2013: Career Crossroads For Ben Roethlisberger

[harrison'samonster]

I don't know, Plunkett's stats are a lot less than Ben's, and especially his career w-l record, which is 72-72 (.500).

Personally, I believe if anything keeps him out it will be the off-field things.

[steelfury02]

Originally Posted by Hawaii 5-0

I agree with you.

Jim Plunkett has two Super Bowl rings and he's not in the HOF, and unless Ben earns another ring or plays better than he has been he won't get in either.

I get what you are saying

However,

Roethlisberger did have one of the most clutch performances in SB history, if not the best come from behind drive ever, will retire with some important Steeler QB records, on top of a nice winning percentage, career completion percentage, playoff record, ROY, a couple of pro bowls, AND, while Marino had the stats, I just can't accept Marino and Jim Kelly in the HOF and not Ben Roethlisberger.

All that said, I do think Ben will retire with 1 more ring and a couple more Pro bowls to enhance his resume.

[teegre]

Originally Posted by Darkstorm05

This will likely be an unpopular opinion here, but unless he picks up a 3rd ring I don't see Ben as being a lock for the HOF. While his first few years were impressive, his last couple were not, and he just doesn't have the huge stats to stand out in the new pass happy NFL. If he goes on 5 more years without another SB, I give him a 50% shot.

I agree that the voters will not like BB. But, I think that the dude is the epitome of HoFer.

I equate BB to Hines Ward: They changed the way the game is played.

Hines Ward does not have the greatest stats, but he took the WR from a position of "merely" glamour to a position where you can block the snot out of a DB (& help your RB get an extra 5-10 yards). Every WR since Ward has learned how to block; the entire NFL changed.

BB's style of play is like NO other player in the entire NFL (which is why I love him, and why comparing him to Brees (et al) makes no sense). BB is unsackable (Yes, he gets lots of sacks, but that is because he runs around for 7 seconds; you try that with any other QB, and they have double the number of sacks that BB gets). And, his pump-fake is incredible. When the pocket breaks down, no one else can do what BB does.

I remember hearing Terrell Suggs talk about a rookie LB who was all "hot to trot" to sack BB. Suggs kept saying, "You've never played against him." The rookie kept on going about how he'd sack BB three times or more. Suggs iterated, "You've never played agaisnt him." Then... in the game... that LB had BB dead to rites... and that LB whiffed. THAT is why BB is a HoFer.

Lastly, that final drive in XLIII is the greatest drive & one of the greatest plays in SuperBowl history.

That drive... plus, his rookie season... his incredible post-season record... his record-setting three game post-season in 2005 (highest QB rating in NFL post-season history)... and two (maybe five) Lombardi trophies makes him a HoFer.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by teegre

That drive... plus, his rookie season... his incredible post-season record... his record-setting three game post-season in 2005 (highest QB rating in NFL post-season history)... and two (maybe five) Lombardi trophies makes him a HoFer.

at least 5. I agree, he's not comparable to other QB's and that's why most of us want him over others.

[austinfrench76]

I like the article from a pure "rehashing the past" perspective but when was there ever any bickering with Haley. It seems like th ethings to say amongst the media but I'm not sure I ever saw it. Ben had a couple of very small moments but when as there thus derailing type of commotion??? The injury ended our season. Time to move on to 2013, ultimately the 2014 SB, BB's 3rd title and the Steelers7th!!!!!!!

[Darkstorm05]

Originally Posted by teegre

I agree that the voters will not like BB. But, I think that the dude is the epitome of HoFer.

I equate BB to Hines Ward: They changed the way the game is played.

Hines Ward does not have the greatest stats, but he took the WR from a position of "merely" glamour to a position where you can block the snot out of a DB (& help your RB get an extra 5-10 yards). Every WR since Ward has learned how to block; the entire NFL changed.

BB's style of play is like NO other player in the entire NFL (which is why I love him, and why comparing him to Brees (et al) makes no sense). BB is unsackable (Yes, he gets lots of sacks, but that is because he runs around for 7 seconds; you try that with any other QB, and they have double the number of sacks that BB gets). And, his pump-fake is incredible. When the pocket breaks down, no one else can do what BB does.

I remember hearing Terrell Suggs talk about a rookie LB who was all "hot to trot" to sack BB. Suggs kept saying, "You've never played against him." The rookie kept on going about how he'd sack BB three times or more. Suggs iterated, "You've never played agaisnt him." Then... in the game... that LB had BB dead to rites... and that LB whiffed. THAT is why BB is a HoFer.

Lastly, that final drive in XLIII is the greatest drive & one of the greatest plays in SuperBowl history.

That drive... plus, his rookie season... his incredible post-season record... his record-setting three game post-season in 2005 (highest QB rating in NFL post-season history)... and two (maybe five) Lombardi trophies makes him a HoFer.

While that's all true, you have to look at the era he plays in, and the way the league is going. Voters will do that when it's time to induct. Ben will be compared to Brady, both Mannings, Brees, Rivers, RGIII, Rodgers, Luck, Carson Palmer, Newton, Andy Dalton, Flacco, and on and on. We all know Peyton and Brady make it. They can't induct them all though, so now they start ranking.

