Ben Roethlisberger's HISTORIC Rookie Season

[Shoes]

Maybe this has been posted, if so I haven't seen it. Click on the "Watch On Youtube"



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOSFvAcIh8I

[vasteeler]

Man...seems like yesterday

[lipps83]

It really was something special. You could tell from his first bit of playing time against the Ravens that he just had 'IT'.

[Edman]

It really was something special. You could tell from his first bit of playing time against the Ravens that he just had 'IT'.

It also helps that he wasn't asked to be the savior week in and out. Or asked to duplicate Tommy Maddox.

But he somehow had "it".

2004 was a perfect storm of a talented rookie with a solid veteran team around him. Ben was the missing cog that was needed for that machine.

[Craic]

Funny the things that stand out now. He had good receivers that helped him, rather than hurt him. And, of course, he had a run game that helped with the play action, although it wasn't called to often.

However, just a few games in, it's amazing how much he improved with putting touch on his throws, knowing the windows he could throw through, and his arm strength was just unreal.

[fansince'76]

It also helps that he wasn't asked to be the savior week in and out. Or asked to duplicate Tommy Maddox.

But he somehow had "it".

2004 was a perfect storm of a talented rookie with a solid veteran team around him. Ben was the missing cog that was needed for that machine.

It's OK, he'll be gone soon enough. But who will you have to bag on then? :scratchchin:

[Butch]

i just watched this last night on Youtube and yes it does just seem like yesterday. Thanks for posting

I knew we had something special when I saw what happened Dallas, down 10 going into the 4th quarter Ben lead us back for the win, and using his legs as well as his arm to do it.

I also remember people who would criticize him for holding onto the ball to long and I would say what makes him bad also makes him great. He never gave up on a play.

[86WARD]

It really was something special. You could tell from his first bit of playing time against the Ravens that he just had 'IT'.

I thought he was good, but that Cowboys game, that’s when I really, REALLY knew he was special. Then he followed that up by beating the best team in the AFC and best team in the NFC back-to-back.

During the Cowboys game, it wasn’t that his stats were great but he was showing he could make difficult throws and make them with confidence and there was a calmness about him. You could also tell he was a leader.

[tube517]

I thought he was good, but that Cowboys game, that’s when I really, REALLY knew he was special. Then he followed that up by beating the best team in the AFC and best team in the NFC back-to-back.

During the Cowboys game, it wasn’t that his stats were great but he was showing he could make difficult throws and make them with confidence and there was a calmness about him. You could also tell he was a leader.

I still remember the Cowboys game as well. I knew we were going to be good for a long time with a real QB.

[pczach]

It also helps that he wasn't asked to be the savior week in and out. Or asked to duplicate Tommy Maddox.

But he somehow had "it".

2004 was a perfect storm of a talented rookie with a solid veteran team around him. Ben was the missing cog that was needed for that machine.



You're right. He didn't duplicate Tommy Maddox.

He was far better than Tommy Maddox. Anyone watching and paying attention that understood football knew it immediately.

His coaches knew it.

His teammates knew it.

His opponents knew it.

[Steeler-in-west]

Awesome, how many QB’s can throw on the run like that. It’s also a reminder how cool Ben was in a collapsing pocket. Rudolph and Hodges should watch this video - a few times

[EzraTank]

I didn't realize how tall Paul Tagliabue was. He was eye to eye with Ben when they shook hands.

[Mojouw]

So a rookie QB can move their head, eyes, and feet all on the same play AND still complete a pass? I forgot that was possible.

Not to derail/hijack the thread - -but all I could think about watching that video was how awful Rudolph and Hodges looked by comparison.

[AtlantaDan]

So a rookie QB can move their head, eyes, and feet all on the same play AND still complete a pass? I forgot that was possible.

Not to derail/hijack the thread - -but all I could think about watching that video was how awful Rudolph and Hodges looked by comparison.

As did most every Steelers QB from 1983 through 2003

The term franchise QB is thrown around these days to seemingly cover at least a third of the starters in the league, but the real deal who does it at a top level for a decade does not come around that often

[EzraTank]

I forgot they beat the 6-0 Patriots and then the 7-0 Eagles the following week.

