I just spent some time reading an article in the Post Gazette on this subject and viewed most of the comments.
Overall I would say there was a majority of negative banter in regard to extending Ben.
Anything from move on to Dobbs or Rudolph to letting him play the year and franchise tagging him the next year if it goes well.
With all the new rules in the NFL that protect QBs and WRs I think players may extend their careers and still play at a high level.
Guys like Brady and Brees get the ball out quick and live to play another down. Ben is a big bodied QB who used to hang onto the ball, shed tackles and extend plays. He was successful at times but took quite a beating over the years. Today he is surrounded by an OL and RBs who pass protect pretty well and his sack numbers are way down. He still needs to learn to throw it away once in a while instead of forcing things that aren't there. Overall I would place him in the top 6 or 7 QBs in the league. I could not believe some of the comments about moving on to Dobbs as a viable option. There are teams that struggle for years to find a QB that gives them a legitimate chance to win each and every week of the season. Ben provides drama at times. Overall I would rather bet on a guy who played WR in high school until getting the chance at QB in his senior year, played point guard in basketball, shortstop in baseball and is a pretty good golfer to boot. ( Captain of all 3 of those sporting teams as well.)
The point I am trying to make is that it is hard to find someone who has the competitive drive and skill set to perform mentally and physically at a high level for an extended period of time.
If you think the team is capable of competing then why wouldn't you structure a deal for the next 3 to 4 years that will allow him to retire a Steeler and provide options for the team after 2 years should it not go favorably.
Thoughts?
Overall I would say there was a majority of negative banter in regard to extending Ben.
Anything from move on to Dobbs or Rudolph to letting him play the year and franchise tagging him the next year if it goes well.
With all the new rules in the NFL that protect QBs and WRs I think players may extend their careers and still play at a high level.
Guys like Brady and Brees get the ball out quick and live to play another down. Ben is a big bodied QB who used to hang onto the ball, shed tackles and extend plays. He was successful at times but took quite a beating over the years. Today he is surrounded by an OL and RBs who pass protect pretty well and his sack numbers are way down. He still needs to learn to throw it away once in a while instead of forcing things that aren't there. Overall I would place him in the top 6 or 7 QBs in the league. I could not believe some of the comments about moving on to Dobbs as a viable option. There are teams that struggle for years to find a QB that gives them a legitimate chance to win each and every week of the season. Ben provides drama at times. Overall I would rather bet on a guy who played WR in high school until getting the chance at QB in his senior year, played point guard in basketball, shortstop in baseball and is a pretty good golfer to boot. ( Captain of all 3 of those sporting teams as well.)
The point I am trying to make is that it is hard to find someone who has the competitive drive and skill set to perform mentally and physically at a high level for an extended period of time.
If you think the team is capable of competing then why wouldn't you structure a deal for the next 3 to 4 years that will allow him to retire a Steeler and provide options for the team after 2 years should it not go favorably.
Thoughts?
