Interesting Article on Big Ben

[SteelAbility]

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In the span of four possessions, Ben Roethlisberger(notes) combined a lesson of how to make his career survive long term with a painful reminder of why some people worry that he won’t last.

With 8:35 remaining in regulation on Sunday at Kansas City, Roethlisberger hit running back Rashard Mendenhall(notes) with an 8-yard touchdown pass to take a seven-point lead. It was a beautiful, tight throw into the teeth of the Chiefs defense. It was Mendenhall’s first career scoring reception and one of a career-high four passes he caught on the day.

Those facts are significant because the overall success of Roethlisberger, and the Pittsburgh offense, is greatly impacted by plays like that one.

While Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning(notes) has thrown eight touchdown passes to current running backs Joseph Addai(notes) and former Colt Dominic Rhodes(notes) during the past two seasons, Roethlisberger only has four to his three tailbacks (Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore(notes) and Willie Parking) in the same period. Ultimately, Roethlisberger would be wise to make more use of his running backs, who have combined to catch only 81 passes since the beginning of 2008 (the Colts trio has 115).

That’s because what happened about 11 minutes later in the Chiefs-Steelers game is an indictor of how things can go bad for Pittsburgh and Roethlisberger. It’s a big reason why Roethlisberger may never win a Most Valuable Player award he was in line for until two games ago. Most important, it’s a big reason why he might not have a long career.

Less than three minutes into overtime, Roethlisberger was sacked and knocked out of the game with a mild concussion. He didn’t return, the Steelers failed to score and Kansas City went on to win 27-24.

As Roethlisberger is wont to do, his sack came after he scrambled trying to extend the play and find a receiver downfield. This is the prototypical Roethlisberger play, which is a big reason why he is one of the best downfield throwers in the game.

However, the lesson Roethlisberger needs to learn is that throwing short isn’t always a bad idea. Moreover, sometimes there are just as many yards to get throwing underneath to a running back as there are throwing downfield to a wide receiver.

Really, truly.

For instance, when Roethlisberger had a season-worst 51.5 quarterback rating during a Week 10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, he missed at least four throws underneath to running backs. He was clearly forcing throws down the field, ultimately costing the Steelers a chance to move the ball more effectively.

“The Steelers are really unique in what they do because they are so vertical with their attack,” former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz said this week. “[Roethlisberger] works so hard to create time, even if it means taking a hit, to get something going downfield.”

Again, that’s noble in some ways and, in another way, unwise to the point of counterproductive.

Mostly, Roethlisberger’s insistence on throwing deep has made him easy to read. Not easy to stop, mind you, but easier to game plan against.

“You can’t dispute the guy’s toughness,” a top team executive said of Roethlisberger this week. “I never thought he’d be a great passer, but he really is. He’s different, now. He wants to challenge you all the time. He’s looking for a big play. Not every time, but a lot. In the Cincinnati game, he wasn’t smart about it and forced too much action.”

As one NFL coach put it: “Punt the ball, go play defense, get the ball back, score the next time you get it. Not every play has to be a touchdown.”

Or, to put it in another perspective, some touchdowns can be thrown to people other than wide receivers. Roethlisberger can open the field with throws to running backs, forcing the defense to have to play inside out.

That was a favorite tactic of one of Roethlisberger’s heroes growing up, Dan Marino. Marino loved the idea of throwing to tight ends in the middle of the field. He loved throwing to running backs breaking downfield. He understood that those throws kept the defense honest.

And, ultimately, off of him.



I think I agree to great extent, especially with Moore's pass-catching ability.

[Oviedo]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

Can't say I disagree at all. I've said for years that Ben forcing deep throws is the weakest part of his game. Until he fixes that and takes what defenses give him he will have a couple bad games on a recurring basis.

[grotonsteel]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

How many deep passes does Big Ben throw in each game???

Running Backs are not their to catch the ball . WR are suppose to catch the pass thrown by QB.We don't want Steelers offense to turn into Chicago bears offense where Matt Forte was their leading WR last year.

[Wolfhound45]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

Thanks for the post SteelAbility. It is a good read and provides an interesting perspective on some of our offensive woes as of late. I especially love this quote.

As one NFL coach put it: “Punt the ball, go play defense, get the ball back, score the next time you get it. Not every play has to be a touchdown.”

