Who's better... Carson or Big Ben? (1 Viewer)

[Evilgrin 72]

It's really too bad Palmer was injured in this game.

You're making Ben out to have all those same intangibles and ability to win that Brady has.  Roethlisberger has been atrocious in the playoffs, and his team seems to actually do better when they don't have to rely on him.  I heard some statistic that said the Steelers are 12-0 with Roethlisberger when he doesn't have to throw more than 20 times, or something like that.  Why give him so much credit for winning games with a great team that hardly even relies on him?

Good thing he only had to throw 19 times today. I guess when you get over 200 yards, 14/19 does the trick.

Sure, when you average over 10 ypa, don't turn the ball over and throw 3 TDs (should have been 4, but Cowher decided not to challenge the incorrect incomplete call on Randle-El's TD due to the pass intereference call.)I have said this a million times already, but people need to STOP already with the "Roethlisberger only threw 16 times, so they obviously didn't rely on him...." argument. It's bunk. I know most fans don't get to see the Steelers play every week, but if you watched tonight's game, it was a PERFECT example of what I have been saying. Yes, he only threw 19 times, but he was easily, EASILY, the Steelers most valuable player today. The reason why he only threw 19 times is because he was able to give the Steelers the lead, which allows them to run the ball 96% of the time for much of the second half. That's how they win games. The key is, they can't get to that point without relying on Roethlisberger to make plays through the air. How many rushing yards did the Steelers have in the first half? In fact, how many did they have at the point at which they went up 28-17? It was Roethlisberger who absolutely carried the offense until the game was no longer in doubt (I consider an 11 point lead no longer in doubt given Cowher's 101-1-1 record in such situations.)

Also, let's put the "Roethlisberger stinks in the playoffs" argument to bed too. I'm sure if the Colts get up early next week and Ben is forced to throw repeatedly into coverage and gets picked off a few times next week, the boo birds will come back, but I think tonight's game effectively pisses on the argument that Roethlisberger can't get it done in the big game. He was phenomenal tonight - his throws were pinpoint accurate all night, both short and deep, he made plays with his feet, and he made great decisions with the ball. He was every bit as good, if not better, than Brady was last night. And no, I am not comparing the two, just saying that Roethlisberger played about as well as a QB can play tonight.

Good post Evil. I don't know why people are so critical of Ben. He does exactly what's asked and expected of him and he does as well as anyone does. If he were the QB in Cinn he'd have bigger stats as well. But to suggest that he's not as important because they don't throw as much is clearly a comment made by a casual fan rather than someone with a vested interest such as yourself.

Thanks, man. I think a lot of people simply look at the numbers and say... "Well, he only threw 16 times, and the backs went 45-206... so it was all the running game, and Ben just managed the game." Hell, I've even heard sports radio talk show hosts say it, and it drives me nuts. I have no axe to grind when it comes to Roethlisberger - I am a Steeler fan, not a Ben fan - so my comments regarding him are based solely on what I see on Sundays. He's the best QB they've had since Bradshaw, already.I only hope more people got to see what I am talking about last night, since it was the first time on the playoff stage in a nationally televised game, that he's showed what he can do. The running game did not win this one for Pittsburgh, it was the passing game, no matter what the numbers say.

 

[Family Matters]

It's really too bad Palmer was injured in this game.

You're making Ben out to have all those same intangibles and ability to win that Brady has.  Roethlisberger has been atrocious in the playoffs, and his team seems to actually do better when they don't have to rely on him.  I heard some statistic that said the Steelers are 12-0 with Roethlisberger when he doesn't have to throw more than 20 times, or something like that.  Why give him so much credit for winning games with a great team that hardly even relies on him?

Good thing he only had to throw 19 times today. I guess when you get over 200 yards, 14/19 does the trick.

Sure, when you average over 10 ypa, don't turn the ball over and throw 3 TDs (should have been 4, but Cowher decided not to challenge the incorrect incomplete call on Randle-El's TD due to the pass intereference call.)I have said this a million times already, but people need to STOP already with the "Roethlisberger only threw 16 times, so they obviously didn't rely on him...." argument. It's bunk. I know most fans don't get to see the Steelers play every week, but if you watched tonight's game, it was a PERFECT example of what I have been saying. Yes, he only threw 19 times, but he was easily, EASILY, the Steelers most valuable player today. The reason why he only threw 19 times is because he was able to give the Steelers the lead, which allows them to run the ball 96% of the time for much of the second half. That's how they win games. The key is, they can't get to that point without relying on Roethlisberger to make plays through the air. How many rushing yards did the Steelers have in the first half? In fact, how many did they have at the point at which they went up 28-17? It was Roethlisberger who absolutely carried the offense until the game was no longer in doubt (I consider an 11 point lead no longer in doubt given Cowher's 101-1-1 record in such situations.)

Also, let's put the "Roethlisberger stinks in the playoffs" argument to bed too. I'm sure if the Colts get up early next week and Ben is forced to throw repeatedly into coverage and gets picked off a few times next week, the boo birds will come back, but I think tonight's game effectively pisses on the argument that Roethlisberger can't get it done in the big game. He was phenomenal tonight - his throws were pinpoint accurate all night, both short and deep, he made plays with his feet, and he made great decisions with the ball. He was every bit as good, if not better, than Brady was last night. And no, I am not comparing the two, just saying that Roethlisberger played about as well as a QB can play tonight.

Good post Evil. I don't know why people are so critical of Ben. He does exactly what's asked and expected of him and he does as well as anyone does. If he were the QB in Cinn he'd have bigger stats as well. But to suggest that he's not as important because they don't throw as much is clearly a comment made by a casual fan rather than someone with a vested interest such as yourself.

