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

[BGP]

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.

To be fair, when Spurrier rotated QBs, he wasn't exactly doing it with two accomplished quarterbacks. All the QBs in his rotation has proven to be rather lousy. It would be interesting to see an innovative rotation scheme using QBs who have shown an ability to get hot and play lights out, like Ben.

 

[BGP]

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.

That's a real concern. The heart and soul of the Steeler offense is the running game, yet they only averaged 3.2 yards per attempt against the Raiders. I would have thought this was a week their running game would get on track.

 

[suchislife]

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.

They may be the one of the best, but they do work for the team. Did Ben look like himself against the Raiders? Maybe he came back too soon? The Steelers were facing a "must win" game...no pressure to get the franchise QB back in the line up? Its naive to think the team and doctors are only thinking of Ben's future health.See my post here regarding the NFL and concussions:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...=roethlisberger

 

[Godsbrother]

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.

Apparently some people think the Steelers will beat Denver this week. The last time I checked the Steelers were 2.5 favorites. A very strange line...

 

[thayman]

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."?

Because they are different sports. Both positions in their respective sports have entirely different responsibilities, and effects on their teammates. The comparisson just doesn't work.

 

[Franknbeans]

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.

That's a real concern. The heart and soul of the Steeler offense is the running game, yet they only averaged 3.2 yards per attempt against the Raiders. I would have thought this was a week their running game would get on track.

Their offensive line is as responsible for that loss as Ben is. 1st and goal from the 1 1/2 and they couldn't punch it in. Most definitely not Steelers football. I believe they'll get back to the running game this week and take the pressure off Ben. I expect to see a lot of Parker, Davenpoop and dare I say, Duce?

 

[Lutherman2112]

Their offensive line is as responsible for that loss as Ben is. 1st and goal from the 1 1/2 and they couldn't punch it in. Most definitely not Steelers football. I believe they'll get back to the running game this week and take the pressure off Ben. I expect to see a lot of Parker, Davenpoop and dare I say, Duce?

It's definately going to seem wierd if Duce is on the sidelines in a uniform, rather than sweats. In my opinion, we most likely will see Kuhn, not Duce, as the third down back. From this morning's Post-Gazette:

Steelers Notebook: Injuries lead to 2 pickups

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers acquired two players yesterday to replace halfback Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison, who were placed on injured reserve with torn anterior cruciate knee ligaments.

The team claimed veteran linebacker Marquis Cooper off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings and signed running back John Kuhn from their practice squad.

Cooper, drafted in the third round from the University of Washington by Tampa Bay in 2004, played 26 games in two seasons for the Buccaneers. He was active for one game with the Vikings this season.

Kuhn, who played at Shippensburg University, spent part of his rookie season last year on the Steelers' practice squad as well.

The Steelers also signed rookie running back Cedric Humes back to their practice squad.

 

[Godsbrother]

Their offensive line is as responsible for that loss as Ben is. 1st and goal from the 1 1/2 and they couldn't punch it in. Most definitely not Steelers football. I believe they'll get back to the running game this week and take the pressure off Ben. I expect to see a lot of Parker, Davenpoop and dare I say, Duce?

It's definately going to seem wierd if Duce is on the sidelines in a uniform, rather than sweats. In my opinion, we most likely will see Kuhn, not Duce, as the third down back. From this morning's Post-Gazette:

Steelers Notebook: Injuries lead to 2 pickups

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers acquired two players yesterday to replace halfback Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison, who were placed on injured reserve with torn anterior cruciate knee ligaments.

The team claimed veteran linebacker Marquis Cooper off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings and signed running back John Kuhn from their practice squad.

Cooper, drafted in the third round from the University of Washington by Tampa Bay in 2004, played 26 games in two seasons for the Buccaneers. He was active for one game with the Vikings this season.

Kuhn, who played at Shippensburg University, spent part of his rookie season last year on the Steelers' practice squad as well.

The Steelers also signed rookie running back Cedric Humes back to their practice squad.

I wonder if the Steelers noticed that the Patriots cut Chidi Iwuoma yesterday. They could certainly use him on special teams...

 

[Lutherman2112]

I wonder if the Steelers noticed that the Patriots cut Chidi Iwuoma yesterday. They could certainly use him on special teams...

Interesting. If they were to grab Iwuoma, who would go? A. Madison?

 

[Godsbrother]

I wonder if the Steelers noticed that the Patriots cut Chidi Iwuoma yesterday. They could certainly use him on special teams...

Interesting. If they were to grab Iwuoma, who would go? A. Madison?

