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[TheDuce22]

The ESPN crew makes more excuses for Eli Manning then they do for Farve when he loses.

My favorite part is how they always bring up his pedigree as a reason he will get better. Since when did that count for anything in the nfl?

 

[DarienA]

Quarterback Kyle Boller was named the AFC's Player of the Week.

Was there that little going on in the AFC last week? I kid because I care.... I think.

 

[Lucky Forward]

I seem to recall that Kyle Boller had four touchdowns while Peyton Manning had only two...I wish the Ravens could play the Giants every week.

According to today's Baltimore Sun, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will have his guys blitzing Manning early and often. Says they want to attack, not react. They'll bring up a lot of guys, but only one will blitz so they'll still have six men in coverage. It's just a question of who's blitzing when.

Although I don't expect a Ravens win, maybe they'll keep it exciting. I predict at least one sack for a blitzing Ed Reed, or a tackle of Edgerrin James in the backfield for a loss.

 

[DarienA]

I seem to recall that Kyle Boller had four touchdowns while Peyton Manning had only two...I wish the Ravens could play the Giants every week.

Yeah he did... but it was against the Giants admitted weak secondary let's not bring out the parade just yet.

According to today's Baltimore Sun, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will have his guys blitzing Manning early and often. Says they want to attack, not react. They'll bring up a lot of guys, but only one will blitz so they'll still have six men in coverage. It's just a question of who's blitzing when.

When they get to the QB they do fine... it's when the blitz and the blitz gets picked up(which happened regularly in many of their losses), that they get in trouble because the secondary while initially covering great doesn't keep that coverage.

Although I don't expect a Ravens win, maybe they'll keep it exciting. I predict at least one sack for a blitzing Ed Reed, or a tackle of Edgerrin James in the backfield for a loss.

Wow you really went out on a limb with those predictions.

 

[bionic77]

I seem to recall that Kyle Boller had four touchdowns while Peyton Manning had only two...I wish the Ravens could play the Giants every week.

According to today's Baltimore Sun, defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will have his guys blitzing Manning early and often. Says they want to attack, not react. They'll bring up a lot of guys, but only one will blitz so they'll still have six men in coverage. It's just a question of who's blitzing when.

Although I don't expect a Ravens win, maybe they'll keep it exciting. I predict at least one sack for a blitzing Ed Reed, or a tackle of Edgerrin James in the backfield for a loss.

Manning is the one guy you don't want to blitz all the time, he will pick it up 90% of the time and destroy your defense. You have to take away the deep coverage and make the Colts get it in small chunks hoping your defense can stop them before they get to the red zone. Manning wants teams to blitz him because he wants that single coverage on one of his recievers and so far this year all of his recievers have come up huge. Who knows though, maybe Nolan has some specials blitz packages that he will use to confuse Manning, but I would think he is bluffing and he will do exactly what I said to do with the occosaional blitz thrown in there to keep Indy honest (and maybe get a big play).

 

[bob_arctor]

Jeez, there's all this bitching in the NY media about the sorry state of the Jets "O". Players are talking about it, some more than others (Lamont Jordan never knows when to shut up, at least Mawae didn't want to name names). Normally, I wouldn't mind, but I get the feeling that all this criticism and self-analysis will lead the coaching staff to try to open it up against a team that would love nothing more than a shoot-out. I hope they at least stick to the run early and often against the Seahawks, build a lead, and then maybe "experiment" a little in preparation for the Pats (I would love to see the Jets try something new against them).

It is odd, because all year I've pretty much lamented the lack of offense. If you watch them enough, you get the sense that they call plays for the sole purpose of never, ever, ever committing a turnover. It's crazy we have a top 10 running game yet are 18th in total offense.

 

[xnipx]

I think we have a better defense than Houston does, so I believe that if we can hold them to 23 points we should have good chance at beating the colts. As long as Kyle Boller can have a good day against their secondary and we feed Jamal and play ball control against their defense. Unless of course our D breaks down like against the Bengals, but you only see that happen like once a year against our D so I'm hoping it doesnt happen again.

