OT: Steelers, Historically Speaking

Submitted by twohooks on

Congrats to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Class Franchise. Although I am too young to remember there woes they were the laughingstock in the NFL from 1933-71. Winning happens on the field but Lions fans can take note that positivity from the ground up goes quite a long way.  Another reason that a team together, not divided, can achieve remarkable success throughout a long period of time. Stick together and GO BLUE!

M-Wolverine

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:22 PM ^

You weren't slammed for defending him, you were slammed for giving the Lantau defense given for everyone who does something wrong - "hope you are without sin". I'll take a wold guess and say the vast majority of posters here haven't been accused of sexual assault multiple times. And for sure the sense that if someone tried to "scam" you once, not to put yourself in that position again.

justingoblue

January 24th, 2011 at 1:04 AM ^

I was about to go check Google for the definition of a Lantau defense.

But yea, I agree with what you've been posting above. Just because a prosecutor can't satisfy the burden of proof requirements in a courtroom doesn't mean that we as individuals need to hold the same standard when it comes to liking someone or condoning their (repeated) behavior.

Jasper

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:01 PM ^

The OP wrote: "Lions fans can take note that positivity from the ground up goes quite a long way."

With all respect to the OP, Lions fans should remember that the team is still owned by the Ford family.  WCF and Billy are micromanagers of the worst sort and are held in high contempt by probably all competent GM and coach candidates in the NFL.  Unless they've turned over a new leaf, they'll have only second-rate buffoons in those positions.  Either that, or they'll effectively turn decent people into second-rate buffoons.

Who drafted receivers three consecutive years?  Most people would say Millen but they'd be wrong.  It was the Fords working through puppet Millen.

@#$% the Fords.

MGolem

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^

Their professional successes are making people forget they are shitty individuals. And for the record, a lot of quarterbacks could go to three Super Bowls with that team. I love QBs (was one) but the Steelers are a prime example of the NFL being a QB league. I think Ben posted a 35 passer rating and people are talking about how he has taken his team to 3 Super Bowls by 28...laughable

dennisblundon

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:10 PM ^

He isn't flashy but when the game is on the line he makes plays. It doesn't hurt having the defense we have but the Steelers have had that for some time now. Ben makes 3 plays a game that no other QB in the league could make and in two weeks he may have 3 rings. Not too shabby.

Clarence Beeks

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:31 PM ^

He'd be lucky to break the top 5 of QBs in the League right now.

I've read some funny stuff, but this, right here?  This is funny!

But seriously, to answer the first point you were addressing... he's (more or less) right.  You're free to think he's over-rated, but he's one of the very few players in the game that is able to make some of the plays that he makes.  And very often those plays are the difference in the game, especially in big games.

M-Wolverine

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:39 PM ^

Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers. Anyone taking BR over one of those guys right now is still wearing their black and gold jerseys. And I don't think there's any play he could make that they couldn't. And only one of them hasa defense anywhere near what Ben has had. That makes him top 5 at best. If you want to go through all the rest of the QBs and see if people couldn't make arguments of their superiority, be my guest. But take off the inflatable Steelers helmet first.

urbanachiever

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:49 PM ^

It all depends on what kind of O-line you put in front of him.  Ben has never had an offensive line that could match up with the ones Manning and Brady are accustomed to having.  If you patch together what the Steelers have right now and put Manning or Brady back there...Well, you saw what the Jets D did to them the last two weeks with their O-lines

M-Wolverine

January 24th, 2011 at 12:01 AM ^

But without going over a decade of offensive lines throughout the NFL, I'm not sure his lines have been really inferior to Brady's. Lord knows they've had better run games than the Pats. With Manning I'll give you that. They've made it a priority to protect their investment there. One of many reasons why he never misses a game.

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 12:08 AM ^

But without going over a decade of offensive lines throughout the NFL, I'm not sure his lines have been really inferior to Brady's.

