Steelers Get A Little Secondary Help And Big (Play) Receiver Help Friday

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." - Mark Twain 

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have been clamoring for a cornerback since the season's end, and for good reason considering how porous the secondary was at times. Well, the Steelers provided them a little good news in the second round.

With the 56th pick of the NFL Draft, the Steelers selected 5'8" 178-pound CB Senquez Golson out of Ole Miss.

Yes, Golson is diminutive, but don't tell him that. He's smaller, but plays much bigger and isn't afraid of challenging bigger adversaries.

Still, 5'8" is 5'8" and many will look down (no pun intended) on him because of it. Even Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake said of Golson's facing tall WRs: "He's going to be challenged. He's going to have to prove he can play in this league."

My immediate response to that is, ask 6'4" former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Harold Carmichael about what it was like to battle 5'7" former Washington Redskins CB Pat Fischer. Or, more specifically, just ask Alabama's 6'6" O.J. Howard about Golson out jumping him for the game-winning interception that sealed Ole Miss' 23-17 victory in 2014.

Lake did go on to say, though, that Golson has unusual ball skills and that, "If he were taller, teams would've jumped on him right away."

Golson's speed, a 4.47/40, was a factor also: "I like speed. You can't cover if you don't have speed." - http://tinyurl.com/mkc9fdj

The explosive Golson is very athletic, very fluid, very confident and very, very competitive - he plays with such a chip on his shoulder that it seems surgically implanted.

He's an artisan honing his craft when on the field, yet even the greatest artists still need to be able to reach the easel. And even with his leaping ability, he is going to be mismatched at times. That will necessitate his refining his techniques and not simply relying on his God-given talent. That's where coaching will come into play. -  http://draftbreakdown.com/players/senquez-golson/

For a franchise, however, that for so long endured a CB who couldn't catch at all, Golson and his ball-hawking abilities will be a welcome change.

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Sammie Coates came with the Steelers third-round selection, no. 87 overall. The Auburn product is a physical specimen (6'2" 212LBs) with a very athletic skill set and big-play ability (21.8 yards per catch in 2014). - http://tinyurl.com/nhmozqc

He isn't lacking in the speed department, either, as he ran an official 4.43/40 at the NFL Combine, but has supposedly run in the 4.3/40 range.

The NFL Network's Mike Mayock even commented on said speed when the Steelers made the selection saying, "This guy is pure speed. He's big bodied and takes the top off of zones. He is a height-weight-speed specimen. The only question is how natural are his hands."

In fact, he did have a high drop rate - a problem stemming mainly from needing to maintain his concentration through the process of the catch. If he comes in ready to work, though, these are things that can addressed via coaching. Things that also include how to better use leverage and improving his route running.

He doesn't have too much wear and tear on his body, though, has very good quickness plays in a physical way and can move himself through holes in the defensive backfield.

He can be the No. 4 WR that the Steelers needed and provide a competitive push to Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant, but he's also a big play waiting to happen, an extra threat to an offense that still may need to outscore it's opponents until the defense gets to a point where it can once again hold its own.

Steelers Mike Adams Stabbed In An Attempted Robbery, Recovering

Bob Pompeani of KDKA TV in Pittsburgh reported this Saturday morning that Pittsburgh Steelers second-year tackle was involved in a stabbing early today on the South Side. Per his Twitter (@KDPomp) account: "Adams was an apparent victim of a robbery attempt. Stabbed in stomach and arm as my sources tell me. It happened 3 AM on Carson and 17th."



NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala also further tweeted: "Mike Adams came out of surgery at about 8am and agent Eric Metz says Steelers security told him all considered, OT "was very lucky."”

“Agent Eric Metz says Mike Adams was stabbed in the stomach and though he had surgery, no vital organs were affected. Thank goodness."



All signs point toward a fairly quick recovery for Adams who has been through a lot already in his short time with the Steelers. And as Metz further told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "He's worked too hard to let a few morons screw it up for him."