 

[tmdorsey]

Saturday, Dec. 18 -

Pittsburgh at N.Y. Giants, 1:30 p.m.
Washington at San Francisco, 5:00 p.m.
Carolina at Atlanta, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 19 -

Buffalo at Cincinnati, 1:00 p.m.
Dallas at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m
Denver at Kansas City, 1:00 p.m.
Houston at Chicago, 1:00 p.m.
Minnesota at Detroit, 1:00 p.m.
San Diego at Cleveland, 1:00 p.m.
Seattle at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 p.m.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 4:05 p.m.
St. Louis at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.
Jacksonville at Green Bay, 4:15 p.m. I really need Green Bay to lose this game
Tennessee at Oakland, 4:15 p.m.
Baltimore at Indianapolis, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 20 -

New England at Miami, 9:00 p.m.


I see the majority of the board is picking Carolina to beat us, just like earlier in the season. Just adds fuel to the fire.

 

[DCX]

I see the majority of the board is picking Carolina to beat us, just like earlier in the season. Just adds fuel to the fire.

Just like the Sonics in the NBA people are just waiting for us to fall flat on our faces. They can't believe or accept the fact that the Falcons are a top 5 NFL squad.

1-Patriots
2-Steelers
3-Eagles
4-Colts
5-Falcons

How can hate on that? We have one of the best athletes in the world at QB, the true " Thunder and Lighting " at RBs, one of the best TE in the league, a top 5 D...one of the best dressed teams i might add Also, i must add...ATL girls are bangin'

DCX

 

[bob_arctor]

Just like the Sonics in the NBA people are just waiting for us to fall flat on our faces. They can't believe or accept the fact that the Falcons are a top 5 NFL squad.

1-Patriots
2-Steelers
3-Eagles
4-Colts
5-Jets
6-Falcons

How can hate on that? We have one of the best athletes in the world at QB, the true " Thunder and Lighting " at RBs, one of the best TE in the league, a top 5 D...one of the best dressed teams i might add Also, i must add...ATL girls are bangin'

DCX

Fixed.

 

[bionic77]

Just like the Sonics in the NBA people are just waiting for us to fall flat on our faces. They can't believe or accept the fact that the Falcons are a top 5 NFL squad.

1-Patriots
2-Steelers
3-Eagles
4-Colts
5-Falcons

How can hate on that? We have one of the best athletes in the world at QB, the true " Thunder and Lighting " at RBs, one of the best TE in the league, a top 5 D...one of the best dressed teams i might add Also, i must add...ATL girls are bangin'

DCX

I hope that when the Steelers beat the Pats in the playoffs, some people will finally acknowledge us as the better team.

 

[tmdorsey]

Fixed.

I can see maybe the Chargers being at 5, but the Jets???

 

[Bowser]

I think the board picking Carolina is more of the fact that Carolina is white hot lately and will want the game more since Atlanta's already wrapped up the division. In my mind, there is no possible way the Falcons get the #1 seed, but I also think there's no way they lose the #2 seed, so I don't think seeding will be motivation for Atlanta either. Also, I think the injuries to Griffith and Duckett are a pretty big blow because Atlanta's now down to Dunn and their backup fullback (plus Vick) as their rushing attack. I think with a combo of Duckett/Dunn/Vick is dangerous and from the little I've seen of Atlanta, Vick seems to pass more to Crumpler and Griffith. I think Carolina has enough talent to squeak by with a late FG, getting the win 17-14.

 

[bob_arctor]

I can see maybe the Chargers being at 5, but the Jets???

Um, we beat you guys earlier this year.