Palmer is shit, but he has as many passing yards as Ben. Flacco could end up with SB rings, even though he's shit. Rodgers and RGIII are huge media darlings. Unless they both fizzle out in a big way, they'll be looked on more favorably than Ben. Now things are really getting close. IMO, if everything goes on as it is today, Ben has to beat Eli Manning for a HOF spot. If Eli ends up at 3 rings but Ben doesn't, Eli gets in and Ben does not.

The league is moving towards fast play, big passes, and high scores. Ben will need stat lines to match that if he wants to be in the HOF. New QB's coming into the league will be putting up more and more yards and points, so he'll stand out less and less if he doesn't have a few more big seasons. While he may bring unique play to the position, it's not a unique style that the wider fanbase likes, so I don't think it will do much for him. Otherwise he would be the guy pimping shoes and car insurance on national TV instead of trying to sell bottles of sauce at Giant Eagle.

[steelfury02]

Originally Posted by Darkstorm05

While that's all true, you have to look at the era he plays in, and the way the league is going. Voters will do that when it's time to induct. Ben will be compared to Brady, both Mannings, Brees, Rivers, RGIII, Rodgers, Luck, Carson Palmer, Newton, Andy Dalton, Flacco, and on and on. We all know Peyton and Brady make it. They can't induct them all though, so now they start ranking.

Palmer is shit, but he has as many passing yards as Ben. Flacco could end up with SB rings, even though he's shit. Rodgers and RGIII are huge media darlings. Unless they both fizzle out in a big way, they'll be looked on more favorably than Ben. Now things are really getting close. IMO, if everything goes on as it is today, Ben has to beat Eli Manning for a HOF spot. If Eli ends up at 3 rings but Ben doesn't, Eli gets in and Ben does not.

The league is moving towards fast play, big passes, and high scores. Ben will need stat lines to match that if he wants to be in the HOF. New QB's coming into the league will be putting up more and more yards and points, so he'll stand out less and less if he doesn't have a few more big seasons. While he may bring unique play to the position, it's not a unique style that the wider fanbase likes, so I don't think it will do much for him. Otherwise he would be the guy pimping shoes and car insurance on national TV instead of trying to sell bottles of sauce at Giant Eagle.

If the Rooney's wouldn't handcuff him, he might have been able to score the Uncle Charlie's sausage deal early in the game, instead of waiting at the last minute to bail out the local meat and produce economy . . .

[teegre]

Originally Posted by Darkstorm05

While that's all true, you have to look at the era he plays in, and the way the league is going. Voters will do that when it's time to induct. Ben will be compared to Brady, both Mannings, Brees, Rivers, RGIII, Rodgers, Luck, Carson Palmer, Newton, Andy Dalton, Flacco, and on and on. We all know Peyton and Brady make it. They can't induct them all though, so now they start ranking.

Palmer is shit, but he has as many passing yards as Ben. Flacco could end up with SB rings, even though he's shit. Rodgers and RGIII are huge media darlings. Unless they both fizzle out in a big way, they'll be looked on more favorably than Ben. Now things are really getting close. IMO, if everything goes on as it is today, Ben has to beat Eli Manning for a HOF spot. If Eli ends up at 3 rings but Ben doesn't, Eli gets in and Ben does not.

The league is moving towards fast play, big passes, and high scores. Ben will need stat lines to match that if he wants to be in the HOF. New QB's coming into the league will be putting up more and more yards and points, so he'll stand out less and less if he doesn't have a few more big seasons. While he may bring unique play to the position, it's not a unique style that the wider fanbase likes, so I don't think it will do much for him. Otherwise he would be the guy pimping shoes and car insurance on national TV instead of trying to sell bottles of sauce at Giant Eagle.

It sounds like we agree that the media's perception of BB is a strike against him for the HoF voting.

Does he deserve to get in? Yes.
Does his style of play decrease hsi chance ot get in? Yes.

Look at XLIII. He was the MVP... yet... he did not get a single vote.

As far as advertising dollars, I have to say that his "rape" accusations jinxed him for good. He was starting to get a few national ads... and then, there was the rape cases... and another rape case... and advertisers would not touch him for anything, regardless of whether or not he did it.

[zcoop]

Originally Posted by steelfury02

If the Rooney's wouldn't handcuff him, he might have been able to score the Uncle Charlie's sausage deal early in the game, instead of waiting at the last minute to bail out the local meat and produce economy . . .

Don't start no shit man!

[Darkstorm05]

Originally Posted by teegre

It sounds like we agree that the media's perception of BB is a strike against him for the HoF voting.

Does he deserve to get in? Yes.
Does his style of play decrease hsi chance ot get in? Yes.

Look at XLIII. He was the MVP... yet... he did not get a single vote.

As far as advertising dollars, I have to say that his "rape" accusations jinxed him for good. He was starting to get a few national ads... and then, there was the rape cases... and another rape case... and advertisers would not touch him for anything, regardless of whether or not he did it.

Yea, think we're on the same page. BUT, as I began with, if he goes out big, he can overcome, IMO. Look at Ray Lewis. He WAS the MVP, but Disney wanted nothing to do with a killer that walked free. He kept having big seasons, now the media is loving him lots. So yea, if Ben keeps clean, and overcomes Eli, he's in the clear, IMO.