Steelers' film study: Big Ben ... pocket passer?

[polamalubeast]

It has become common knowledge that Ben Roethlisberger is pretty good at eluding the pass rush and making plays down the field, and the Steelers’ 27-10 win Sunday over the New York Jets was no exception.

When he moved around in the pocket — by design or necessity — Roethlisberger completed 7 of 10 passes for 98 yards and a key 37-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, finishing with a passer rating of 134.6.

But what has been glossed over with the continued maturation of Roethlisberger as a quarterback is his ability to be a legitimate pocket passer.

Roethlisberger showed that last year against New England when he picked apart the Patriots’ defense, and again against the Jets this past weekend.

Roethlisberger completed 17 of 21 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown when he was a “statue” in the pocket. He finished with a passer rating of 117.7 in those situations.


Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/2618647-85/roethlisberger-steelers-jets-mark-kaboly-pocket-game-passer-field-pass?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tribunereviewsteelers+%28Stee lers+Stories%29#ixzz26n908Xva
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[fansince'76]

Outside of a couple of moments in the Broncos game, he's been a beast. I think Haley's been good for him.

[Edman]

These past two games are easily the sharpest Ben has ever played in years. Hits and Sacks will happen, but he's not getting smashed or pulling himself off of the turf. He's not trying to be a Cowboy. Playing sandlot cowboy is why he got his ankle snapped last year. Being completely reckless and undisciplined is what caused him to take such a beating. The same thing happened to Vick in Philly. The Difference is that Ben is a better QB than Mike Vick.

The play where the Jets had a free guy rushing at him, dodged him and completed the throw to Cotch was easily the play of the game. Ben constantly burned the Jets Blitz. Not by scrambling all over the place and trying to do everything, but just moving around in the pocket. Notice the O-Line is much better in Pass-Pro when the QB is more disciplined and not farting around in the backfield.

[steelreserve]

You know what I think's been helping that a lot? They've been calling more quick passes, as well as calling more plays for Miller.

Seriously, using Miller as a receiver more often has been huge by itself - not only is he catching passes, but just being out there takes up an extra defender and makes it easier for the WRs to get open.

[ALLD]

And dumping off to the RB like what has been asked for the last two seasons. No need to throw the ball 10 yards to make 10 yards. Dump it off and let a RB do his job besides taking hand offs.

[polamalubeast]

3rd down offense for the steelers


http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/downs/sort/thirdDownConvPct

[zulater]

3rd down offense for the steelers


http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/downs/sort/thirdDownConvPct

They;'re converting 3rd and longs at an amazing rate. But that wont last over the long haul. They need to start doing a better job on first and second down's.

I've heard some people complain that Ben threw too many dangerous passes against the Broncos, that he got away with a few before the pick 6. Well truthfully after having watched the game again on NFL rewind, his decisions weren't nearly as bad as most think. In fact I would say for the most part the reason Ben became vulnerable to picks as the game went on is because he had to keep going to the same well over and over as a result of them having to convert long 3rd downs all night long previous to that. Against quality competition if you're constantly in long yardage situations you're going to turn the ball over and take sacks. That's why we lost against the Broncos as much as anything the defense didn't do.

And again it wasn't Ben's fault. It came about as a result of the failure of the team to have a cohesive offense on first and second down for most of the night.

[polamalubeast]

They;'re converting 3rd and longs at an amazing rate. But that wont last over the long haul. They need to start doing a better job on first and second down's.

Mike Tomlin said this today

[zulater]

Big Ben tops on third down
Ben Roethlisberger's effectiveness as a passer has eased the failings of his runners, especially in critical portions of the game.
He leads all quarterbacks in third-down passing efficiency with a 146.8 rating. He has completed 19 of 25 passes for 251 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on third downs. Among them was his 37-yard scoring pass to Mike Wallace on third-and-16 Sunday. The Steelers converted eight of 15 third downs against the Jets.
"We kept drives alive, and it allowed us to possess the ball," Tomlin said. "On our last 10-minute drive, we were 4 for 4 on third downs. When you do that, you put yourself in position to win."
The Steelers have converted 19 of 34 third downs in two games, a 55.9 percent success rate that leads the NFL.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...#ixzz26uWdxWAL

[GBMelBlount]

Big Ben tops on third down
Ben Roethlisberger's effectiveness as a passer has eased the failings of his runners, especially in critical portions of the game.
He leads all quarterbacks in third-down passing efficiency with a 146.8 rating. He has completed 19 of 25 passes for 251 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on third downs. Among them was his 37-yard scoring pass to Mike Wallace on third-and-16 Sunday. The Steelers converted eight of 15 third downs against the Jets.
"We kept drives alive, and it allowed us to possess the ball," Tomlin said. "On our last 10-minute drive, we were 4 for 4 on third downs. When you do that, you put yourself in position to win."
The Steelers have converted 19 of 34 third downs in two games, a 55.9 percent success rate that leads the NFL.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...#ixzz26uWdxWAL

Nice read Zu

We had the highest team passer rating in the pre season too.

With Ben in his prime and the Steelers having arguably the best trio of receivers I think the sky is the limit this year.

[tube517]

You know what I think's been helping that a lot? They've been calling more quick passes, as well as calling more plays for Miller.

Seriously, using Miller as a receiver more often has been huge by itself - not only is he catching passes, but just being out there takes up an extra defender and makes it easier for the WRs to get open.




And dumping off to the RB like what has been asked for the last two seasons. No need to throw the ball 10 yards to make 10 yards. Dump it off and let a RB do his job besides taking hand offs.


This.

I am hoping once Mendy is back, Haley utilizes him more in the passing game



During the playoff run in 2005, Miller was a big factor in getting out to leads in the playoffs. As far as the quick passes, Ben did that against New England last year w/great results. The potential is there. The achilles heel? The Offensive Line.