They have.  The funny thing is that their worst offensive lines (and the ones most decimanted by injury) have been in the years they have gone to the Super Bowl.  I mean, seriously, their starting center in the Super Bowl is going to Doug Legursky.  Undrafted.  From Marshall.  They were done to exactly zero available extra offensive linemen at the end of the Baltimore game.  This is where his unique skill set is accentuated, in my opinion (and in the opinion of a lot of others).  When the line is weak, he is flushed from the pocket more frequently, and that's when he does a lot more damage.  He really isn't a particularly good pocket quarterback, but once you get him out of the pocket, he's incredibly good.

M-Wolverine

January 24th, 2011 at 12:18 AM ^

We're not talking about just this year, where even though the Pats line was missing starters (one right before the playoffs) the Steelers were killed far worse. But also the one's that were blocking for Bettis et al. and every year the Pats (and other teams) went to the Super Bowl. Frankly, the Steelers only gave the second best injury complaint in THIS Super Bowl. Now GB has had injury problems this year. At least Pitt got to keep their Running Back for more than one game this season.

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 12:58 AM ^

We're not talking about just this year, where even though the Pats line was missing starters (one right before the playoffs) the Steelers were killed far worse. But also the one's that were blocking for Bettis et al. and every year the Pats (and other teams) went to the Super Bowl.

Yes, I know we are.  This is one that I can guarantee that you are wrong about.  Every time the Steelers have gone to the Super Bowl their offensive line has been considered a team weakness.  Seriously, I don't know why you're even arguing this point.  You're not a Steelers fan, so I wouldn't expect you to really know what you're talking about on this (i.e. no one would expect you to know this; you don't follow the team that closely).  The offensive line on the Super Bowl team that was blocking for Bettis, for example, was, uh... not so good.  They had two outstanding players in Faneca and Hartings (both had Pro Bowl seasons), but the rest was a mash unit all season long, but especially in the playoffs.  I promise that I'm not trying to come across as condescending in this post (or any of the others), but it's obvious that you're arguing this from the standpoint of "Pittsburgh had a good running game in 2005-2006, so they had to have had a good offensive line that was completely healthy", which just isn't true.

Monk

January 24th, 2011 at 12:03 AM ^

i.e. a top RB and a deep thread, that Brady doesn't have.  That's why the Jets could just key on Brady and the intermediate routes which was the Pats bread and butter all year.  If you gave Brady those two guys, NE is in the super bowl.  And Ben had the worst game of a super bowl winning QB, even Dilfer had a better day than him.

But he's still a top-5 QB, probably fifth, behind Rodgers and ahead of Rivers.

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 12:01 AM ^

Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers. Anyone taking BR over one of those guys right now is still wearing their black and gold jerseys.

I suppose what type of game you're talking about.  If you're talking about a regular season game, I would agree.  If you're talking about a playoff game, it'd be Brady then Roethlisberger, and most every so called "expert" I've ever heard comment on it over the last couple of years orders it exactly the same way.  We can agree to disagree, I guess.

And I don't think there's any play he could make that they couldn't.

The only QBs that can consistently escape pressure like Roethlisberger are Rodgers and Vick.  Roethlisberger's ability to finish those runs pretty easily puts him above both of them.  Granted, Rodgers has shown a propensity to try to finish runs the way that Roethlisberger does, but has taken a beating doing it.

But take off the inflatable Steelers helmet first.

Just because someone disagrees with you and happens to be a fan of the team the player plays for doesn't mean that they are biased.

M-Wolverine

January 24th, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^

Be prepared to be treated like a cornbread eater.

If that's your standard of "doing something other QB's can't do makes him elite" you'd have to downgrade him for all the plays the other QBs could make/do better than Ben. Probably mostly to do with throwing, accuracy, and reading defenses...things you want QBs to do primary. And thus more valuable.

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 12:15 AM ^

Be prepared to be treated like a cornbread eater.