According to Kinkhabwala again, the "Stabber(s) [were] apparently trying to steal Mike Adams' truck. Agent said he asked Adams why he didn't just let robbers have keys!” Good question.

Team General Manager Kevin Colbert released a brief statement regarding the incident and Adams' condition.

"We are aware of the situation regarding Mike Adams being stabbed earlier this morning," Colbert said. "We are in direct communication with both Mike and his family. Mike is expected to make a full recovery."

Little information has been released regarding the identity of the assailant or assailants, but the incident happened in front of his house and a cell phone believed to belong to one of the assailants has allegedly been recovered at the scene.

Adams is likely to be a full-time starter this season at right tackle, though he would've had a chance at left tackle. Likely Kelvin Beachum, whom we've highlighted before in a previous post as looking better on the right side, and Guy Whimper will rotate in on the right side at the next OTAs on June 3-6 and at the mandatory minicamp June 11th - 13th.

The stabbing incident once again brings up the problem of depth on the offensive line. With $5.5 million being available to the Steelers now via the release of guard/tackle Willie Colon and the June 1st designation, the signing of another player seems imminent.

Offensive tackles still available are Eric Winston, the best remaining right tackle left out there, Demetress Bell, the 29-year old former starter on the left side, former Baltimore Raven and 27-year old Jared Gaither (who has experience on both sides), Winston Justice, Barry Richardson and Sean Locklear.

Roethlisberger, Haley Open To Change And Coming Together

by Jayden and Jason

"Last year, it was Todd's offense he brought to us. This year, I'd say it's more our offense....Todd's open to change."

Those words were spoken by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger when asked if he felt he had more ownership in the offense this season. Big Ben's comments seem to not only reflect a more comfortable quarterback, but a happy one.

“We’re growing and we’re learning and we’re communicating,” Roethlisberger said. “This year, more of us know what’s going on, so we can coach each other up instead of always having questions, going to coaches to get answers.”

NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala spoke recently with Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer, who said that Big Ben had been meeting with Haley to discuss the offense and, subsequently, Big Ben “has a lot more power” this year regarding the philosophy of the offense.

Dwyer said he sees a better relationship there, as did Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Both have alluded to the fact that a level of familiarity has bred a level comfortableness - not contempt.

"You can tell out here in practice," Pouncey said. "With Ben taking that bigger role, it's going to be a lot of help to us."

"They've grown to know each other, their families and things of that sort, so of course they've grown to get comfortable with each other," Sanders added. - http://tinyurl.com/lejb2q3

Big Ben's embracing and having a share in the direction of the offense is beneficial if not paramount. A shorter, quicker passing game, and a stronger running game, is exactly what he needs. Injuries have gotten the best of Big Ben and the Steelers the last couple of years and aided in the team's failures.

Big Ben sycophants won't want to hear this, but he is neither as fast as he used to be (not that he was ever confused with Michael Vick) nor is his body able to recover from the weekly pounding he tends to take. Far from fragile, yet no longer as formidable, either.

Point blank, Big Ben is needed on the field for the entire season. As we've written before, the road to success begins with Big Ben accepting the change. That means all phases and criteria of what Haley is trying to accomplish on offense have to be met. And according to the franchise quarterback, that's exactly what has been done.

"There has been some changes....It’s some compromise from all different position coaches, running back coaches, line and quarterback coaches. I think we’ve taken a little bit of everything and made it a lot better. You can ask anybody on offense that, including coaches, and they’ll tell you that we all like the way the offense is and where it’s going."

What could this all mean for the Steelers? Hopefully it means a happy No. 7 - the Ring, not the just quarterback.

It's Time To Trade Ben Roethlisberger

AP photos

In the 2013 version of its annual NFL Top 100 Players, the NFL Network listed Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at No. 61. The same signal caller was at No. 30 last season. Since he's obviously in decline, it's time to trade him while he still has value.