Had the Taperiots gotten caught they would have won the SB that year.

Also Burress tripped, fell down and dropped a lot of balls while running without being touched.

One of Hines Ward's (now illegal) blocks at 27:15. Man were they a thing of beauty.

[JnK]

What an awesome season that was! This has put me in the mood to dig out all of my dvd's and rewatch the entire season.
I miss seeing Hines Ward play with that huge grin on his face. Great memories!!
Thanks for sharing this!

[HollywoodSteel]

So a rookie QB can move their head, eyes, and feet all on the same play AND still complete a pass? I forgot that was possible.

Not to derail/hijack the thread - -but all I could think about watching that video was how awful Rudolph and Hodges looked by comparison.

Yeah, it is kind of true that we’re “spoiled” having Ben. But there’s just such a big difference between a QB who just has it, and ones who don’t.

[HollywoodSteel]

I almost forgot that Deuce Staley actually suited up for us occasionally. Most of my memories of him as a Steeler are on the sidelines in sweats.

[Edman]

You're right. He didn't duplicate Tommy Maddox.

He was far better than Tommy Maddox. Anyone watching and paying attention that understood football knew it immediately.

His coaches knew it.

His teammates knew it.

His opponents knew it.

They knew it so much and that's why Ben was riding the bench to start 2004 and was never going to see the field ever if Maddox doesn't get hurt.

Ben is talented no doubt, but he was also not asked to be the hero, and he was the perfect Quarterback for the veteran team around him. Multiple Pro Bowlers on the Offensive Line. Three future Hall Of Famers on offense. Defense stacked with multiple pro bowlers and a HOF safety. I don't see what that is some kind of insulting thing. Just get the ball to your playmakers and minimize mistakes.

He had "it" though and other Quarterbacks don't. Somehow.

[SteelersNorth]

They knew it so much and that's why Ben was riding the bench to start 2004 and was never going to see the field ever if Maddox doesn't get hurt.

Ben is talented no doubt, but he was also not asked to be the hero, and he was the perfect Quarterback for the veteran team around him. Multiple Pro Bowlers on the Offensive Line. Three future Hall Of Famers on offense. Defense stacked with multiple pro bowlers and a HOF safety. I don't see what that is some kind of insulting thing. Just get the ball to your playmakers and minimize mistakes.

He had "it" though and other Quarterbacks don't. Somehow.

Actually he was the 3rd string QB going into camp that year behind one Chuck Batch.
Batch got injured during camp/pre-season so Ben jumped to #2

Ultimately though, had that not happened the 15-1 04 season is probably a repeat of 03 at 6-10 maybe just maybe 8-8/9-7
And then because of Ben they go on the magical run in 2005.
And without Ben again 2008 'THE DRIVE' doesn't happen. Which oddly enough happened twice in the same season...once against the Ravens to clinch the division and of course the main one to win it all.

I get all the slagging for his off field junk and it's justified but his on field is right up there with the best of the best.

Let's hope he returns to the Ben of a few years ago and we win it all!

[Butch]

They knew it so much and that's why Ben was riding the bench to start 2004 and was never going to see the field ever if Maddox doesn't get hurt.

Ben is talented no doubt, but he was also not asked to be the hero, and he was the perfect Quarterback for the veteran team around him. Multiple Pro Bowlers on the Offensive Line. Three future Hall Of Famers on offense. Defense stacked with multiple pro bowlers and a HOF safety. I don't see what that is some kind of insulting thing. Just get the ball to your playmakers and minimize mistakes.

He had "it" though and other Quarterbacks don't. Somehow.

Yep he would have rode the bench if Tommy doesn't go down, but Tommy did go down and I didn't see the coaching staff struggling to decide who the starter should be when Tommy was healed, so while they may not have known it from the start I think they were pretty convinced when they saw and evaluated his performances in games that mattered.

Asking someone to be a hero? Really? Hero's don't have to be asked or invited to be a hero they simply go out and perform.

Yes he had some great players on both sides of the ball so what. Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach and even Joe Montana had quite a supporting cast as well doesn't mean they weren't all great QBs.

