tellin' me a QB's arm gets tired? A QB doesn't have "stuff" that might not be working one day. He has confidence, though, and benching him repeatedly is probably the best way to destroy that. And a younger one, even worse.There are plenty of QB's who have bad quarters or halfs to come back and play well. Just think how many times John Elway would have been benched because they were down...That's a cute topic for a radio show, but I don't see its merit.

 

[meanjoegreen]

They have. Batch has played all of one game and half of another. Roethlisberger plays when their gold-standard medical staff says he should. The guy is a Super Bowl winning QB with the second highest passer rating in the NFL since his first game, you don't bench him if he's cleared to play.

I sure hope he wasn't ok last weekend, cause he played terrible. He is a Super Bowl winning quarterback, but in the Super Bowl he played awful. He has also been extremely inconsistent this year.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

And what about the WR's? Pitchers are throwing to opposing batters, they don't need rapport. And the lineman? The huddle in general. There is team chemistry needed in football that just isn't there for a baseball pitcher or his "stuff".

Why don't we just bench the guy with bad hands for a half while we're at it...and the all-pro that finally gave up two sacks in a half...

I could go on, but you get the gist. Bottom line, horrible example, a baseball pitcher and a QB.

 

[CrossEyed]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

A pitcher is different than a thrower. You tellin' me a QB's arm gets tired? A QB doesn't have "stuff" that might not be working one day. He has confidence, though, and benching him repeatedly is probably the best way to destroy that. And a younger one, even worse.There are plenty of QB's who have bad quarters or halfs to come back and play well. Just think how many times John Elway would have been benched because they were down...That's a cute topic for a radio show, but I don't see its merit.

I don't see why not. They do it with RBs.

 

[CrossEyed]

And what about the WR's? Pitchers are throwing to opposing batters, they don't need rapport. And the lineman? The huddle in general. There is team chemistry needed in football that just isn't there for a baseball pitcher or his "stuff".Why don't we just bench the guy with bad hands for a half while we're at it...and the all-pro that finally gave up two sacks in a half...I could go on, but you get the gist. Bottom line, horrible example, a baseball pitcher and a QB.

So how has the Steelers' team chemistry been affected when Batch has played this year?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

A pitcher is different than a thrower. You tellin' me a QB's arm gets tired? A QB doesn't have "stuff" that might not be working one day. He has confidence, though, and benching him repeatedly is probably the best way to destroy that. And a younger one, even worse.There are plenty of QB's who have bad quarters or halfs to come back and play well. Just think how many times John Elway would have been benched because they were down...That's a cute topic for a radio show, but I don't see its merit.

I don't see why not. They do it with RBs.

Not with good ones. And again, a QB doesn't lose his "stuff" like pitchers do. They make some bad decisions or whatever, but it has nothing to do with an arm not being lively. Give me a break.

 

[One]

The Pittsburgh Steelers are NOT a team I would count out. With a defense like theirs, just the slightest bit of offensive spark can put this team back in the running as a wild card or other.

 

[Ham Wallet]

Why wouldn't they bench Ben?

Batch is clearly the better QB for this team

 

[CrossEyed]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

A pitcher is different than a thrower. You tellin' me a QB's arm gets tired? A QB doesn't have "stuff" that might not be working one day. He has confidence, though, and benching him repeatedly is probably the best way to destroy that. And a younger one, even worse.There are plenty of QB's who have bad quarters or halfs to come back and play well. Just think how many times John Elway would have been benched because they were down...That's a cute topic for a radio show, but I don't see its merit.

I don't see why not. They do it with RBs.

Not with good ones. And again, a QB doesn't lose his "stuff" like pitchers do. They make some bad decisions or whatever, but it has nothing to do with an arm not being lively. Give me a break.

Who said anything about the QBs arm? Other than you.

 

[redman]

And what about the WR's? Pitchers are throwing to opposing batters, they don't need rapport. And the lineman? The huddle in general. There is team chemistry needed in football that just isn't there for a baseball pitcher or his "stuff".Why don't we just bench the guy with bad hands for a half while we're at it...and the all-pro that finally gave up two sacks in a half...I could go on, but you get the gist. Bottom line, horrible example, a baseball pitcher and a QB.

A pitcher is not nearly the leader of his team the way that a QB is for his. Starters only play once every five games, and relievers are only in for an inning or two, here or there. Baseball also uses specialized subs far more universally than football does, with even some of its stars getting replaced by late inning defensive replacements. I agree it's a poor analogy.

 

[acefootball]

The Pittsburgh Steelers are NOT a team I would count out. With a defense like theirs, just the slightest bit of offensive spark can put this team back in the running as a wild card or other.