Thanks, man. I think a lot of people simply look at the numbers and say... "Well, he only threw 16 times, and the backs went 45-206... so it was all the running game, and Ben just managed the game." Hell, I've even heard sports radio talk show hosts say it, and it drives me nuts. I have no axe to grind when it comes to Roethlisberger - I am a Steeler fan, not a Ben fan - so my comments regarding him are based solely on what I see on Sundays. He's the best QB they've had since Bradshaw, already.I only hope more people got to see what I am talking about last night, since it was the first time on the playoff stage in a nationally televised game, that he's showed what he can do. The running game did not win this one for Pittsburgh, it was the passing game, no matter what the numbers say.

You're right, the passing game saved their butts in this one. For most of 3 qtrs the Bengals had the run game in check. The passing game was killing them however. I had the impression the Bengals made the decision to take away the run and see if Ben could beat them. Well I still feel if Palmer had been in the game the Bengals win that one. They were getting what they wanted up until the Bengals felt beat which was the miss handled FG snap in the 3rd qtr. Just seems they were lost after that. Like they were waiting for someone to make a play. While they were waiting the Steelers made the plays. I just don't think it plays out that way if Palmer's in there.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

It's really too bad Palmer was injured in this game.

You're making Ben out to have all those same intangibles and ability to win that Brady has.  Roethlisberger has been atrocious in the playoffs, and his team seems to actually do better when they don't have to rely on him.  I heard some statistic that said the Steelers are 12-0 with Roethlisberger when he doesn't have to throw more than 20 times, or something like that.  Why give him so much credit for winning games with a great team that hardly even relies on him?

Good thing he only had to throw 19 times today. I guess when you get over 200 yards, 14/19 does the trick.

Sure, when you average over 10 ypa, don't turn the ball over and throw 3 TDs (should have been 4, but Cowher decided not to challenge the incorrect incomplete call on Randle-El's TD due to the pass intereference call.)I have said this a million times already, but people need to STOP already with the "Roethlisberger only threw 16 times, so they obviously didn't rely on him...." argument. It's bunk. I know most fans don't get to see the Steelers play every week, but if you watched tonight's game, it was a PERFECT example of what I have been saying. Yes, he only threw 19 times, but he was easily, EASILY, the Steelers most valuable player today. The reason why he only threw 19 times is because he was able to give the Steelers the lead, which allows them to run the ball 96% of the time for much of the second half. That's how they win games. The key is, they can't get to that point without relying on Roethlisberger to make plays through the air. How many rushing yards did the Steelers have in the first half? In fact, how many did they have at the point at which they went up 28-17? It was Roethlisberger who absolutely carried the offense until the game was no longer in doubt (I consider an 11 point lead no longer in doubt given Cowher's 101-1-1 record in such situations.)

Also, let's put the "Roethlisberger stinks in the playoffs" argument to bed too. I'm sure if the Colts get up early next week and Ben is forced to throw repeatedly into coverage and gets picked off a few times next week, the boo birds will come back, but I think tonight's game effectively pisses on the argument that Roethlisberger can't get it done in the big game. He was phenomenal tonight - his throws were pinpoint accurate all night, both short and deep, he made plays with his feet, and he made great decisions with the ball. He was every bit as good, if not better, than Brady was last night. And no, I am not comparing the two, just saying that Roethlisberger played about as well as a QB can play tonight.

Good post Evil. I don't know why people are so critical of Ben. He does exactly what's asked and expected of him and he does as well as anyone does. If he were the QB in Cinn he'd have bigger stats as well. But to suggest that he's not as important because they don't throw as much is clearly a comment made by a casual fan rather than someone with a vested interest such as yourself.

Thanks, man. I think a lot of people simply look at the numbers and say... "Well, he only threw 16 times, and the backs went 45-206... so it was all the running game, and Ben just managed the game." Hell, I've even heard sports radio talk show hosts say it, and it drives me nuts. I have no axe to grind when it comes to Roethlisberger - I am a Steeler fan, not a Ben fan - so my comments regarding him are based solely on what I see on Sundays. He's the best QB they've had since Bradshaw, already.I only hope more people got to see what I am talking about last night, since it was the first time on the playoff stage in a nationally televised game, that he's showed what he can do. The running game did not win this one for Pittsburgh, it was the passing game, no matter what the numbers say.

You're right, the passing game saved their butts in this one. For most of 3 qtrs the Bengals had the run game in check. The passing game was killing them however. I had the impression the Bengals made the decision to take away the run and see if Ben could beat them. Well I still feel if Palmer had been in the game the Bengals win that one. They were getting what they wanted up until the Bengals felt beat which was the miss handled FG snap in the 3rd qtr. Just seems they were lost after that. Like they were waiting for someone to make a play. While they were waiting the Steelers made the plays. I just don't think it plays out that way if Palmer's in there.

Maybe, maybe not, it's too bad we'll never know. I, for one, was bummed for the injury because I knew some fans (not you) would use it to detract from a Steeler victory if they won, and also from a fantasy perspective for next season (I was fully planning to draft Palmer at 2.06)Your analysis of the game is spot-on. The Benglas sold out against the run and dared Roethlisberger to beat them - exactly as I would have if I were coaching Cincinnati. Roethlisberger has improved, and was up to the task, however.

Now we'll see if he's up to it again next week in Indy.

 

[-OZ-]

Now we'll see if he's up to it again next week in Indy.