Opinions on my hour long twitter debate with John Steigerwald,

[Stryker]

Barnaby, that ****** would just laugh at the guy he was fighting, LOL

I loved Barnaby when he was a Saber. That team was devoid of stars, and Barnaby was racking up points and PIMs that season they were robbed in the finals. One of the most fun non Penguins teams I ever watched. Of course I bought his jersey when he became a Pen!

 

[Stryker]

Ben is 6'5" 250lbs on a skinny year. Dude is bigger than 90% of the 70s era front 7s. He knocks off big guys in this league like he's swatting flies. I would have LOVED to have seen Ben compete in the 70s. He would have been unreal.

I will admit, at 6'3" 220lbs Terry was a big QB as well, and was very good at extending plays. 2 more inches and 30 more pounds on any frame back then would have been astounding. Plus a big stat that is missed when trying to compare apples to apples between generations: Ben is MORE ACCURATE on throws AFTER he gets hit.

Food for thought.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Wig, I would say that Blount and Greene would be the most prepared to jump in and play in today's game. Though I'd have some argument about Blount running 4.3 range as world record 100 m time in that era was just a smidgen under 10 sec. Those two players could be just coached up not necessarily trained up to play the modern game. I believe they would have all the physical tools.

 

[Steelmann]

The other thing is that Bradshaw was great in the playoffs. Staubach was a career 76.4 passer rating in the playoffs. Bradshaw was 83. Bradshaw was 14-5 in the playoff while Roger was 11-6. Bradshaw had a higher comp.%. 57.2 to 54.6. Roger was sacked 61 times to Bradshaw's 24. Bradshaw had an 8.4 YPA to 6.9 for Roger. The adjusted yards per pass was 7.16 to 5.96.

In the playoffs Bradshaw was not just on par with his peers he was better than almost all of them.

Interesting stats Vader. What really stands out are the sacks there. 61 times to 24 ,quite a difference. Think of how many Drive killers those sack differential produce. And Roger was a scrambler. While I find the stats interesting,like you I find comparing the different eras apples and oranges.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I know people don't like comparisons between the 70's Steelers and the Belichik Pats. And I hate the Pats as much as anyone, but I will say this. Both teams were so well coached fundamentally for their times they were rarely upset by ****** opponents. Unlike a Tomlin coached team where they lose to a TBay team with a no name QB. This is a massive advantage as you can concentrate on peaking at the right time. If you are the 70's Steelers you might take a minor upset to the Oilers or Raiders in the regular season, but you are gaining knowledge. Then your really good **** comes out in December and January.

 

[deljzc]

If Ben was in the 1970's he would have dominated. That size and athleticism would have been tops in the whole league. He would have been the biggest QB of that generation.

Throw out all the advancements made in offensive schemes and route combinations. I would argue Ben would have been BETTER with old school I-formations and 21 personnel every ******* play.

Sure, his stats wouldn't translate, but my God, if he was in the 1970's he could have been a combination of Staubach AND Bradshaw AND Tarkenton. I mean, Jesus Christ, Tarkenton was like 190 lbs. soaking wet. What would a QB that is bigger than Alan Page and most DT's of the era have done? He would have done EVERYTHING better than Bradshaw.

P.S. And there is a lot of bullshit to the "calls their own plays" ideology. Back then, the playbook was probably 1/3rd of what it is today. There were only 4-5 personnel combinations. Route trees and route combinations were ******* high-school level except for a very few systems (Don Coryell and Bill Walsh).

Watch ******* Super Bowl IX on youtube and tell me Ben Roethlisberger couldn't have done what Bradshaw did in that Super Bowl. I think he threw 15 times and I swear, you could count on one hand the number of plays we didn't have 2 RB, 1 TE and 2 WR on the field. What the **** was Bradshaw calling in that game that was so complicated?

https://youtu.be/pNcndyxO7GE

 

[SteelerSask2]

Very well stated Del. Pretty much exactly as I see it. Like I said Super Bowl XIII are JV plays today at best.
Split back 38 lead toss. How on earth would Ben manage that offense.?

