MJD's Point: It's Not Over for the Steelers

I know that football's a team game and everything, but sometimes one guy can lose a game for you, and Sunday night against the Chargers, Ben Roethlisberger tried his hardest. His poor play killed drives, killed momentum, and killed the Steelers chances. Most other areas of the team were pretty solid. It was the big, goofy, goateed mess under center that cost them.

Roethlisberger's been saying that the Steelers aren't as far away as they might appear to be, and while I generally make it a policy to believe very little that comes out of Ben Roethlisberger's mouth, I think he's right about that.

And he should know, because It's him that's off. He's not getting out of the pocket and making the plays he used to, he's throws aren't as sharp as they used to be, he's not in the same physical condition he was in last year, and he's made some terrible decisions with the football.

If the Steelers had beaten the Chargers, they'd be sitting at 2-2, no one would be worried about them, and we wouldn't be having this conversation. And they really weren't that far away from making it a very close game against the Chargers. They ran the ball pretty well, and their defense held pretty strong for a good portion of the game. Admittedly, Dick LeBeau is still trying to find a way to stop Phil Rivers, but Ben Roethlisberger put the defense in some bad spots to begin with.

To me, it all comes back to Roethlisberger. Willie Parker can still run the ball. Ike Taylor's still a great cover guy. Joey Porter still probably lacks basic reading comprehension skills, but is still effectively using his insanity to make plays defensively. The one guy who isn't performing at the level he did last year is Large Benjamin.

The Steelers schedule is about to lighten upconsiderably, and if sometime over the next two weeks, Roethlisberger can get back to where he was, the Steelers still have plenty of time to make a run at ten wins and get themselves into the playoff conversation.

See MDS's Counterpoint: Sorry, Steelers, You're Not Making the Playoffs

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-12-2006 @ 11:20AM

David said...

MJD, the Steelers are a mess right now. It's not just Big Ben and his health. The D is just not up to Pittsburgh's norm. Joey Porter has been all but shutout of most games. Troy has been effective at times but seems like he's been playing with that lingering shouldering injury too much, and that's tough on a safety who plays in the box as much as he does.

10-12-2006 @ 1:44PM

mai wen said...

I agree with David, this is a horrible short sighted post. What about the O-Line and their horrible pass protection? And how about how our Defense will rock the first half then die and act like a completely different D the second half? Our D allowed far too many 3rd down conversions that second half of the game to blame this all on Ben. What about our horrible special teams production? I can tell you our horrible field positions (and muffed punt the game before!!) have not helped us at all. Our young recieving core and injured veteran reciever have definitely lowered Ben's passing opportunities. Did you watch the Jaguars game? Did you SEE how many dropped passes there were????

Dumping all the blame on Ben is not going to help the team at all as there is a Lot to be worked on and enough blame to spread around.

10-12-2006 @ 3:39PM

julie said...

I think a little blame lies in a lot of different areas. For example...when we start moving the ball last game...why call a flee flicker. why not keep call short pssing plays and runs. something ben was doing ok with in the game. enough to move the chains. on the other hand...ben did not have to throw the ball into triple coverage on that same play. The oline needs to step up and give him a little more time....so he can atleast try to get out of the pocket. our offense turned the ball over so quickley the defense never got a break at all in the second half. i mean look at the time of possesion...when your are panting like a dog....it is hard to play good defense.

i however still remain faithful that we can turn this thing around.....

10-13-2006 @ 12:49PM

Sharon said...

Big Ben should not shoulder all of the blame, but he was not ready... no if, and, or buts about it. However, our O line is acting like they just had major surgery and it is sad, because we are the defending champs. When defenses are discussed we are not even in the conversation.. its Da Bears, and the Ravens (usually always) and some others that have redefined themselves. Our curtain has been looking a little more like sheers than steel and its time for us to buck up and play like we deserved the title last yr, and that is our to keep this yr. Right now there are a lot of doubters out there from friends and foes alike, but I will stand strong with my team, but I am disappointed and feel a little embarrased for us. Miami was a win, but from there it was all down hill.... J'ville dogged us big time, the Bengals played us hard like they always do and we should have won that game, we didn't look bad but it was the inconsistencies that burned us in the end. Same thing with the Chargers game, we should have won, but those d*** inconsistencies prevailed and we got the L. Our schedule does not lighten up.... If we were 4 and O than yeah it would seem lightened, but we are 1-3 and we play KC, Atlanta, the Raiders (easy W) and Denver. Three of the four have been playing better than us, and they will be gunning for us because our target is a lot easier to hit these days. Our Superbowl MVP has been shut down and shut out and yes he is nursing a hamstring injury but he is rarely open to test it out and do his thing. Cedrick Wilson, Washington, Heath and Willie have been our light at the end of the tunnel, but still we have to get it together or that light will be a train. Time to step it Steelers, we don't want our terrible towels to be turned into Hankies. Here we go Steelers Here we Go!!!

10-13-2006 @ 1:15PM

BeatleJEB said...

I just want to say that Ben Roethlisberger is great! He's been through a lot and he'll bounce back. He may struggle throughout the rest of this season, but look out next year. He'll definitely be back and be better than ever! GO STEELERS!!!!!!

10-13-2006 @ 6:53PM

Tony said...

Ben's taking the heat, but it sure would be nice to have an offensive line that could produce. It all starts up front. I don't think Parker is the guy-he's too small and doesn't fit into Steeler football.
The defense and special teams have done an acceptable job.

10-14-2006 @ 12:25AM

Ron James said...

I don't feel bad for Big Ben. I live in Seattle and if they had not given that touch down to that whimp the Seahawks would be the true champs. The Seahawks played harder and have a TRUE QUARTERBACK. It's just the beginning of the down fall of the STEALERS...and I know how to spell Steelers

10-14-2006 @ 12:23AM

Poor STEALERS (Steelers) stole the Super Bowl from the Seahawks. Someone said that the Stealer's schedule will lighten up considerably. Well, that's how they got to the Super Bowl by playing less fortunate teams. NOW THE TRUTH COMES OUT ABOUT WHAT KIND OF QUARTER BACK "Little Ben" is.

10-14-2006 @ 12:24AM

10-14-2006 @ 11:56AM

Jim Fancheski said...

Whaaaaaa, look at all the crying Seahag fans! Care for some cheese with that whine?

Perhaps you should have supported your team a litte better in the Super Bowl. Sending 3 fans won't cut it!

10-17-2006 @ 8:06AM

Happy Dave said...

Dear(mor)Ron.The touchdown was good, our quarterback is great,our team beat yours.Worry about the Bears this year, not last years SuperBowl.T.F.B. Your team lost, GOT IT!!Nobody gave the game to Pittsburgh. The Bears are gonna feast on Seahawks this year you can cry about that this year.No SuperBowl for you!!!Gawd, you people got to get over it,I can't believe you guys are still bawling about that.Your pathetic...Go to Starbucks an cry in your overpriced coffee.