It goes without saying that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is on his way to one of the most memorable NFL careers in recent history. He just wrapped up his sixth season in 2009, and has two Super Bowl rings on his hand already. He’s been very effective as a starter, and since his insertion into the starting lineup back in week three of the 2004 season, it’s been a heck of a ride for Big Ben and Steeler fans all over the world.
When you think of quarterbacks in Black and Gold, the obvious comparison of who Ben matches up with is Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw. So with this latest season over, it’s time to see where Roethlisberger compares when it comes to Bradshaw:
Roethlisberger has been a starter since 2004, and has led the team to four playoff appearances in six seasons, with the only two setbacks being that 2006 season where the team began 2-6 before recovering and finishing 8-8, Bill Cowher’s last season as coach, and this past season where the team went 9-7 and blew a bunch of late leads. In those six seasons, he has a record of 67-28 as a starter, 8-2 in the playoffs. He has thrown for 127 touchdowns and 81 interceptions to go along with 19,302 yards. He has a QB rating of 91.7. He also has been hampered by a poor O-line, and yet overcame it to win a Super Bowl two years ago.
Big Ben’s greatest game may have been the Super Bowl in February 2009, as he led the team to a 27-23 win after the defense gave up a 20-7 fourth quarter lead. With Ben signed for the forseeable future, there is no question that the Steelers will remain as a top team in the AFC. Besides Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, Roethlisberger may be the best QB in the AFC.
Bradshaw after six seasons had also won two Super Bowls, winning one in 1974 and another in 1975. While it took him awhile to finally win the starting QB job from Joe GIlliam, once he got it and never let it go, he got better and better in his career. After six years, Bradshaw was 51-27 overall, 7-2 in the playoffs.
In six seasons, he had thrown 65 touchdowns to go along with 90 interceptions, numbers that by far get blown away by Roethlisberger’s first six seasons. He threw for 9579 yards in those first six years. Again, Ben’s numbers blow Bradshaw’s numbers away in that area, but let’s not forget that Terry had Rocky Blier and Franco Harris to hand off to, while Big Ben has had backs like Willie Parker, Jerome Bettis, and now Mewelde Moore.
So it’s an interesting comparison this early in Roethlisberger’s career. Bradshaw didn’t really start to be a dominating QB till the 77 season, and even in his best year – 1979 when the team won their fourth Super Bowl, he threw 25 interceptions to go along with 26 touchdowns.
No question that Bradshaw also had a better running game, as Blier and Harris were two very solid backs. There have been times already in his career that Roethlisberger has had to carry the team on his shoulders. So who is better at this point? I’ll go with Roethlisberger, but as we all know, he’s got a long way to go to still be the choice as the best QB the Steelers have ever had.
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carydog
January 16, 2010 at 3:24 am
I agree with what you’re saying about Bradshaws’ RBs, but he also had Swann and Stallworth. Most any talented QB gifted with 2 WR of that caliber could have much better statistical careers than Bradshaw. Terry was blessed with HOF RBs, O-lines, WRs and defenses for much of his career. He had all the talent in the world around him, so he and they won. But the fact is he was a chucker, which is why he threw so many picks. He was never very accurate, and never had that great a touch on his passes. The only reason he is so fabled is his SB wins, and the only reason he has those is because of arguably the greatest supporting cast a QB could ask for. Terry Bradshaw was a winner, but Ben is a much better QB.
mark
January 16, 2010 at 9:17 am
I will not and cannot be completely able to compare the two. The era’s are too different and the game is played much different now. Stats tell a lot, but not the entire story. Anyone who thinks Bradshaw was just a “Role Player” on a team of all stars is just wrong! Yes, Terry had a great (HOF) supporting cast, but Terry was also a great player, a HOFamer, and a MAJOR piece of that championship puzzle. Do they win 4 Super Bowls with Mike Krucjek or Cliff Stoudt at QB? Not a chance. Do not let time that has gone by jade your opinions on this matter. As a fan who grew up watching the Bradshaw years and as one who is really enjoying the Ben years, I can say that I am seeing the 2 greatest QB’s in franchise history. Both are winners and champions and both players completed a Super Bowl winning puzzle when they arrived.Yes, Terry was a gunslinger who threw his share of picks. But he kept coming at you. Ben is in an era that supports the pass,and has shown the same attitude. He isn’t fazed by a pick and still comes after you. Did O’Donnel? Kordell? Malone? Stoudt? Woodley? Brister was a tough guy in the same mold, but wasnt as talented as Terry or Ben. What I am saying is,these 2 are MAJOR reasons why there are 6 titles in Pittsburgh and comparison in 2 different eras, with different rules is very hard. Who was better Ali or Lennox Lewis.Ali was over 6 feet but in his prime weighed 210 or so. Lewis was 6 foot 5 and weighed 245 or so. How can you compare the two? body of work? Maybe. But that will only widen the parameters of the comparison. Its a very hard thing to do when you are comparing different eras.
chris
January 16, 2010 at 9:40 am
Like Bradshaw said, “You can win with me but you can’t win without me”. It applies to both. Bradshaw was and Ben is a thrill to watch and it is no coincidence thst we didn’t win one for the thumb until Big Ben arrived. Throw statistics out. Different era, different style of play and like Matt said, different supporting casts. Whoever the masses determines who is better at this time of their respective careers just might be correlated with the age of the fans. The older fans will forever have a soft spot for Terry while the younger fan who never saw him play outside of NFL Films highlights will have a better connection with Ben. Either way both are special!! I am a very fortunate Steeler fan to witness two great Hall of Fame QBs on my team.
mark
January 16, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Im with you Chris! I loved watching Terry in his prime and watching Ben now is an equal pleasure! Like I said earlier, both are WINNERS!I have a feeling that trophy case will be expanded before Ben is done too.