Big Ben on ... Alan Faneca, his contract and his wish list for 2008

[Jeremy]

GS had great chemistry with Plax. I know that kills some Steelers fans to read that, but it's true. He probably had better chemistry with him than he's had with anyone else.

The good news is that there are a lot of options out there for a new Plax. James Hardy of Indiana, Limas Sweed of Texas, Mario Urrutia of Louisville.

Urrurita could be there on the second day.

[Dylan]

Bryant johnson would be a ncie addition. might even take hometown discount (probably not), but he is a team player

[Jeremy]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Bryant johnson would be a ncie addition. might even take hometown discount (probably not), but he is a team player

Johnson isn't going anywhere with Fitz on the market. As a matter of fact, the Steelers could probably have Fitz for a 1st and a 3rd.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

We could have frigging Yao Ming as a WR and if Ben is still getting clobbered 3,4,5 times a game (or more) it makes no difference. Priority #1 - fix the OL.

i wonder how tall hines looks to ben when he's layin on the turf.....

[19ward86]

i guess randy moss would do.....jk, i would like to see ernest wilford in black and gold, he always jacks us up when we play the jags.

[Preacher]

"I'm eager, anxious because I want to get it done with, I want to say let's go, let's get it over with so the talks can stop, people can stop bugging me about it. Because I just want to play football. Let's get it over with, let's get it done so I can get right back into football and not think about it and not have people talking about it all the time."

His agent, Ryan Tollner, wanted to try to extend the deal a year ago, but the Steelers preferred to wait. No talks have yet been scheduled as far as Roethlisberger knows.

"My guys are waiting for that call," Roethlisberger said. "We don't want to push it. We are waiting to hear something from them.

"I don't know what to expect because you hear so many different stories from guys who have been here before and the media."

Might he take a Tom Brady-like stance where he does not demand as much as he might be able to get in order to save salary-cap room so the Steelers can sign others?

"You know what? I'm not even dealing with that right now," Roethlisberger said. "I'm always going to do what's best for this team."

I actually took this as a big sign of Ben maturing.

He isn't talking about the contract in the media, except to say he wants to get something done so he can be completely focused on the game, not the business of the game... I also liked this quote...

Might he take a Tom Brady-like stance where he does not demand as much as he might be able to get in order to save salary-cap room so the Steelers can sign others?

"You know what? I'm not even dealing with that right now," Roethlisberger said. "I'm always going to do what's best for this team

Seems to me... AD, that he WOULD take a bit of a cut if it proved best for the team... or if it gave some money to pick up other players.

I do think Ben is maturing as a QB, as a leader, and as a man. Good for him.

[PisnNapalm]

I'm coming into this thread late. Here's what I take from the article.

Ben definitely wants a big man to throw to and not just tight ends. Big tall wide receivers are a definite plus.

Hines.... I love him to death but he's in his 11th season coming up..? He can't take the punishment like he used to. Santonio has great hands but he has no height advantage over the db's. Nate Washington...? I dunno... I'm still not completely sold on him. He's an ok 3rd wide out but not a #1 or #2.

I hope Hines realizes that Ben is not putting him down. I know Ben has alot of respect for Hines. I don't want to see ripples from these comments.

Alan Faneca is history. Some team is gonna offer him a boat load of cash and he's gonna take it. Ben better not count on Alan staying.

As far as Ben's contract... I do believe that Ben would take a bit less money if it would help the team. He saw Jerome do that. Ben is not gonna accept chump change but I don't think he's gonna try to break the bank like Peyton Manning.

anyway... That's my 2 cents.

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by Preacher

I actually took this as a big sign of Ben maturing.

He isn't talking about the contract in the media, except to say he wants to get something done so he can be completely focused on the game, not the business of the game... I also liked this quote...



Seems to me... AD, that he WOULD take a bit of a cut if it proved best for the team... or if it gave some money to pick up other players.

I do think Ben is maturing as a QB, as a leader, and as a man. Good for him.

Talk is cheap - his agent would have a cardiac but if Ben wanted to be unequivocal about taking a haircut he could say "yes I will take less,", not that he will do "what is best for the team" since that could simply mean having a QB happy with his contract is "best for the team"

I have no problem with Ben's position - if he had another year like 2006 the Steelers would be drafting a QB and not talking contract extension - as Tomlin said last week, where you play is based on $$ and nothing else; it's a business and Ben needs to do whatever takes care of Ben - if that involves maxing out his contract at the expense of $$ for other signings so be it

I thought he gave a smart answer

[Tony19]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

We could have frigging Yao Ming as a WR and if Ben is still getting clobbered 3,4,5 times a game (or more) it makes no difference. Priority #1 - fix the OL.

WORD.

[lilyoder6]

i would rather take the kid in college who is 7'7'' and 300 pounds... lol... if we could get fitz for a 3rd round pick i would fall over in schock... Urrurita i heard is projected in the 5 round or higher,,