Ben is not consistant enough

[feltdizz]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

Ben is a gamer. He is not THE problem. But, he has not played exceptionally well either. He missed an open Brown for a TD, underthrew Wallace when he got behind the safety, etc. etc. Still, Ben also made some brilliant throws. We actually had a chance to tie that game up after we played an abysmal first half. I think the right side of the line can and will continue to improve given more reps together. The left side is a total mess and beyond salvaging.

Ben is a very good QB so I expect him to make brilliant throws...

Ben loves Arians and defends him to the death, he does the same thing with this OL... if he is going to vouch for this OL he has to play good behind them. This isn't new, we have seen bad OL's before and we have seen Ben play well behind them.

Tight now Ben and BA are seeing something different than the rest of us because we are still trying those long developing plays and Redman is running well behind this OL.

[pick6]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

Ben is not nor has he ever been an accurate passer. Someone could be streaking wide open down field, he could over throw, under throw, or put it on the numbers. Yes the oline is horrible and the way the Houston defense was ravaging us, I can tell that they entered the game with great confidence. Both sides have some truth but we have won with Ben being Ben, the problem is that Ben doesn't think that he needs to get better. He has 2 superbowl rings. Before going 15-1 as a rookie ( I know this is football not baseball, but bare with me) the knock on him coming out of college was that it takes him too long to get rid of the ball and that over time he would get better at this. But the guy never had to. He is so good at what he does that he has never worked on that part of his game.

Remember the infamous, "I only know one way to play coach". Forget about the accuracy part for now, he's good enough, but if he added the quick release to his arsenal he would be the best in the league, never mind the fact that Bradygirl and the flopping Manning would have never missed Wallace in the Superbowl. Wouldn't trade Ben for anything.

[Ghost]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

[quote=JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I know we have O lines issues but even when Ben has time to throw it seems that his passes are off an he is not consistant with his accuracy.

I also noticed that our receivers are not use to being HOT on blitzes and it seems that they know Ben will not hit them quick so they don't look for the HOTs or quick hits. I saw Ben try to hit the HOTs today but each time they were not looking.

We need a new offensive coordinator to work witht this offense and build a rhythm type passing attack. We don't have it and we look really out of sync when we try to do it. Ben's passes are either way out in front or way behind when we try to do a 3 step drop type pass.

Let me brings things into focus for you. I'm a big guy. Played OL/DL my entire "shortened" career. I'm 6' 320 right now. Here's what I want you to imagine. Stand in front of me and allow me to punch you in the face & stomach while you try to go through multiplication tables from 1-12. I don't care if you are equally as big as me...You would have trouble as soon as you got past 1 x 12. The guy that picked you up off the ground would have to tell you 2 x 1 was next. So for all of you who think that the offensive problems don't begin with the OL are really people who are standing behind the white lines. I'm not saying in light of the problems there could better play calling or decision making by BB & Mendy...But guys...The "source" of the problem is as obvious as the scorboard indicates.

To make matters even more gloomy, the front 7 on the other side of the ball are not any better. Well to be fair, Farrior & Smith are looking like overpaid rotation guys right now & Woodley & Harrison just aren't playing at the level the need to be. I expect Woodley & Harrison to get there...Sooner the better....But I don't think Farrior & Smith will ever get where they need to be. I think steps & reps should be made when Keisel returns to insert Hood into the starting role and have Smith spell him. Foote should be given every opportunity in practice as well as Sly to play with Timmons, Harrison, & Woodley. There has to be a better combination in the middle even if it is by committee. The torch needs to be passed. Instincts have now been trumped by lack of athleticism with Farrior and Smith just physically isn't the same player.

One comment to the positive, I think Lewis is very close to earning a chance to start. I just hope DL lets him and Ike play bump because that is what both are best at.[/quote:2rzm5wc2]

Settle down "Tiny"....

