Why so much focus on Big Ben?

[WCBias]

I see a lot of great cappers here focussing on the Rothlisburger/Brady angle, which no doubt falls in favor of Brady. But Brady can't play on the Patriots offensive line, defensive line, or secondary. In two of the last four years guys named Dilfer and Johnson have led their teams to superbowl victories...hardly hall-of-fame names.

Just think way too much emphasis is being placed on the QB position.

 

[devil]

I think it is because Ben almost lost the NYJ game by himself.

 

[NEWPORT]

It is simple why all the focus on Ben. Pitt will try and run, and the first time they get into a 3rd and 5 or more, WELL BEN wil have to be the man. In playoff games, especially in the elements of this game, 3rd down conversions will rest on the QB making plays, and his wide receivers catching the ball. You do not really think Pittsburg is goig to be able to man handle the Patriots and run for 200 yards in this game DO YOU???


No there will be plenty of 3rd down conversions that will require both QB's in this game to make plays.

ALSO a playoff game of this magnitude, DO YOU REALLY think they are going to say to Ben, Hey Ben go out and throw throw throw......not at all. He will throw when it is most predictable that he throw, and he will have to execute the throws. End of story

 

[WEEKENDALKI]

I think many angles favor Pitt here. However, if Ben chokes NE rolls. Period.

 

[WCBias]

I don't recall Dilfer throwing for 400 yards in the superbowl, or any game before it. Big Ben had a bad game against NY and now he is a QB ready to implode. How many games has Pittsburgh won in a row? Has he lost yet as a starting QB? I know Brady has more losses than Big Ben this year...anyone catch Brady's act in Miami a month ago? that is MIAMI...the 2nd worst team in football...and it's not like that wasn't an important game.

Brady is money in the Playoffs, or at least has been, BR started off rough. But again, if BR has an "average" game, that should be enough. He certainly has more weapons than Brady.

As someone on Pittsburgh...I'm WAY more concerned with the Belicheck/Cowher matchup.

 

[BossTown]

If the Steelers play this game "not to lose" - they will lose. They will need to throw the ball downfield on 1st down to win this game. NE is beateable. All the hype of last week's win over the Colts (and the somewhat lackkuster performancd by the Steelers) has actually put the Steelers in a good spot. The likelihood that Seymour will again be out also plays in Pitt's favor. But they will need to play agressively to win and I don't know if that's in Cowher's m.o.

I think they need more from Rothlisberger than "don't make mistakes" quarterbacking. They need him to be a playmaker. The question is will Cowher have the guts to put the ball in his hands?

 

[NEWPORT]

If the Steelers play this game "not to lose" - they will lose. They will need to throw the ball downfield on 1st down to win this game. NE is beateable. All the hype of last week's win over the Colts (and the somewhat lackkuster performancd by the Steelers) has actually put the Steelers in a good spot. The likelihood that Seymour will again be out also plays in Pitt's favor. But they will need to play agressively to win and I don't know if that's in Cowher's m.o.

I think they need more from Rothlisberger than "don't make mistakes" quarterbacking. They need him to be a playmaker. The question is will Cowher have the guts to put the ball in his hands?

This is exatly my thought as well. You are going to live or die with BR, he either has to makethe throws on 3rd down, or just let him throw when they are not expecting it. I think he will throw a few times on first down, but how many times, do you see the conservative approach with a QB. Try and establish the run, and the pass when it is obvious. Well, I think this loses them the game.

WC BIAS you have to understand, everyone is in fear of the Patriots, and I am not a homer making that statement. Do you want to try and play catch up with New England or stay in the game as long as you can. Hey I say the one way, just like the above post states to beat New England is chuck it all day on them, and see what happens. You try and establish that run in the cold.......I think New England takes it

NEWPORT

 

[WCBias]

Fear of the Patriots? I just don't see it. This is an extremely well-coached team. Fear of Belicheck I believe, fear of the Patriots, not really. Look, this team has had a phenomenal run, but lets be honest, they haven't exactly been world beaters in the playoffs. In fact, in their two superbowl runs they have won four of the six games by exactly 3 points (three by last minute field goals). That's like Bush saying he has a mandate on his policies with 51% of the vote. The ONLY team they have blown out in the playoffs is Indianapolis....and that is always in the cold in their own crib.

I don't think New England puts the fear of god in anybody, certainly not the Raiders, Titans, Rams and Panthers (the four teams they squeaked by). I wanted the Chargers to play New England in the playoffs because I think that would have been their best chance to win. They just play good solid fundemental football, have the best coach in NFL history, and win.