You still minimize what Ben did when you say just get the ball to your play makers. Ben not only got the ball to them he often times did it when he was under duress or holding onto the ball to long. He not only used his arm he used his legs to run the ball and also scramble around long enough to get the ball to those play makers.

ARE was a great talent when he was with Ben, but you never really heard from him when he left. Same with Martavis Bryant, Santonio Holmes and a few others.

[SteelersNorth]

Yep he would have rode the bench if Tommy doesn't go down, but Tommy did go down and I didn't see the coaching staff struggling to decide who the starter should be when Tommy was healed, so while they may not have known it from the start I think they were pretty convinced when they saw and evaluated his performances in games that mattered.

Asking someone to be a hero? Really? Hero's don't have to be asked or invited to be a hero they simply go out and perform.

Yes he had some great players on both sides of the ball so what. Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach and even Joe Montana had quite a supporting cast as well doesn't mean they weren't all great QBs.

You still minimize what Ben did when you say just get the ball to your play makers. Ben not only got the ball to them he often times did it when he was under duress or holding onto the ball to long. He not only used his arm he used his legs to run the ball and also scramble around long enough to get the ball to those play makers.

ARE was a great talent when he was with Ben, but you never really heard from him when he left. Same with Martavis Bryant, Santonio Holmes and a few others.

Mike Wallace is another.

Hell even add in Antonio DBAG Brown as a guy who literally amounted to NOTHING without Ben.

Fact is Ben Roethlisberger is the MOST UNDERRATED QB of this ERA and it's not even close...

[pczach]

They knew it so much and that's why Ben was riding the bench to start 2004 and was never going to see the field ever if Maddox doesn't get hurt.

Ben is talented no doubt, but he was also not asked to be the hero, and he was the perfect Quarterback for the veteran team around him. Multiple Pro Bowlers on the Offensive Line. Three future Hall Of Famers on offense. Defense stacked with multiple pro bowlers and a HOF safety. I don't see what that is some kind of insulting thing. Just get the ball to your playmakers and minimize mistakes.

He had "it" though and other Quarterbacks don't. Somehow.




How could he be the perfect quarterback for the team around him? You're the one that said he couldn't try to be Tommy Maddox. As if he wasn't capable of playing at the level Maddox could.

Would they have gone 16-0 or 15-1 with Maddox as quarterback? They should have won everything with that stud behind center.

The coaching staff, teammates, and everyone else knew it the second he played in live action. In football tape terms...he jumped off the screen when you saw him play.

You're one of a small group that couldn't see that Ben had "it". Did you listen to the announcers and analysts talk about Ben and what he was doing as a rookie? It just isn't something that happened up until that time. If you watch those highlights and not see a complete package of talents that other QBs simply couldn't do when he came into the league, that's on you. That year spoke for itself.

Just so you understand. Most quarterbacks that go to the HOF have "it".....and you usually see it very early in their careers because they do things routinely that other quarterbacks can't, or they do great things in big moments that other quarterbacks don't. It's not that difficult.

Just keep hating on the guy. It's what you do.

[Mojouw]

Look back at the big three from the draft class. In full hindsight many of the draft pundits nailed it.

Eli was the cleanest prospect. Most scheme advanced and cerebral when they came out.

Rivers was the most advanced as a passer. Ready to play right away and do a ton of NFL type things. All these years later still likely the best pure passer of the 3.

Ben was the wildcard. Likely had the best physical tools as a thrower of the 3. But he was raw and unrefined. So more of a gamble.

I remember reading predraft someone argue that if you needed one of the three to lead a late game drive outside in foul weather and just stick a 10 yard out into coverage, Ben was your guy. If you wanted a brainy QB to dissect a complex defense, Eli was your guy. If you wanted a guy to make a bunch of passes and not turn the ball over, Rivers was your guy.

I think those thumbnail sketches still hold up.

[fansince'76]

They knew it so much and that's why Ben was riding the bench to start 2004 and was never going to see the field ever if Maddox doesn't get hurt.

And the sainted Tom Brady rode the bench for a season+ behind Bledsoe until Bledsoe got hurt. So what?