You read that correctly. Trade Ben Roethlisberger. The time couldn't be better. The talking heads have spoken. Why keep a player past the point of his usefulness when his skills must so obviously be eroding? They must be eroding or else the man wouldn't be plummeting down NFL Network's list. In fact, check again to see if he's fallen any further. No? Ok, then we'll go ahead and continue with this piece.

But really, though, we should've seen this coming. Wasn't it just back in February that future first-ballot Hall of Famer and erudite Donovan McNabb rated Big Ben as only the eighth best quarterback in the NFL? Wasn't that even generous on his part considering his choice at No. 9 beat Big Ben in 2012? - http://tinyurl.com/a4fwzk8

After all, what has he done anyway? In the first nine games of the season before his injury, he only led the Steelers to 6-3 record. Who cares that his offense was one of the most efficient in the league by a large margin, leading the NFL in third-down conversions and time of possession? Or that Big Ben was leading the NFL in third-down passing and was on pace for having one of the best seasons of his career.

And it wasn't as if he did anything before that. He only has a paltry .690 winning percentage, which isn't even best in the league. He's second for goodness sake! He's also second among active quarterbacks in playoff victories with 10, second in Super Bowl appearances with three, and second in Super Bowl wins with two. And as we all know, second is just the first loser. And the Steelers don't like losers!

Besides, the NFL Network says he's in the lower half of the NFL, so it must be true. Their polls are absolutely and completely scientific, therefore infallible. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette agrees and explains the process involved.

"Pay no attention to these rankings," wrote Bouchette. "They're silly, a gimmick and merely to help the NFL Network boost some of its meager off-season ratings. They also don't really poll that many players because players won't take the time to do it."

Sounds like solid empirical data to me! Bouchette drives the nail further into Big Ben's proverbial coffin when comparing other such polls.

"Sports Illustrated does its 'player' polls too. I saw how they do it. They'd send an intern to Steelers camp and she would interview a dozen or so of their players, many of them undrafted rookies who would never play in the league and ask questions like 'Who is the worst ref in the NFL?'" - http://tinyurl.com/kawrf3l

Doesn't seem like anything more is needed. With evidence obviously showing that Big Ben has been on a precipitous decline the last few years, the NFL Network conducting an objectively precise poll and Bouchette verifying their methodical approach, what else is there to say?

It's time to trade Big Ben now while the Steelers can still get value for him, even if it only nets a seventh rounder (7 for 7?), and usher in the John Parker Wilson era.

(For those who haven't yet realized it, this is satire. which we thought was abundantly evident. C'mon, people! If nothing else alerted you..."the John Parker Wilson era"??? smdh)

Steelers Restructure Lawrence Timmons To Help Get Under Salary Cap, Roethlisberger Next

That was the tweet that Albert Breer of NFL Network sent out Tuesday morning. Lawrence Timmons' contract was the first to be restructured as Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers work to get under the 2013 NFL Salary Cap. Per Breer: "The move will free up approximately $5 million in salary-cap space for the Steelers" of the six-year, $50 million deal Timmons signed in 2011. - http://tinyurl.com/aclwuvj

Breer and others have pointed out that it was Timmons' roster bonus and another $4 million of his base salary that were combined and turned into a signing bonus in order to add up to the $5 million in Salary Cap savings. His, therefore was easy and, for lack of a better word, safe. The same may not necessarily be said for Ben Roethlisberger's deal.

Big Ben's base salary this seaaon is $11.6 million. The Steelers could convert over $10.6 million into a guarantee which would create $7.1 million in Salary Cap space reduction. But, as Pro Football Talk establishes, it may mortgage the future because "with a base salary of $12.1 million due in 2014, it converts to a minimum cap number of $18.325 million next year." - http://tinyurl.com/anptys7

With no extension, this wouldn't seem like a good thing when looking at the bigger picture. It would seem like more Salary Cap hell yet again next season. But, again as Breer speculates, that's just what the Steelers may look to do with their franchise quarterback.

"The Steelers' precedent has been to extend quarterbacks with two years left on their contracts," Breer commented, "and that would mean Roethlisberger could get a new deal next offseason."

