New contract for Big Ben?

by cgolden on May 25, 2007 8:44 AM EDT in News

So I thought my first news story would be a slightly controversial one. I recently heard that the Steelers have began preliminary talks with Big Ben about a contract extension. Initially I thought that they were doing a great job of staying ahead of the curve with him, but then I read this story.

I'm not sure how much 2006 hurt Ben's 'resale' value but it will be interesting to see where his contract ranks among current QB contracts. Does Big Ben deserve to be paid as a top 10, top 5, or top 3 QB. He'll almost certainly break the Steelers record for signing bonus, but I'm just not completely sold that he's a 10 million a year guy. Your thoughts?

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Big Ben

I would put him in top 4-7 QB category. I was actually gonna put a post up this weekend about ranking NFL QBs.

by schnifin on May 25, 2007 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

Rankings are awesome

thats is one that you definitely need to do.

by cgolden on May 25, 2007 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

wow

very interesting stuff to think about. And think about the last big contract signed by a young QB (kordell) and how his career panned out, man where did that all go wrong? I can't think we can afford a 10mill a year guy. But let me get it aside that I love Big Ben. I think he can be a franchise player, but we'd need to see another very solid season before we could make that distinction I believe. That being said, Big ben, as much as I like him, i think he's a bit of a glory hog and he wants either a big contract, or big visibility somewhere else like a large market team. I'd hate to see him in anything but black and gold, but we've shown a history of not paying up. Sooner or later I think the Rooneys are really going to change their ways and give some big money to someone because you have to to stay competitive anymore. But they can hike his pay up huge with performance incentives and if Ben delivers he gets paid. If not well then he still makes more than any of us put together. Let's just hope for the best.

by Mikey on May 25, 2007 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

He does seem to like the spotlight

from some different stuff that I've seen and heard, but I think that while Pittsburgh may not be considered a 'big market' team, they are one of the 'flag ship' franchises in the NFL. He gets tons of publicity right now. After Peyton of course, I can't think of another QB who gets more advertisements than Ben (although I'm sure there is someone I'm forgetting).

I really don't see him leaving, especially if he has a bounce back year this year, but I don't want to see the Steelers cripple themselves by drastically overpaying.

by cgolden on May 25, 2007 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope

that they decide to pay him. He may or may not be the second coming of Marino(still smarts, and I mean really SMARTS thinking about passing him in the draft), but he is definitely a franchise qb. Last year was rough, but not without reasons, and I for one got very tired of our qb problems from bradshaw on. Roth is the best we've had in a loonng time; the Tomczak, O'Donnell, Brister, Malone, etc years are still fresh in my mind. I think that this year will be a good, strong year for him, and the FO will show him the money.

by steelerark on May 25, 2007 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Hmmm.

Malone, Brister, O'Donnell, Tomczak, Stewart, Graham, Maddox.

Do we really want to get back on this carousel? Now, a lot of those QBs had some success with the Steelers, but on the whole I don't think any of us are pining for their return. Ben had two spectacular season and one injury-plagued one where his starting receivers were often a rookie an undrafted FA, or Cedrick Wilson.

Top ten is definite, top five is reasonable based on his potential and his rookie and sophomore years.

by Desroko on May 25, 2007 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, he is a 10 million dollar a year guy

though I'd wait until after next season to make that determination.

I would make the case that the team has seen enough of him to offer a legitimate franchise QB contract to him, and no better time than now while his stock is ever-so-slightly down given last season.

Hogs Haven

by Skin Patrol @ Behind the Steel Curtain on May 25, 2007 6:04 PM EDT reply actions