 

[Gridiron]

I know people don't like comparisons between the 70's Steelers and the Belichik Pats. And I hate the Pats as much as anyone, but I will say this. Both teams were so well coached fundamentally for their times they were rarely upset by ****** opponents. Unlike a Tomlin coached team where they lose to a TBay team with a no name QB. This is a massive advantage as you can concentrate on peaking at the right time. If you are the 70's Steelers you might take a minor upset to the Oilers or Raiders in the regular season, but you are gaining knowledge. Then your really good **** comes out in December and January.

Yet Ben has the worst QB rating ever for a winning QB in the Super Bowl and of course has been mediocre in all 3 Super Bowls. Bradshaw had a 100 QB rating n all 4 Super Bowls and threw clutch TD ***** in all 4 Super Bowls including the game inning strike to Swann in X11 and the 2 back to back incredible passes to Stallworth in X111. Ben doesn;t make those throws. Ben is not a student of the game and runs the offense just great, Bradshaw had a higher football IQ and would have no problem running todays offenses, garbage QBs all over the league thrive in the easy pitch and catch league the NFL has become. I choose the QB that excelled and raised his play in the big games instead of a QB who has been mediocre in the big games.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I think the older guys get a bad rap about the younger guys being better athletes. If the older guys were born now with the same abilities they had they would be just as good as the guys now because they would have all the technologies and would work out all year around like these guys do now. I think the better question is would the younger guys be able to play with the rules they had back then. Ben would be fine. Brady not so much.

 

[Stryker]

Yet Ben has the worst QB rating ever for a winning QB in the Super Bowl and of course has been mediocre in all 3 Super Bowls. Bradshaw had a 100 QB rating n all 4 Super Bowls and threw clutch TD ***** in all 4 Super Bowls including the game inning strike to Swann in X11 and the 2 back to back incredible passes to Stallworth in X111. Ben doesn;t make those throws. Ben is not a stunt of the ame and runs the offense just great, Bradsaw had a higher football IQ and would have no problem running todays offenses, garbage QBs all over the league thrive in the easy pitch and catch league the NFL has become. I choose th QB that excelled and raised his play in the big games instead of a QB who has been mediocre in the big games.

I'd be hard pressed to believe Terry had over a 100 QB rating in the rams game. Dude turned the ball over 3 times. In the first half...

 

[Gridiron]

I'd be hard pressed to believe Terry had over a 100 QB rating in the rams game. Dude turned the ball over 3 times. In the first half...

14-21 309 yards 2 TDs 3 INTs 101.9 QB rating 14.71 yards per attempt 22.1 yards per completion.

 

[Steelr4evr]

The 70's Steelers? Hard as ******* nails! Todays team? Downy ******* soft.

The rules of engagement between the two era's are night vs day. The difference in physical conditioning standards sets them apart. That's it. Although todays OL&DL carrry hundreds of more pounds of blubber over the old school guys.

The level of nasty violence isn't even close between now and then. Now you get a flag for making a mean face.

 

[Stryker]

14-21 309 yards 2 TDs 3 INTs 101.9 QB rating 14.71 yards per attempt 22.1 yards per completion.

Color me surprised. It's a good thing the QBR doesn't account for fumbles....

 

[Coryea]

Yet Ben has the worst QB rating ever for a winning QB in the Super Bowl and of course has been mediocre in all 3 Super Bowls. Bradshaw had a 100 QB rating n all 4 Super Bowls and threw clutch TD ***** in all 4 Super Bowls including the game inning strike to Swann in X11 and the 2 back to back incredible passes to Stallworth in X111. Ben doesn;t make those throws. Ben is not a student of the game and runs the offense just great, Bradshaw had a higher football IQ and would have no problem running todays offenses, garbage QBs all over the league thrive in the easy pitch and catch league the NFL has become. I choose the QB that excelled and raised his play in the big games instead of a QB who has been mediocre in the big games.