That would be much easier on the Steelers and their needs to sign needed players, and it aids Big Ben in that he gets a really big check now (which is basically all a restructure is) and assures his future as a Steeler.

Maybe of even greater note Tuesday, though, was Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette reporting that the team met with James Harrison's agent, Bill Parise, at the NFL combine. Harrison, who will count $10.035 million against the Cap in 2013, so the meeting would seem to have been about that and a possible restructure.

The only viable way, however, to keep him is to ask him to take a pay cut. Parise had previously said that Harrison wouldn't take a reduction, but that the option wasn't discussed and the sides plan to meet again.

One can only hope that something gives, because there will be a degree of instability at the position next season with no real successor being groomed.

The Steelers at the NFL Combine: The Week In Review

Beware the ides of March... (Ok, so March's ides are actually the 13-15. I'm a day off, sue me.)

March 12th, the start of NFL free agency, still looms large for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they have definitive decisions to make. While some are suggesting that the "March Massacre" will not be as bad as first expected, "change" will come.



"Obviously, change has to occur over time," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said on Thursday at the NFL Combine was starting. "And you hope that you've prepared and drafted or signed free agents to deal with that change as it occurs. It's inevitable that change is going to happen. And that's what this process is about."

That "change" is going to be a major one and it needs to happen. As a colleague and fellow blogger said recently, just "rip the band aid off" and get it done. If there are more cuts than in a fight between Edward Scissorhands and Freddy Kruger, so be it.

Colbert says that this situation isn't a novelty.

"It's really not unique," Colbert said. "When you have some success, you probably have good players, some of them probably have been a little bit older. As I stated earlier, they're probably going to move on. We've got to be prepared, both from a salary cap standpoint and a talent standpoint, to make these changes. It's really not any more sophisticated than in previous years."

That Salary Cap has been the center of many discussions this offseason and has had many Steelers fans complaining (read: whining) over what is in front of the team for 2013. Some potential good news came from NFL Network's Albert Breer on Friday.

Breer, from his Twitter (@AlbertBreer) account tweeted: "Word circulating through some teams that the cap could wind up being set around $123M, higher than expected. Some are skeptical. We'll see.”

All will be waiting to see if that transpires because, as discussed in our previous post (http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/rebuild-or-reload-steelers-run-game-is_19.html), the Steelers will be in rebuilding or transitional mode for next season. Just don't tell that to Colbert.

"I don't want to say transition," Colbert said, "because that means that you're going to accept anything less than a Super Bowl in trying to get back."

In other words, he wants to ride the stairway to seven as soon as possible. The scouting combine affords Colbert and company the opportunity to evaluate talent that can aid them in doing just that.

All offseason If It Ain't Steel has provided various names the Steelers could and may even be looking to draft in April's NFL Draft. We did so specifically in the "...Drafting for Defense" and "Playmakers" articles. We'll readdress them before the Draft along with other names from the combine. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/01/fixing-steelers-starts-with-drafting.html
http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/whether-offense-or-defense-steelers.html

For the most part, those particular pieces highlighted ones who may find themselves drafted in the first or second rounds. But the Draft is three days of NFL grandeur and since this Draft is singularly important, the middle and later rounds needs to provide a steal or a diamond in the rough (or both).

Taking into the consideration the order in which they were presented, defense and playmakers, there are absolutely viable players that can be had the aforementioned rounds who could pact the team fairly quickly.

Much has been written, including by us, of safeties Matt Elam, Kenny Vaccaro, Eric Reid, D.J. Swearinger, Phillip Thomas Baccari Rambo and T.J. MacDonald. We're now adding another name to an already long list of safeties, a name made because of a winning performance at the Senior Bowl: SS Jonathan Cyprien from Florida International.

As Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com said of him: "In a talented safety group, Florida International's Jonathan Cyprien stood out on Monday with his aggressive playing style and active demeanor. He practiced at full speed and left it all out on the field, not shying away from getting physical. Whether it was a contact drill or not, Cyprien is going to meet the ballcarrier with a pop, refusing to let up." - http://tinyurl.com/aevr59r

Cyprien is 6’0” and 209 pounds, and has the ability to make both hard-hitting, run-stopping plays and to cover with his 4.56 speed in the forty-yard dash. In his senior year, Cyprien led Florida International with in tackles and also had four interceptions.

Colbert said he 'wants to have the guy who can strike the fear in guys within the rules,' well Cyprien can do that. It also would address what Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau earlier this week said he wanted, to "add some youth" at safety. - http://tinyurl.com/bzhxlow

Something else that LeBeau said was that he thought the Steelers were as good as the Baltimore Ravens and could have done the same thing they did.

"Do I feel we could have done the same thing they did? I do. I do,” LeBeau said as reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It didn’t break that way. They got the right people back at the right time, and we continued to have more injuries, it seemed like. Many times that decides it.”

With five losses of three points, a loss by six when having eight turnovers, a loss by 12 when after being up 19-17. Add that to all the injuries and a new offensive coordinator, and LeBeau would seem to be correct.

In order for that to have been completely accurate, at least going forward, the Steelers need more legitimate playmakers - one area in which the Ravens are definitely ahead of the Steelers. And since Colbert said they won't make any decisions on their free agents until after the combine, the Draft is to be the main focus.

This is despite talk of wide receiver Steve Breaston being a favorite of offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Per NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala: "Told Steelers have interest in PIT-native Steve Breaston. But so do DET, DAL, TN... He likes Haley. Do Steelers offer enough $?” Do they indeed? Again, the Draft is the focus.

One player many have the Steelers taking as high as the first round is Tennessee Volunteers wideout Cordarrelle Patterson. At 6’3” and 205 pounds, Patterson is a big and physical target for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Add his 4.46 speed and you have someone who can beat the press.

It's just doubtful that it happens. It's more likely, if they go that route, that they'll wait until the middle rounds. If so, two choices stand out who may remind Steelers fans of a couple of someones.

On Friday, Steel City Insider's Jim Wexell posted this to his Twitter account:


Robert Woods represents both value and talent that can be found in third or even fourth round. He definitely has his upside, but there are also concerns.

Per Brugler again, "he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle in December 2011 and was bothered by the injury much of the spring and summer. Woods looked mostly healthy throughout the 2012 season, but his long-term stability will still be under scrutiny if there is any issue with his ankles." Sound familiar? That's the caveat.

He is 6'1" and 185 lbs. with sub 4.4 speed, runs a "21.07 in the 200 meters and 46.02 in the 400 meters" and has "true separation ability." Sound familiar? That's the upside.

He would be a very good replacement for Mike Wallace in that he has similar scoring-threat speed, but is a better route runner and has slightly better hands. He tends to rely on his speed a little too much in order to make plays, but, well, that didn't exactly impede Wallace. Did it?

Another possibility in that area of the draft is Texas A&M wideout Ryan Swope. According to a few Draft experts, Swope has earned a "fourth-round grade." Wexell said of him that he's "a steal" in that round and that he is "closer to HWard {with a} large sac." (Brackets ours.)

He's 6'0", 204 lbs., is tough, is a very good blocker and simply loves playing the game. Don't take our word for it, though, just watch: http://tinyurl.com/bjfg78f

Going back to Colbert for a moment, he said touched on the LaMarr Woodley, Ryan Clark and Antonio Brown locker room issue. He said he isn't overly worried about team chemistry and said that, though he was "bothered" by it, he expects his team to respond.

"We have lot of young guys ready to take the next step," Colbert said. "I'm not concerned about our locker room. We feel we have our finger on the pulse and we're comfortable."

"I'm more bothered it was anonymous," he went on. "{Woodley will} be first to tell you he was disappointed."

