He has given up

[pfelix73]

not throwing past the sticks on 4th down is BS.

That's Canada's fault. Not Bens

80% of this mess is on Canada. The other 20 is on everyone else. Lets look at some of these series. About the 3rd or 4th series they had, I can remember them gettting a good run from Najee, then pass, pass, punt. Why can't Canada call more than 1 run play in a row in a series? He's an idiot and needs to go back to college. Of course, thats my opinion, just like all of you saying Ben is done. Opinion!

[feltdizz]

Their success rate on runs has hovered around 1 in 4. One good run per set of downs. They really struggle to put two good runs together. Usually someone on the OL screws it up with a missed assignment or penalty. I feel bad for Harris. He looks like he is playing with every ounce he can muster but the rest of the offense is such a cluster.

If we miss on a few passes we don’t stop throwing.

Henry had 33 rushing attempts last game.

KC had over 30 rushing attempts yesterday

AZ had 37 rushing attempts

I’m sure all of these attempts aren’t successful but you won’t get better running the ball by passing more and running less.

Najee should have a minimum of 20 attempts a game.

[feltdizz]

That's Canada's fault. Not Bens

80% of this mess is on Canada. The other 20 is on everyone else. Lets look at some of these series. About the 3rd or 4th series they had, I can remember them gettting a good run from Najee, then pass, pass, punt. Why can't Canada call more than 1 run play in a row in a series? He's an idiot and needs to go back to college. Of course, thats my opinion, just like all of you saying Ben is done. Opinion!

This could be true.. could also be a few audibles at the LOS.

I have no problem giving Canada some blame in all of this.

I don’t think its 80%.. more like 50/50. I know some fans don’t want to blame Ben but we are watching Ben throw the ball with no success on 4th down.

I could see if Najee was the only
one running a route but there are other options past the sticks and Ben isn’t even entertaining them on these 4th down plays.

[LPMAN]

I do think that the mandate from the owner was "don't break my QB".

I agree Ben played well under Haley.

But we've been trying to be a very safe offense since Haley left.

You have to wonder if some of that rubbed off on Rudolph too...who looked like he was told something like "whatever you do, don't turn it over".

I wonder if the debacle at home vs. Cleveland also hurt Ben's confidence. Especially having to stew in it all off season.

I don't think there was a mandate but i think there was a strong message.

[Moonie]

Ben is just trying to make it through the season, he clearly has lost his desire to make plays when we need them.

and Tomlin can go too if he lets Ben continue to play like this.

yes, I’m still mad at these 4th down check downs.

He's not playing well, but the guy is a competitor. I doubt "giving up" is something Roethlisberger even knows how to do.

[NJ-STEELER]

Ben's attitude towards the game changed the minute they forced Haley on him & fired his friend Arians.

BEFORE it was win at all costs hold the ball & look for THE play.
AFTER it was ok i'll check it down throw faster to prolong my career.

hard to argue against that.

I think he’s also older and doesn’t want to take those shots now.
I wouldn’t call that quitting. There’s Qbs out there who do that as soon as they step on an NFL field.

[BURGH86STEEL]

I don't think Ben gave up. He just doesn't have it anymore from a consistency standpoint.

He also made some, "life after football" decisions on the field. The days of Ben willingly taking punishment are over. Simply because he is an older and wiser man and has a family.

Once the season is officially over the Steelers should make the decision to sit Ben and see what they have in the QBs that are on the roster. It might not happen because of respect the organization has for Ben.

[Northern_Blitz]

If we miss on a few passes we don’t stop throwing.

Henry had 33 rushing attempts last game.

KC had over 30 rushing attempts yesterday

AZ had 37 rushing attempts

I’m sure all of these attempts aren’t successful but you won’t get better running the ball by passing more and running less.

Najee should have a minimum of 20 attempts a game.

A good run success rate is ~ 50%

I think we were something like 35% for the season before last game.

We had a 15% success rate against the Bengals.

Running more was not the answer (especially against Cincy).

It did look better in Lambeau though. Start to see why Harris might be a very good back (if we don't get him killed).

[Northern_Blitz]

I don't think there was a mandate but i think there was a strong message.

Sure. I'd imagine that Rooney doesn't give straight up ultimatums. I think the family prefers to mostly let the football people make football decisions.