You do not "win the game" on every play.

In regards to this comment from grotonsteel;

We don't want Steelers offense to turn into Chicago bears offense where Matt Forte was their leading WR last year.

I agree and I disagree.

Every eligible receiver on the field is a threat if the quarterback makes them a threat. The problem is, opposing defenses are abandoning the short, inside/outside game because they know that the "gunslinger" in Ben loves (loves) to go deep. They are focusing on containment and deep pass defense. Result? A breakdown in pass protection and a sack of Ben.

I agree with you that I do not want to make the running backs the focus of the passing offense. But you have to keep a defense honest and take what they give you. Unfortunately, that is (in my opinion) a weakness to Ben's game.

[Starlifter]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

if rashard inspires confidence in ben, he will get the ball more. Ben has been focused on getting the ball downfield because for the last 4 years he's had the running back formerly known as FWP in the backfield. Willie has many skills. catching a simple pass out of the backfield has never really been one of them.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

How many deep passes does Big Ben throw in each game???

Running Backs are not their to catch the ball . WR are suppose to catch the pass thrown by QB.We don't want Steelers offense to turn into Chicago bears offense where Matt Forte was their leading WR last year.

FAIL

[NorthCoast]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

I don't agree that Ben is one of the 'best downfield throwers' in the game. We have seen he is not all that accurate on the long ball. His best throws are the intermediate routes. I was really encouraged in the KC game when Ben seemed to be taking the checkdowns. Defenses do seemed to have adjusted to his game so now it is on Ben to make some changes in his decisionmaking. Hope he is not too stubborn to realize it.

[SteelAbility]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

Every eligible receiver on the field is a threat if the quarterback makes them a threat. The problem is, opposing defenses are abandoning the short, inside/outside game because they know that the "gunslinger" in Ben loves (loves) to go deep. They are focusing on containment and deep pass defense. Result? A breakdown in pass protection and a sack of Ben.

I agree with you that I do not want to make the running backs the focus of the passing offense. But you have to keep a defense honest and take what they give you. Unfortunately, that is (in my opinion) a weakness to Ben's game.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Show more dimensions on offense and you make the D's job harder and your job easier.

[NWNewell]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

The guy is a moron.

Ben wasn't sacked scrambling to find a guy down field. He was tackled past the line og scrimage trying to run for the first when no one was opened.

When would he like Ben to pass to the RB? When it's first and goal from the 4 and we go four wide empty set like we did against Cincy? Or pass to Willie who is a very poor receiving back. Or wen we go single back and keep him in to block?

I agree with the idea and with Mendenhall emerging as a good alround back with good hands, I hope we do see that more. But it's not like that option has been there often in the past.

[grotonsteel]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

How many deep passes does Big Ben throw in each game???

Running Backs are not their to catch the ball . WR are suppose to catch the pass thrown by QB.We don't want Steelers offense to turn into Chicago bears offense where Matt Forte was their leading WR last year.

FAIL

You want Big Ben to turn into Trent Edwards..Mr Checkdown????

[grotonsteel]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

Every eligible receiver on the field is a threat if the quarterback makes them a threat. The problem is, opposing defenses are abandoning the short, inside/outside game because they know that the "gunslinger" in Ben loves (loves) to go deep. They are focusing on containment and deep pass defense. Result? A breakdown in pass protection and a sack of Ben.

I agree with you that I do not want to make the running backs the focus of the passing offense. But you have to keep a defense honest and take what they give you. Unfortunately, that is (in my opinion) a weakness to Ben's game.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Show more dimensions on offense and you make the D's job harder and your job easier.

35% of Big Ben completion are to Miller/Mendy/Moore.

What more dimension you need? If your QB is throwing only to RBs then either your O-line blows or your WRs are not getting open.

Super Bowls are not won by throwing bubble screens or 2-3 yards passes.

Again i want to ask people how many deep passes does Big Ben throws per game???

That article is complete crap.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

The guy is a moron.

Ben wasn't sacked scrambling to find a guy down field. He was tackled past the line og scrimage trying to run for the first when no one was opened.

When would he like Ben to pass to the RB? When it's first and goal from the 4 and we go four wide empty set like we did against Cincy? Or pass to Willie who is a very poor receiving back. Or wen we go single back and keep him in to block?

