Executives Around The NFL Doubtful of Roethlisberger

[Steeler Nation]

As the season seems to have only just begun, there are people who are already talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and whether he is fit to play this season as a top-level quarterback. Should fans be worried? NFL executives definitely are.

“This looks like what I saw last December. He isn’t any better, and he’s getting hit all the time now, too,” said one executive of an AFC team who has kept a close eye on the Steelers. “That’s a problem.”

This comment is in reference to how the team started off 11-0 last season before things started to crumble heading into the playoffs. At that time, they were the only undefeated team left in the league and some people were hoping they would win multiple playoff games. Once the season progressed further after the hot start, Roethlisberger seemed to struggle as the team ended by losing five of their last six games. As this season is still early, the executive still believes the writing is already on the wall.






Another factor coming into this season is the offensive line that is in front of the aging quarterback. As we have seen so far in this season, that unit has performed less than desirable when put into context with how old and athletic Roethlisberger is. Another executive went as far to say that the quarterback has no time to throw and he is unable to stay upright when approached by defensive pass-rushers.

“The ball gets out in two seconds, or he gets hit,” said the executive. “And he can’t shake ’em off like he used to. I don’t think they can get him through the season like this.”

As the season progresses, we will see how the team will react to these types of callouts. These quotes were reported by CBS Sports‘ Jason La Canfora earlier last week.



Is this kind of report accurate or are these executives entirely wrong? What should be expected of the Steelers veteran quarterback? Let me know in the comments below!

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[steelcan58]

100% bang on accurate

 

[wig]

I do think Ben is struggling this year. You can't watch this hot garbage and think otherwise.

But until Rudolph or (lol) Haskins comes in and wins 11 in a row with this team... Good ******' luck overcoming about 16 or 17 years of "not living in our fears" coaching.

 

[suncitysteel]

It doesn't take an NFL executive to see the obvious. Ben isn't (and sadly, won't be again) his old self. That's the unavoidable truth. His spot in Canton is secure, surely, but that doesn't negate the fact that the physical tools that were a his disposal for so many years aren't there anymore. His mental game suffers now, too... one can assume his physical downfall has something to do with that as well. Oh, and then, combine this with what is likely the most dysfunctional, unmotivated group of players/coaches I've seen in quite a while, and the result is what we're witnessing. Other teams with a lack/dearth of talent overcome & compensate with coaching (innovation, situational awareness) and scheme (game-planning according to your players' strengths and opponents' weaknesses/tendencies). I've seen almost none of that the last few years.

 

[diver]

All that is true, but he doesn't help matters by not practicing. He's gotta practice on Wednesdays, for example.

 

[SteelerFan448]

All that is true, but he doesn't help matters by not practicing. He's gotta practice on Wednesdays, for example.

Ben could practice 2x as much as the rest of the team and that isn't going to change his limited physical abilities and unwillingness to throw intermediate routes or any passes over the middle of the field.

 

[bermudasteel]

Ben could practice 2x as much as the rest of the team and that isn't going to change his limited physical abilities and unwillingness to throw intermediate routes or any passes over the middle of the field.

Amen. I'm all for sitting him and bringing up the other two QBs. This offense SUCKS!!!

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Amen. I'm all for sitting him and bringing up the other two QBs. This offense SUCKS!!!

I'll say it again (and cringe while saying it): "Canada's offense makes me miss Todd Haley." *OUCH*

 

[stillwright]

Ben could practice 2x as much as the rest of the team and that isn't going to change his limited physical abilities and unwillingness to throw intermediate routes or any passes over the middle of the field.

Maybe if he had time to throw the longer developing routes he would. Maybe if the WRs would create separation when on a few occasions he gets a few extra seconds. Then if that all happens....OL gives him some extra seconds.....WR actually creates space....we have to hope beyond all hope .....the WR actually catches the ball. Oh wait....My bad. This is a bash Ben thread. Sorry.

 

[6Lombardis]

I'll say it again (and cringe while saying it): "Canada's offense makes me miss Todd Haley." *OUCH*

We won a lot of games under Haley

 

[SteelerFan448]

Maybe if he had time to throw the longer developing routes he would. Maybe if the WRs would create separation when on a few occasions he gets a few extra seconds. Then if that all happens....OL gives him some extra seconds.....WR actually creates space....we have to hope beyond all hope .....the WR actually catches the ball. Oh wait....My bad. This is a bash Ben thread. Sorry.