My guess is it was something like when we drafted Ben.

Maybe something like this.

Cowher: "I think we should take the Tackle. He's the best player on the board."

Rooney: "I'm not sure. We could take a tackle...but I like the QB. I remember when we passed on Dan Marino. That's a regret I'll take with me to my grave. What do you think Bill, should we take the OT or the QB?"

[Northern_Blitz]

He's not playing well, but the guy is a competitor. I doubt "giving up" is something Roethlisberger even knows how to do.

I think this is the message I've heard from everyone about Ben re: competition for anything.

Moats says he's a massive competitor in everything. Hates to lose.

I know it's old, but the video of him playing HORSE with Shaq also shows that he's pretty competitive IMO. I think Shaq was being more playful, it's just a game kind of thing. Ben was there to win.

So he's reported as being ultra competitive among pro-athletes...who are already a subset of the population where you have to be an elite competitor to survive the process of getting to the pros.

My guess is that you can't turn that off.

[feltdizz]

I don't think Ben gave up. He just doesn't have it anymore from a consistency standpoint.

He also made some, "life after football" decisions on the field. The days of Ben willingly taking punishment are over. Simply because he is an older and wiser man and has a family.

Once the season is officially over the Steelers should make the decision to sit Ben and see what they have in the QBs that are on the roster. It might not happen because of respect the organization has for Ben.

see.. the “life after football” decisions are nice ways of describing a player who
is no longer willing to do what made him special.

At that point what are we doing as an offense? What exactly does he bring to the table in 2021 if he is making life decisions?

[feltdizz]

I think this is the message I've heard from everyone about Ben re: competition for anything.

Moats says he's a massive competitor in everything. Hates to lose.

I know it's old, but the video of him playing HORSE with Shaq also shows that he's pretty competitive IMO. I think Shaq was being more playful, it's just a game kind of thing. Ben was there to win.

So he's reported as being ultra competitive among pro-athletes...who are already a subset of the population where you have to be an elite competitor to survive the process of getting to the pros.

My guess is that you can't turn that off.

You body and brain can turn it off.

Jordan is a massive competitor but once he came back and tried to play for the Wizards.. it was over.

I just can’t see how Jordan needs a 3 to tie the game and he just dribbles out the clock and them tries to make a layup.

I’m sorry but I’m not seeing a competitor in crunch time. I’m seeing a guy who is ready to hit the showers on these 4th down plays.

[feltdizz]

A good run success rate is ~ 50%

I think we were something like 35% for the season before last game.

We had a 15% success rate against the Bengals.

Running more was not the answer (especially against Cincy).

It did look better in Lambeau though. Start to see why Harris might be a very good back (if we don't get him killed).

and how many pass attempts did we have vs Cincinnati?

If 1/4th of those pass attempts
were rushing plays who knows if the success rate improves or not. I know we
got called for holds which was frustrating but this OL will not get better at run blocking with 14 to 15 attempts per game.

[NJ-STEELER]

You body and brain can turn it off.

Jordan is a massive competitor but once he came back and tried to play for the Wizards.. it was over.

I just can’t see how Jordan needs a 3 to tie the game and he just dribbles out the clock and them tries to make a layup.

I’m sorry but I’m not seeing a competitor in crunch time. I’m seeing a guy who is ready to hit the showers on these 4th down plays.

your analogy is off.

Have Rick Mahorn charging at MJ like a bull without the threat of calling a foul as he’s getting ready to shoot a 3 and then the scenario gets a bit more even

[Steelerphile]

I don't think Ben gave up. He just doesn't have it anymore from a consistency standpoint.

He also made some, "life after football" decisions on the field. The days of Ben willingly taking punishment are over. Simply because he is an older and wiser man and has a family.

Once the season is officially over the Steelers should make the decision to sit Ben and see what they have in the QBs that are on the roster. It might not happen because of respect the organization has for Ben.

I guess this is how it is going to go. And most people seem OK with that. Let Ben go out and play and have a good time, Even though he is playing poorly, we kind of owe it to him to let the season go down the drain, before we pull the plug on his season. I am personally not OK with that. I want them to try to win and not worry about Ben's emotions. He's had a great career and made a stack of money that won't dry up. Endings are never easy. but they should make a change before all is lost, IMO.