I would not be a bit surprised to see them come out and put a hurtin on the Broncos. This team needs a couple of home games in a row to recapture their confidence and get on a roll.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Why wouldn't they bench Ben?Batch is clearly the better QB for this team

You're this bored?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

A pitcher is different than a thrower. You tellin' me a QB's arm gets tired? A QB doesn't have "stuff" that might not be working one day. He has confidence, though, and benching him repeatedly is probably the best way to destroy that. And a younger one, even worse.There are plenty of QB's who have bad quarters or halfs to come back and play well. Just think how many times John Elway would have been benched because they were down...That's a cute topic for a radio show, but I don't see its merit.

I don't see why not. They do it with RBs.

Not with good ones. And again, a QB doesn't lose his "stuff" like pitchers do. They make some bad decisions or whatever, but it has nothing to do with an arm not being lively. Give me a break.

Who said anything about the QBs arm? Other than you.

You brought it up with your new-found talk-show strategy of incorporating basball into football.Last post. I had forgotten why I tend to ignore you. Have a good one.

 

[CrossEyed]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.

Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

A pitcher is different than a thrower. You tellin' me a QB's arm gets tired? A QB doesn't have "stuff" that might not be working one day. He has confidence, though, and benching him repeatedly is probably the best way to destroy that. And a younger one, even worse.There are plenty of QB's who have bad quarters or halfs to come back and play well. Just think how many times John Elway would have been benched because they were down...

That's a cute topic for a radio show, but I don't see its merit.

I don't see why not. They do it with RBs.

Not with good ones. And again, a QB doesn't lose his "stuff" like pitchers do. They make some bad decisions or whatever, but it has nothing to do with an arm not being lively. Give me a break.

Who said anything about the QBs arm? Other than you.

You brought it up with your new-found talk-show strategy of incorporating basball into football.Last post. I had forgotten why I tend to ignore you. Have a good one.

Never said a thing about his arm. The original post said "Ben doesn't have it." I'm not sure exactly how to define "it", but whatever it is, Ben clearly didn't have it on Sunday.Sorry you're incapable of discussing something that goes against conventional wisdom. Feel free to go on ignoring me. Won't bother me a bit.

 

[WhoDat]

And what about the WR's? Pitchers are throwing to opposing batters, they don't need rapport. And the lineman? The huddle in general. There is team chemistry needed in football that just isn't there for a baseball pitcher or his "stuff".Why don't we just bench the guy with bad hands for a half while we're at it...and the all-pro that finally gave up two sacks in a half...I could go on, but you get the gist. Bottom line, horrible example, a baseball pitcher and a QB.

A pitcher is not nearly the leader of his team the way that a QB is for his. Starters only play once every five games, and relievers are only in for an inning or two, here or there. Baseball also uses specialized subs far more universally than football does, with even some of its stars getting replaced by late inning defensive replacements. I agree it's a poor analogy.

Yep.The job of a starting NFL quarterback is significantly more complex than that of a MLB pitcher. It is not even close. For a good example of how good things go when you start rotating your starting QB, see Spurrier and the Redskins. It does not work on Sundays and it rarely works on Saturdays. Not in football. It is contrary to how folks are taught to play and teach the game. Too much time is spent in practice building a game plan for that single week to simply plug and play QB. If it is a health issue, yes, you bench the guy. If it is a matter of just not having good stuff that day, you still have to ride that horse. The hiearchy of leadership within a football locker room and organization, which would be both on and off field, is COMPLETELY different from baseball. In baseball it is expected and or understood that you pull a pitcher that just does not have it. The game has evolved to that point. In football you are taught to coach and play through such moments, which are those times you might not have it. That will never change. It is part of what makes football, well, football. I appreciate a good debate and an attempt to shift paradigms but this is way off.

 

[Steelers4Life]

I look at Ben and I'm concerned because he sees out of sorts and not himself. He's not making quick, confident decisions with the ball like we're accustomed to seeing. Yes, that offense has some other problems, but he looks like a different guy. You can't help but wonder whether the abundance of medical issues he's had has something to do with it.

I agree that the talk of benching Ben is useless because he IS the Steelers' starting QB and as long as the medical staff says he's ready, he should be in there. He's the present and future of the position in Pittsburgh, and the team will only go as far as Ben will take them. Batch is exactly what he should be - a backup who is capable of making an occasional start due to injury here and there, but not someone who should be considered as a replacement just because Ben hasn't been himself.But I agree with what Redman said. He's not himself. The accuracy that was there against KC and ATL was gone again, just like it wasn't there early in the season. He doesn't look comfortable in the pocket, he's making poor decisions that he never used to make, and he doesn't look nearly as good scrambling. The OL didn't play a good game, but that doesn't excuse Ben from throwing 1 INT on a deep ball into triple coverage, and 2 INTs because he apparently didn't see the defensive player directly in the middle of his throwing lane. He's off, and regardless of all of the other contributing factors, his play is the biggest reason why the playoffs are a long shot for the Steelers this year.Even I caught myself wondering if Batch would provide a spark to the offense, even if it was only by stringing together a few drives without making a stupid mistake.