 

[tmdorsey]

I think the board picking Carolina is more of the fact that Carolina is white hot lately and will want the game more since Atlanta's already wrapped up the division. In my mind, there is no possible way the Falcons get the #1 seed, but I also think there's no way they lose the #2 seed, so I don't think seeding will be motivation for Atlanta either. Also, I think the injuries to Griffith and Duckett are a pretty big blow because Atlanta's now down to Dunn and their backup fullback (plus Vick) as their rushing attack. I think with a combo of Duckett/Dunn/Vick is dangerous and from the little I've seen of Atlanta, Vick seems to pass more to Crumpler and Griffith. I think Carolina has enough talent to squeak by with a late FG, getting the win 17-14.

You are probably right about the #1 seed. I really don't see the Eagles losing the rest of their games. However I won't feel comfortable about the #2 seed until we have it locked, which means another win by us coupled with a loss by the Packers. Mora's been talking about how the focus is now on the playoff seeding, so that coupled with the game being in the Dome, will make the Falcons show up to play IMO.

Griffith and Duckett are significant losses to our offense, but I think we will be ok, because Griffith is used more in a blocking role than an actual running/receiving role. Our back-up FB is bigger than Griffith and also a 9-year vet. He also got some playtime when we played Tampa at home and fit in nicely. Duckett is a big blow, but I think we maybe ok, as Duckett really only came in on goalline situations and late in the game to help run down the clock.

I think's it going to be a tight game, and for us to win our defense is going to have to have a great game, which I feel they can with us playing in the ATL.

Um, we beat you guys earlier this year.

Umm, no you didn't.

 

[bob_arctor]

Umm, no you didn't.

Yeah, my bad. I was talking of San Diego and in my rush to defend all things green forgot you're Falcon man.

 

[Eminem]

Manning is the one guy you don't want to blitz all the time, he will pick it up 90% of the time and destroy your defense. You have to take away the deep coverage and make the Colts get it in small chunks hoping your defense can stop them before they get to the red zone. Manning wants teams to blitz him because he wants that single coverage on one of his recievers and so far this year all of his recievers have come up huge. Who knows though, maybe Nolan has some specials blitz packages that he will use to confuse Manning, but I would think he is bluffing and he will do exactly what I said to do with the occosaional blitz thrown in there to keep Indy honest (and maybe get a big play).

Since I've seen every single Colts game this year....I have to agree. If you keep blitzing manning you're going to get torched, and quickly. Sure, you'll make him get rid of the ball...but if he sees it, he audibles to a fly route (and at least one WR will have single coverage), and sooner rather than later the colts WRs will burn the shallower defense. the colts WR trio is deeper than any teams top 3 DBs, for sure.

That's how Stokley has huge games...he gets a 3rd or 4th dback on him, someone blitzs, and it's just pitch and catch with the speed stokley has.

 

[soulja224466]

I think the board picking Carolina is more of the fact that Carolina is white hot lately and will want the game more since Atlanta's already wrapped up the division. In my mind, there is no possible way the Falcons get the #1 seed, but I also think there's no way they lose the #2 seed, so I don't think seeding will be motivation for Atlanta either. Also, I think the injuries to Griffith and Duckett are a pretty big blow because Atlanta's now down to Dunn and their backup fullback (plus Vick) as their rushing attack. I think with a combo of Duckett/Dunn/Vick is dangerous and from the little I've seen of Atlanta, Vick seems to pass more to Crumpler and Griffith. I think Carolina has enough talent to squeak by with a late FG, getting the win 17-14.

Carolina is pretty mediocre, i think vick will destroy them on saturday. Really, the panthers were lucky to get the W last week, and who did they beat before that? The niners and saints? lol

 

[Wellington]

Caption on the front page of NFL.com:

"Ben Roethlisberger's superb season could land him in Hawaii."

No offense to the Steelers fans, I like Ben and all, but that's the dumbest fuckin' line I ever heard. Would you take Ben over Drew Brees? Peyton? Tom Brady? Chad Pennington? Jake Plummer? Yeah he's not making mistakes but he isn't the playmaker the other guys are. For my fantasy team's sake, I hope he has a huge game on Sunday against the Giants, but I doubt it, considering how Bill is so set on running.

 

[levious]

11-0

would you take marino over montana? Fantasy football mentalities suck.