So it's ok to bring up QB rating? Ben has a higher career post season QB rating than Bradshaw. Ben can make those throws, see his rookie year, the deep TD to Burress over the shoulder as he was getting hit vs NE, or the td pass to El same year, he's under pressure on the run, off his back foot and puts it right on the money 50 yards downfield. I don't get the point of bashing one guy to prop another one up.
Ben was what 23 in Super Bowl 40, youngest QB ever, it's not a shocker he struggled, Terry wasn't even the full time starter until he was 26, at 24 the Steelers went 5-8 with him at QB, he wasn't even the starter to begin the 1974 season.
Ben made several big plays in that Super Bowl, 3rd and 28, escapes pressure, hits Ward near the goal line for a first down to set up his QB sneak for a TD, blocked the safety on the EL throw that allowed him a clean pocket, for not being a student of the game, Faneca credited Ben for checking into that Parker TD run, had a back hand throw for a first to Ward while being tackled to extend one of the TD drives.

Again, both first ballot HOF guys, they're both great, just don't know how a Steeler fan bashes one guy to prop the other up.?.?

 

[Gridiron]

You do realize Bradshaw came into the league when the Steelers were 1-13 and the worst franchise in NFL history don't you ?
Ben's playoff passing numbers are in an era where passing is easy and YET his postseason passer rating is 12 points below his career average. Bradshaw playoff passer rating is 14 points higher than his career average.

Bradshaw shined on the brightest stage. Ben struggles mightily on the biggest stage. I take the man who was always the best QB on the biggest stage over the guy who has been mediocre to poor in every Super Bowl.

 

[Coryea]

You do realize Bradshaw came into the league when the Steelers were 1-13 and the worst franchise in NFL history don't you ?
Ben's playoff passing numbers are in an era where passing is easy and YET his postseason passer rating is 12 points below his career average. Bradshaw playoff passer rating is 14 points higher than his career average.

Bradshaw shined on the brightest stage. Ben struggles mightily on the biggest stage. I take the man who was always the best QB on the biggest stage over the guy who has been mediocre to poor in every Super Bowl.

I'm well aware of the Steelers history, what does that have to do with Bradshaw being benched?

So you're taking a **** load of QB's over Dan Marino? That doesn't make Bradshaw the better QB, I don't think Terrell Davis is a better RB than Barry Sanders, Davis performed amazing in the Super Bowl.

 

[SteelerSask2]

The 70's Steelers? Hard as ******* nails! Todays team? Downy ******* soft.

The rules of engagement between the two era's are night vs day. The difference in physical conditioning standards sets them apart. That's it. Although todays OL&DL carrry hundreds of more pounds of blubber over the old school guys.

The level of nasty violence isn't even close between now and then. Now you get a flag for making a mean face.

You know, I really honestly used to think this way too. Right through Harrison's fines and suspensions I was like this is bullshit it is professional football. And then my own sons started playing the game. At that point do you want football to be an athletic competition or a blood lust survival of the fittest gladiatorial spectacle. The reality is that it wasn't the era of the weird no holds barred 60's, 70's and early 80's when the guys lumbered around in ridiculously heavy equipment. It was really from about 1990- the implementation of the current rules where the game was on a course of heading towards extinction. The equipment became so light and on the surface so good. The problem is that if it is light and protective it also becomes a weapon. So you have a guy who weighs say 240 lbs and runs a 4.5-4.6- 40. He comes on a blitz and has little fear for his own safety because of his equipment. The only reason he slows at all is he has to shimmy up to not miss the guy and he blows him up. I saw a Sport Science episode where Ray Lewis smashed the ****** door off its Jam. They measured the force and it was off the charts. If they continued to say two steps and then you can unload on the passers head, there would be so many 30 million plus QB's done, it would almost be pure luck who won the SB. To all these people who continue to talk like this, I would really like to see those people approach Cam Heyward or TJ Watt, or Big Ben and tell them what they do is a pussified version of football and they couldn't have survived in the 70's.