I'll say it in every thread. The offensive line sucks. The front office did a poor job addressing it and the coaching staff didn't dedicate to improving the ground game during training camp. The wide receivers don't get open enough and drop too many balls. Ben Roethlisberger is also one of the worst QBs in the league right now. All three are true.

 

[stillwright]

I'll say it in every thread. The offensive line sucks. The front office did a poor job addressing it and the coaching staff didn't dedicate to improving the ground game during training camp. The wide receivers don't get open enough and drop too many balls. Ben Roethlisberger is also one of the worst QBs in the league right now. All three are true.

So why advocate for Ben to step aside? Why not the OLmen? The WRs? Nope. Just Ben. Like putting Mason or Haskins in there would change anything.

 

[topseed]

Maybe if he had time to throw the longer developing routes he would. Maybe if the WRs would create separation when on a few occasions he gets a few extra seconds. Then if that all happens....OL gives him some extra seconds.....WR actually creates space....we have to hope beyond all hope .....the WR actually catches the ball. Oh wait....My bad. This is a bash Ben thread. Sorry.

Maybe if you took your rose-colored Ben glasses for a moment and actually watched how many of those 58 attempts were simply ****** passes, you'd stop making excuses for the guy.

I've loved me some Ben over the years, and he's probably my favorite Steeler of all-time, but face it, man -- he's a shell of his former self.

 

[stillwright]

Maybe if you took your rose-colored Ben glasses for a moment and actually watched how many of those 58 attempts were simply ****** passes, you'd stop making excuses for the guy.

I've loved me some Ben over the years, and he's probably my favorite Steeler of all-time, but face it, man -- he's a shell of his former self.

I am not making excuses for him. He played like ****. The coaches had him drop back to throw 60 plus times. At half time Harris had at least 11 carries...ended with 14. That is coaching. Our OL dictates how long Ben can hold onto the ball for longer developing plays to open up. If Ben doesn't have the time he has to either check down or throw early. We see the results. His deep ball now is thrown very early. Plays are not developing the way they should because of TIME. Ben is one of my all time favorites. I wished he would have hung his cleats up after last season. Dude is 39 but is still by far our best option at QB. You want Mason starting? Or are you one of the ones that think Haskins should start? Lol

 

[SteelerFan448]

So why advocate for Ben to step aside? Why not the OLmen? The WRs? Nope. Just Ben. Like putting Mason or Haskins in there would change anything.

I'm fine with Ben playing every week. It's his last year, I want to watch him. I don't think the way he's playing right now gives this team the best chance to win simply because he limits the offense with the passes he's willing to throw. He won't throw to the middle or intermediate parts of the field. I don't care if you think Mason Rudolph sucks, he'll at least use all parts of the field. I want Okorafor benched. He never should've started in the first place. Other than him, their OL depth is garbage, way worse than the QB depth.

What do you want to do with the receivers? They don't even run a full route tree because Ben doesn't throw certain passes. Defenses don't need to watch for them. They're limited. I know JuJu isn't the No. 1 we hoped he would be, but he should still be putting up big numbers with DJ freeing up some space. They don't use the tight ends at all and they have two guys who are dangerous receivers. You want the receivers to play better, open up the route tree and throw the ball to all parts of the field.

 

[topseed]

I am not making excuses for him. He played like ****. The coaches had him drop back to throw 60 plus times. At half time Harris had at least 11 carries...ended with 14. That is coaching. Our OL dictates how long Ben can hold onto the ball for longer developing plays to open up. If Ben doesn't have the time he has to either check down or throw early. We see the results. His deep ball now is thrown very early. Plays are not developing the way they should because of TIME. Ben is one of my all time favorites. I wished he would have hung his cleats up after last season. Dude is 39 but is still by far our best option at QB. You want Mason starting? Or are you one of the ones that think Haskins should start? Lol

I'm glad that you can freely admit that Ben played like ****. I also like how you say you're not making excuses for him...then you go on making excuses for him. lol

Sure, Ben often has no time to pass. But when he does have enough time, he's still missing his receivers way more frequently than he ever has in his career.

No, I don't think Rudolph or Haskins should start; despite his shortcomings, Ben still remains the best option the Steelers have. They brought him back this season, and there's over 26 million reasons why they'll keep trotting him out there until he's no longer physically able to do so. His play was painful to watch at the end of last year, and unfortunately, not much has changed.

 

[madinsomniac]

Ahh we are back to the days when unnamed nfl executives call him just a game manager again… lol

 

[xjx]

That unnamed front office executive sure has a lot of insight.