 

[Azwethinkweiz]

The Heisman occured at 8:00 pm.....

Division 2? Come on, you've got to be kidding me. Pittsburg state vs. Valdosta State, yep, that audience will surely eat into an NFL game. :lol

Division 3 is this saturday, tell the NFL they better cancel. :lol

I'm not saying the game was watchable. I was just pointing out that there was televised college football last saturday.

 

[bionic77]

Caption on the front page of NFL.com:

"Ben Roethlisberger's superb season could land him in Hawaii."

No offense to the Steelers fans, I like Ben and all, but that's the dumbest fuckin' line I ever heard. Would you take Ben over Drew Brees? Peyton? Tom Brady? Chad Pennington? Jake Plummer? Yeah he's not making mistakes but he isn't the playmaker the other guys are. For my fantasy team's sake, I hope he has a huge game on Sunday against the Giants, but I doubt it, considering how Bill is so set on running.

Everytime they need him to make a play he does. When he took over that team the defense was not playing nearly as well as it is right now. I don't think it is an exaggeration at all to say that he was the biggest reason behind their season turnaround. Stats are overrated, wins are all that matters.

And I take Montana over Marino any day.

 

[levious]

Everytime they need him to make a play he does. When he took over that team the defense was not playing nearly as well as it is right now. I don't think it is an exaggeration at all to say that he was the biggest reason behind their season turnaround. Stats are overrated, wins are all that matters.

And I take Montana over Marino any day.

spoken like a big-time Brady fan in denial.

Yeah, that's right.

 

[bionic77]

spoken like a big-time Brady fan in denial.

Yeah, that's right.

You good sir, just crossed the line.

That was a low blow.

However Ben will end the debate in the AFC Championship by beating Brady on the field and exposing him for what he really is. A terrorist loving, child molesting, American hating, man loving, homphobic, racist!

 

[levious]

whoa, that would not "end the debate" but hopefully be the beginning of a great QB rivalry.

 

[Wellington]

Week 14 against the Jets: 9/19, 144 yards, 0 TDs, 2 ints.

Week 12 against the 'Skins: 9/20, 131 yards, 0 TDs, 0 ints.

What if the defense did not get the safety and the defensive touchdown against the Bungals?

I'm just sayin', we can readily accept that Kyle Boller is a good QB helped out by a great defense, running game, and special teams. We can accept that Craig Krenzel is a mediocre QB who won 3 games with the help of a strong defense. But we can't accept that Roethlisberger has won 11 straight behind the help of the #2 ranked running game in the league (Behind the Vicks), and the #1 defense in the league? Ben Roethlisberger is in no way a pro-bowler in a conference full of quality QBs. The drive against the Jags to win the game was indeed impressive, and I will say that that was his best performance of the year, but we don't get that, or something even similar to that every week.

 

[bionic77]

Week 14 against the Jets: 9/19, 144 yards, 0 TDs, 2 ints.

Week 12 against the 'Skins: 9/20, 131 yards, 0 TDs, 0 ints.

What if the defense did not get the safety and the defensive touchdown against the Bungals?

I'm just sayin', we can readily accept that Kyle Boller is a good QB helped out by a great defense, running game, and special teams. We can accept that Craig Krenzel is a mediocre QB who won 3 games with the help of a strong defense. But we can't accept that Roethlisberger has won 11 straight behind the help of the #2 ranked running game in the league (Behind the Vicks), and the #1 defense in the league? Ben Roethlisberger is in no way a pro-bowler in a conference full of quality QBs. The drive against the Jags to win the game was indeed impressive, and I will say that that was his best performance of the year, but we don't get that, or something even similar to that every week.

Most of his shitty performances came against awesome defenses. But, even when he has a bad game he comes alive in the second half. Like I said, their season was going NOWHERE before Ben took over the mantle in week 3. Stats never tell the entire story. He was terrible in his first game, but after that he was a HUGE factor in their next 5 wins. And he put up some big stats in those games as well. Remember he has already led 3 come from behind drives to win. A lot of his recent games have been without Plaxico too, that is no small factor. Watch his numbers go up the second Plax comes back or when they play another NFC creampuff, whichever happens first. You really have to watch Ben play a few game to understand why he is the real deal.

