Ben not commiting to 2017

[Coryea]

Hopefully the Rooney's realize that any chance we have at winning another SB in the near term is with Ben leading the team. And, that means Bell, if signed to come back, is not the feature guy. Ben is still the No.1 guy on the team and offense should go as he goes. It was obvious the O was not ready for Ben to take back control when Bell went down against the Cheats. Give the O back to Ben and let the passing game lead the team like it did early in the season when they were lighting things up.

This is spot on. The passing game should set up the running game.
The passing game gave us the lead late vs Dallas only to see the defense not be able to hold them off for 42 seconds. Both Baltimore games, we didn't do crap until we opened the offense up with the passing game.
When has Bell ever taken over a game without Ben? Seen Ben win plenty of games without Bell.

It'd pretty simple, if you had to play a game with just one, everyone takes Ben over Bell.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

This is spot on. The passing game should set up the running game.
The passing game gave us the lead late vs Dallas only to see the defense not be able to hold them off for 42 seconds. Both Baltimore games, we didn't do crap until we opened the offense up with the passing game.
When has Bell ever taken over a game without Ben? Seen Ben win plenty of games without Bell.

It'd pretty simple, if you had to play a game with just one, everyone takes Ben over Bell.

Not hard to find at all, actually.


In the Kansas City game:
Ben: 0 TD, 1 INT, 72.5% Rating
Leveon Bell: 170 yards


In the Buffalo game:
Ben: 0 TD, 3 INT, 38% Rating
Leveon Bell: 236 yards, 3 TD's

 

[Litos]

Hopefully the Rooney's realize that any chance we have at winning another SB in the near term is with Ben leading the team. And, that means Bell, if signed to come back, is not the feature guy. Ben is still the No.1 guy on the team and offense should go as he goes. It was obvious the O was not ready for Ben to take back control when Bell went down against the Cheats. Give the O back to Ben and let the passing game lead the team like it did early in the season when they were lighting things up.

This is ridiculous. How can you even infer such a claim??

We won 9 straight games with Bell leading the way. Bell was the reason we were in the AFCC. Bell was the reason we overcame that stinker Ben laid in Buffallo. Why would we hand the offense back to Ben now?

Also, hasn't Ben lost every playoff game when he has thrown over 300+ yards?

it's not about Bell Vs. Ben, it's about good coaching and good playcalling.
the coaches have developed players nicely but they are seriously lacking in the play calling and game-planning department,

 

[Coryea]

When Ben is not in the game.

We scored 34 points on the best defense in football last year, and had over 400 yards offense vs Denver, then again over 400 yards at Denver in the playoffs without Bell or Brown, only to lose because touissant fumbled, Ben over 94 rating both games.

Williams led the NFL in rushing until Bell came back.

Bell is great, I'd rather keep him over Brown, but by using the passing game to set up the running game I think that helps keep Bell from taking to many hits.

 

[Coryea]

Bell can't keep getting 35 touches every game, he'll keep getting injured.

 

[Steeler Pride]

When Ben is not in the game.

Should that say Bell?

 

[Coryea]

Should that say Bell?

I meant when has Bell had a great game and helped us win a game when Ben isn't the qb.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

Bell can't keep getting 35 touches every game, he'll keep getting injured.

I 100% agree with you. I just have a hard time believing that we should start spraying the ball all around the field. Especially when you have a stud like Bell.

Maybe when Bryant gets back, and teams cant double AB, then I can maybe see becoming a more pass heavy offense.

 

[Coryea]

I 100% agree with you. I just have a hard time believing that we should start spraying the ball all around the field. Especially when you have a stud like Bell.

Maybe when Bryant gets back, and teams cant double AB, then I can maybe see becoming a more pass heavy offense.

Bell would be included in the passing game, and I'm not saying throw 50 times a game to a handful of runs, but for some reason and I don't know why, as an offense we score more points when we are in that quick tempo offense, rather than the slow FB, extra OL plodding pound it down your throat game.

 

[Lloyds legend]

After giving it a couple days to let my own disappointment subside and rewatching the game, I feel like Ben's disappointment lies with the receiving unit as a whole and players ability to prepare for the game.

He makes a comment about DWill being their best receiver that day and also says "that he hoped guys learned from this experience that just because you make the playoffs doesn't mean you make it to the championship game. Guys play their entire NFL careers on teams that don't make it to that level." Complete speculation on my part but to hear him talk it seemed pretty ******* obvious that at least some members of this team didn't take this opportunity seriously. These comments came from the re-airing of the game on NFL network with player commentary. My personal opinion is that Ben will be back if he believes this team can stay focused. Anything short of giving 100% and being fully vested in the success of the Pittsburgh Steelers is a waste of Ben's time. And honestly who can blame him?