 

[stillwright]

I'm glad that you can freely admit that Ben played like ****. I also like how you say you're not making excuses for him...then you go on making excuses for him. lol

Sure, Ben often has no time to pass. But when he does have enough time, he's still missing his receivers way more frequently than he ever has in his career.

No, I don't think Rudolph or Haskins should start; despite his shortcomings, Ben still remains the best option the Steelers have. They brought him back this season, and there's over 26 million reasons why they'll keep trotting him out there until he's no longer physically able to do so. His play was painful to watch at the end of last year, and unfortunately, not much has changed.

I guess I did make excuses for him. Go figure.

 

[black and gold apex]

Love national media and all these executives ...They see one thing Ben...not coaches not even the organization...not other positions not coming close to being good...lack of production on all sides of the ball, blame Ben when he has had to throw into a tight window more than not, lets throw in the dropped passes that stopped any movement by the offense... lack of leadership players and coaches....,all eyes on Ben... yea writing on the wall...
By the way only Ben takes the blame not one other 52 player says a word, they do like to tweet though. And I say again if Ben is no good, should be let go, can not throw ,stinks, why we lose, no production, cannot get out of four defense pressure, then why does Tomlin not replace him.... Just watch the first half last week do not watch Ben watch all other positions. Except for the ONE interception look at the play of everyone else including offensive calls.. Blame is much bigger than Ben alone.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I do think Ben is struggling this year. You can't watch this hot garbage and think otherwise.

But until Rudolph or (lol) Haskins comes in and wins 11 in a row with this team... Good ******' luck overcoming about 16 or 17 years of "not living in our fears" coaching.

Would that be total years or years yet to go.................................................. ?


How many more years of Head of this team does Art Duece have left, just curious?

What would be a reasonable expectation of Coach Tomlins time here remaining ?





Salute the nation

 

[wig]

As long as Tomlin finishes somewhere near middle of the pack in terms of W/L and division standing he aint goin' NOWHERE.

If (as I suspect will happen) Ben retires and suddenly the Steelers become hot-garbage on wheels due to poor QB play and continued ****** player development, he may struggle to stay middle of the pack. But, on the other hand, the FO has always been good about finding competent, if not extraordinary guys to plug in, so the team my just have one of those "80's" decades where they just suck a little for a long long time.

 

[topseed]

Ahh we are back to the days when unnamed nfl executives call him just a game manager again… lol

I don't think that anybody (NFL executives or otherwise) is going to call Ben a "game manager" after 58 pass attempts and 2 INTs in a 14-point loss at home.

 

[TDX27]

All of you Ben Bitchers, I loved this today in Dulac's chat on the PG. And this doesn't include about 5 times receivers went the wrong direction against the Bungholes. 8 drops also seems like it might be a little high but maybe not. I know this season Ebron has been targetted 7 times and has 3 or 4 drops out of the 7. Not good and not Ben's fault. Ebron needs to step up or ride the pine. I'd take my chances with Muuth and Gentry.

"7 offensive penalties, 8 drops by the receivers, 75 yd TD drive on 3 plays given up before the half by the D, 0 sacks, 4 defensive starters out, 8 hits on Ben, 3 sacks, 2 receivers out, new coordinator and offensive line in training, < 3 yds per rush = Ben needs to retire. what???"

Ben certainly hasn't been perfect. I've said that before. But, he's been nowhere near as bad as the Ben Bitchers make him out to be. Even Harrison was shocked at how Canada has gutted our hurry-up / no-huddle plays.

 

[madinsomniac]

All of you Ben Bitchers, I loved this today in Dulac's chat on the PG. And this doesn't include about 5 times receivers went the wrong direction against the Bungholes. 8 drops also seems like it might be a little high but maybe not. I know this season Ebron has been targetted 7 times and has 3 or 4 drops out of the 7. Not good and not Ben's fault. Ebron needs to step up or ride the pine. I'd take my chances with Muuth and Gentry.

"7 offensive penalties, 8 drops by the receivers, 75 yd TD drive on 3 plays given up before the half by the D, 0 sacks, 4 defensive starters out, 8 hits on Ben, 3 sacks, 2 receivers out, new coordinator and offensive line in training, < 3 yds per rush = Ben needs to retire. what???"

Ben certainly hasn't been perfect. I've said that before. But, he's been nowhere near as bad as the Ben Bitchers make him out to be. Even Harrison was shocked at how Canada has gutted our hurry-up / no-huddle plays.

I think the gutted no huddle is overblown… or hyperbole….

I think with a new oline there will obviously be less plays… there is no way to teach them all a hundred no huddle specific plays already, but they have run more than 12 no huddle plays this season so it was probably exaggerated…