Obviously.  It was being sarcastic.  It didn't translate.

As for the rest, obviously you have to take the whole package.  That's more or less my point.  You can't downgrade Roethlisberger on the basis of accuracy and reading defenses (if those are even real deficiencies - I've never seen those discussed anywhere regarding his game) without also downgrading the others based upon the things that Roethlisberger does very well.  What makes Roethlisberger unquestionably elite is his ability to perform at a high level when he's pushed from the pocket.  It's actually going to be a great comparison, because that is Rodgers' best attribute, as well.  The bottom line is that he performs when it matters and when everything around him is falling apart, which is something that several of the other "elite" quarterbacks have not shown the ability to do.

urbanachiever

January 24th, 2011 at 12:24 AM ^

This is your best comment of the night on the subject.  It's tough to say how Roethlisberger would stack up vs Brady / Manning / Brees / Rodgers / Rivers given an equal set of WRs and offensive lineman.  All we know about him is that he is extremely good at improvising and coming up with huge plays in tough situations, which we do know is something that some of the above guys haven't shown that they can do (ex, Manning is 9-10 all time in the playoffs).  I can't wait for this matchup because, as you say, these quarterbacks actually have a lot in common

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 1:24 AM ^

Thanks.  I'm excited to see this match up, too.  Not only do these two teams have two dynamic quarterbacks who can win the game a lot of different ways, but their defenses are both incredibly fun to watch.  This really should be a great game.

M-Wolverine

January 24th, 2011 at 12:26 AM ^

"Fan" = "Unbiased"....because generally they mean the opposite. Though it's not impossible.

And I wouldn't call them "deficiencies" for him...as much as some of the others are exceptional in those categories, just like he is exceptional in the one's you point out. But to say that he's better at those things (no one else can make them) insinuates that he's some combo of Unitas/Montana/Elway/Marino, and that it puts him above all other current QBs, whereas they make plays he doesn't too, in a different way. I'd say Vick makes plays NO ONE else can make...but it doesn't elevate him to a superior position to any of the guys who have been mentioned.

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 12:42 AM ^

Yeah, I know what you're saying, and the way you say it, I agree with you, although I think there is somewhat of an argument that Roethlisberger could give Vick a run for his money in terms of scrambling effectiveness (Vick is obviously faster and quicker, but Roethlisberger is stronger and a more accurate thrower on the run - bottom line is that they are both effective scramblers; just different).  I think the better way to say it is that Roethlisberger blends his skill set in a way that is more effective, and conducive to the playoff style, than anyone else playing currently, aside from Brady (the Jets-Patriots game, aside).

buckeyejonross

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:33 PM ^

Disagree. The D totally melted down in the second half and there was Ben, running away from two linebackers to make an across his body 1st down throw with the season on the line. Manning, Brees, Brady and Rivers don't make that play, let alone the 3 huge first down runs on 3rd and long. Ben isn't ever pretty, but he sure is effective playing behind a line with only one pre-season starter still standing.

Rabbit21

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:12 PM ^

I think there's a big difference between the reliability of Roethlisberger's accusers and the reliability of Kobe's accuser.  I'd also argue that Shaq's antics in the NBA since he got traded are showing Kobe in a better light than he was painted with when Shaq first got traded.

Clarence Beeks

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^

I think Ben posted a 35 passer rating and people are talking about how he has taken his team to 3 Super Bowls by 28...laughable

I don't see how it's "laughable".  This game is a pretty clear indication of the fact that stats aren't always indicative of actual performance.  He made several plays in that game, that were absolutely key plays, that almost no other quarterback in the NFL could have made.  Those plays hardly show up in the stat line and they certainly don't show up in his passer rating.

jamiemac

January 24th, 2011 at 12:03 AM ^

HA

And, to think, I didnt think I'd even have a thread around here tonight to post this in.