I agree with the idea and with Mendenhall emerging as a good alround back with good hands, I hope we do see that more. But it's not like that option has been there often in the past.

It is true that in the Bettis & Parker years, it was not wise to throw to the RB too much, because that did not fit their style or abilities. But now that we are in the Mendenhall & Moore era, it opens up a new threat for the defense to worry about. It wouldn't be the first time we utilized such a resource. Back in the late 80's and early 90's, we used Merril Hoge and John L. Williams as targets out of the backfield quite often.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

How many deep passes does Big Ben throw in each game???

Running Backs are not their to catch the ball . WR are suppose to catch the pass thrown by QB.We don't want Steelers offense to turn into Chicago bears offense where Matt Forte was their leading WR last year.

FAIL

That theory cost us the 2nd Bengals game. Teams can take away the vertical game. It then becomes the responsibilty of the coaches & QB to recognize this and make the adjustments in play calling, route running, and reads in progression. Take what they want to give you. If you try to force feed your offensive scheme in a defense that is taking away the deep 3rds of the field...You get the Bengals game. If Arains would have made the adjustment in that game it would have had a different outcome. We see now Mendenhall has good hands. In the Bengals game...Miller, Moore, & Mendenhall should have had 3-5 catches a piece. It was there...The playcalling wasn't.

I give credit to Arians, although a game too late, seeing that in the films and incorporating some type of check downs in the Chiefs game. It needs to be in the playbook and practiced every week. Some teams are going to come out and stack the box. That is when we go vertical. Like the Bengals game, some teams say you will have to dink & dunk all day but we are not giving up the big play in the passing game. Someone wanted to prove a point that game and came out the loser.

Balance is key. They Steelers have a really talented WR group and a QB to go with. Balance is key in the playcalling. The pass first to set up the run theory is in full swing now with the Steelers and defenses know that. So when they adjust to the pass..."McFly"<Arians>...You got what you want...As long as you take advantage of it. And remember...A dump or swing out of a passing formation is the same as a run. It shallows the LBs drops and creates that productive area in front of the Ss. That is where Ben makes his money when Wallace takes the top off the coverage. If the Steelers don't show they will attack underneath with RBs & TEs...The LBs will have deeper drops and be set up right in front of our crossing WRs. Arains did a good job against the Chiefs to attack that. If he continues to build on that the offense will become potent against any defense game plan. The offense will have the ability to adjust and then it becomes a guessing game. That is all you want. No tendencies..."cough" "cough"...Arians!

[ikestops85]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

How many deep passes does Big Ben throw in each game???

Running Backs are not their to catch the ball . WR are suppose to catch the pass thrown by QB.We don't want Steelers offense to turn into Chicago bears offense where Matt Forte was their leading WR last year.

FAIL

You want Big Ben to turn into Trent Edwards..Mr Checkdown????

I don't think that is what he is saying. There is an art to the checkdown pass. Some QBs intuitively know when to dump it off and let the RB try and make a play. That is not Ben's strength. He doesn't ever want to give up on a play and that is part of why he is a winner.

In the last game I was screaming for him to run and instead he goes to the line of scrimmage and hits Heath on the run for a TD. Ben is Ben. He will always be more like Farve than Montana. He will never be perfect.

The guy is exciting ... he is a Steeler ... I love the fact that he is a Steeler.

[Steeler Mafia]

Re: Interesting Article on Big Ben

How many deep passes does Big Ben throw in each game???

Running Backs are not their to catch the ball . WR are suppose to catch the pass thrown by QB.We don't want Steelers offense to turn into Chicago bears offense where Matt Forte was their leading WR last year.

FAIL

You want Big Ben to turn into Trent Edwards..Mr Checkdown????

That is not a fair assessment. The point is by throwing to the RB and TE, you can keep the chains moving, keeping the D honest, and open up the opportunities to stretch the field. What Ben seems to do is force the ball down field to force the action and get the big play. Take what the defense gives you and then expose them once they make a mistake. This not only keeps the D on thier toes, but hopefully exhausts them during the course of the game.

I honestly believe that we don't utilize the passes to the TE or RB enough. Much like the article above stated, Marino made his career by doing this. Anyone here going to question how great Marino was? If so, you really do not know football.