Hines Ward had a different take on it, however, says that the Steelers locker room is in "total disarray." He explains why, and what he thinks must be done about it. - http://tinyurl.com/agfql3x

One of the "young guys ready to take the next step" is Brown. He echoed the words spoken by Ward when he said that a team must be a "band of brothers." Brown handled himself well and showed he's willing to step up and take the lead, and should be commended for it. - http://tinyurl.com/bzorn7d

All-in-all, it was an interesting if not busy week in Steeltown. There was even more that could have been disseminated, but still more is going on as we type. Because with the potential Salary Cap increase soon-to-come, more players than first thought may avoid the nearly-ides of March and find themselves back in Steelers uniforms next season.

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TIDBITS: NFL Scouting Combine schedule - http://www.nflcombine.net/players/schedule

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Larry Foote says contract talks have begun between his agent and the Steelers. Ed Bouchette provides the whole story: http://tinyurl.com/apk8ztd

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Another young player who wants to step up, at least from an on-the-field standpoint, is offensive tackle Mike Adams, who wants to start next season. - http://tinyurl.com/ay3m4d6

Why Manning to Denver Doesn't Mean Steelers Could Lose Mike Wallace

Unless you've been living with those two guys from the Geico commercial, (i.e. under a rock), you should know by now that all is but a done deal between Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. And before the ink from the Mont Blanc is even dry, the speculation machine has started rearing it's ugly head (yes, I said "speculation" because right now that is all it is) that Mike Wallace will soon be joining him.

I, for one, do not believe so. It has been all over the Social Media networks that the Broncos should sign Wallace. Well, why would they? They have two very capable and speedy receivers on their staff as it is.

Jamie Dukes of NFL Network said it best, though: "The Broncos have other issues they need to address besides getting Manning a shiny new toy." The Broncos are giving Peyton a hefty contract that is supposed to be in the area of 5 years for $90 million, which could mean a cap hit of around $20 million.

Why then would they throw another big contract at basically a speedster when they already have that in Demaryius Thomas? He was the one that burned the Steelers secondary to beat them in the playoffs.

One thing also that's still not known is if Peyton is the Peyton of old or not. Yes, he can throw the ball around, but is he truly 100% healthy after four neck surgeries? Time will tell.

There are those, though, who think this is a good idea. That throwing money at Wallace to pry him away from the Steelers would be a good idea. Mike Mayock, for one, is adamant that the Broncos should do it.

“I would make an offer that Pittsburgh would have a lot of trouble matching for Mike Wallace,” Mayock said. “I’d be happy to give up my first-round pick, and I’d make that young man a rich, rich young man. And I’d have a vertical threat to go along with Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas — I might look at Dallas Clark. You’ve made a commitment to Peyton Manning. Now let’s go get him the weapons.” - http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/signing-peyton-manning-makes-mike-wallace-a-possibility-in-denver/

While I can certainly see why Denver would be tempted, again, the Broncos have a promising playmaker in Demaryius Thomas, and they can always bring along a Manning favorite in tight end Dallas Clark. In fact, Mike Klis of the Denver Post said as much on his Twitter account. He said, "@MikeKlis: Expect the Broncos to sign TE Dallas Clark”

But looking at the other options, Eric Decker and Matt Willis, I can see the Broncos being tempted  to go after Wallace. I just don't see the actuality of them doing so. Wide receiver and return man Ted Ginn, jr. might make enough of an impact for them and would be much less expensive.

To be certain, the correct deal for Wallace to be signed away just went up a few million last week. The Broncos, on the other hand, need offensive line help as well as the tight end help mentioned before. Plus, who says Wallace would even sign offer sheet? Just because they may want him doesn't mean they'd get him.

The Broncos have a lot of questions on defense as well. Their secondary is suspect at best. Big Ben basically exposed it while on just one good leg, and Tom Brady shredded it not once, but twice. So, that makes me ask the question, "Why would you give up a first round pick and and another big contract for something that they do not need?"

After a closer look at the Broncos roster, it's clear that they have too many holes to fill to give up a first round pick AND commit $12 million of cap space to get Mike Wallace. Not going to happen.