Cowher undervalued the QB position anyway, which is a big reason why the Kordell Experiment lasted for five years and why he also was about to pull the trigger on an OT in the first round of the '04 draft until Dan Rooney pulled rank on him and forced him to take Roethlisberger. Speaking of which, where is Shawn Andrews now? Oh yeah, he's been out of the league for about a decade.

[Six Rings]

And the sainted Tom Brady rode the bench for a season+ behind Bledsoe until Bledsoe got hurt. So what?

Cowher undervalued the QB position anyway, which is a big reason why the Kordell Experiment lasted for five years and why he also was about to pull the trigger on an OT in the first round of the '04 draft until Dan Rooney pulled rank on him and forced him to take Roethlisberger. Speaking of which, where is Shawn Andrews now? Oh yeah, he's been out of the league for about a decade.

If Cowher wasn't on board with Ben being the pick, it would not have happened. I never saw anything in print or video where Dan Rooney ordered this pick

[fansince'76]

If Cowher wasn't on board with Ben being the pick, it would not have happened. I never saw anything in print or video where Dan Rooney ordered this pick

Seriously? It's pretty widely documented.


Today’s lesson in Dan Rooney history is literally the most important anecdote in modern Steelers history—the story of how he convinced the team to draft quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rather than offensive lineman Shawn Andrews. That executive decision—or suggestion—no doubt changed the franchise’s fortunes over the past decade-plus.

This is a widely-documented account from which can be cited any number of sources. Just one of them would be an article from Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on the eve of Super Bowl XLV. “Imagine what might have occurred in the past decade had the Steelers drafted offensive lineman Shawn Andrews in the first round in 2004 instead of Ben Roethlisberger”, he began.

“That was their intention, until Dan Rooney stepped in”. Rooney, in fact, recounted this event in his autobiography published three years prior to the article, in 2007. Bouchette quotes the man himself: “I couldn’t bear the thought of passing on another great quarterback prospect the way we had passed on Dan Marino in 1983, so I steered the conversation around to Roethlisberger”.

https://steelersdepot.com/2017/04/friendly-reminder-dan-rooney-reason-pittsburgh-drafted-roethlisberger/

[tube517]

If Cowher wasn't on board with Ben being the pick, it would not have happened. I never saw anything in print or video where Dan Rooney ordered this pick

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5117RRb11CL._SX332_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

All in this book as FS76 states above.

[DesertSteel]

I watched the 2006 Super Bowl on the nfl network last night. It’s amazing how well Ben could move back then. But that pass from El was perfect - aided by a great block by Ben.

[pczach]

And the sainted Tom Brady rode the bench for a season+ behind Bledsoe until Bledsoe got hurt. So what?

Cowher undervalued the QB position anyway, which is a big reason why the Kordell Experiment lasted for five years and why he also was about to pull the trigger on an OT in the first round of the '04 draft until Dan Rooney pulled rank on him and forced him to take Roethlisberger. Speaking of which, where is Shawn Andrews now? Oh yeah, he's been out of the league for about a decade.



Nailed it.

[Hawkman]

I watched the 2006 Super Bowl on the nfl network last night. It’s amazing how well Ben could move back then. But that pass from El was perfect - aided by a great block by Ben.

I can still remember my reaction to that play. We were having a pretty big party at our house and people had thought I lost my mind. I think they moved away from me just a little.:rofl2:

[tube517]

I can still remember my reaction to that play. We were having a pretty big party at our house and people had thought I lost my mind. I think they moved away from me just a little.:rofl2:

Pretty close to my wife's reaction. She jumped up on the couch and almost tipped over LMAO

[steel striker]

You could tell even after Tommy went down Ben almost brought the Steelers back in that game against the Ravens he was something special.

[AtlantaDan]

You could tell even after Tommy went down Ben almost brought the Steelers back in that game against the Ravens he was something special.

Some were not so sure :chuckle:

Not everyone is excited about Roethlisberger's first NFL start

The excitement that rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger might bring Sunday in Miami to his first NFL start is not what co-captain Alan Faneca prefers....

"Exciting?" Faneca replied to a question in an are-you-crazy kind of way. "No, it's not exciting. Do you want to go work with some little young kid who's just out of college?"