 

[NEWPORT]

Fear of the Patriots? I just don't see it. This is an extremely well-coached team. Fear of Belicheck I believe, fear of the Patriots, not really. Look, this team has had a phenomenal run, but lets be honest, they haven't exactly been world beaters in the playoffs. In fact, in their two superbowl runs they have won four of the six games by exactly 3 points (three by last minute field goals). That's like Bush saying he has a mandate on his policies with 51% of the vote. The ONLY team they have blown out in the playoffs is Indianapolis....and that is always in the cold in their own crib.

I don't think New England puts the fear of god in anybody, certainly not the Raiders, Titans, Rams and Panthers (the four teams they squeaked by). I wanted the Chargers to play New England in the playoffs because I think that would have been their best chance to win. They just play good solid fundemental football, have the best coach in NFL history, and win.

Well Fear Belicheck is the SAME THING DUDE!!!! I mean I played Football, and EXECUTION is 90% of the GAME.

If you are wanting anyone to gurantee you a win on either side, I am not doing that. Of COURSE PITT can win, just like any other team can win on ANY GIVEN DAY. And are the PATRIOTS going to win 7 SUPERBOWLS in a row....NO OF COURSE not

BUT BRADY has been a world BEATER thus FAR 7-0 in POSTSEASON, only so, of ourse someday he will lose in post season.

BUT BACK TO YOUR THREAD TOPIC

You have not focused on one response to your own THREAD

Why is all the focus on Ben???

Because when they go three and out on conservative plays or one pass on 3rd down that goes incomplete, then you will realize why all the focus

Or if he throws on First and 2nd down, and a lot of play action, and they score, and he looks great then you will realize why all the focus

BOTTOM LINE ......BEN R has to have a great game either executing 1st down throws to shake up the defense, or CONVERTING 3rd downs.

It is all about CONVERTING 3rd downs by the QB, and making first downs BY THE QB in playoff games, Unless you are saying your running backs are going to combine for 180 yards rushing.

SO DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE TO "WHY ALL THE FOCUS ON BEN?"

That was your thread right???? Not about Steelers versus Patriots, and what the Patriots are or not

IT IS ABOUT BEN

 

[sphincter]

styles make fights......the same holds true in football,imo....the colts` finesse offense and and quick,but not physical defense, don`t match-up well with new england.....

pitt`s physical ground and pound style on both sides of the ball do match-up well with the pats....

imo...

 

[WCBias]

This is exatly my thought as well. You are going to live or die with BR, he either has to makethe throws on 3rd down, or just let him throw when they are not expecting it. I think he will throw a few times on first down, but how many times, do you see the conservative approach with a QB. Try and establish the run, and the pass when it is obvious. Well, I think this loses them the game.

WC BIAS you have to understand, everyone is in fear of the Patriots, and I am not a homer making that statement. Do you want to try and play catch up with New England or stay in the game as long as you can. Hey I say the one way, just like the above post states to beat New England is chuck it all day on them, and see what happens. You try and establish that run in the cold.......I think New England takes it

NEWPORT

This only went off topic when someone who claims not not to be a homer said everyone is in fear of the Patriots. And how exactly is the fear of Belichick the same thing as discussing the play of BR?

I'll bring it back to topic.

Saying BR has to convert on 3rd and long opportunities is as generic as it gets. There is 21 other players that will be busting their balls for Pittsburgh, they migt have something to do with the outcome as well. I think BR could be 13 for 25 passing for 150 yards and Pittsburgh could still win....likewise TB could pass for 400 yards and the Pats could still lose.

Hey, BR played his worst game of the year against the Jets and Pitt still won. He went so far as to contribute an interception for a touchdown AND an overtime interception. That's as bad as it gets...but somehow through luck and perceverence they won. No doubt if he does that vs. NE then Pitt probably won't win. But BR had nothing to do with special teams coverage, nor did he have anything to do with the defense holding the Jets to 3 points. There is much more to focus on than JUST BR/Tom Brady.

My point here was that BR/TB isn't the be-all/end-all matchup. Belichick/Cowher is absolutely more relevant. Pittsburgh's O-line vs. Pats D-line and linebacking corp is more relevant. Pittsburgh's much bigger receiving corp (compared to Indy's) vs. NE's makeshift secondary gets little mention. NE's kicking advantage sparks some conversation, but nothing like BR/TB.

Saying this game hinges on the play of BR is ludicrous. I'm not saying that it cant or won't. But he might just need to play average for Pittsburgh to win. Likewise, a career game by BR might not be enough to overcome a great NE gameplan.

 

[Dante]

I think many angles favor Pitt here. However, if Ben chokes NE rolls. Period.

great point Week