Top reasons I am excited about this season.

[papillon]

Actually, the OP did predict them to have a Super Bowl run this year. Listening to what some people say on this board and other Steelers forums, there's this chip on the Steelers' shoulder that will magically carry them into Super Bowl contention after a let-down season last year. I'm merely trying to pull some of you back down to earth.

There's a lot of question marks on this team right now, and I can't blame anyone for predicting the Steelers end up being 3rd in the division again. Now, some of those question marks could turn into positives and the Steelers could have a good season, plus the Ravens had a lot of turnover in the offseason, and in the past the Bengals have always crashed and burned when expectations were high. However, just to assume they'll have a better season based on a chip on their shoulder or because their the Steelers and they can't have two bad seasons in a row is indeed presumptuous.

There are question marks on this team and Ben is one of them IMO. If he and Haley can work together and put a good offense on the field, if Ben can keep himself healthy and if Ben can eliminate the brain cramps at the wrong time the Steelers will have a great shot at being a playoff team.

If any one of those things doesn't happen the Steelers will have issues and any 2 out of 3 will certainly land them in 3rd of 4th place in the division. Like every other team, the Steelers rely on their quarterback to play very well. Ben is one of the best in the game, but there are some things he needs to do better and none of them are physical skills, they're all between the ears things that must improve.

Pappy

[Captain QB]

There are question marks on this team and Ben is one of them IMO. If he and Haley can work together and put a good offense on the field, if Ben can keep himself healthy and if Ben can eliminate the brain cramps at the wrong time the Steelers will have a great shot at being a playoff team.

If any one of those things doesn't happen the Steelers will have issues and any 2 out of 3 will certainly land them in 3rd of 4th place in the division. Like every other team, the Steelers rely on their quarterback to play very well. Ben is one of the best in the game, but there are some things he needs to do better and none of them are physical skills, they're all between the ears things that must improve.

Pappy

So it's Ben's fault he can't always bail the team out on third and long after the running game fails? It's his fault he can't bail them out in the last minute of the game because the Steelers were enamored with time of possession in a scoring league?

There are many issues on the team - Ben isn't one of them. Trying to say otherwise is just pretending.

[steelz09]

So it's Ben's fault he can't always bail the team out on third and long after the running game fails? It's his fault he can't bail them out in the last minute of the game because the Steelers were enamored with time of possession in a scoring league?

There are many issues on the team - Ben isn't one of them. Trying to say otherwise is just pretending.

Did Ben not throw a horrendous pass against Dallas last year which cost us the game and likely the playoffs. The pass was a bad decision on Ben's part and that is only 1 example. Oh yea, Ben can't be blamed for anything either.

[Captain QB]

Did Ben not throw a horrendous pass against Dallas last year which cost us the game and likely the playoffs. The pass was a bad decision on Ben's part and that is only 1 example. Oh yea, Ben can't be blamed for anything either.

I never said he's never made mistakes, but he wasn't anywhere close to being the main problem with the team last year. On a side note, I do think it's funny so many fans forgot about Brown's fumble on a punt return when the Steelers lead 24-17 in the Dallas game.

[fordfixer]

Seriously, how many IP addresses does Crash have? You can ban names and/or ip addresses. And why would anyone want to post in a community that doesn't appreciate their genius?

Because he has been kicked off of every other board out there

[papillon]

So it's Ben's fault he can't always bail the team out on third and long after the running game fails? It's his fault he can't bail them out in the last minute of the game because the Steelers were enamored with time of possession in a scoring league?

There are many issues on the team - Ben isn't one of them. Trying to say otherwise is just pretending.

I didn't say it was all Ben's fault, I stated that some of the question marks rest on Ben's shoulders. Ben may be the least of the question marks, but he is one of the question marks, not physically, but mentally, see the last year's Cowboys and Bengals games, those were brain cramps by Ben.

Pappy

[LordVile]

I didn't say it was all Ben's fault, I stated that some of the question marks rest on Ben's shoulders. Ben may be the least of the question marks, but he is one of the question marks, not physically, but mentally, see the last year's Cowboys and Bengals games, those were brain cramps by Ben.

Pappy

Ben was playing CRIPPLED.. but even then, thats better than what any of the back ups could do.. you realize he came back early from a SERIOUS injury wearing a heavy vest? BB isn't the problem.. so much as his health was.. Heez a winner. He wasn't the same player when he came back tho.. his confidence was shook.. He admitted.. Can't fault the guy for that..

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I think was this thread is telling you Shawn is that you are not allowed to be excited for this season.

[Shawn]

I think was this thread is telling you Shawn is that you are not allowed to be excited for this season.

I'm now utterly depressed about the season. I'm glad Crash brought me back down to earth.

[Captain Lemming]

I'm now utterly depressed about the season. I'm glad Crash brought me back down to earth.

Thus the name "Crash" (no matter what he calls himself today)

[Shawn]

Ben was playing CRIPPLED.. but even then, thats better than what any of the back ups could do.. you realize he came back early from a SERIOUS injury wearing a heavy vest? BB isn't the problem.. so much as his health was.. Heez a winner. He wasn't the same player when he came back tho.. his confidence was shook.. He admitted.. Can't fault the guy for that..

Agreed, Ben played broken up. Who can fault him for not looking like himself? I can't.

[Captain Lemming]

So it's Ben's fault he can't always bail the team out on third and long after the running game fails? It's his fault he can't bail them out in the last minute of the game because the Steelers were enamored with time of possession in a scoring league?

There are many issues on the team - Ben isn't one of them. Trying to say otherwise is just pretending.

You are finally RIGHT but miss the reasons WHY.

We are too dependent on Ben.
In my disputes with Crash I always pointed to BALANCE as key.
Having invested in the RUN GAME with interior line picks and a RB hopefully THAT changes, which will be key to turning this around.

Of course "Captain QB" would understand the obvious logic of this.
Crash on the other hand would not.

So please Captain QB do you agree that we need more balance?
Or perhaps you are indeed Crash and will put up some silly argument to counter what I've said.

BTW, I do like the new name....."Captain" puts you in elite company.

Of course I took the name "Captain Lemming" because you... I mean ahem "Crash" would routinely call me a "Lemming" for defending the Steelers.

Now YOU call yourself Captain QB ....and you defend the QB no matter what.......just like our friend Crash would.

I do see the parallel, and YES I do take credit for the appropriate nickname you have chosen.