Thank you Ben

[zeke5123]

Scheme surely had something to do with it, but I would suggest his gun slinger attitude also.

Sure, but how much of that was BECAUSE Ben had to take risks to make that offense work?

Previous poster put it perfectly: higher highs and lower lows than other elite QB's. That smells a lot like an offense that didn't get the most out of it's QB, because such an offense would reduce the lows with scheme (and not via conservative playcalling).

Brees (Rivers, too) made a living off of jump balls to guys with some ridiculous ball skills. And some years, that didn't go all that well for Brees. If Ben had more of those guys, what does it look like when after everything else he tried was shot, he could toss a jump ball to a Michael Thomas or Jimmy Graham? Yeah, Ben had AB for about 8 years and that's about it.

I can’t help but notice the Steelers rarely scheme easy yards (the only two I can think of was when the first ran some fake bubble screens and the other was the moving pocket throw back to Juju plays). They almost never scheme easy TDs.

You watch Reid in KC and they frequently scheme easy yards and TDs. First, this means Mahomes is never really bad. Second, it makes Mahomes more deadly since it gets him in a rhythm and puts the defense on the defensive.

Tomlin has this idea that talent can just beat talent (ie try to scheme so your X can just beat their O). But even talent can use help sometime.

[Professor Half Wit]

Those points are rational and have merit, but I bet if we could see statistics on this, Ben would be way ahead of everyone else on the third and short bomb.

And let’s not forget: how many super bowl appearances and wins do these QBs not named Brady have in comparison to Ben? Is Ben better than all, but was stuck with worse coaching than everyone else? Would Rodgers have more trophies if not for McCarthy? Brees if not for Payton?

I generally only watch the Steelers.

[Jizz Mop]

The point of this thread is being lost

It’s supposed to be an appreciation thread

A lot of you are too young to appreciate how great it’s been to have had BB since 2004

For those of us who watched some pretty pathetic QBs post Terry Bradshaw, we truly appreciate what Ben has done

[Professor Half Wit]

The point of this thread is being lost

It’s supposed to be an appreciation thread

A lot of you are too young to appreciate how great it’s been to have had BB since 2004

For those of us who watched some pretty pathetic QBs post Terry Bradshaw, we truly appreciate what Ben has done

Assessing play is not a form of appreciation?

[Jizz Mop]

The point of this thread is being lost

It’s supposed to be an appreciation thread

A lot of you are too young to appreciate how great it’s been to have had BB since 2004

For those of us who watched some pretty pathetic QBs post Terry Bradshaw, we truly appreciate what Ben has done

Assessing play is not a form of appreciation?

I don’t appreciate some of the assessments

[COR-TEN]

The point of this thread is being lost

It’s supposed to be an appreciation thread

A lot of you are too young to appreciate how great it’s been to have had BB since 2004

For those of us who watched some pretty pathetic QBs post Terry Bradshaw, we truly appreciate what Ben has done

You mean we can't shit on tomlin?

[zeke5123]

The point of this thread is being lost

It’s supposed to be an appreciation thread

A lot of you are too young to appreciate how great it’s been to have had BB since 2004

For those of us who watched some pretty pathetic QBs post Terry Bradshaw, we truly appreciate what Ben has done

Assessing play is not a form of appreciation?

I don’t appreciate some of the assessments

That’s because some of the assessments are insane (eg Be. Can’t read a defense and simply relied on athleticism that hasn’t existed for the last decade).

[jewelsongs]

From the Post Gazette today.

Troy: Gerry, since this may be Ben's home swan song. Is there any special media moment of covering him in the media that really stands out to you over the years, that you would like to share?

Gerry Dulac: Troy, thanx for the question, but if I started listing one it would case me to list 20 and I wouldn't have enough time. Quick one: Ben is walking through the locker room during the week with a bag of ice on his knee, a bag of ice on his shoulder and a black eye. I said, "You going to be OK this week?" He says, "Oh yeah." Reminded me of a scene from Monty Python.

[Gonzo]

Scheme surely had something to do with it, but I would suggest his gun slinger attitude also.

Sure, but how much of that was BECAUSE Ben had to take risks to make that offense work?

