Hello All!
Here we are! The start of yet another new season. This is yet the start of another season since 2009, when we have had the "sky is the limit" moniker next to the Steelers offense. At that time we had guys such as: Willie Parker, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Mike Wallace and Heath Miller to name a few.
The following season in 2010, We have had Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Heath Miller. The moniker of being one of the NFL's top offenses with "the sky is the limit" continued to be touted.
We are now 8 and 9 years removed, from when we first began to hear this being said about the offense. It also needs to be mentioned that it has been said every year since 2009. We have had 2 offensive coordinators from 2009 to 2017 in Arians and Haley. Despite the offensive talent, neither one has been able to field an offense that scored 30ppg.
Both coordinators have done well between the 20's compiling impressive yardage, but have struggled in point production in the Red Zone. 3rd down percentage has never been very high either. The Steelers over the past 5 years have been a team that has struggled with overall discipline and defensive consistency and communication.
I have a great appreciation for what Ben has done for this organization. He has a great drive to win, winning us 2 Superbowls and our first one since the 1979 Season. We could not have won those 2 titles without him. However, it's becoming more apparent that we also can't get over the hump with him.
There is a reason why Ben is not considered a top 5 quarterback. He's never been a film guy. He's never been one to spend extra time with his other targets besides his favorite one. He's never been a thinker's man quarterback. He's never played the game in inches or high percentages. He doesn't think in terms of throwing a 3 yard slant, on 3rd and 2 in the 1st quarter to get a first down. He has no realization that such a play so early in the game, can play such a huge role in winning decisively.
Ben is a sandlot guy that needs the huge play. There is no patience to his game. Ben will go deep on 3rd and 2 instead of settling for the high percentage, minimal yardage needed. This is what separates him from Brady, Rodgers and Brees. They play the game in inches and high percentages. They are not sucked in to making the big play to win games.
This is the reason that their teams usually win decisively, whether at home, or on the road. Have we had issues with discipline as well as our defense over the last several years? Yes we have! However, it doesn't negate the fact that on occasion, the defense has been good enough as it was yesterday.
I think it's time that many of us come to realize, that while we can't win without Ben, he also makes it very difficult to get over the hump with him. If we want to continue to wonder why the Steelers struggle with inferior competition, ending up in constant dogfights, the evidence of that was shown yesterday.
If we're honest, it's not the only time that we have witnessed to it.