[feltdizz]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

Ben is not nor has he ever been an accurate passer. Someone could be streaking wide open down field, he could over throw, under throw, or put it on the numbers. Yes the oline is horrible and the way the Houston defense was ravaging us, I can tell that they entered the game with great confidence. Both sides have some truth but we have won with Ben being Ben, the problem is that Ben doesn't think that he needs to get better. He has 2 superbowl rings. Before going 15-1 as a rookie ( I know this is football not baseball, but bare with me) the knock on him coming out of college was that it takes him too long to get rid of the ball and that over time he would get better at this. But the guy never had to. He is so good at what he does that he has never worked on that part of his game.

Remember the infamous, "I only know one way to play coach". Forget about the accuracy part for now, he's good enough, but if he added the quick release to his arsenal he would be the best in the league, never mind the fact that Bradygirl and the flopping Manning would have never missed Wallace in the Superbowl. Wouldn't trade Ben for anything.

some good points but Brady and Manning miss WR's...

[JAR]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

Ben is not nor has he ever been an accurate passer. Someone could be streaking wide open down field, he could over throw, under throw, or put it on the numbers. Yes the oline is horrible and the way the Houston defense was ravaging us, I can tell that they entered the game with great confidence. Both sides have some truth but we have won with Ben being Ben, the problem is that Ben doesn't think that he needs to get better. He has 2 superbowl rings. Before going 15-1 as a rookie ( I know this is football not baseball, but bare with me) the knock on him coming out of college was that it takes him too long to get rid of the ball and that over time he would get better at this. But the guy never had to. He is so good at what he does that he has never worked on that part of his game.

Remember the infamous, "I only know one way to play coach". Forget about the accuracy part for now, he's good enough, but if he added the quick release to his arsenal he would be the best in the league, never mind the fact that Bradygirl and the flopping Manning would have never missed Wallace in the Superbowl. Wouldn't trade Ben for anything.

Ben always says he needs to get better.... he just said it last week and again yesterday..

[pick6]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

feltdizz and JAR are both right but Manning and Brady miss far less especially with a man wide open going vertical downfield. and when ben says he's getting better he means getting better at being Ben not adding something new to his arsenal.

[SteelTorch]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

I'm getting really sick of all these "Blame Ben" threads lately. Yeah, Ben has not played well this season. But honestly, look at what he's had to work with: a porous O-line, a lack of a running game, and typical BA playcalling.

"But but but...Ben holds oooon too long! Ben's had a bad O-line before!!!"

Yeah, but never has it been this bad. The only time it's been close to this bad was in 2008, and it hurt Ben's performance too. And Ben, contrary to belief, is not Superman. He cannot carry the entire team by himself. Nor should he have to. It's not Ben's responsibility to compensate for how bad everyone else performs. Football is a team sport, everyone must do his part. Ben's not perfect, but he has does more than enough to help this team.

[feltdizz]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

I'm getting really sick of all these "Blame Ben" threads lately. Yeah, Ben has not played well this season. But honestly, look at what he's had to work with: a porous O-line, a lack of a running game, and typical BA playcalling.

"But but but...Ben holds oooon too long! Ben's had a bad O-line before!!!"

Yeah, but never has it been this bad. The only time it's been close to this bad was in 2008, and it hurt Ben's performance too. And Ben, contrary to belief, is not Superman. He cannot carry the entire team by himself. Nor should he have to. It's not Ben's responsibility to compensate for how bad everyone else performs. Football is a team sport, everyone must do his part. Ben's not perfect, but he has does more than enough to help this team.

I just wrote about the OL in 2008. Here is the thing though... Ben struggled and when Lefty came in the Washington game he marched us right down the field with the same OL.

Look at the running game with Mendenhall... it's horrible. Redman gets a touch and the running game gets going.

Ben is getting the blame because this is his OC, his offense and he has the majority of the TO's. Ben isn't playing and he deserves a lot of the blame.

Ben hasn't done more than enough this year to help this team. He is lousy at protecting the ball, acts like he has a good OL and he is missing on throws he usually makes.