Probably, or they could cut QB Brian St. Pierre again.

 

[pecorino]

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.

Apparently some people think the Steelers will beat Denver this week. The last time I checked the Steelers were 2.5 favorites. A very strange line...

if i wasn't such a steelers homer, i would be all over that line. denver has a dominant defense and our offense is sporadic at best. i expect a low scoring game--pittsburgh could even win and not cover, say 16-14. but i just can lay money against my beloved and beleaguered steelers.

 

[Godsbrother]

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.

Apparently some people think the Steelers will beat Denver this week. The last time I checked the Steelers were 2.5 favorites. A very strange line...

if i wasn't such a steelers homer, i would be all over that line. denver has a dominant defense and our offense is sporadic at best. i expect a low scoring game--pittsburgh could even win and not cover, say 16-14. but i just can lay money against my beloved and beleaguered steelers.

Agreed. I don't see why there aren't a TON of people jumping on the Broncos and taking the 2.5 points. If this line doesn't move then something is up

 

[DrunkinDwarf]

Their offensive line is as responsible for that loss as Ben is. 1st and goal from the 1 1/2 and they couldn't punch it in. Most definitely not Steelers football. I believe they'll get back to the running game this week and take the pressure off Ben. I expect to see a lot of Parker, Davenpoop and dare I say, Duce?

It's definately going to seem wierd if Duce is on the sidelines in a uniform, rather than sweats. In my opinion, we most likely will see Kuhn, not Duce, as the third down back. From this morning's Post-Gazette:

Steelers Notebook: Injuries lead to 2 pickups

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers acquired two players yesterday to replace halfback Verron Haynes and linebacker Arnold Harrison, who were placed on injured reserve with torn anterior cruciate knee ligaments.

The team claimed veteran linebacker Marquis Cooper off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings and signed running back John Kuhn from their practice squad.

Cooper, drafted in the third round from the University of Washington by Tampa Bay in 2004, played 26 games in two seasons for the Buccaneers. He was active for one game with the Vikings this season.

Kuhn, who played at Shippensburg University, spent part of his rookie season last year on the Steelers' practice squad as well.

The Steelers also signed rookie running back Cedric Humes back to their practice squad.

I would love to see them give Kuhn a few carries. I thought he looked pretty good in the preseason.

 

[redman]

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.

"Broadside of a barn" is a figure of speech. If you need to contrast what he did versus "complete ineptitude" in order to make what he did look acceptable, that's a statement in and of itself.

 

[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.

"Broadside of a barn" is a figure of speech. If you need to contrast what he did versus "complete ineptitude" in order to make what he did look acceptable, that's a statement in and of itself.

That was not my intention but some of the posts above made it sound like he was wild and missing targets all day and that was not the case. His throws were for the most part on target, he just made 3 or 4 very bad decisions which cost them the game.Did Ben play a horrible game? Yes, but it was more for his poor judgement than inaccuracies.

 

[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.

To be fair, when Spurrier rotated QBs, he wasn't exactly doing it with two accomplished quarterbacks. All the QBs in his rotation has proven to be rather lousy. It would be interesting to see an innovative rotation scheme using QBs who have shown an ability to get hot and play lights out, like Ben.

There is an old saying in football.If you have to play and or start 2 QB to get by, then you don't have a QB.

It's not going to work. You cannot rotate your starting QB on a football team because...

A. You would have to split your entire prep time over the course of a week. Practice snaps with the 1st string would need to be split 50-50.

B. Hypothetically, you might have to either cut down your playbook or build a new package for the second QB. You would potentially create twice as much work in terms of learning or building plays for the second QB, if the skill sets between QB 1A and QB 1B are different. Meanwhile, you would half as much time for practice, as you are splitting snaps between two players. Of course, you would want to build plays to the strength of each but...

C. The defense will know what is coming. If a QB switch is made and there is a large difference in the skill set of QB 1A and QB 1b, the defense will know and there will be a difference in skill set. They'll have a book on each player and play calling tendencies of the OC based on what players is taking snaps. The defense will know what to expect moving forward in that game.

D. You would be asking your skill players to learn two different sets of plays and work with two different QB. There is a reason Manning to Harrison or Montana to Rice works and or worked. They know each other. They are familiar with one another. QB 1A and QB 1B would already be splitting practice snaps and the entire offense would, perhaps, be learning different plays. Now, your backs and receivers have to take passess from two different players.

D. Players on the team will not stand for it. The QB is the guy on offense and for some teams he is just the guy. If you have ever played football beyond grade school, that makes sense. A coaching staff would lose a lockerroom and team in less than 4 games if they tried this.