 

[Wellington]

Well I've seen two of his games and will see another one Saturday... against an NFC creampuff. ;p I fully expect him to put up big numbers, but hey, Patrick Ramsey did the same against the Giants so it won't be saying much.

Do you consider Trent Dilfer a great QB after he 'led' the Ravens to a superbowl win?

 

[bionic77]

Well I've seen two of his games and will see another one Saturday... against an NFC creampuff. ;p I fully expect him to put up big numbers, but hey, Patrick Ramsey did the same against the Giants so it won't be saying much.

Do you consider Trent Dilfer a great QB after he 'led' the Ravens to a superbowl win?

Nah, but Ben is no Trent Dilfer. As I said he has led the Steelers to three come from behind victories in his first 11 games. Trent would have lost those games. I am not saying that Ben is the only reason the Steelers win. Far from it, this team is great in pretty much every aspect of the game. We have great recievers, great lineman, a great defense, good special teams, etc. I mean the Colts can't win unless Manning has a great game, but that is the definition of a shitty team. Great player, but shitty team. But this is why Ben is going to be playing in the Superbowl while Peyton is stuck at home watching it on his television.

great team > great player

Big Ben > *

 

[levious]

Do you consider Trent Dilfer a great QB after he 'led' the Ravens to a superbowl win?

Best QB that's played for the Ravens so far... except maybe Cunningham. He's certainly a lot better than Billick or Holmgren have ever given him credit for.

And I'm not arguing that Ben deserves a pro bowl nod this year, just that saying he certainly doesn't deserve it isn't level headed. Besides, it's rare that the top four QB's are all willing to participate, so being a pro bowler as an injury replacement is likely for Ben.

 

[bionic77]

Best QB that's played for the Ravens so far... except maybe Cunningham. He's certainly a lot better than Billick or Holmgren have ever given him credit for.

And I'm not arguing that Ben deserves a pro bowl nod this year, just that saying he certainly doesn't deserve it isn't level headed. Besides, it's rare that the top four QB's are all willing to participate, so being a pro bowler as an injury replacement is likely for Ben.

One of New England's cornerbacks said he was voting for Big Ben to go to the Pro Bowl.

 

[levious]

One of New England's cornerbacks said he was voting for Big Ben to go to the Pro Bowl.

consolation prize, the Patriots are certainly gentlemen.

 

[xnipx]

Actually Vinney was the best QB to play for the Ravens when he led them to bein the top offense in the league in their first season.

 

[Ristamar]

Caption on the front page of NFL.com:

"Ben Roethlisberger's superb season could land him in Hawaii."

No offense to the Steelers fans, I like Ben and all, but that's the dumbest fuckin' line I ever heard. Would you take Ben over Drew Brees? Peyton? Tom Brady? Chad Pennington? Jake Plummer?

Perhaps not over the first three, but definitely over the latter two...

 

[Eminem]

jesus bionic, take off your steelers blinders just once. it's sickening.
No, Ben does not deserve a spot on the Pro Bowl. He has absolutely no right to be there when players like Manning, Brees, and Brady are playing like they are. Who would you take out out of those 3 to add in Ben? No one.

It's not a "fantasy mentality", it's commen sense. All 3 are having greater seasons and are undoubtedly better players, even Brees by a slight margin after some mediocre to crappy last few years. But this year he's come around and is the QB on the biggest surprise team in the entire NFL.

Ben is a great story who's doing things no other rookie has ever done, but it's not like he's a rookie Dan Marino. As mentioned, he's a rookie Trent Dilfer. NO PRO BOWL FOR YOU

I mean the Colts can't win unless Manning has a great game, but that is the definition of a shitty team.