It looks like he isn't practicing just like in 2008.

[NorthCoast]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

While the OL is in a sorry state, it actually just accentuates Ben's biggest problem as a QB. What is that problem? I think Ben is not the best pre-snap reader of a defense. I am no expert, but they say that most defenses can be sorted out pre-snap based on formations and movements. Ben's game is downfield, after WRs have made their cuts or broken their routes. Because he now has only 1-2 sec in which to make a decision, he must rely on what the defense is showing PRIOR TO the snap. I don't think he is comfortable playing his game that way. Question is can he change? I am not sure, but if he does not, he will likely miss substantial time with this questionable OL.
(oh yes, the WRs also share responsibility here as well. They need to break off routes if they see a seige coming for Ben.)

[steelz09]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

If you had been knocked on your backside as much as Ben you might have issues as well. We are spoiled. Ben is one the best QBs in the league, and is more accurate than not when he has adequate protection.

yada yada and yada....

I'm not trying to hear it. Ben gotta make plays is killing us this year. Ben gotta get rid of the football, Ben gotta protect the football, Ben and WR's gotta get on the same page.

This OL has sucked before and this is nothing new. Trying to throw deep with this OL won't work.

We can blame BA but Ben loves the guy so he is just as much to blame for this trainwreck on offense.

I'm telling you... put Batch in next game and watch the production improve. The ball has to come out fast.

I'm trying to stay objective in my analysis and the way I see it is:

1) You have to give credit where credit is due and that is Ben is just a tough guy playing hurt and taking an absolute beating behind this OL.

2) Ben does NOT get a free pass. He is a vet on this offense. The ball HAS to come out quicker. A three step drop and he has to deliver the freakin' football. You have three incredible fast WRs in Wallace, Sanders, and Brown. They can get open in a short amount of time. I don't buy the fact that they can't. We should be running more quick slants, WR screens.... anything like that to get the ball out as quick as possible. If Arians can't figure out which plays I'm talking about, he just needs to watch a Patriots or Saints game. Miller & Ward should run 5-10 yard curls and sit in the zone. Dink and Dunk these teams 5 yards at a time if we have to.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

Ben is not nor has he ever been an accurate passer. Someone could be streaking wide open down field, he could over throw, under throw, or put it on the numbers. Yes the oline is horrible and the way the Houston defense was ravaging us, I can tell that they entered the game with great confidence. Both sides have some truth but we have won with Ben being Ben, the problem is that Ben doesn't think that he needs to get better. He has 2 superbowl rings. Before going 15-1 as a rookie ( I know this is football not baseball, but bare with me) the knock on him coming out of college was that it takes him too long to get rid of the ball and that over time he would get better at this. But the guy never had to. He is so good at what he does that he has never worked on that part of his game.

Remember the infamous, "I only know one way to play coach". Forget about the accuracy part for now, he's good enough, but if he added the quick release to his arsenal he would be the best in the league, never mind the fact that Bradygirl and the flopping Manning would have never missed Wallace in the Superbowl. Wouldn't trade Ben for anything.

Ben is not an accurate passer? His career completion percentage is 12th all time in the history of the NFL. Better than Marino. Better than Elway. Better than Kelly, Moon, Aikman, Fouts, Bradshaw, Staubach, Unitas. He's two tenths of a percentage point behind Joe #&@%ing Montana. And Ben isn't exactly artificially inflating his completion percentage by throwing high-percentage short passes exclusively...Ben airs it out as if he were Slingin' Sammy Baugh out there, and he still has a high completion percentage. Just sayin'.

[sd steel]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

I think alot of what ails the Steelers and Ben comes down to trying to be too reactive. I would like to see us break a huddle and run the one play that we called. The toe tapping and pointing to change routes and change blocking assignments and waiting until 02 seconds is left on the play clock is not accomplishing the goals of controlling the ball and moving the sticks. The plays where Redman was most successful yesterday were just a power sweep with Kemo pulling. Well next play in the progression should be play action power sweep. Calling plays is pretty simple, and even though the NFL QB's all seem to make a million decisions at the line of scrimmage the reality is we don't need to and all it does is make for confusion on our o line and with our receiver routes.