 

[TDX27]

This is ridiculous. How can you even infer such a claim??

We won 9 straight games with Bell leading the way. Bell was the reason we were in the AFCC. Bell was the reason we overcame that stinker Ben laid in Buffallo. Why would we hand the offense back to Ben now?

Also, hasn't Ben lost every playoff game when he has thrown over 300+ yards?

We are not a run first team and haven't been for several years. We were putting up 30+ when Ben was leading with the pass. Wake the **** up. Sure we won 9 straight but we weren't scoring. Ben was never given an opportunity to get into a rhythm like he did early in the year. Sure, we still use Bell. He needs his touches. But, he gets maybe 20 carries a game with 8 plus targets out of the back field. That is what worked the best yet we abandoned it.

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

We are not a run first team and haven't been for several years. We were putting up 30+ when Ben was leading with the pass. Wake the **** up. Sure we won 9 straight but we weren't scoring. Ben was never given an opportunity to get into a rhythm like he did early in the year. Sure, we still use Bell. He needs his touches. But, he gets maybe 20 carries a game with 8 plus targets out of the back field. That is what worked the best yet we abandoned it.

This right here is the logic the kills me. Some of you are sounding like NBA fans who just care about their favorite players stats.

Who cares if we didnt score 30+ points. We ran the ball, controlled the clock. And most importantly- WE WON.

The one thing I would be willing to concede is Coreya's point- I wish we would have used Bell/DWill more in the passing game before we played the Pats.

 

[TDX27]

This right here is the logic the kills me. Some of you are sounding like NBA fans who just care about their favorite players stats.

Who cares if we didnt score 30+ points. We ran the ball, controlled the clock. And most importantly- WE WON.

The one thing I would be willing to concede is Coreya's point- I wish we would have used Bell/DWill more in the passing game before we played the Pats.

It makes a difference when you should always be mixing things up. We should never go run, run, pass but we do it all the time. Mix things up. By the time Ben is needed, he isn't warmed up any more because he throws less than 10 times in the first half. That just doesn't work. You get the great QB's going early and often. What is wrong with putting up points? I thought the team with the most points wins? Did that change? If we put up 30+, we WILL win easily 80%+ of the time and that's conservative. Score early and the other team becomes one dimensional so our D can T-off on them. Makes a whole lot of sense to me.

 

[bermudasteel]

Not this year, the QB crop this year is abysmal at best. Need to look at bringing in a free agent QB.

I keep telling you mitches that AJ McCarron is right up the street - GO GET HIM!!!

Where was Bell in the AFCC, the same place he always is at the end of the year, on the bench with an injury. Usually helpful if your #1 weapon can actually be on the field or it doesn't do you any good.

You do realize that a STRONG RUNNING GAME opens up the PASSING GAME. Granted, Ben was "average" this season, but, let's just wait until Bryant comes back as well as Greene. Losing one game before the Super Bowl causes one to make erratic decisions - we've seen this before...

 

[Steeler Pride]

You do realize that a STRONG RUNNING GAME opens up the PASSING GAME. Granted, Ben was "average" this season, but, let's just wait until Bryant comes back as well as Greene. Losing one game before the Super Bowl causes one to make erratic decisions - we've seen this before...

You do realize that a strong passing game opens up the running game just as much? No erratic decisions, the question remains, if Tomlin knew that Bell was nursing a groin injury why would you game plan around him as your feature back and a run heavy game plan. It seems to me that Haley and Tomlin cannot figure out how to have a balanced offense. We seem to either throw 80% of the time or we run 80% of the time. Sure on the overall stats it appears your are balanced but that is not telling the whole story. If we could ever establish some type of balance it would benefit not only the passing game but also open some bigger holes for some potentially longer runs.

 

[bermudasteel]

You do realize that a strong passing game opens up the running game just as much? No erratic decisions, the question remains, if Tomlin knew that Bell was nursing a groin injury why would you game plan around him as your feature back and a run heavy game plan. It seems to me that Haley and Tomlin cannot figure out how to have a balanced offense. We seem to either throw 80% of the time or we run 80% of the time. Sure on the overall stats it appears your are balanced but that is not telling the whole story. If we could ever establish some type of balance it would benefit not only the passing game but also open some bigger holes for some potentially longer runs.

Potato - Patato...the season's done let's go get a beer...

 

[Steelerfan]

Potato - Patato...the season's done let's go get a beer...

