Ben is not the main problem!

[NJ-STEELER]

M. Hoge says that 1 in every 3 plays someone on the OL is missing an assignment. Says Canada apparently didn't think the floor performance would get this low, especially on running downs. Says the line is marginally better than Jags and Jets. Roethlisberger is not trusting his line at this point. He's been fine in practice according to Prisuta.

that's the 2nd beat writer who has said the same. lolley being the other

[Northern_Blitz]

that's the 2nd beat writer who has said the same. lolley being the other

Didn't Ben say he throws bad balls in practice on purpose?

Maybe he should stop doing that with his limited reps.

On a serious note, in the preseason I think there was a report that they would just play on after the QB was sacked (tagged) in practice because otherwise they weren't really getting passes off. That is something that seems to have carried over to the reg season.

Lots of blame to go around on this team. Particularly on offense.

[Northern_Blitz]

Canada's answer to the 4th abd 10 question?

Basically: "We had guys in the end zone. It didn't work. Plays that don't work are bad plays."

We should be able to look at the tape to see if the play is as Ben described: guys out in front blocking for Harris, or Canada: guys in the end zone.

Either way Tomlin could be right that the play call wasn't good. And that we don't seem to have a lot of good ideas that work.

[NorthCoast]

Canada's answer to the 4th abd 10 question?

Basically: "We had guys in the end zone. It didn't work. Plays that don't work are bad plays."

We should be able to look at the tape to see if the play is as Ben described: guys out in front blocking for Harris, or Canada: guys in the end zone.

Either way Tomlin could be right that the play call wasn't good. And that we don't seem to have a lot of good ideas that work.

I'll answer this; there was no one blocking for Harris. Every receiver was running a route. It would have been a tight throw but if he held the ball a half tick longer McCloud looks like he might split the DBs in the slot.

[Northern_Blitz]

I'll answer this; there was no one blocking for Harris. Every receiver was running a route. It would have been a tight throw but if he held the ball a half tick longer McCloud looks like he might split the DBs in the slot.

If I count correctly, all 22 players are in that frame, so there's no S lurking in the end zone.

None of the WRs are in the end zone yet. But I think most could get there (or at least the 1 for the 1st?) for a jump ball...except who I assume is PF.

Possible that the top 2 good guys could have been there for a block. But this still probably gets blown up by 59 even if those guys get taken out of the play. And there's a lot of time for guys to come over and help on D in the 15 - 18 yards Harris has to go for the TD.

So if the Press Conferences can be believed (I don't generally think they can), Ben and Canada don't seem to be seeing eye to eye on this one.

[feltdizz]

I'll answer this; there was no one blocking for Harris. Every receiver was running a route. It would have been a tight throw but if he held the ball a half tick longer McCloud looks like he might split the DBs in the slot.

when Ben made that decision he wasn’t under any pressure and had time to look into the end zone.

[Eich]

when Ben made that decision he wasn’t under any pressure and had time to look into the end zone.

In that frame, it also looks like Najee has some room to run but no one got in front of the 5 guys that pursued him.

[NorthCoast]

In that frame, it also looks like Najee has some room to run but no one got in front of the 5 guys that pursued him.

I think that's the damning thing. Guys were running routes not blocking for Harris. I think Roethlisberger panicked on the pre snap look.

[feltdizz]

In that frame, it also looks like Najee has some room to run but no one got in front of the 5 guys that pursued him.

maybe he expected them to block but I think he pulled the trigger too quick.

Also think there is some type of mental block going on with Ben. For some reason he doesn’t seem to have that killer instinct in the red zone right now.

This philosophy of throwing short and letting them run isn’t working. Throw it into the end zone.

Reminds me the Pens when they play with the puck around the goal looking for the extra pass instead of taking shots on goal.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Also think there is some type of mental block going on with Ben.

I started saying this last season when it became obvious that Ben was quick throwing everything, even after the rest of the league figured out how to defend it. He is scared to death behind that OL and is hearing footsteps at every turn. I call it David Carr syndrome.

[feltdizz]

I started saying this last season when it became obvious that Ben was quick throwing everything, even after the rest of the league figured out how to defend it. He is scared to death behind that OL and is hearing footsteps at every turn. I call it David Carr syndrome.

hmm.. Ben played with some awful OL’s before and wasn’t afraid.

I wonder if the Shazier injury or fear of a career ending injury has crept into his mind.

I’ve never seen Ben play like this until last year.

[Mr.wizard]

In that frame, it also looks like Najee has some room to run but no one got in front of the 5 guys that pursued him.

Its because the Bengals showed Ben a man coverage look but dropped into a zone. Had it been Man Najee would of had room but because they dropped into zone everyone stayed home instead of running with the receivers.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

hmm.. Ben played with some awful OL’s before and wasn’t afraid.

I wonder if the Shazier injury or fear of a career ending injury has crept into his mind.

I’ve never seen Ben play like this until last year.

I don't know if it's age, I don't know if it is trying to protect his reconstructed elbow, I don't know if it is shellshock.....but I do believe it is true.

[Northern_Blitz]

I started saying this last season when it became obvious that Ben was quick throwing everything, even after the rest of the league figured out how to defend it. He is scared to death behind that OL and is hearing footsteps at every turn. I call it David Carr syndrome.

Ya...I posted the Holmes play after you posted the tackle.

He threaded that into triple coverage (on 2nd down and goal I think).

It's hard to imagine Ben at that moment in time throwing that 4th and 10 play...even if it was still 2nd down.

I think he could still be OK in the right situation. But I can't see him being successful in this offense that requires him to do too much, usually with almost no time to make decisions.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I think he could still be OK in the right situation. But I can't see him being successful in this offense that requires him to do too much, usually with almost no time to make decisions.

And that is the problem right now. With the line playing like it is, we can't even evaluate Ben, Najee, the receivers abilities to get open and catch the ball. Until we get at least average (or even maybe slightly below average) line play, we don't know what we have with our skill players or our new OC.