Previous poster put it perfectly: higher highs and lower lows than other elite QB's. That smells a lot like an offense that didn't get the most out of it's QB, because such an offense would reduce the lows with scheme (and not via conservative playcalling).

Brees (Rivers, too) made a living off of jump balls to guys with some ridiculous ball skills. And some years, that didn't go all that well for Brees. If Ben had more of those guys, what does it look like when after everything else he tried was shot, he could toss a jump ball to a Michael Thomas or Jimmy Graham? Yeah, Ben had AB for about 8 years and that's about it.

I can’t help but notice the Steelers rarely scheme easy yards (the only two I can think of was when the first ran some fake bubble screens and the other was the moving pocket throw back to Juju plays). They almost never scheme easy TDs.

You watch Reid in KC and they frequently scheme easy yards and TDs. First, this means Mahomes is never really bad. Second, it makes Mahomes more deadly since it gets him in a rhythm and puts the defense on the defensive.

Tomlin has this idea that talent can just beat talent (ie try to scheme so your X can just beat their O). But even talent can use help sometime.

I see this noted in several online articles/analysis on the Steelers … they simply don’t create/scheme any advantages

[LakecrestSteeler]

From the Post Gazette today.

Troy: Gerry, since this may be Ben's home swan song. Is there any special media moment of covering him in the media that really stands out to you over the years, that you would like to share?

Gerry Dulac: Troy, thanx for the question, but if I started listing one it would case me to list 20 and I wouldn't have enough time. Quick one: Ben is walking through the locker room during the week with a bag of ice on his knee, a bag of ice on his shoulder and a black eye. I said, "You going to be OK this week?" He says, "Oh yeah." Reminded me of a scene from Monty Python.

I typed and deleted this sentiment a couple times in this thread.

That anecdote epitimizes my love for Ben. In the military they always had the saying “soldier first” which meant don’t forget basic training even if you are in a position where you may never use the skills again. That sentiment works for Ben.

He was a football player first. You can’t say that about many QBs. He probably has the best highlight real of all QBs doing football player stuff. His dives for scores, his immaculate tackle, and other TD saving tackles, his immaculate incompletion during the bad ankle & broken nose game quickly come to mind! And of course playing through pain and injuries.

Then you get into the iconic throws!

[Greeksteel]

From the Post Gazette today.

Troy: Gerry, since this may be Ben's home swan song. Is there any special media moment of covering him in the media that really stands out to you over the years, that you would like to share?

Gerry Dulac: Troy, thanx for the question, but if I started listing one it would case me to list 20 and I wouldn't have enough time. Quick one: Ben is walking through the locker room during the week with a bag of ice on his knee, a bag of ice on his shoulder and a black eye. I said, "You going to be OK this week?" He says, "Oh yeah." Reminded me of a scene from Monty Python.

I typed and deleted this sentiment a couple times in this thread.

That anecdote epitimizes my love for Ben. In the military they always had the saying “soldier first” which meant don’t forget basic training even if you are in a position where you may never use the skills again. That sentiment works for Ben.

He was a football player first. You can’t say that about many QBs. He probably has the best highlight real of all QBs doing football player stuff. His dives for scores, his immaculate tackle, and other TD saving tackles, his immaculate incompletion during the bad ankle & broken nose game quickly come to mind! And of course playing through pain and injuries.

Then you get into the iconic throws!

Yessir, and thats why I take Ben over anyone in any big game i need to win. Ben was a big tough, deceptively mobileand agile mofo with a rocket arm playing the QB position. so so criminally underrated even in his prime. Monday will be a sad day indeed, this guy is a LEGEND of the game imo. Forget about where you think he stands in the league, the mark that he left on the Steelers franchise alone, that is littered with greats and legends of the game of football speaks bigger volumes than anything or anyone else ever could. Thank you #7.

[Jizz Mop]

From the Post Gazette today.

Troy: Gerry, since this may be Ben's home swan song. Is there any special media moment of covering him in the media that really stands out to you over the years, that you would like to share?

Gerry Dulac: Troy, thanx for the question, but if I started listing one it would case me to list 20 and I wouldn't have enough time. Quick one: Ben is walking through the locker room during the week with a bag of ice on his knee, a bag of ice on his shoulder and a black eye. I said, "You going to be OK this week?" He says, "Oh yeah." Reminded me of a scene from Monty Python.

