FoxSports has the whole story.
Ben Roethlisberger signed an eight-year extension Monday with the Pittsburgh Steelers that is worth $102 million and makes him one of the league's top-paid players.
The buzz around the internet is all about whether Rothlisberger is worth that kind of money. We are talking about $20+ million a year.
Ben had a good year in 2007 with a QB rating only surpassed by Tom Brady in the AFC. He threw 32 touchdowns against only 11 interceptions which is also very good.
My criticism with Rothlisberger has always been about instincts which of course to the casual observer are difficult to quantify. I am not a casual observer.
I think it was Dan Marino who said that the two biggest "drive killers" in the NFL are the holding calls and QB sacks. Both of which are avoidable with good football instincts.
In 2007 Ben was sacked 47 times; a total only surpassed by Jon Kitna with 51. He actually lost the most yards on sacks in the NFL with 347. That's two first downs per game going the wrong way.
When your QB gets sacked, only three things can happen and they are all bad. From least damaging to worst case they are:
1. Loss of yardage making first down yardage far more difficult on the next play.
2. A fumble (Ben had 9 last year), giving away a possession and field position.
3. Just ask Joe Theisman. Here's the video for you really sick fans.
My other concern is post season performance. He's been in the post season three times for a total of seven games. In 2005 he was solid but nothing particularly memorable for the ages.
Overall, his post season performance has been awful. Barely 200 ypg, 12 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and 14 sacks aren't $100 million stats by anyone's measure.
I think Ben is a good quarterback but I am not convinced that he is $100 million good.
Permalink | Send To A Friend | Linking Blogs | Digg this!
Filed under:
Pittsburgh Steelers