Let's be real here, Peyton Manning made Austin Collie and Pierre Garçon household names in Indy. No one knew who they were until Peyton did what Peyton does. Peyton can surely do what Peyton does with Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Matt Willis too.

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Steelers unrestricted free agent cornerback William Gay visited the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. The Cardinals defensive coordinator is Ray Horton, who once coached the Steelers defensive backs.

Gay has said he wants to stay with the Steelers for next season and the Steelers have also left that option open. If Gay were to come back, he would probably do so on a one-year qualifying contract like he did last year. That contract paid him $685,000 in base salary with a $50,000 signing bonus. Expect a similar deal with the requisite percentage increase.

Gay will also be visiting Tennessee Titans on Tuesday, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean

Big Ben Snubbed

Recently, the NFL Network's Top 100 Players list named Ben Roethlisberger as the 41st best player in the NFL, and a very beautiful and intelligent woman wrote a mini-blog/rant stating her feelings regarding this and postulating that the ranking was way too low. Is it? Let's take a look.
    Roethlisberger, the 29-yr old Steelers quarterback, m...ade an instant impact in the NFL when he guided his team to a 15-1 record, with he himself having a 13-0 rookie record-unprecedented in NFL history, and an appearance in the AFC championship game that year. From 2004 on, "Big Ben" became one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, and when the game was on the line the Steelers were a good bet to win the game. A career .631 completion percentage shows that Roethlisberger is an efficient quarterback, but the numbers only tell half of the story. Big Ben has a TD:INT ratio of 144:86 for his career, good if not very good, and boasts similar stats across the board for his career. His stats for the 2010 season were even better as he had a 17:5 ratio of TD:INT in 12 games (which would average out to 21:7 over 16 games). Let's look past the numbers, though, and find the reasons why Big Ben is to be considered as one of the best quarterback in the NFL.
    Fans (mainly of other teams) make too much of sexual assault allegations against Roethlisberger—he is a football player, and people pay to watch him on the field, not off of it. So we're not even gonna talk about SkanksAreUs.com past this point. Ok? We good? You, in the back row, we good? A'ight... Let's take a look at the QBs in front of him and recount their attributes and the reasons they're where they are: Tom Brady has cemented himself atop the list with his "Super" success, and rightly so. Ok, I've said enough about him. (blech...I need a wet nap for me and my keyboard) Aaron Rodgers doesn't yet have the body of work of some of the others, but his value, worth, and prowess are unquestionable. There isn't anything on the field he can't do. Go ahead, name something...I'll wait. Thought so. I truly believe he will most likely see another Ring on his finger before all is said and done. Peyton Manning has won one Super Bowl, has been to another, and still has gaudy numbers so he still has enough cache to keep him at #3. I will admit, though, that he has become less clutch over the last couple of years and is facing OLine and potential WR problems this year. So... That addresses the ones in front of Ben as far as this writer sees it. The NFL Network, though, sees it differently. Why? Do other QBs have other things in their favor? Does it even matter? Let's look now at the other QBs listed and at some of the reasonings tossed about regarding why Big Ben may have been rated low.
     Some have said that Roethlisberger's Super Bowls can be attributed to great defense, but I would argue that the Colts and Saints played damn good defense on their way to giving Manning and Brees their first and only titles. The stats weren't 1976-Steelers-Defense-esque, but both D's were deadly at takeaways, especially when absolutely needed. Yet Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings, more than any other quarterback above him on the Top 100 list except for he whom I won't name twice in one article. So the NFL Network is trying to say that they'd rather put Philip Rivers under center than Roethlisberger, which makes no sense since Rivers has no Rings nor has he even made it to an AFC championship game. NFL, you're trying to say that you'd rather have Rivers, who has never been clutch in the big games, to lead you to victory in the fourth quarter? A QB whose battle cry is less "Cowboy Up!" and more "Reverse Cowgirl"? You'd rather have Drew Brees, who couldn't keep the ball out of the opposition's hands last year (22 INTs)? He surrendered more balls than the Village People and Queen put together. You'd rather have Michael Vick, who has never even won a Super Bowl? I won't say anything further about Vick, though. I've dogged him enough. It can't be right, but there is the Top 100 list, telling us that it's so. Ridiculous.
    Roethlisberger has a patch-work offensive line outside of Maurkice Pouncey, yet he finds a way to evade defenders, throw passes from every body angle possible and make every throw imaginable. The bottom line with Roethlisberger is that he always finds a way. So, yeah, that beautiful and intelligent creature I mentioned at the beginning of the article was right, Ben not only got robbed, but he got disrespected too.