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2004/09/21/Not-everyone-is-excited-about-Roethlisberger-s-first-NFL-start/stories/200409210185

Interesting to look back and see how Ben replacing Maddox was regarded at the time it happened with no idea how well it was going to turn out.

[teegre]

If Cowher wasn't on board with Ben being the pick, it would not have happened. I never saw anything in print or video where Dan Rooney ordered this pick


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNcJpbPHwdM&app=desktop&persist_app=1

[teegre]

If Cowher wasn't on board with Ben being the pick, it would not have happened. I never saw anything in print or video where Dan Rooney ordered this pick

Really though. It was discussed a few times (back a few months ago) in several of the dozens of threads that you started.

SIX RINGS: Cowher never had a franchise QB...
FAN’76: Cowher ignored the QB position...
(You would start another thread.)

SIX RINGS: Imagine if Cowher had a franchise QB...
HAWAII: Cowher didn’t want Ben...
(You would start another thread.)

SIX RINGS: Cowher would have been much better...
TUBE517: Joe Montana begged to come here, but Cowher told him to go away...
(You would start another thread.)

SIX RINGS: If Cowher had had a franchise QB...
HAWKMAN: Cowher was supposed to draft Brees...
(You would start another thread.)

SIX RINGS: Cowher woulda won ten Super Bowls...
TEEGRE: Cowher’s philosophy almost worked. Except...
(You would start another thread.)

Repeat.

[Hawkman]

Really though. It was discussed a few times (back a few months ago) in several of the dozens of threads that you started.

SIX RINGS: Cowher never had a franchise QB...
FAN’76: Cowher ignored the QB position...
(You would start another thread.)

SIX RINGS: Imagine if Cowher had a franchise QB...
HAWAII: Cowher didn’t want Ben...
(You would start another thread.)

SIX RINGS: Cowher would have been much better...
TUBE517: Joe Montana begged to come here, but Cowher told him to go away...
(You would start another thread.)

SIX RINGS: If Cowher had had a franchise QB...
HAWKMAN: Cowher was supposed to draft Brees...
(You would start another thread.)

SIX RINGS: Cowher woulda won ten Super Bowls...
TEEGRE: Cowher’s philosophy almost worked. Except...
(You would start another thread.)

Repeat.

Damn son, you did some serious mining.:heh:

[teegre]

Damn son, you did some serious mining.:heh:

Well... I am from West Virginia. :wink02:

[Hawkman]

Well... I am from West Virginia. :wink02:

:rofl2:

[Edman]

How could he be the perfect quarterback for the team around him? You're the one that said he couldn't try to be Tommy Maddox. As if he wasn't capable of playing at the level Maddox could.

Would they have gone 16-0 or 15-1 with Maddox as quarterback? They should have won everything with that stud behind center.

The coaching staff, teammates, and everyone else knew it the second he played in live action. In football tape terms...he jumped off the screen when you saw him play.

That same team was a Joe Nedney acting job away from a second consecutive AFC title game appearance with Maddox in 2002. This isn't a group of rookies and scrubs Ben was playing with in 2004.


You're one of a small group that couldn't see that Ben had "it". Did you listen to the announcers and analysts talk about Ben and what he was doing as a rookie? It just isn't something that happened up until that time. If you watch those highlights and not see a complete package of talents that other QBs simply couldn't do when he came into the league, that's on you. That year spoke for itself.

That is not the argument. No one, not a single person here said Ben "lacked talent" or wasn't a good package.


Just so you understand. Most quarterbacks that go to the HOF have "it".....and you usually see it very early in their careers because they do things routinely that other quarterbacks can't, or they do great things in big moments that other quarterbacks don't. It's not that difficult.

Just keep hating on the guy. It's what you do.

All quarterbacks have some level of talent. That's how they catch the eyes of coaches and scouts make it to the NFL to begin with. There isn't some arbitary imaginary stuff like "It" that makes them successful. Andrew Luck was the absolute surefire thing. First pick of the draft. Multiple pro bowls and all-pro honors. But he was out of the league by 29. Did Andrew Luck just not have "it"?