 

[Gridiron]

I'm well aware of the Steelers history, what does that have to do with Bradshaw being benched?

So you're taking a **** load of QB's over Dan Marino? That doesn't make Bradshaw the better QB, I don't think Terrell Davis is a better RB than Barry Sanders, Davis performed amazing in the Super Bowl.

Put Ben on the 1970 Steelers and he never sees the field. Winning championships is how QBS are rated I could give a **** about regular season stats and other stuff that has nothing to do with winning.Marion was a great passer but not a winner nor not a big game QB. Bradshaw is the beater QB and no way in he'll Ben makes the 3 throws in the Super Bowl Bradshaw made. Ben has one great Super Bowl throw and it was not a do or die situation. We were in easy FG range to tie the game.

Good thing being benched is not a disqualified for being a great QB or we would have 4 less Lombardi trophies.

 

[Stryker]

Ben should have been the MVP of SB 43. The NFL just wasn't comfortable with the optics of it.

 

[steel dino]

Timing is everything in life...

And no current or past NFL QB has benefited more to that famous axiom than one Terry Bradshaw...

 

[Steeler]

Put Ben on the 1970 Steelers and he never sees the field. Winning championships is how QBS are rated I could give a **** about regular season stats and other stuff that has nothing to do with winning.Marion was a great passer but not a winner nor not a big game QB. Bradshaw is the beater QB and no way in he'll Ben makes the 3 throws in the Super Bowl Bradshaw made. Ben has one great Super Bowl throw and it was not a do or die situation. We were in easy FG range to tie the game.

Good thing being benched is not a disqualified for being a great QB or we would have 4 less Lombardi trophies.

You are nuts. Ben would have been a monster in the 70's.
Regular season stats are extremely important, because if you suck in the regular season, you aren't even in the playoffs. Don't discount the fact that even though Ben didn't play great complete games in those SB's, he played great to get us there.

 

[Gridiron]

You are nuts. Ben would have been a monster in the 70's.
Regular season stats are extremely important, because if you suck in the regular season, you aren't even in the playoffs. Don't discount the fact that even though Ben didn't play great complete games in those SB's, he played great to get us there.

Really,now regular season stats are extremely important yet Bradshaw is being criticized stupidly for having mediocre regular season stats. Cant have it both ways.

Bradshaw also was great in the playoffs getting the Steelers to the Super Bowl but UNLIKE Ben he was incredible in the Super Bowls. Ben has just been poor tommediocre at best in the biggest games, huge advantage Bradshaw.

 

[Steeler]

Really,now regular season stats are extremely important yet Bradshaw is being criticized stupidly for having mediocre regular season stats. Cant have it both ways.

Bradshaw also was great in the playoffs getting the Steelers to the Super Bowl but UNLIKE Ben he was incredible in the Super Bowls. Ben has just been poor tommediocre at best in the biggest games, huge advantage Bradshaw.

That was my first post in this thread bro. I haven't criticized Bradshaw at all. Dude was my idol growing up.
You just seem to be downplaying how good Ben really is.
Both of them are great. Simply different eras.

 

[Gridiron]

Not down playing Ben at all he is a great QB but not as good as Bradshaw when all the factors are considered. Bradshaw was a winner Ben has won 3 playoff games in 10 years with loaded rosters.

 

[slashsteel]

Not down playing Ben at all he is a great QB but not as good as Bradshaw when all the factors are considered. Bradshaw was a winner Ben has won 3 playoff games in 10 years with loaded rosters.

Loaded rosters? **** those 70s Steelers rosters were soooo loaded. They still have HOF type players to this day that resulted in being screwed out of it, due to the volume of Steelers players from that era inducted. They didn't win 4 SBs with a lack of talent. Not sure how anyone could think otherwise outside the lack of age.

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