Those are the first few things off the top of my head.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

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!!!!!!!!

No one player ever wins or loses an NFL game "all by himself." You've become a parody of yourself and lost whatever shred of credibility you may have had left.Incidentally, should you really be mocking when your beloved Seahawks just lost to a Kansas City team that Pittsburgh blew out 45-7 just a few weeks ago? Good thing you've got that soft division to beat up on.I'l tell you what though, while Hasselbeck is recovering, he's welcome to take a flight to Pittsburgh and look at our shiny silver trophy.

 

[BGP]

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.

Apparently some people think the Steelers will beat Denver this week. The last time I checked the Steelers were 2.5 favorites. A very strange line...

if i wasn't such a steelers homer, i would be all over that line. denver has a dominant defense and our offense is sporadic at best. i expect a low scoring game--pittsburgh could even win and not cover, say 16-14. but i just can lay money against my beloved and beleaguered steelers.

Agreed. I don't see why there aren't a TON of people jumping on the Broncos and taking the 2.5 points. If this line doesn't move then something is up

I dunno how anyone could bet on a Steeler game right now. From what I've seen, this team is wildly inconsistent. Sometimes a unit or a player looks outstanding. Then it turns right around and struggles. I would think a better would look for consistency, either good or bad.

 

[TheLaw]

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!!!!!!!!

No one player ever wins or loses an NFL game "all by himself." You've become a parody of yourself and lost whatever shred of credibility you may have had left.Incidentally, should you really be mocking when your beloved Seahawks just lost to a Kansas City team that Pittsburgh blew out 45-7 just a few weeks ago? Good thing you've got that soft division to beat up on.I'l tell you what though, while Hasselbeck is recovering, he's welcome to take a flight to Pittsburgh and look at our shiny silver trophy.

 

[BGP]

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.

To be fair, when Spurrier rotated QBs, he wasn't exactly doing it with two accomplished quarterbacks. All the QBs in his rotation has proven to be rather lousy. It would be interesting to see an innovative rotation scheme using QBs who have shown an ability to get hot and play lights out, like Ben.

There is an old saying in football.If you have to play and or start 2 QB to get by, then you don't have a QB.

It's not going to work. You cannot rotate your starting QB on a football team because...

A. You would have to split your entire prep time over the course of a week. Practice snaps with the 1st string would need to be split 50-50.

B. Hypothetically, you might have to either cut down your playbook or build a new package for the second QB. You would potentially create twice as much work in terms of learning or building plays for the second QB, if the skill sets between QB 1A and QB 1B are different. Meanwhile, you would half as much time for practice, as you are splitting snaps between two players. Of course, you would want to build plays to the strength of each but...

C. The defense will know what is coming. If a QB switch is made and there is a large difference in the skill set of QB 1A and QB 1b, the defense will know and there will be a difference in skill set. They'll have a book on each player and play calling tendencies of the OC based on what players is taking snaps. The defense will know what to expect moving forward in that game.

D. You would be asking your skill players to learn two different sets of plays and work with two different QB. There is a reason Manning to Harrison or Montana to Rice works and or worked. They know each other. They are familiar with one another. QB 1A and QB 1B would already be splitting practice snaps and the entire offense would, perhaps, be learning different plays. Now, your backs and receivers have to take passess from two different players.

D. Players on the team will not stand for it. The QB is the guy on offense and for some teams he is just the guy. If you have ever played football beyond grade school, that makes sense. A coaching staff would lose a lockerroom and team in less than 4 games if they tried this.

Those are the first few things off the top of my head.

I understand that. But the point was that if you are going to break the mold, go against the grain, buck conventional wisdom, and try an experiment like this, I don't think you can look at what happened with Spurrier's Redskins as concrete evidence it can't work. He did not have one QB who has done anything in the NFL.

 

[ImTheScientist]

No one player ever wins or loses an NFL game "all by himself."

How many points were scored off of interceptions thrown? How many points were scored which were not the result of turnovers?

Seahawks just lost to a Kansas City team that Pittsburgh blew out 45-7 just a few weeks ago

Oakland lost to the 49ers and the Browns. Before playing the steelers only had one win. IMO a loss is a loss regardless of score but I would much rather lose to the Chiefs and be 4-3 then to lose to the previously 1 win Oakland Raiders and be 2-5 ...... good thing the steelers beat MIA!!

 

[CrossEyed]

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.

