Offense under Ben through his career.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Yes, such a nice, strong running game that hasn't ranked in the top 10 in yards or YPC since 2007.

As for the defense, the Steelers invest so much in it that there's not enough left for the offense. Sure, having a good defense indirectly helps a QB, but you know what? The QB is never on the field with his defense. He's on the field with 10 other players on offense, and Roethlisberger has had the worst set of those 10 players of any top-tier QB in the last five years. Having a mediocre supporting cast on offense directly harms a QB.

The offensive line hasn't been good in years, and Willie Parker was the last good RB. Rashard Mendenhall is too much of a space cadet to be good. The WRs have been overrated. Hines Ward was the only consistent one. Antwaan Randle El, Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace all made just as many dumb plays as big plays. Even Antonio Brown needs some sense knocked into him, apparently. And the TEs were never incorporated into the passing game until this season.

Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers have all had better offensive lines. Rodgers marginally so, but he compensates for it with his mobility. Manning and Rodgers have had better WRs. Brees and Rodgers have been in better systems. I like Todd Haley's system, though; there just aren't enough good pieces yet for it to work properly. Each of the other QBs has also been assisted by a running game that's effective when they choose to use it.

"You gotta get over this 'well he's got a great defense.' He can't throw to his defense. His defense doesn't block for him." -Colin Cowherd discussing Ben Roethlisberger (12/06/2010)

To suggest that the team only invests in the defensive side of the ball, Ben hasn't had enough talent, that other teams have more talented players, ect ect ect is an attempt to give Ben a pass for his up and down play over the years. It's Ben's job to work with the players he has and make them better. The play of the QB position has a trickle down effect on the entire offense and team. The QB can make the offensive line look better by the way he plays the position. The QB can change the way the defense chooses to attack an offense. Ben's shown the ability to play at a high level with the players he's had. Ben hasn't played well enough to elevate the overall scoring production of the offense with the players he's had. Point production of the offense over the years rests mostly on the shoulders of Ben. Scoring production in the future will mostly be determined by the way Ben performs.