2004 Ben was a perfect combination of a talented rookie placed in stable organization with a solid team with elite veteran talent surrounding him. Ben had a minimal workload, wasn't asked to do much, and his teammates did the rest. Ben was that extra surge that took that team over the top. Ben was the perfect fit for the Steelers.

[Craic]

Ben had a minimal workload, wasn't asked to do much, and his teammates did the rest. Ben was that extra surge that took that team over the top. Ben was the perfect fit for the Steelers.

Except, that is wrong. Or, let me rephrase, it is right for a good portion of the first season, but by the end and headed into our first SB winning season since the '70s dynasty, Ben was carrying the workload, putting the team up in points, and then Cowher would shut down the passing game and run out the clock. Moreover, give that video another look. Ben did not have clean pockets. He was flushed out of the pocket many times. That great O-line you refer to, was a great run-blocking O-line.

Look, did Ben land in a good place? Yes. Of course, that good place called the Pittsburgh Steelers won only six games the previous year with Maddox at the helm. Ben wasn't the "extra surge." He was the engine that allowed all the other moving parts (on offense) to operate at a much higher level as well as providing the defense with more room to breathe.

[pczach]

That same team was a Joe Nedney acting job away from a second consecutive AFC title game appearance with Maddox in 2002. This isn't a group of rookies and scrubs Ben was playing with in 2004.



That is not the argument. No one, not a single person here said Ben "lacked talent" or wasn't a good package.



All quarterbacks have some level of talent. That's how they catch the eyes of coaches and scouts make it to the NFL to begin with. There isn't some arbitary imaginary stuff like "It" that makes them successful. Andrew Luck was the absolute surefire thing. First pick of the draft. Multiple pro bowls and all-pro honors. But he was out of the league by 29. Did Andrew Luck just not have "it"?

2004 Ben was a perfect combination of a talented rookie placed in stable organization with a solid team with elite veteran talent surrounding him. Ben had a minimal workload, wasn't asked to do much, and his teammates did the rest. Ben was that extra surge that took that team over the top. Ben was the perfect fit for any team.



You're so full of it. In 2003 they were 6-10. That's the team they were before Ben became quarterback. Going back multiple years to try to make a point and ignore the previous year which is a much more accurate portrayal....:jerkit:...that's so you. Maddox started all 16 games in 2003.......6-10 record. Swing and a miss.


Ben wasn't the perfect fit for the Steelers. He was the perfect fit for any team because he is a great quarterback......DUH.

Once again, a simple truth eludes you.

[SteelersNorth]

Look back at the big three from the draft class. In full hindsight many of the draft pundits nailed it.

Eli was the cleanest prospect. Most scheme advanced and cerebral when they came out.

Rivers was the most advanced as a passer. Ready to play right away and do a ton of NFL type things. All these years later still likely the best pure passer of the 3.

Ben was the wildcard. Likely had the best physical tools as a thrower of the 3. But he was raw and unrefined. So more of a gamble.

I remember reading predraft someone argue that if you needed one of the three to lead a late game drive outside in foul weather and just stick a 10 yard out into coverage, Ben was your guy. If you wanted a brainy QB to dissect a complex defense, Eli was your guy. If you wanted a guy to make a bunch of passes and not turn the ball over, Rivers was your guy.

I think those thumbnail sketches still hold up.

I'm going to respectfully disagree.

The pre draft stuff is all hogwash until they step on the field.
Rivers has the absolute WORST throwing motion I've ever seen!

Of the big 3 that year Ben is the ONLY sure fire HOFer
Eli admittedly will make it because his last name is 'Manning' and because of his 2 Super Bowls beating New England.
Rivers should NEVER get a sniff and while he's at it get snipped lol

- - - Updated - - -


You're so full of it. In 2003 they were 6-10. That's the team they were before Ben became quarterback. Going back multiple years to try to make a point and ignore the previous year which is a much more accurate portrayal....:jerkit:...that's so you. Maddox started all 16 games in 2003.......6-10 record. Swing and a miss.


Ben wasn't the perfect fit for the Steelers. He was the perfect fit for any team because he is a great quarterback......DUH.

Once again, a simple truth eludes you.