[papillon]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

Ben is not nor has he ever been an accurate passer. Someone could be streaking wide open down field, he could over throw, under throw, or put it on the numbers. Yes the oline is horrible and the way the Houston defense was ravaging us, I can tell that they entered the game with great confidence. Both sides have some truth but we have won with Ben being Ben, the problem is that Ben doesn't think that he needs to get better. He has 2 superbowl rings. Before going 15-1 as a rookie ( I know this is football not baseball, but bare with me) the knock on him coming out of college was that it takes him too long to get rid of the ball and that over time he would get better at this. But the guy never had to. He is so good at what he does that he has never worked on that part of his game.

Remember the infamous, "I only know one way to play coach". Forget about the accuracy part for now, he's good enough, but if he added the quick release to his arsenal he would be the best in the league, never mind the fact that Bradygirl and the flopping Manning would have never missed Wallace in the Superbowl. Wouldn't trade Ben for anything.

Ben is not an accurate passer? His career completion percentage is 12th all time in the history of the NFL. Better than Marino. Better than Elway. Better than Kelly, Moon, Aikman, Fouts, Bradshaw, Staubach, Unitas. He's two tenths of a percentage point behind Joe #&@%ing Montana. And Ben isn't exactly artificially inflating his completion percentage by throwing high-percentage short passes exclusively...Ben airs it out as if he were Slingin' Sammy Baugh out there, and he still has a high completion percentage. Just sayin'.

I was going to post the same thing. Ben's career completion percentage is 63% with a career YPA of 8.0. That's a high percentage of completions on passes that don't necessarily carry a high percentage completion rate. You don't achieve those levels being inaccurate in any fashion.

Yet again, as poorly as they played the Steelers had a chance to tie the game and had they not wasted two TOs in the third quarter I have no doubt that Ben would have made it exciting at the end. 99 yards and no TOs is not a good situation, one TO could have eliminated the hail Mary with 15 secs to go and allowed a higher percentage play to be attempted.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

Ben has accuracy stats but I think part of the reason is because he waits until WR's get open and he extends plays which make for open targets after running around like a mad man.I also think it's part of the reason he is getting killed...

I liked the back shoulder throws to Brown and think more quick throws like that would save a few hits.

If Ben throws more timing routes I think his accuracy would take more hits than he would.

On the radio they blamed everyone but they were honest IMO. The OL has always sucked so the scheme has to fit the product on the field. 3 step drops and the ball has to come out... they said Ben is relying too much on trying to make something happen on every play.

I have to agree.

[Eich]

Re: Ben is not consistant enough

Ben has accuracy stats but I think part of the reason is because he waits until WR's get open and he extends plays which make for open targets after running around like a mad man.I also think it's part of the reason he is getting killed...

I liked the back shoulder throws to Brown and think more quick throws like that would save a few hits.

If Ben throws more timing routes I think his accuracy would take more hits than he would.

On the radio they blamed everyone but they were honest IMO. The OL has always sucked so the scheme has to fit the product on the field. 3 step drops and the ball has to come out... they said Ben is relying too much on trying to make something happen on every play.

I have to agree.

I have to agree somewhat. There was a play yesterday where Ben was running for his life. I think it was Spindenhall who was his outlet. Instead of dumping it off, Ben looked him off and then looked downfield for the big play and then he proceeded to get killed.

This is what Ben does. He's stubborn and refuses to take check downs or throw the ball away. It seems the only time you see Ben throw the ball away is when he's half way to the ground and he's looking for a receiver in the vicinity to avoid a grounding call.

For a few years, this was OK. Behind THIS O-Line, it's become disastrous, making Ben a turnover machine. Either Ben has to change or the O-Line has to improve. If neither happens, Ben and this offense are going to set a record for turnovers.