Flesh wound

[Steelersfan]

I'm not gonna get into the apples & oranges of different eras of football. Different schemes. Different coaches. Different styles of QB play. I can say this, I've watched every snap of every Steeler game since 1972, all though not always live. I seen many other greats play. Seen most of all the great QBs play.

I say this with upmost confidence, if I was a kid on a play ground and a team captain picking my football team; and every single QB throughout history, in their prime, was standing in front of me, I would have to really, really debate hard between Montana & Ben. But in the end, probably because my homerism, I would take Ben as my first pick. Brady would be a passing thought, mainly cause I don't like his game/style as much as Bens, but also cause I can't stand his douche personality.

Montana would be hard to pass over, but BEN's MY PICK. HANDS DOWN, no regrets. Toughest sumna bitch ever, leave it all on the field attitude, "will-the-win", heart, draw it up in the dirt, fuck it & fuck you style.

There's been better numbers, been more SBs won, been smarter, nicer humans & better stats. But prime Ben is who I WANT TO GO TO WAR WITH. And I guarantee my team would kick everybody else's ass most of time including all you snowflakes on this site that would pick the Mannings, Breeses, Bradys of the QB world. Ben is my guy, without a doubt.

[langer]

Ben put on a fucking clinic almost every time he played. he gets such little credit for how he played, it's just aggravating.

Taken for granted.

His legs are currently shot. Watching the old Ben, it's striking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pHvzI40OKg

[sinceiwas4]

Thanks Ben. for the tackle cuz Bettis didnt deserve to go out that way yet wouldve. thanks for the playoff performances that got us to that 1st superbowl and for the amazing game winning drive in the next one, i think the best superbowl gwd ever. thanks for being so damned fun to watch cuz the play was never over til u said it was which led to some amazingly long scramble around wtf plays and cuz of being so damn tough. a tough football player first qb is some Pittsburgh Steelers shit. broken nose, no flag? fuck it. dont miss a play and get the TD against the rival team anyway. 3,4 guys hanging on ya? drag em another 2 yrds to the right to get a passing lane and hit the scrambli g back wr for a big gain. thanks for playing with some bad bad olines and winning anyway without throwing them under the bus like some (cough cough manning) and instead sayin "hey, oline! who's laughing now?!" (one of my favorite Ben quotes btw) thanks for the 2 rings thanks for not falling on the ground like a baby anytime the D got close to you (cough cough brady) even tho that probly cost us a few yrs of your being elite. i appreciate the effort and the "look" of it way more than avoiding the hit. i just do. and i think most Steelers fans do too. maybe that makes us dumb but it sure was fun to watch you be one of the toughest guys on the field in the era of the "smart" (read pussy) Qbs that got so bad the rules were changed to save them from taps on the helmet and sacks that might be the kind that god forbid, hurt. thanks for dominating ohio. thanks for all the 500 plus yrd winning football games. thanks for the 5TD games. and thanks for winning way more than you lost. just..Thanks.
i get the disappointment some of you are spewing in this thread the last yrs since the superbowl loss havent been what we wanted for the team even tho i dont think that can be put on Ben as much as tomlins need for a championship caliber D he didnt single handedly save us from it like he maybe couldve earlier in his career, and now father time, and being one of or the most sacked/hit qbs of all time cut his legs out from him. and the current team's build is nowhere what he needs (mostly oline and blitz pickup/protection) to win with on tired legs... but srsly. take it to another thread this one is Thanks Ben. not what have you done for me lately Ben. ffs.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Thank you, Ben.

He’s been at the center of nearly all of my favorite Steeler memories.

The generation before mine has Bradshaw, and mine had Ben.

I look back at Ben’s career and can’t help but feel pissed off.

Ben could have very well equaled Bradshaw’s trophy count with a competent coaching staff.

Instead, we’re watching Ben’s career be put to rest in a sarcophagus of incompetence.

He deserved so much better.

I’ve watched some of the videos some of you guys have posted in various threads.

I have to admit I forgot how amazing he was when he had an offensive scheme that let him shine.