Some people just hate the FACTS & TRUTH!
You know that Ben MADE the Steelers BETTER.

[Butch]

Ben had a minimal workload, wasn't asked to do much, and his teammates did the rest

ROFLMAO minimal work load. Wasn't asked to do much I guess all those times he used his legs to make a play he was simply ignoring the coaches who wanted him to just hand the ball off to the RB. If this is how you really feel you have no idea how fortunate the Steelers are to have Ben as the QB of this team.

[hawaiiansteeler]

If Cowher wasn't on board with Ben being the pick, it would not have happened. I never saw anything in print or video where Dan Rooney ordered this pick

https://i.pinimg.com/474x/61/83/89/6183898c23dedcfdf9857c9fa5140c71.jpg

[polamalubeast]

Ben was a special QB since day one!

Great video!

[polamalubeast]

ROFLMAO minimal work load. Wasn't asked to do much I guess all those times he used his legs to make a play he was simply ignoring the coaches who wanted him to just hand the ball off to the RB. If this is how you really feel you have no idea how fortunate the Steelers are to have Ben as the QB of this team.

Many forget that in 2004 and 2005, the steelers had a run-pass ratio of about 50-50 in the first half, but after, often after a big led because of some big play by Ben and other things, the steelers ran the ball for almost the second half to keep their lead ... Just watch the game against the colts in the playoffs in 2005.

[polamalubeast]

They knew it so much and that's why Ben was riding the bench to start 2004 and was never going to see the field ever if Maddox doesn't get hurt.

Ben is talented no doubt, but he was also not asked to be the hero, and he was the perfect Quarterback for the veteran team around him. Multiple Pro Bowlers on the Offensive Line. Three future Hall Of Famers on offense. Defense stacked with multiple pro bowlers and a HOF safety. I don't see what that is some kind of insulting thing. Just get the ball to your playmakers and minimize mistakes.

He had "it" though and other Quarterbacks don't. Somehow.

First, at this time, the rookie QB was on the bench for most of the time, so we can't blame Cowher for that

The other thing, the steelers were 6-10 the year before and was very unimpressive in the first two games of the season without Ben as starting against the Raiders and Ravens. 13-0 with Ben after, best regular season in steelers history.

[polamalubeast]

Some were not so sure :chuckle:

Not everyone is excited about Roethlisberger's first NFL start

The excitement that rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger might bring Sunday in Miami to his first NFL start is not what co-captain Alan Faneca prefers....

"Exciting?" Faneca replied to a question in an are-you-crazy kind of way. "No, it's not exciting. Do you want to go work with some little young kid who's just out of college?"

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2004/09/21/Not-everyone-is-excited-about-Roethlisberger-s-first-NFL-start/stories/200409210185

Interesting to look back and see how Ben replacing Maddox was regarded at the time it happened with no idea how well it was going to turn out.



At this time,it was very hard for a rookie QB to be good.I mean before 2004,the most win ever for a rookie QB were only 6!

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That same team was a Joe Nedney acting job away from a second consecutive AFC title game appearance with Maddox in 2002. This isn't a group of rookies and scrubs Ben was playing with in 2004.



That is not the argument. No one, not a single person here said Ben "lacked talent" or wasn't a good package.



All quarterbacks have some level of talent. That's how they catch the eyes of coaches and scouts make it to the NFL to begin with. There isn't some arbitary imaginary stuff like "It" that makes them successful. Andrew Luck was the absolute surefire thing. First pick of the draft. Multiple pro bowls and all-pro honors. But he was out of the league by 29. Did Andrew Luck just not have "it"?

2004 Ben was a perfect combination of a talented rookie placed in stable organization with a solid team with elite veteran talent surrounding him. Ben had a minimal workload, wasn't asked to do much, and his teammates did the rest. Ben was that extra surge that took that team over the top. Ben was the perfect fit for the Steelers.

The 2002 Steelers were only 10-5-1 and they almost lost at home in the wild card round against the Cleveland Browns….Yes Ben was in a good situation at the start,but almost every QB who has been good or great at the start was in a great situation and it includes Patrick Mahomes.

[polamalubeast]

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