Not quite. The Dolphins and Niners are examples of shitty teams. Not a 3 loss team that already has its division clinched.

 

[bionic77]

jesus bionic, take off your steelers blinders just once. it's sickening.
No, Ben does not deserve a spot on the Pro Bowl.

As mentioned, he's a rookie Trent Dilfer. NO PRO BOWL FOR YOU

Not quite. The Dolphins and Niners are examples of shitty teams. Not a 3 loss team that already has its division clinched.

I will agree that Ben doesn't deserve to go to the Pro Bowl based on his numbers, but he is in no way a Trent Dilfer. Didn't that Trent Dilfer offense go like 3 or 4 weeks without scoring a touchdown? They were downright pathetic. Even in Ben's worst games he will still come up with at least one or two game changing plays. Plus, as I have said a billion times he already has 3 fourth quarter comebacks. Games where he had to win the game with him arm, and guess what? He is 3-0 in those games. I am not saying Ben is the best qb in the league, that is clearly Peyton, I am just saying the guy is deserving of more respect then some people are giving by saying that he is the next Trent Dilfer. I mean jesus this is only his rookie year, the guy is only going to get better.

And my opinion is that the Colts are a shitty team being carried by maybe the best player in football. There have been a lot of great quarterbacks who have put up big numbers, but they couldn't do it by themselves in the postseason. I think that will be the same case with Peyton, just too hard to play at that level in the postseason with no help.

 

[Wellington]

Heh, I never said Ben was the next Trent Dilfer. I just said he is in a similar situation to Trent in the year he won the superbowl.

And the Colts are FAR from a shitty team. Yeah their defense is suspect, but it has been playing better than expected. Plug any quarter back into that offense and I argue that they'd be at least near the same kind of production. The amount of time that o-line gives, all those receiving weapons (TE's included), and Edge? Shitty team? Heh.

 

[Eminem]

gotcha, gotcha. i was under the impression you thought ben was deserving of a spot on the pro bowl. my mistake =)

 

[levious]

I didn't say he deserved it either, just that he'd likely get it since all three of the top qb's being willing or able to participate is rare.

 

[yodathesoda]

Just wanted to spout off here but I don't know if this has already been discussed: how the hell is Urlacher the leagues most overated player? It's been bugging me everytime I hear it and honestly I feel sorry for the guy. He has put up far better numbers than the media's golden linebacker Ray Lewis when he's healthy, the Bears defense is completely different when he plays (as the numbers show) and the last game I actually saw him play (vs. the Vikes) he was a complete force. That article is a joke I can think of many players more deserving of this dishonor than my boy Urlacher. Just had to get that off my chest.

 

[soulja224466]

lol yes ray lewis is more overrated than urlacher, its true.

i remember last year when marshall scored a TD on lewis, he just bullrushed him and pushed him back 5 yards for the score. :lol
That should NEVER happen to an elite LB

 

[firex]

i have to agree, ray lewis is looking overrated as hell, at least this year (madden curse kicking in again?). i get so tired of him making some tackle for no gain on a run play in the 1st quarter and then getting up and running around shouting and flexing like this is the XFL or something.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

The Dolphins and Niners are examples of shitty teams.

you had to say it didn't you! DIDNT YOU!!!!!!!

i'm leaving this board forever guys! goodbye!

 

[Spectral Glider]

"OMG! Ben doesn't throw for 4 million yards and 6000 TDs! He's teh suck! He's Trent Dilfer! No Pro Bowl for him!!"

Ben's QB rating is higher than Brady's, Green's, and Pennington's.

AFC QBs

His completion percentage has him third in the AFC, ahead of Green, Brees and Leftwich. His yards per attempt among QBs with 10 or more starts puts him second to Manning, 9.4 to 8.4. Manning averages 13.6 yards per completion, Brady 13.3, Big Ben 12.7, Trent Green 12.6 and Drew Brees, 11.7, Pennington, 10.9.