But the memories did flood back to me, and I’ll hang onto those forever.

[Jobu]

sarcophagus

(Yes, I had to look it up!)

[bradshaw2ben]

@Louis Lipps Service

Sarcophagus of incompetence goes directly into the pantheon of SteelerFurisms

[zeke5123]

Ben put on a fucking clinic almost every time he played. he gets such little credit for how he played, it's just aggravating.

Taken for granted.

His legs are currently shot. Watching the old Ben, it's striking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pHvzI40OKg

That video is doctored. On one of the alleged comebacks, there was a 3rd and 19 but there wasn’t a 2 yard check down. Since we all know the rules require a 2 yard check down as the designed play, I can only conclude the film is doctored.

[Greeksteel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF3ABq6o4fU

[COR-TEN]

You know its bad when I start watching steeler glory days highlights.

[Minkah'n Big Plays]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF3ABq6o4fU

Thanks, Greek, and others who have posted highlights of Ben's career.

Something I noticed, no matter how bad we said that o-line was in SB 43, they would shit all over this current group

What a monster Ben is, my FAVORITE all-time Steeler. I have always had the mindset, specifically the last 5 years that he would still get another shot in the big game, despite Tomlin, that's how good I think he was when he was ON. Recently, i heard someone (maybe it was Kodiak?) talk about how Ben is such an elite QB based on those highest of high type games, plays he made. We always had a chance if 7 had the ball last.

FUCK!!!! What if Ben brought us back against GB 31-25 with 2 minutes to go (1:55?) and we had the ball, even though that last possession turned out to be a mess. Anyway, on our first date (now my wife, 2 kids lol) i turned to her (at the time she didn't like him, now she loves him) and said Ben's gonna win this fuckin' game.

Gonna miss him more than any athlete in my life, i will be 46 in January.

[Greeksteel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF3ABq6o4fU

Thanks, Greek, and others who have posted highlights of Ben's career.

Something I noticed, no matter how bad we said that o-line was in SB 43, they would shit all over this current group

What a monster Ben is, my FAVORITE all-time Steeler. I have always had the mindset, specifically the last 5 years that he would still get another shot in the big game, despite Tomlin, that's how good I think he was when he was ON. Recently, i heard someone (maybe it was Kodiak?) talk about how Ben is such an elite QB based on those highest of high type games, plays he made. We always had a chance if 7 had the ball last.

FUCK!!!! What if Ben brought us back against GB 31-25 with 2 minutes to go (1:55?) and we had the ball, even though that last possession turned out to be a mess. Anyway, on our first date (now my wife, 2 kids lol) i turned to her (at the time she didn't like him, now she loves him) and said Ben's gonna win this fuckin' game.

Gonna miss him more than any athlete in my life, i will be 46 in January.

Same here Minkah, the only other athlete that comes close for me personally was Wendel Clark of my beloved Maple Leafs, like Ben he played every game like it could be his last and emptied the tank when he walked away. Ben was unreal, at his best which was for the majority of his career, i dont give a fuck what anyone says, he was THE BEST, what an absolute pleasure to watch this guy play the game in a way that very very few if any have played it and at an incredibly high level.

http://twitter.com/i/status/1476577247670808581

http://twitter.com/i/status/1476418763037843460

[Deebo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF3ABq6o4fU

Thanks, Greek, and others who have posted highlights of Ben's career.

Something I noticed, no matter how bad we said that o-line was in SB 43, they would shit all over this current group

What a monster Ben is, my FAVORITE all-time Steeler. I have always had the mindset, specifically the last 5 years that he would still get another shot in the big game, despite Tomlin, that's how good I think he was when he was ON. Recently, i heard someone (maybe it was Kodiak?) talk about how Ben is such an elite QB based on those highest of high type games, plays he made. We always had a chance if 7 had the ball last.

FUCK!!!! What if Ben brought us back against GB 31-25 with 2 minutes to go (1:55?) and we had the ball, even though that last possession turned out to be a mess. Anyway, on our first date (now my wife, 2 kids lol) i turned to her (at the time she didn't like him, now she loves him) and said Ben's gonna win this fuckin' game.

Gonna miss him more than any athlete in my life, i will be 46 in January.

