Bires: Big Ben needs to change his style to survive

Mike Bires mbires@timesonline.com

PITTSBURGH -- Mike Tomlin promises change in 2012 for the Steelers. The starting point should come at quarterback.

No doubt Ben Roethlisberger rates among the NFL's elite. But for his well being, he must alter the way he plays the game.

Often during his first eight pro seasons, he's been the grand improviser. He's unique in the way he makes plays on the fly. He's strong enough to shrug off tacklers and mobile enough to elude pass rushers and throw on the run. His competitive nature prompts him to keep buying time and extending plays better than anyone in the league.

That's who he is. That's what makes Big Ben tick.

But that style is eventually going to get him destroyed.

He cannot continue to take the hits he does every year and expect to last much longer.

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Also from the article:

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For his safety, Roethlisberger must learn to get rid of the all quicker. He should throw more short, quick-striking passes that could virtually negate a pass rush. He shouldn't be afraid to throw the ball away when receivers are covered.

I think we all can agree with this. So the question is ... who's responsible for getting Ben to do that? The same person who believes in allowing Ben to be Ben?

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I think we all can agree with this. So the question is ... who's responsible for getting Ben to do that? The same person who believes in allowing Ben to be Ben?

Exactly! I think this falls on Tomlin. He is head coach, isn't he? I'm sorry, I just don't consider Ben an "elite". Good, yes. Great, maybe. Elite? Not IMHO. Elite was what I saw today; Brees, Brady.

BTW, everything I've read on the net this evening points to Jerrod Johnson signing with the Steelers for qb position. (Maybe to replace Dixon, Batch?)

Gingerchip wrote:

Quote :

I think we all can agree with this. So the question is ... who's responsible for getting Ben to do that? The same person who believes in allowing Ben to be Ben?

Exactly! I think this falls on Tomlin. He is head coach, isn't he? I'm sorry, I just don't consider Ben an "elite". Good, yes. Great, maybe. Elite? Not IMHO. Elite was what I saw today; Brees, Brady.

BTW, everything I've read on the net this evening points to Jerrod Johnson signing with the Steelers for qb position. (Maybe to replace Dixon, Batch?)

Steelers also sign former TCU WR Jimmy Young and former Ohio State DB Antonio Smith as the Steelers start expanding their roster to 80 players.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/01/steelers-sign-former-texas-am-aggies-qb-jerrod-johnson-to-futures-contract/

Ben has to change his style, but I believe in order to do that he needs a solid O-line. Without that it doesn't matter if he tries to change his style as he'll still be running for his life and risking injury in order to avoid DLs and LBs out to break his leg.

Wallace108 wrote:

Also from the article:

Quote :

For his safety, Roethlisberger must learn to get rid of the all quicker. He should throw more short, quick-striking passes that could virtually negate a pass rush. He shouldn't be afraid to throw the ball away when receivers are covered.

I think we all can agree with this. So the question is ... who's responsible for getting Ben to do that? The same person who believes in allowing Ben to be Ben?

Just to put htis out there again.

2 head coaches, 3 offensive coordinators, however many different quarteback coaches and one quarterback playing the same way.

stlrtruck wrote:

Ben has to change his style, but I believe in order to do that he needs a solid O-line. Without that it doesn't matter if he tries to change his style as he'll still be running for his life and risking injury in order to avoid DLs and LBs out to break his leg.

this is what I'm talkin about when a 4 man rush is getting to you fast it doesn't matter short pass or long pass most likely nothing is open because they have 7 in coverage.

you need a effing offensive line if you want to play with the big boys. yes you can get away with it for a little bit but it will come back to get you like with a QB with a bad high ankle sprain.

Please front office fix the g damn offensive line.