There’s been a ton of talk from inside the Steelers and out about QB Ben Roethlisberger changing his style of play in 2012 so he won’t take as many hits as he has in the past.
The QB went down 40 times last season, most in the AFC, and while sometimes extending plays works, many feel that Big Ben needs to make decisions quicker to avoid injury.
Ben seems to think differently, as he said on Wednesday that he’s not going to change the way he plays for anyone, including new OC Todd Haley.
“I’m not going to change my game,” Roethlisberger said. “Coach can do what he wants to add protection and do things like that. I’m going to play the game the way I know how. It’s worked OK for me so far.”
Roethlisberger has gone down 261 times since 2006, and last season the Steelers season basically was lost after he got hurt against Cleveland on a Thursday night in early December.
The team drafted linemen to keep him upright this season, and now it’s up to Ben to do his part. Just don’t expect a whole lot different from him.
“I don’t think there is this big revelation like I need to do this and do that,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s ‘don’t take hits,’ but I don’t know how to do that.”
Haley has already said he won’t be trying to stop Ben from throwing on the run, and he will not do a lot to change what Roethlisberger already does well.
“It’s one of the best things he does, and it’s what separates him from all the other guys in the league for the most part,” Haley said. “So you don’t want to take that great ability away from him.”
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DrGeorge
June 14, 2012 at 5:19 pm
What Ben actually does in 2012 is between him and Haley. Ben doesn’t sound like a man amenable to life in any disciplined offense. And Haley may be forced to go slow in adapting Ben’s talents to his offensive scheme. Ben is something of a prima dona and still smarting over the departure of Mr. Arians and his aerial circus. That psychological dynamic is part of the mix Haley must deal with.
However, the game tapes don’t lie. Over the last two seasons, when injuries forced Ben to throw from the pocket and to rely on the talent of those around him, including the running game, he was more effective. If the O-line can protect him this year and if he isn’t forced to scramble, there is no reason why he should. The fact that he throws better on the run than any QB since Stabler is irrelevant. The better point is that Ben and the team both play better when he throws from the pocket. Ben simply prefers to play undisciplined football, but that playground style is not the best approach for the team or for Ben’s health.
The coaches and fans who think he should stay in the pocket, pass more quickly, and avoid big hits are right. And Ben has done that successfully in the past, when forced to it. For him to claim now, “I don’t know how to do that,” is mere petulance. It’s time for Ben to put his ego aside and adapt his game to the greater good of the team.
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