Same here Minkah, the only other athlete that comes close for me personally was Wendel Clark of my beloved Maple Leafs, like Ben he played every game like it could be his last and emptied the tank when he walked away. Ben was unreal, at his best which was for the majority of his career, i dont give a fuck what anyone says, he was THE BEST, what an absolute pleasure to watch this guy play the game in a way that very very few if any have played it and at an incredibly high level.

http://twitter.com/i/status/1476577247670808581

That gave me the chills...

[Greeksteel]

Thanks, Greek, and others who have posted highlights of Ben's career.

Something I noticed, no matter how bad we said that o-line was in SB 43, they would shit all over this current group

What a monster Ben is, my FAVORITE all-time Steeler. I have always had the mindset, specifically the last 5 years that he would still get another shot in the big game, despite Tomlin, that's how good I think he was when he was ON. Recently, i heard someone (maybe it was Kodiak?) talk about how Ben is such an elite QB based on those highest of high type games, plays he made. We always had a chance if 7 had the ball last.

FUCK!!!! What if Ben brought us back against GB 31-25 with 2 minutes to go (1:55?) and we had the ball, even though that last possession turned out to be a mess. Anyway, on our first date (now my wife, 2 kids lol) i turned to her (at the time she didn't like him, now she loves him) and said Ben's gonna win this fuckin' game.

Gonna miss him more than any athlete in my life, i will be 46 in January.

Same here Minkah, the only other athlete that comes close for me personally was Wendel Clark of my beloved Maple Leafs, like Ben he played every game like it could be his last and emptied the tank when he walked away. Ben was unreal, at his best which was for the majority of his career, i dont give a fuck what anyone says, he was THE BEST, what an absolute pleasure to watch this guy play the game in a way that very very few if any have played it and at an incredibly high level.

http://twitter.com/i/status/1476577247670808581

That gave me the chills...

Gave me the chills to brother, guys like Ben come around to satisfy our sporting hungers once in a lifetime. Most underrated and underappreciated superstar of my lifetime.

[VASteelerGuy]

Thanks Ben!

What a blessing to have that guy at the helm for so many years.

If we had a team like the Bucs, I do believe this would be a different year(s) for him.

Something has not been right for years and the QB is only a part of the cast of characters. So many bad routes, missed tackles, drops, Covid, and the play-calling is so bad even my wife questions it. The look and body language of Ben this year was a real clue to how little control he had over the game.

Do the dirt grab and throw the earpiece away. I don't care what happens, just have fun and light it up.

[Gonzo]

In every one those clips you see Ben’s Mainmost skill
His head and eyes are Always down the field … he isn’t looking to run he is scanning and looking while under pressure.
It is a special skill
And why it’s so debatable that extending his career by forcing him to play very differently may no5 have been for the best
It’s why arians was made to go IMO
I am not saying let him get beat to shit
But maybe an investment in OL and longer focus on downfield throws would have led to more championships

[Greeksteel]

In every one those clips you see Ben’s Mainmost skill
His head and eyes are Always down the field … he isn’t looking to run he is scanning and looking while under pressure.
It is a special skill
And why it’s so debatable that extending his career by forcing him to play very differently may no5 have been for the best
It’s why arians was made to go IMO
I am not saying let him get beat to shit
But maybe an investment in OL and longer focus on downfield throws would have led to more championships

absolute disregard for his well being, laser focused on buying time and throwing (or running as a last resort) downfield daggers no matter what was always his greatest skill.

[steelmann58]

Most people don’t remember the years between Bradshaw to Ben. And all the hard times hope we don’t have to wait that long. But tell you I will be extremely disappointed in this team as a whole if the fail to come out and beat the Browns. No excuses for this team to not so the respect and win. By the way there is no wayBen is not going out his way leave Canada at home.

[StillerInCT]

The point of this thread is being lost

It’s supposed to be an appreciation thread

A lot of you are too young to appreciate how great it’s been to have had BB since 2004

For those of us who watched some pretty pathetic QBs post Terry Bradshaw, we truly appreciate what Ben has done

Neil O'Donnell probably being the best. I remember it got so bad in the late 90's I actively wanted to see Pete Gonzalez under center. Pete...Gonzalez... Enough Said.