Big Ben Not Only Got Snubbed, He Got Disrespected

Ok I have a gripe. Was watching the replay of NFL Networks Top 100 Players last night. Ben was 41. So I now will not watch another one of those shows because that is proof , that list is a joke. For Michael Vick and Phillip "Puss face" Rivers to be ahead of Ben on that list . IT'S A JOKE. Micheal Vick has one good season , but really what else has ...he done. Same with Rivers, yes he can get to the playoffs. and beat Peyton Manning on a consistent basis , But Ben beats Rivers on a consistent basis. So will Rivers be higher than Peyton. UH HELL NO, but he is higher than Ben and that is a joke. Yes, Rivers can put up big numbers, but you know what so can Ben and Ben wins when it counts. How many shiny pretty rings does Rivers have? Umm...None! How many AFC Championships does Rivers have? Again, zero. I'm sorry but I know they go on Fantasy stats and spectacular play and things of that nature to make these lists, but anyone with a brain knows, and the experts on the reaction show agreed, BEN SHOULD HAVE BEEN HIGHER ON THAT LIST!!  I know a lot of these so called experts like to gripe and complain because Ben holds onto the ball too long.  When Ben does that, I admit that I hold my breath because I know that somehting big may happen.   Look at Super Bowl 43.  That last drive was proof why  Ben is a winner and knows how to get it done. 
 Yes Vick scrambles and does things with his feet. But Ben does too.   Ben may not look as speedy as Vick.  but he still gets it done.  Rivers can throw a good long ball.  But so can my man Ben.  Wasn't Wallace the reciever that had the most catches over 20 yrds this past season that went for TD's.  Last time I checked Mike Wallace doesn't play for the San Diego Super Chargers.  He wears the Black and Gold.  So I call that pretty dynamic and pretty spectacular.  Even the two Rookies Brown and Sanders got in on the action.  Those kids had good seasons.   And you know why because Ben isnt an all about me and one reciever kind of QB he is an equal oppurtunity passer. 
The experts go on about  Bens play in the 3 SB's he was in.  Yes SB 40 and 45 was not one of Bens best games.  But Bens play to get them to those  SB's was.  And I am sick of him not getting credit for his play in SB 43.  Again I go back to that last drive.  Who do you think was slinging the ball that led to what will go down as probably one of the best catches in SB history.   That was Ben.   On the Reaction show.  Ratchicken fans was going off about Ben should have been higher and anyone that is a Steelers fan knows that is a sign of respect when the Rats fans are even defending the Big Guy.    Because they  hate Ben as much as we  hate Ray Lewis.   But I look at the bigger picture.  The Steelers between Bradshaw and until we got Ben was not as good as a whole. Most fans will agree.  We endured the almost getting theres and we were so close kind of seasons.    But since they drafted Ben in 04, you know what they have not had a losing season.  They have been to the playoffs all but 2 seasons in his 7 year  so far career and won the AFC Championship 3 times and won 2 SB's .  There is only one other current QB that has that kind of impressive resume and that is Tom Brady.  I look for Ben to win more championships because lets face it .  He is just hitting his prime and his play the past two seasons has been very good and getting better.  And has not played in his last SB.  But my question is will Rivers or  Vick ever play in a SB.  Time will tell.  

So that is my gripe, Yes again we Steeler fans have to endure our QB being disrespected .  Was I shocked .  NO.  But it will be so much sweeter when again Ben ,  is winning games and championships and the others well they are just fantasy darlings and nothing more.  See More