Ben Considering Retirement?

[Real Deal Steel]

See????

I don't blame Ben. If I'm Ben, you have to show me something; A legitimate plan to address the areas we are lacking in. Because if there isn't a real plan in place, why take any more punishment?

It's up to Tomlin to gain control of this team and coaches. Period. Time to be a hard ass coach and not a softy. Put some fear in these guys. Take a hard stance of, " Either your going to be professionals or else".

And tell Tomlin to go back to the drawing board on his defenses against elite QB's such as Rodgers and Brady. Playing zone may work against the Andy Dalton's of the league but not against the elite QB's of the NFL.

[Real Deal Steel]

What's scary is Ben thought retirement this year and Brady is on record saying he may play 5 more years.

That is scary.

[pittpete]

There are 36,000,000 reasons why Ben isn't going any where for the next 3 years.

[Mr.wizard]

There are 36,000,000 reasons why Ben isn't going any where for the next 3 years.

Exactly, no way he is walking away from that much money.

[squidkid]

Exactly, no way he is walking away from that much money.

how much is enough tho? i see ben playing next year then calling it quits. maybe he stays 1 year after that if he sees improvement in our secondary, pass rush, coaches philosophy and player discipline. i think ben has plenty of money right now to get by.

[pittpete]

Not just the $$$$ Squid but i don't think its that easy for competitive athletes to just walk away.

[Mr.wizard]

how much is enough tho? i see ben playing next year then calling it quits. maybe he stays 1 year after that if he sees improvement in our secondary, pass rush, coaches philosophy and player discipline. i think ben has plenty of money right now to get by.

He is not walking away from 36 million dollars because he doesn't like defense or the discipline of the team that is absurd. These players are thinking of their future after football and having an extra 36 million in your pocket will go along way, not just for his future but his childrens future and their childrens future. Perfect example is Phillip Rivers, he howled that he would retire if they moved the team to LA, team moved to LA an Phillip moved right along with them.

[papillon]

how much is enough tho? i see ben playing next year then calling it quits. maybe he stays 1 year after that if he sees improvement in our secondary, pass rush, coaches philosophy and player discipline. i think ben has plenty of money right now to get by.

A couple things, you can never have enough financial capital, so I doubt he would think, I've made enough money so I'll retire. Walking away from the kind of money he can make would be shocking.

Now, about, Ben seeing improvement in the secondary, defense in general, etc. I don't know if Ben talks with the ownership/management about the team or not, but if I'm Rooney/Tomlin/Colbert I think I have to inform Ben that all the necessary pieces to win a Super Bowl are in place right now. How much better does the team have to be before Ben can lead them to another Super Bowl? The Steelers as they are constituted right now have enough above the line players to win a lot of games, including the Super Bowl. Of course, you try to make the team better, but IMO, this team should be competing in the AFCCG for the next 2-3 years and I would have that opinion even if they were to lose either Bell or Brown. The talent on the Steelers is more than good enough and they have a top 5 quarterback in the league right now.

The offense and defensive coaching staff should be able to cover up the warts on defense, other teams do it all the time and its not like the Steeler defense is void of solid to above average NFL players. The final game this year was truly disappointing based on the talent on the team, IMO.

Pappy

[Eich]

The offense and defensive coaching staff should be able to cover up the warts on defense, other teams do it all the time and its not like the Steeler defense is void of solid to above average NFL players. The final game this year was truly disappointing based on the talent on the team, IMO.

This. And that's a big "should".

And I tend to this that this is what Ben is worried about - our coaches ability to get the best out of the talent already on the roster. Remember during the season, it was reported that Ben was pleading with Tomlin to make the players take things more seriously.

I think Ben felt like we all did about the AFCC game. I think we would have actually been better off had the game been a little less close at halftime. Tomlin and Co. came out of halftime feeling comfortable with where things stood at that point.

[Real Deal Steel]

He is not walking away from 36 million dollars because he doesn't like defense or the discipline of the team that is absurd. These players are thinking of their future after football and having an extra 36 million in your pocket will go along way, not just for his future but his childrens future and their childrens future. Perfect example is Phillip Rivers, he howled that he would retire if they moved the team to LA, team moved to LA an Phillip moved right along with them.

I don't think it's that absurd. He's already set for life. yeah, another 36 million is great but how much is it worth to keep taking the punishment he takes and not have a chance to win another ring because of inept coaching on and off the field? People want to be able to walk and enjoy life AFTER football now. Players are more conscience of that then ever before. To keep taking hits, risking your long term health when your set for life already with no realistic chance to win anything because of a coach who is undisciplined off the field in handling players; and stupid on the field with suicidal game plans against great opposition?

I don't think it's such a reach that if things don't change this coming season, Ben doesn't come back for the 2018 start of the season.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

This. And that's a big "should".

And I tend to this that this is what Ben is worried about - our coaches ability to get the best out of the talent already on the roster. Remember during the season, it was reported that Ben was pleading with Tomlin to make the players take things more seriously.

I think Ben felt like we all did about the AFCC game. I think we would have actually been better off had the game been a little less close at halftime. Tomlin and Co. came out of halftime feeling comfortable with where things stood at that point.

$$$$$$$

Although the Steelers' coaching staff had a good year overall, the AFCC made it painfully obvious that they need to improve when it comes to game planning and in-game adjustments, both on offense and defense. Tomlin, Butler and Haley were woeful in those aspects in that game. Hopefully, they're doing their homework as we speak.