Apparently some people think the Steelers will beat Denver this week. The last time I checked the Steelers were 2.5 favorites. A very strange line...

if i wasn't such a steelers homer, i would be all over that line. denver has a dominant defense and our offense is sporadic at best. i expect a low scoring game--pittsburgh could even win and not cover, say 16-14. but i just can lay money against my beloved and beleaguered steelers.

Agreed. I don't see why there aren't a TON of people jumping on the Broncos and taking the 2.5 points. If this line doesn't move then something is up

I dunno how anyone could bet on a Steeler game right now. From what I've seen, this team is wildly inconsistent. Sometimes a unit or a player looks outstanding. Then it turns right around and struggles. I would think a better would look for consistency, either good or bad.

I would agree. I certainly wouldn't bet against the Steelers at home right now. If you look at the stats, this is a team that is moving the football and (Atlanta game aside) is stopping the other team from moving it. If not for turnovers this team is 5-2 right now. Now before all you haters pile on, I realize that turnovers are a big part of the game and cannot be dismissed. The Steelers have earned their 2-5 record because they have not protected the football. But this is not a 2-5 team I would be looking forward to playing right now.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

No one player ever wins or loses an NFL game "all by himself."

How many points were scored off of interceptions thrown? How many points were scored which were not the result of turnovers?

Seahawks just lost to a Kansas City team that Pittsburgh blew out 45-7 just a few weeks ago

Oakland lost to the 49ers and the Browns. Before playing the steelers only had one win. IMO a loss is a loss regardless of score but I would much rather lose to the Chiefs and be 4-3 then to lose to the previously 1 win Oakland Raiders and be 2-5 ...... good thing the steelers beat MIA!!

:coughSuperBowlXLcough:

 

[Godsbrother]

No one player ever wins or loses an NFL game "all by himself."

This is true and certainly the case last week for the Steelers. Ben was really bad but the pass protection was not very good either. The running game was very spotty and abysmal on the goalline. And as usual special teams were pitiful. The couple unsportmanslike conduct penalties didn't help either. The play that really hurt was the pass that went through the hands of Heath Miller in the endzone. If he catches that then the 2nd pick returned for a TD on the next play doesn't happen which would have been a 14 point turnaround.Lots of screwups last week, it wasn't just Ben.

 

[Sheriff66]

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

Just came here to post this...

 

[ImTheScientist]

No one player ever wins or loses an NFL game "all by himself."

How many points were scored off of interceptions thrown? How many points were scored which were not the result of turnovers?

Seahawks just lost to a Kansas City team that Pittsburgh blew out 45-7 just a few weeks ago

Oakland lost to the 49ers and the Browns. Before playing the steelers only had one win. IMO a loss is a loss regardless of score but I would much rather lose to the Chiefs and be 4-3 then to lose to the previously 1 win Oakland Raiders and be 2-5 ...... good thing the steelers beat MIA!!

:coughSuperBowlXLcough:

Does the 2-5 record have you sick or is it Ben's league leading 11ints in 6 games?

 

[stevegamer]

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.

"Broadside of a barn" is a figure of speech. If you need to contrast what he did versus "complete ineptitude" in order to make what he did look acceptable, that's a statement in and of itself.

That was not my intention but some of the posts above made it sound like he was wild and missing targets all day and that was not the case. His throws were for the most part on target, he just made 3 or 4 very bad decisions which cost them the game.Did Ben play a horrible game? Yes, but it was more for his poor judgement than inaccuracies.

That may be true, but it's also irrelevant.Ben's major injuries were to his head: primarily the recent concussion & anything lingering from the motorcyle accident that it might have re-emphasized. One would've expected him to not be in top mental shape, and Batch has proven adequate in the past. If I'm the coach, I don't take the chance on my future at QB with all the head trauma, and give him a week to get right. Hypothetical: Ben gets another concussion in a week or two, and Batch comes in and plays well, and the Steelers win. and The medical staff clears him the following week, do you play him again?I don't.

 

[jonessed]

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.

Apparently some people think the Steelers will beat Denver this week. The last time I checked the Steelers were 2.5 favorites. A very strange line...

if i wasn't such a steelers homer, i would be all over that line. denver has a dominant defense and our offense is sporadic at best. i expect a low scoring game--pittsburgh could even win and not cover, say 16-14. but i just can lay money against my beloved and beleaguered steelers.

Agreed. I don't see why there aren't a TON of people jumping on the Broncos and taking the 2.5 points. If this line doesn't move then something is up

I dunno how anyone could bet on a Steeler game right now. From what I've seen, this team is wildly inconsistent. Sometimes a unit or a player looks outstanding. Then it turns right around and struggles. I would think a better would look for consistency, either good or bad.

