Home 2013 Regular Season Why Would Roethlisberger Want to Stay in Pittsburgh?

Why Would Roethlisberger Want to Stay in Pittsburgh?

by Steeldad

Ben RoethlisbergerThe most recent ‘to-do’ started with a report prior to Sunday’s game against Buffalo.

NFL Network Reporter Ian Rapoport said Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was “frustrated” with the offense and would seek a trade at season’s end.

The fact he is frustrated was not news. Regardless of which side of the report you fall on we cannot dismiss it.

Rapoport claims he had a lot to go on and that in time it will be revealed.

This incident or report is not the first salvo fired however in the ‘Ben Roethlisberger Saga.’ That started following the 2011 season when Art Rooney II said it was time for Roethlisberger to “tweak” his game.

That tweaking has resulted in more sacks, more hits, a poor record and the hiring of an offensive coordinator who cannot get out of his own way.

After last night’s NFL Network halftime report in which both Rapoport and Michael Silver re-asserted the earlier claims from Sunday, they also announced there would be “major changes” to the offense and that Mike Tomlin’s job was safe.

Well that’s all fine and good but the question I keep coming back to is why would Ben Roethlisberger want to stay in Pittsburgh?

Besides the tweaking and the lack of a healthy offensive line, unnamed players are now saying the Roethlisberger “needs to be more cerebral.” This came from last night from the two NFLN reporters as well…

I don’t even have to know who is responsible for these comments because I have a pretty good idea already. I’ll leave it at that.

Roethlisberger is long past the point of getting the respect he deserves in the NFL so there is no use discussing it. I’ve read plenty of stories on how he prepares through the week and on gameday and I guess I really don’t see what the fuss is but someone in the locker room clearly does.

The Steelers will face plenty of decisions when that first day of their offseason begins. We will know immediately (maybe sooner) if the front office has chosen to stick with Todd Haley or Ben Roethlisberger because I can’t see this relationship going into a third year.

Again though, I return to the question. Why would Roethlisberger want to stay where he is clearly under-appreciated, not respected and poorly used? All this could change if the front office changes its tune in the next couple of months but I’m not convinced they will.

If I’m Ben Roethlisberger, I’m on the first plane outta the Steel City and maybe that’s been the plan all along.

Marc Uhlmann writes for and co-owns www.steelcityblitz.com. Follow him on Twitter @steeldad and follow the website at @SCBlitz. He can be heard Mondays on Trib-Live Radio at 630pm ET talking Steelers and is a blogger for ESPN 970 in Pittsburgh.

 

 

 

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7 comments

Whelk November 15, 2013 - 2:44 pm

In which city does the quarterback of a losing team escape criticism?

steeldad November 15, 2013 - 5:28 pm

It’s a fair point Whelk but this is now beyond criticism. It’s one thing to say he is the reason for the 3-6 record or blame him for things but when you start letting this stuff out to the media then that’s getting down-right mean.

Siggy November 15, 2013 - 2:46 pm

This isn’t criticism. This is a flat out smear campaign. Why? If the owner doesn’t want him anymore? Let him go. No need to humiliate him before you do it though.

steeldad November 15, 2013 - 5:27 pm

I agree Siggy. If they want to sever ties then so be it but don’t slam the guy.

Randy November 16, 2013 - 4:35 pm

Goes to show you how tasteless and classless the Rooneys actually are, Roethlisberger is a good quarterback, but how can you perform when you have zilch for protection, and the worse O.C in the entire NFL? The fucking Rooneys need run outta da burgh.

bob graff November 17, 2013 - 12:32 am

Roethlisberger has played pretty well this year. It would be interesting to see just how well he would play with a running game and a average o-line. Here are the facts that no one seems to want to acknowledge. First our drafts have been down right horrible and have left the team void of overall talent. Then to compound that we insist on acting as if it isn’t so. I mean come on man J. Jones has 1 sack this year, Bell is gaining less than 4 yards per carry , Wheaton has shown nothing . We really needed some help out of this draft but again have gotten little.I have said this in other posts and believe it. Until we can infuse quality young talent into this team this will go on for a long time. Remember this, a player isn’t good because the Steelers drafted him he’s good because he is. THERE IS NOTHING IN OUR RECENT HISTORY THAT SAYS ANY OF OUR DRAFT CHOICES SHOULD BE HAILED OR COUNTED ON UNTIL THEY PROVE IT. So far none have!!!!

steeldad November 17, 2013 - 3:18 pm

Can’t argue a bit Bob. Kevin Colbert’s drafts the last several years have been brutal and he has yet to be yet to be held responsible. I’m still high on Jones and Bell and I really like Thomas and Vince Williams but time will tell.

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