As far as the players taking things more seriously, all you have to do is look at AB's facebook video from after the Chiefs game. A significant portion of the locker room was completely ignoring Tomlin when he was addressing the team, and most of the team was celebrating like they'd already won the AFCC (and this in spite of the subpar offensive performance they had vs. KC). That glimpse into the Steelers' locker room tells me all I need to know about the team's lack of discipline and focus. Does anyone think there was any such nonsense going on in the *'s locker room after they beat Houston? Belicheat and Brady would never tolerate it. IMO, it shows the difference between a pretender and a champion ... the Steelers are going to have to turn things around in this regard if they're going to have a decent shot at another Lombardi anytime soon.

[Real Deal Steel]

$$$$$$$

Although the Steelers' coaching staff had a good year overall, the AFCC made it painfully obvious that they need to improve when it comes to game planning and in-game adjustments, both on offense and defense. Tomlin, Butler and Haley were woeful in those aspects in that game. Hopefully, they're doing their homework as we speak.

As far as the players taking things more seriously, all you have to do is look at AB's facebook video from after the Chiefs game. A significant portion of the locker room was completely ignoring Tomlin when he was addressing the team, and most of the team was celebrating like they'd already won the AFCC (and this in spite of the subpar offensive performance they had vs. KC). That glimpse into the Steelers' locker room tells me all I need to know about the team's lack of discipline and focus. Does anyone think there was any such nonsense going on in the *'s locker room after they beat Houston? Belicheat and Brady would never tolerate it. IMO, it shows the difference between a pretender and a champion ... the Steelers are going to have to turn things around in this regard if they're going to have a decent shot at another Lombardi anytime soon.

Hell of a post my friend.

[feltdizz]

$$$$$$$

Although the Steelers' coaching staff had a good year overall, the AFCC made it painfully obvious that they need to improve when it comes to game planning and in-game adjustments, both on offense and defense. Tomlin, Butler and Haley were woeful in those aspects in that game. Hopefully, they're doing their homework as we speak.

As far as the players taking things more seriously, all you have to do is look at AB's facebook video from after the Chiefs game. A significant portion of the locker room was completely ignoring Tomlin when he was addressing the team, and most of the team was celebrating like they'd already won the AFCC (and this in spite of the subpar offensive performance they had vs. KC). That glimpse into the Steelers' locker room tells me all I need to know about the team's lack of discipline and focus. Does anyone think there was any such nonsense going on in the *'s locker room after they beat Houston? Belicheat and Brady would never tolerate it. IMO, it shows the difference between a pretender and a champion ... the Steelers are going to have to turn things around in this regard if they're going to have a decent shot at another Lombardi anytime soon.

I agree with almost everything you said. The difference tho is Tomlin isn't Billicheat and Ben isn't Brady.

Ben can bitch all he wants to the press and give little side digs in interviews but it's HIS team. Ben got away with a lot because we had Hines, Farrior and Bettis in the locker room. Hell, Ben could also lead because he was playing lights out football at that time but now is when Ben needs to make his presence known in the locker room if he is serious about getting another ring.

AB is all talent and hard work but he isn't a leader. Bell isn't a leader for obvious reasons. Those guys are all lead by example ON the field but since Ben is doing all the hollow threats maybe he needs to step up and call guys out directly. If he has then kudos. But Ben can't be in Brady's league if he doesn't want to be the bad guy and put players in their place.

The same people who applaud Ben for not bitching out players in the sideline also applaud Brady for doing it. Which guy do we want in Pittsburgh? Just sayin

IMO Ben and Tomlin aren't built like those 2 *******s and I'm OK with it. I want us to win our way not the Patriots way because that way also involves winning at all cost which means cheating is an option.

I'm actually sick of all this "I bet the patriots wouldn't do this" crap.

F*ck those guys. F*ck that team.

[Real Deal Steel]

I'm actually sick of all this "I bet the patriots wouldn't do this" crap.

F*ck those guys. F*ck that team.

I understand your sentiment. But...there are some things that the Patriots do that ALL championship teams have but right now, we don't have. And that is player professionalism and disipline. We DO need to copy that from them. And Tomlin DOES NEED to copy that from Bellichek.

AB would not be doing video in the locker room under Bellichek. That is a sign that Tomlin has lack of control of his team. And looking at the video, a lot of guys were tuning him out in the video!

Tomlin has 5 months to right the ship; I expect him to do so. If we see this team doing mass tank jobs like it did against the Eagles and Dolphins (before Ben's injury) then you'll get an early sign that we won't be winning anything again in the post season.

[Mr.wizard]

I don't think it's that absurd. He's already set for life. yeah, another 36 million is great but how much is it worth to keep taking the punishment he takes and not have a chance to win another ring because of inept coaching on and off the field? People want to be able to walk and enjoy life AFTER football now. Players are more conscience of that then ever before. To keep taking hits, risking your long term health when your set for life already with no realistic chance to win anything because of a coach who is undisciplined off the field in handling players; and stupid on the field with suicidal game plans against great opposition?

I don't think it's such a reach that if things don't change this coming season, Ben doesn't come back for the 2018 start of the season.

It is completely absurd, you keep trying to create this narrative that the team is in shambles and the coaching staff is inept, but nothing could be further from the truth. We where one play away from the AFC championship game 2 years ago and we where in the AFC championship game last season. Also this BS that this coaching staff's game planning has been making Ben take a lot of punishment is simply false, Ben's protection has only improved under this coaching staff.