I would agree. I certainly wouldn't bet against the Steelers at home right now. If you look at the stats, this is a team that is moving the football and (Atlanta game aside) is stopping the other team from moving it. If not for turnovers this team is 5-2 right now. Now before all you haters pile on, I realize that turnovers are a big part of the game and cannot be dismissed. The Steelers have earned their 2-5 record because they have not protected the football. But this is not a 2-5 team I would be looking forward to playing right now.

Who doesn't look forward to playing a 2-5 team? It's not like they have a bunch of injured players coming back that will suddenly change the dynamics. Until Ben and the O-Line fix their problems the Steelers are a poor team. Like a lot of people I keep expecting them to turn things around, but they hit bottom last week and I don't see anything that would lead me to believe they are a different team this week. In fact, they are probably a worse team due to injuries.

 

[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.

"Broadside of a barn" is a figure of speech. If you need to contrast what he did versus "complete ineptitude" in order to make what he did look acceptable, that's a statement in and of itself.

That was not my intention but some of the posts above made it sound like he was wild and missing targets all day and that was not the case. His throws were for the most part on target, he just made 3 or 4 very bad decisions which cost them the game.Did Ben play a horrible game? Yes, but it was more for his poor judgement than inaccuracies.

That may be true, but it's also irrelevant.Ben's major injuries were to his head: primarily the recent concussion & anything lingering from the motorcyle accident that it might have re-emphasized. One would've expected him to not be in top mental shape, and Batch has proven adequate in the past. If I'm the coach, I don't take the chance on my future at QB with all the head trauma, and give him a week to get right. Hypothetical: Ben gets another concussion in a week or two, and Batch comes in and plays well, and the Steelers win. and The medical staff clears him the following week, do you play him again?I don't.

Probably not because from what I understand the effect of recent concussions is cumulative.

 

[Godsbrother]

Who doesn't look forward to playing a 2-5 team? It's not like they have a bunch of injured players coming back that will suddenly change the dynamics. Until Ben and the O-Line fix their problems the Steelers are a poor team. Like a lot of people I keep expecting them to turn things around, but they hit bottom last week and I don't see anything that would lead me to believe they are a different team this week. In fact, they are probably a worse team due to injuries.

The Steelers are a mess right now. This is a very good time to be playing them.

 

[stevegamer]

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.

"Broadside of a barn" is a figure of speech. If you need to contrast what he did versus "complete ineptitude" in order to make what he did look acceptable, that's a statement in and of itself.

That was not my intention but some of the posts above made it sound like he was wild and missing targets all day and that was not the case. His throws were for the most part on target, he just made 3 or 4 very bad decisions which cost them the game.Did Ben play a horrible game? Yes, but it was more for his poor judgement than inaccuracies.

That may be true, but it's also irrelevant.Ben's major injuries were to his head: primarily the recent concussion & anything lingering from the motorcyle accident that it might have re-emphasized. One would've expected him to not be in top mental shape, and Batch has proven adequate in the past. If I'm the coach, I don't take the chance on my future at QB with all the head trauma, and give him a week to get right. Hypothetical: Ben gets another concussion in a week or two, and Batch comes in and plays well, and the Steelers win. and The medical staff clears him the following week, do you play him again?I don't.

Probably not because from what I understand the effect of recent concussions is cumulative.

I would've sat him last week due to worry about the accident and any carryover but hindsight is 20/20.I don't think it's beyond the possibility that Batch starts another game this year. One more concussion for Ben should mean a start the next week for Batch.Good luck, neither your Steelers nor my Seahawks are having much luck.

 

[simey]

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.

I don't think he was inept either. He actually wasn't throwing the ball poorly, he just made some really bad decisions that resulted in interceptions.

 

[fred_1_15301]

No one player ever wins or loses an NFL game "all by himself."

How many points were scored off of interceptions thrown? How many points were scored which were not the result of turnovers?

Seahawks just lost to a Kansas City team that Pittsburgh blew out 45-7 just a few weeks ago

Oakland lost to the 49ers and the Browns. Before playing the steelers only had one win. IMO a loss is a loss regardless of score but I would much rather lose to the Chiefs and be 4-3 then to lose to the previously 1 win Oakland Raiders and be 2-5 ...... good thing the steelers beat MIA!!

And I would much rather be a fan of a superbowl winner from last year and a terrible team this year than be a fan of the superbowl loser last year and a mediocre team this year.