I just loved listening to that goofball opposite Woody Paige on Cold Pizza this morning. "Big Ben was handed the keys to a fine luxury car and told not to ding it up." Yep, in week two. That very same "luxury car" that wasn't on anybody's best buy list for 2004. Nobody had the Steelers making the playoffs this year, nobody.

 

[bionic77]

"OMG! Ben doesn't throw for 4 million yards and 6000 TDs! He's teh suck! He's Trent Dilfer! No Pro Bowl for him!!"

Ben's QB rating is higher than Brady's, Green's, and Pennington's.

AFC QBs

His completion percentage has him third in the AFC, ahead of Green, Brees and Leftwich. His yards per attempt among QBs with 10 or more starts puts him second to Manning, 9.4 to 8.4. Manning averages 13.6 yards per completion, Brady 13.3, Big Ben 12.7, Trent Green 12.6 and Drew Brees, 11.7, Pennington, 10.9.

I just loved listening to that goofball opposite Woody Paige on Cold Pizza this morning. "Big Ben was handed the keys to a fine luxury car and told not to ding it up." Yep, in week two. That very same "luxury car" that wasn't on anybody's best buy list for 2004. Nobody had the Steelers making the playoffs this year, nobody.

Dude, like I told everyone else you had to see him play all season to understand what all the fuss is about. I almost think you have to be a Steelers fan to understand because no one gave a damn about our team early in the season. I honestly think Ben is the biggest reason behind our turnaround.

Plus those guys on morning pizza are morons. Our offense isn't like the Colts, we are not going to have a lot of huge plays (especially with Plexico on permanent vacation). Cowher is way too conservative on offense for anything like that to happen. And yet, EVERYTIME we need a big play, especially late in the game, Big Ben has come up huge. I don't know how that is just taking the keys to a good team and not fucking it up. Isn't that what makes a quarterback great, making those big plays at the end of the game? Now take a look at Ben's rating in the 4th quarter for stat whores.

 

[firex]

yeah, like I tried (and I guess failed) to say in last week's thread, big ben is a lot better QB than the highlights show. he doesn't put up the crazy games and plays like the colts do but he steps up when the team needs him to. and he's just a rookie. anyone saying less just hasn't seen him play. hell, I haven't even seen that many steeler games (3 or 4) and I know he's impressive. it isn't like he's a fluke either. the steelers are really lucky to have gotten him because he's already good enough to be their franchise qb, and you know he can improve since he's only in his first year.

how many more starts has he won as a rookie qb than anyone else again? like twice as many as the next guy, who had a horrible qb rating, while big ben's is nearly 100. he isn't totally riding the coattails of the team either...

 

[bionic77]

Ben vs. Eli

Great article on Big Ben.

 

[Wellington]

Yeah good article:

Something is missing with Manning. Something about his disposition suggests, well, little brother with him. There should be a commanding presence to a quarterback, an aura, a glow -- an it. It should be unmistakable. From the beginning with Manning, you never saw it. Even before he was getting his butt kicked every week, you just never saw it. Manning is long on arm strength, but short on a palpable presence. He's the nicest kid in the world, but truth be told, there's nothing to his disposition that suggests a leader of men.

I agree 100%. He and Benny are years apart in terms of mentality and maturity.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

god fucking DAMN i'm tired of sports commentators talking about "it". every week i see that fat fucking butterball mark schlereth say "Now I don't know what "it" is, but whatever "it" is, he has definitely got "it"." EVERY FUCKING WEEK he pulls that shit. "look, i dont know what IT is, but manning has it" "I dont know what IT is, but the patriots have it" shut the fuck up about it! i will tell you what IT is for a QB you dumb shit schlereth:

- pocket presence
- accuracy
- good decision making
- ability to improvise
- decent team around him

that's what it is. its no fucking secret. maybe I'M crazy, but the more i watch pre-game/post-game shows on fox/espn/cbs/abc, the more i can't stand these tools or whoever writes for them. for shame!

 

[Slo]

Put your money on Minnesota this week boys. The six game winning streak starts on Sunday!