 

[Godsbrother]

Some people here make it sound like Ben couldn't hit the broad side of a barn last Sunday. Yes, it is true he threw 4 interceptions and did not have a good day by any means. But he did throw for over 300 yards, 1 TD and had another catchable ball go through the hands of TE Heath Miller in the endzone.

As I said I am not suggesting that Ben played a good game because he obviously didn't but he wasn't completely inept either.

 

[trader jake]

The Steelers proved when Tommy Maddox was the starting QB that passing the ball around the field didn't make them a consistent winner. Playing tough defense and running the ball does produce wins for Cowher and company.

At this point Big Ben doesn't need a leash...he needs a muzzle.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Some people here make it sound like Ben couldn't hit the broad side of a barn last Sunday. Yes, it is true he threw 4 interceptions and did not have a good day by any means. But he did throw for over 300 yards, 1 TD and had another catchable ball go through the hands of TE Heath Miller in the endzone. As I said I am not suggesting that Ben played a good game because he obviously didn't but he wasn't completely inept either.

4 ints is horrible. Put any kind of spin you want on it Steeler fans, he lost that game all by himself. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVERRRRRRRRRRAAAATTTTTEEEEEDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!

 

[Chaz McNulty]

The Steelers proved when Tommy Maddox was the starting QB that passing the ball around the field didn't make them a consistent winner. Playing tough defense and running the ball does produce wins for Cowher and company.At this point Big Ben doesn't need a leash...he needs a muzzle.

Pittsburgh doesn't need a QB to throw for 300yds & 3 TD's. They just need someone to move the ball reasonably well and not make mistakes. Big Ben has done that for the last couple seasons. It seems to me that he is trying to hard this year. Maybe all the hype has gone to his head and he actually believes himself to be an elite QB. If Ben averaged 180 yds and 1 TD per game, Pittsburgh would probably win atleast 11 or 12 games this year.

 

[pfalvey]

An interesting question was asked on a local sports talk show this week. If you have a Cy Young Award winning pitcher and he doesn't have his good stuff you pull him, go to the bullpen, and then throw him back out the next time he comes around in the rotation. No controversy.Why is it that you can't do the same thing with a QB? Why not say at halftime of the Raiders game, "Ben doesn't have it today, we're going with Charlie in the second half. Next week we go back to Ben."?

The QB is, by definition, the leader of the offense and his benching doesn't just affect how many passes get completed, but also has an effect on the performance of the offense. Another big reason, IMO, is that these days you make a switch at QB in-game, the media is going to lock onto that and the issue then has the potential to be a distraction for the rest of the season. The media (ESPN, FOX, Radio) has been strongly suggesting that maybe Ben needs to be benched (for performance or injury reasons), but if he actually WAS benched in any of those instances, they would be suggesting the exact opposite, questioning whether it was the right move. I'm merely suggesting that the way the media handles QB issues opens up a whole new can of worms and might provide just enough hesitation for the coach to stick with the status quo. This was much less an issue 20 years ago.

 

[Cleavage Connoisseur]

The Pittsburgh Steelers are NOT a team I would count out. With a defense like theirs, just the slightest bit of offensive spark can put this team back in the running as a wild card or other.

I would not be a bit surprised to see them come out and put a hurtin on the Broncos. This team needs a couple of home games in a row to recapture their confidence and get on a roll.

I personally hope that Pittsburg beats Denver this week. However, I don't see it happening. The Steelers are spiraling downward and will be lucky to end the season @ 8-8. Their remaining scheduleDenver - LossN.O. - TossupCleveland x 2 - WinsBaltimore x 2 - 1-1 at bestTampa - WinsCarolina - LossCincy - Toss upI see 3 wins, 3 losses & 3 toss-ups. Even if they win the 3 toss-ups, they finish @ 8 - 8. Even with just 2 more loses, 9-7 will not get them in the play-offs. Stick a fork in em for 2006.

 

[Blue-Kun]

I'm amazed anyone actually thinks Pitt will come back and beat Denver this weekend. I mean I guess it could happen, much like how I couldn't believe the Raiders actually beat the Steelers.

But seriously, the Steelers just lost to the Raiders, a team that's been consistently drubbed all season by competent opponents. A team that was leading Cleveland by 18 points and then bumbled it away in a display of ineptitude that looked to summarize the season up until now.

I'd be impressed if they don't go the Cardinals route and just plain lose for the rest of the season.