Is Ben still clutch?

[zoneblitzerII]

When I saw Ben stride out from the sidelines after his 2nd INT, I did not like the look of his body language. He looked defeated already. Here was a chance at redemption and to drive his team down for the win. Instead he sailed a long ball directly into the hands of the opposition. His body language before that pass charted that throw. The question needs to be asked: Is he still clutch when it absolutely matters most?

The answer is, unfortunately, no. No, he is not. He used to be. It was routine for him. But it has been awhile since I've seen that Ben. He's still a very good to great QB. But the fourth quarter comebacks are a thing of the past. He just isn't that guy anymore. Furthermore, he hurt his team today very badly with his INTs late in the game. As a veteran leader of this club, he just can't do that and he knows that.

So what now? They need to protect Ben by giving him more of a game manager role. The long bombs today are an example of low percentage stupidity and it contributed to their loss. I simply did not understand today's play-calling at all. They should use Ben and his talents to play high percentage possession football. Call it dink and dunk if you want, but it works. I've seen him do it with great success. In this way Ben, will get you the lead and in that way you'll win more than you lose.

Just don't ask Ben to win it for you at the end. He's just not that guy anymore, sadly. That Ben is long gone.

[stillers4me]

Really. Seriously?

Another post I have to watch and delete from twitter and Facebook and I'm about done with it.

[zoneblitzerII]

Really. Seriously?

Another post I have to watch and delete from twitter and Facebook and I'm about done with it.

The truth hurts.

[hawaiiansteeler]

The truth hurts.

if only Ben watched more film and was a better leader like Peyton...

[Drazo85]

if only Ben watched more film and was a better leader like Peyton...

Or if Tomlin called that timeout at 2:38 and saved exactly three seconds.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Or if Tomlin called that timeout at 2:38 and saved exactly three seconds.

sure hope we get Mike Vick back from his injury soon...

[fansince'76]

Really. Seriously?

Another post I have to watch and delete from twitter and Facebook and I'm about done with it.

Yep, time to turn the feeds off on days when the team loses, because all the numbnuts come out of the woodwork.

[zulater]

Ben's hobbled. Only an idiot would judge Ben on today's performance. Go away!

[Shoes]

Delete thread!

[vasteeler]

[Skinart82]

This might be the dumbest post yet. His first game back from injury, it's obvious to anyone watching that the knee is still bothering him and you think he's not clutch? I still wouldn't want any other QB with 2 minutes tong and needing a TD to win. If we would have had a few more seconds and he scored the game winning TD would you have even written this?

[tube517]

This might be the dumbest post yet. His first game back from injury, it's obvious to anyone watching that the knee is still bothering him and you think he's not clutch? I still wouldn't want any other QB with 2 minutes tong and needing a TD to win. If we would have had a few more seconds and he scored the game winning TD would you have even written this?

Yep. After that one hit he was limping. His accuracy was off as opposed to the opening drive


But, you know the season is over so we may as well wrap it up and call it a day. Goodbye all. See you next year.

[hawaiiansteeler]

But, you know the season is over so we may as well wrap it up and call it a day. Goodbye all. See you next year.

nah, all is not lost this season.

just think how many more Boykin threads we could still start...

[salamander]

nah, all is not lost this season.

just think how many more Boykin threads we could still start...

We need one of those signs that says, "It's been ___ days since the last Boykin thread."

[Shoes]

Lot's of dropped balls out there today, Bryant mostly.

[86WARD]

Yes. Traditionally he's been bad after returning from injury if I recall correctly.

[steelerdude15]

Yes. Traditionally he's been bad after returning from injury if I recall correctly.

He is. Ben is pretty bad in his first game back after injury.


Roethlisberger's return games haven't been all that memorable for Steelers

Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field, Ben Roethlisberger will ride in on his white horse to lead the Steelers to a victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, giving them hope of repeating as AFC North Division champions.

That is the fairy-tale comeback Steelers fans want to witness.

But, based on history, fairy-tale endings usually don’t take place when Roethlisberger returns from injury.

The Steelers are 2-4 in Roethlisberger’s first games back after injury, and his performances in those games haven’t been memorable.

Read More: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201510290085

[zoneblitzerII]

The issue is one of Ben's ability to close out games. In his career, he has tailed off DRAMATICALLY in crunch time. And THAT IS A FACT. It is not a judgement on his game performance in the 2nd or 3rd quarter.
Coaching staff and management need to acknowledge this FACT and adjust accordingly.

[lipps83]

The issue is one of Ben's ability to close out games. In his career, he has tailed off DRAMATICALLY in crunch time. And THAT IS A FACT. It is not a judgement on his game performance in the 2nd or 3rd quarter.
Coaching staff and management need to acknowledge this FACT and adjust accordingly.

[MrPgh]

In this game, the difference between Ben being clutch or not might have been Tomlin's utterly retarded clock management skills. Could have bought the offense 20 more seconds.

[StillCurtains]

Don't do this man come on! One game after 4 weeks out from injury? I expected him to struggle and so should you.
Bell is the problem right now losing him for the season.

I guess we're more lucky that it's Bell and not Ben. I can't stand to have Bell gone, but without Ben, we have no chance and you should know that.

However how this season is going with injuries, I won't hold my breath.

- - - Updated - - -

We need one of those signs that says, "It's been ___ days since the last Boykin thread."

I'm more sick about losing Bell for the year to even entertain anything about our healthy players.