Just to go with the theme, sometimes it worth not changing your identity. Steelers could have gone all offense with their head coach pick. But, took Tomlin, a bad motherfuckingass in your face defenive guy. Meanwhile. LBJ was president last time a Stiller coach was dismissed for performance reasons. Let The Good Times Roll

 

jamiemac

January 24th, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^

There arent too many prestigious positions in the NFL. You know, the type where you're automatically awesome if you play position X for team A

Linebacker for the Pittsburgh Fucking Steelers is one of them

Lamar Woodley, your table is ready. This is every bit as impressive as being a QB for the Pats.

jamiemac

January 24th, 2011 at 12:24 AM ^

Look, the convo above is valid, for what its worth. A QB value to a specific team

But, let's not lose sight of the true facts as the Steelers win another AFC Championship

The reason the Steelers have been in 8 of the last 16 AFCCG is due to one word: DEFENSE

If that is what you are throwing rock with, you will never, ever fall out of contention

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 12:36 AM ^

Exactly, jamiemac, no one will ever (validly) argue that the core of the Steelers, and why they are who they are, is the defense.  I actually tend to think that shows just how valuable Roethlisberger is to the Steelers.  Just think back on all of the pre-Roethlisberger teams that had awesome defenses during the Cowher era that had awesome defenses but were "oh so close, but not quite".  It's fairly evident, at this point, stats aside, that Roethlisberger is a large part of the difference that pushed this team back over the hump.  At the end of the day, my arguments in this thread aside, I guess I really shouldn't care if people disagree with that because he's won two Super Bowls, is playing for his third, and is second all time (behind only Bart Starr) in playoff winning percentage of quarterbacks who have played more than ten playoff games (he's 10-2).

jamiemac

January 24th, 2011 at 12:47 AM ^

I totally agree

Staying in contention year after year is because of the defensive program. Elevating that to championship level is having a QB that doesnt crap down his leg when the situation isnt perfect (cough, cough Rocky Top).

and if you think i made this post just to make fun of peyton, well then you know me too well.

M-Wolverine

January 24th, 2011 at 12:41 AM ^

All of the teams with top QB's mostly have at least pretty good offenses because of them. They can outscore people, when necessary. But when you absolutely need a stop, because the game isn't going your way offensively, Ben has had consistently better defenses than any of the rest of those QBs. And it was the same under Bradshaw. The reason Pitt has won more than anyone else is they've never gotten away from their mantra that defense wins championships, make sure they field one of the best year in and year out. That's to be admired. And credited as super smart. Though mildly ironic considering the website we're on and the blog's view on the best method to win games in college....

In reply to by M-Wolverine

jamiemac

January 24th, 2011 at 12:56 AM ^

There are 32 teams in the NFL and I wouldnt take one of them in a horse trade show with defensive prospects on the table over the Pittsburgh Steelers

and since they lose a lot a guys through free agency since they're so good at picking them and winning with them early on, its a lot like watching a college team operating. Just an assembly line of great defensive players, all through the April draft, year after year.

 

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 1:03 AM ^

Yep, great point.  The Steelers are a seller every year in free agency, and it never matters.  To the point where it's never even an issue that's talked about anymore.  Hell, I don't even know when NFL free agency starts or ends, because it's never mattered as a Steelers fan.  The best part is the drafting, though, as you said.  Their draft classes are constantly criticized at draft time, but when it matters, the players are developed perfectly.  Not only that, but they do better with signing and developing undrafted players than virtually any other team.  As a fan it's something that I think we tend to lose sight of sometimes, but when you sit back and really look at it, it really is impressive.

Clarence Beeks

January 24th, 2011 at 1:19 AM ^

Haha.  Did you Tomlin's post game press conference and his comment about Antonio Brown?  His comment, coupled with Ryan's comments about the same play were absolutely priceless.  And yeah, I can't wait to see who they end up taking with that pick they got for Holmes.  It'll almost guaranteed be someone 99% of people, fans included, have never heard of, but five years from now will be a starter.