The Evolution of #7
by Billy52 on Dec 3, 2009 6:13 PM EST
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While we don't expect too many changes in the Steeler offense before the end of this season, it has become painfully evident that Big Ben can't continue the same approach to the game that has been demonstrated in 2009. We had a window of time when Ben was consistently successful as an escape artist and extender of big plays. While this still happens, it's becoming less frequent as time goes on. And the toll on Ben's body is starting to mount, even at the relatively young age of 27.
Ben started his career as a guy whose effectiveness was closely tied to the performance of the Steeler running attack and defense. But during the past couple of seasons, and especially this season, Ben has assumed more of a central role in the outcomes of games. This was most notably demonstrated in the heart-stopping SB victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
But at the same time that Ben's role has grown, the Steeler offense appears less and less consistent. Indeed, it seems that many NFL defenses have got the Steelers' number this season and they're frequently able to stop us. There's no doubt that this team has the necessary talent on offense, but we clearly have a problem with our overall offensive scheme. Also, increasingly, the solution to this problem points to a much-needed evolution in the career of #7.
Let's face it, as tough as he is, Big Ben is never going to be primarily a running QB like Steve Young, or even Dennis Dixon. But he's is still one of the best in the NFL at getting away from the people trying to take his head off. To preserve his health over the long haul, though, it's obvious that Ben ultimately will need to develop primarily into a pocket passer.
First and foremost, this means that the Steelers must continue to bolster their offensive line through the draft. The current line is good and getting better--but it's not good enough yet to consistently protect Ben. Also, Ben will need to significantly reduce the number of batted throws that we've seen. Additionally, Ben needs to start utilizing screen plays and other short passes to the RBs effectively--a phase of the offense which seems almost absent from the Steeler playbook.
While it's often fun to watch, Ben still tends to play the game a bit too much like the rookie phenom that the Steelers drafted in 2004. If his early success is to continue, he will need to expand on his current bag of tricks. At this point, though, it's not clear whether the solution might be for Ben to start calling all of the offensive plays, or if he simply needs a better offensive coach who can better optimize his natural talents.
Whatever the solution, it's pretty clear that something needs to change. As things now stand, I believe the problems are about 75% coaching and 25% Ben. But poor coaching has been known to cripple the career of many a fine player. And, of course, lots of very good QBs have never won even a single Super Bowl.
OK Steeler Nation, before launching the rotten tomatoes, please understand that there is no NFL quarterback who I would rather have on the Steelers than Big Ben (not even Peyton Manning). I'm just saying that #7 needs to take his repertoire to to the next level and evolve as his career unfolds. Given the benefit of more imaginative guidance from his coaches in the future, I'm sure that Ben will rise to the occasion, as well as to the very top of his NFL class.
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don't disgaree
Remember when BB was fairly swift and quick on his feet? He looks really slow running now. That’s because of all the beating his body has taken and he is an old 27. If we do some or all of the things you have presented we can have a guaranteed HOF QB. And win a ton….
I think Ben can help himself
Hitting the gym will help him stay healthier and hitting the books will help hime with his play. Ben is still a very young man, he can still take responsibility for his own career and build upon those two superbowls. I think he can take a page out of the Manning study guide; he will unleash hell on the NFL if he does.
I have been saying this..
And got screamed at! I dont think he is an old 27…but he, like terry Bradshaw MUST change…remember terry running all over the place? Ben, should pass to his RBs instead of always trying to go deep..that is a product of coaching…mainly BA..
Ben is a victim of his own success
The Good News is, Ben won a Super Bowl… (Yeah, I know, technically he has won two, but you can’t count 2005)
The Bad News is, Ben won a Super Bowl.
And now you can’t tell him anything.
He has a hand picked Enabler for an Offensive Coordinator, and a Coach that doesn’t want to tinker with success… even though that success was an aberration.
Ben has terrible habits. There is a reason that you are not supposed to hold the ball too long. Yeah, he got away with it very well last year. But this year, the NFL has adjusted.
Unless Ben also adjusts, he will never again make it to the Super Bowl.
He needs to be more decisive in the pocket. He needs to stop trying to be a gunslinger, and start being a quarterback.
It’s OK to slide around and make plays out of the pocket when you have to — it is insanity to plan on doing it.
The ultimate Gunslinger is Brett Favre. How many Super Bowls did he win? (Let me save you a Google search: One. He was in two, but won one.)
Conversely, how many heartaches did the Green Bay faithful have to endure? Anyone want to see Ben throw six picks in a playoff game?
Someone needs to take Ben aside and say: “Kid, you are good. You can be great. But you need to start working on your game. You are not great yet.”
Say what you want about Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, but both of those guys make the guys around them better. And Peyton never stops working on his game.
I get the sense that Ben really didn’t work this past off season like he did the year before… that he feels like he has arrived and all he needs now is more opportunity on game day.
Maybe if he would spend more time working on films, and less time playing in Celebrity Golf Tournaments, the Steelers would be in control of their own destiny.
In general I like Ben. I don’t fault him at all for sitting out this past week. But once the headaches stop, someone needs to tell him that his head should be used for something besides wearing a helmet…
He has to stop trying to outrun blitzes — that’s what hot reads are for…
He has to stop holding on to the ball while waiting for receivers to get ten yards of separation — the great QBs will “uncover a receiver with the throw” — something I have seen Ben do exactly once.
And if he is going to take off on a run, he needs to learn not to slide head first…
by MarkJoel66 on Dec 4, 2009 10:43 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I agree fully
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
by WVPiratesfan on Dec 4, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
wow
thats a pondering post there MJ
Ron Paul was Right.
by Steelchamps !! on Dec 4, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
Totally!!
short passes to mendy is what the doctor ordered..
by nycsteelerfan on Dec 4, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
Good points although
I don’t agree that Ben got away with it last season. Didn’t he get sacked like 40 times?
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.
by kick him in the head on Dec 4, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
Got away with it...
… meaning he won the Super Bowl. There is no question he pays a price personally for the way he plays. It is admirable that he is willing to pay that price.
He’s a tough kid.
He just needs to be a wee bit smarter. Maybe admitting to the headaches was a good sign.
Ben certainly has some areas where he can improve, but . . .
I think it’s going too far to say that his habits are terrible. His bad habits are at least partially a reflection of the offensive scheme that the coaches have given him. I have no doubt whatsoever that this guy will continue to excel—once the Steelers figure out what in the heck they’re trying to do offensively. But I agree, of course, that he needs to change his current game significantly.
Ben Can Certainly Improve
But the offense is all wrong. Bruce Arians is not playing to the strengths of the team. We need a west coast offense NOW… That will fix alot of the problems because recievers just can’t seem to get open with those Joe Walton style pass plays that BA calls.
how about his..
INVEST MORE IN THE RUNNING GAME!! 50-50 balance..with BB passing 25-30 times is enough..thats why I say, sign an established RB, to compliment mendy, that replaces FWP, for the money we spend on him..and in the draft…1)cb/ss 2) NT 3) ILB 4) rg/rt..by this, we improve our defense, and get younger, use FA to get an experienced RB with mendy, and a RG/RT..we will have our needs fulfilled and keep BB healthy…any disagreements?
That was OK for football in the Bill Walsh era.
The game is a lot different today. You still need to have a credible running game, but even a 50/50 mix (as you said) would be a real accomplishment in today’s league.
the reason
this is tp protect BB..i agree, the game has changed, BUT, the 4min offense..to grind the ball
by nycsteelerfan on Dec 5, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
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