Are you new around here or something? This is the Steelernation board, LOL

 

[Coach]

Poll results:

Brown and Tomlin can be traded, Haley fired. All i need is your word to play X amount of years 8 votes 22.86%

Stand firm, and wish Ben luck on what he decides to do. 9 votes 25.71%

Make no decision, it could be a bluff. Wait for time to pass. 18 votes 51.43%



>>>To the Make no decision, it could be bluff voters, I think we can not wait for long. The draft and free agency is near. What does Ben really want?

 

[topseed]

Come on. Not that I defend Tomlin. But what was he supposed to do in the Blount situation? Didn't the guy quit on his team,walking out during a game. Tomlin would of been **** upon here if he didn't cut him.

Damned if you do,damned if you don't.

How about fining the guy? Suspend him for one game? Still sends a message, but doesn't handcuff the team at a shallow position.

 

[6Lombardis]

You do realize that a strong passing game opens up the running game just as much? No erratic decisions, the question remains, if Tomlin knew that Bell was nursing a groin injury why would you game plan around him as your feature back and a run heavy game plan. It seems to me that Haley and Tomlin cannot figure out how to have a balanced offense. We seem to either throw 80% of the time or we run 80% of the time. Sure on the overall stats it appears your are balanced but that is not telling the whole story. If we could ever establish some type of balance it would benefit not only the passing game but also open some bigger holes for some potentially longer runs.

I agree about the lack of balance. I also feel over reliance on Bell made it hard to turn on that high power offense (like in the Dallas game). Ultimately we won several games with mediocre weapons after bell and brown. Our lack of a true #2 put too much pressure on the three Bs. Certainly we were doomed when Bell went out. It's that simple, with more weapons (think of the drops), we are in that NE game even with our poor defensive effort. Folks, with Bryant (or equivalent) and Greene/equivalent, we win against anyone.

 

[black and gold apex]

You get the feeling Ben may be fed up with Tomlin and attitude of some players.

 

[chipped ham]

You get the feeling Ben may be fed up with Tomlin and attitude of some players.

Well, he shouldn't go casting too many stones considering his past. Only then, no one was threatening to retire. Instead, they had his back. I mean I really hate bringing it up at all, but Ben wasn't exactly perfect either. Instead of pouting about it, stand up and be a leader and correct these guys. Don't jog off the field shaking your head. Say what you want about Brady, but he lets his guys know when they're in the wrong spot, no matter who they are.

 

[Steeler Pride]

Say what you want about Brady, but he lets his guys know when they're in the wrong spot, no matter who they are.

How do you know Ben doesn't do this? Showing someone up on the field is not going to help anything either. Secondly, if he is not getting the support of Tomlin and Co. in holding people accountable it will be pointless. Ever see 2 parents where one is strict and the other is lax...which parent do the kids know to play off of to get what they want? This really isn't any different. IF Ben is trying to hold people accountable and the coaches are not, it would be no wonder that Ben is calling people out in the media.

 

[Steelers17]

Poll results:

Brown and Tomlin can be traded, Haley fired. All i need is your word to play X amount of years 8 votes 22.86%

Stand firm, and wish Ben luck on what he decides to do. 9 votes 25.71%

Make no decision, it could be a bluff. Wait for time to pass. 18 votes 51.43%



>>>To the Make no decision, it could be bluff voters, I think we can not wait for long. The draft and free agency is near. What does Ben really want?

He wants Tom Clements as OC!

 

[chipped ham]

How do you know Ben doesn't do this? Showing someone up on the field is not going to help anything either. Secondly, if he is not getting the support of Tomlin and Co. in holding people accountable it will be pointless. Ever see 2 parents where one is strict and the other is lax...which parent do the kids know to play off of to get what they want? This really isn't any different. IF Ben is trying to hold people accountable and the coaches are not, it would be no wonder that Ben is calling people out in the media.

I guess I really don't know. None of us really do. It's all speculation. However, judging by what we do see on the field, and some things that others have said once they left here (Emmanuel Sanders), I think it's one aspect of Ben's game that is lacking. I'd also like to think that if it has happened, or does happen, we would have seen it at some point. Kinda like how everyone points to Tomlin not yelling on the sideline, or not shown coaching players up, we don't see a whole lot of Ben either getting on his guys or working with them on the sideline. Outside of shaking his head and telling the media the game was too big for them, can you think to one time we seen Ben really get into his receivers or backs for ******* up?

All that being said, I still believe that when the going gets tough, you don't come out and state that you're thinking of leaving the game. Especially not after the **** that you've put the rest of the organization through, where they then gave you the opportunity to make up for it.