[TeeTee]

When I saw Ben stride out from the sidelines after his 2nd INT, I did not like the look of his body language. He looked defeated already. Here was a chance at redemption and to drive his team down for the win. Instead he sailed a long ball directly into the hands of the opposition. His body language before that pass charted that throw. The question needs to be asked: Is he still clutch when it absolutely matters most?

The answer is, unfortunately, no. No, he is not. He used to be. It was routine for him. But it has been awhile since I've seen that Ben. He's still a very good to great QB. But the fourth quarter comebacks are a thing of the past. He just isn't that guy anymore. Furthermore, he hurt his team today very badly with his INTs late in the game. As a veteran leader of this club, he just can't do that and he knows that.

So what now? They need to protect Ben by giving him more of a game manager role. The long bombs today are an example of low percentage stupidity and it contributed to their loss. I simply did not understand today's play-calling at all. They should use Ben and his talents to play high percentage possession football. Call it dink and dunk if you want, but it works. I've seen him do it with great success. In this way Ben, will get you the lead and in that way you'll win more than you lose.

Just don't ask Ben to win it for you at the end. He's just not that guy anymore, sadly. That Ben is long gone.

I noticed the body language too; he did look like he was already defeated.

[zulater]

I noticed the body language too; he did look like he was already defeated.

Maybe he just looked like a guy who had an achy knee at the end of a long day?

In the NFL with qb's your legs matter. Marino was never worth a damn after his Achillies injury. Yeah he had moments, but rarely could he sustain 4 strong quarters of football after that injury. Now I'm not saying Ben's latest injury is career changing, but it was certainly game changing. Fatigue set in and his passes started sailing late. It happens. If his knee is improving it should be less and less of an issue as the season goes on. If not, this season likely goes quickly down the crapper.

But if you're looking to throw Ben under the bus and say he's no longer the type of qb who can get you to the big game ( this despite the fact he's done it 3 times) then I've got nothing to say to you. You're really not worth my keystrokes or time.

[vasteeler]

Maybe he just looked like a guy who had an achy knee at the end of a long day?

In the NFL with qb's your legs matter. Marino was never worth a damn after his Achillies injury. Yeah he had moments, but rarely could he sustain 4 strong quarters of football after that injury. Now I'm not saying Ben's latest injury is career changing, but it was certainly game changing. Fatigue set in and his passes started sailing late. It happens. If his knee is improving it should be less and less of an issue as the season goes on. If not, this season likely goes quickly down the crapper.

But if you're looking to throw Ben under the bus and say he's no longer the type of qb who can get you to the big game ( this despite the fact he's done it 3 times) then I've got nothing to say to you. You're really not worth my keystrokes or time.

this

i swear some of you guys......

[zoneblitzerII]

I noticed the body language too; he did look like he was already defeated.

I really picked up on that. I was not trashing return from injury Ben, but the end there was just a sudden reminder of the reality of the situation the team finds itself in. When the chips are down, and points are needed at the end of the game, Ben ain't the guy anymore. He's YOUR guy in that he's your starting QB, but he's not THE guy to get it done when it matters most. He USED to be. But no, he can't anymore. He used to be money, always getting the drive when it was most needed. Over the last several seasons, he has tanked in that regard. This is why I'm saying that they really need to be careful in how they handle Ben. He's not superman anymore and it would best if they ran more of a possession offense to protect the ball, the D and him.

[Craic]

It seems there's two or three arguments in this thread.

First - Is Ben a great QB? The answer is yes, absolutely. No doubt about it.

Second - Is Ben the reason this team has a shot at the playoffs and can be considered a good team? Again, absolutely. No doubt about it.

Third - Is Ben still a clutch QB, that guy that in the fourth quarter, when you absolutely need a drive to win a game, you want him holding the ball? Let's look at the stats that Gary so kindly linked.

In 2012-2014, Ben's had three game winning drives each season. That's pretty dang good. In 2011, he had 1. However, in his first year and also the second SB year, Ben had 6 game winning drives. The year we lost the SB, he had 4 game winning drives. Other than that, he's averaged 2 or 3 game winning drives each year.

Now, compare that to the leaders each year - This year, Ben has one GWD, the leaders this year have 4.
Last year, Ben had 3, leaders had 5
2013, Ben had 3, leaders had 5
2012, Ben had 3, leaders had 7.

The interesting thing about this trend, is that only a couple or three QBs make the list more than once. So, is Ben still clutch? The other question is how often had they had the opportunity to win a game? It seems Ben missed quite a few over the last few years, but that's purely on memory. It IS obvious Ben isn't winning as many as at his high points during his career, but, he's at least average an average clutch QB today. Pair that with his average play, and it means he's a QB I'd still be happy to have on my team.

[fansince'76]

Yeah, I mean, he's only been playing the best football of his career the last 2-3 seasons, last week notwithstanding...

[86WARD]

Yeah, I mean, he's only been playing the best football of his career the last 2-3 seasons, last week notwithstanding...

So that's a no?

[zoneblitzerII]

Yeah, I mean, he's only been playing the best football of his career the last 2-3 seasons, last week notwithstanding...

Stats are there but situational performances are not. ie. Fourth quarter comebacks and playoff performances. That side of Ben's game, the thing that made Ben, Ben, has fallen off the map.

[fansince'76]

Stats are there but situational performances are not. ie. Fourth quarter comebacks and playoff performances. That side of Ben's game, the thing that made Ben, Ben, has fallen off the map.

Wrong.

Ben Roethlisberger's Career 4th quarter comebacks and game-winning drives