Ben Roethlisberger is a clown III

Running segment alert. Constable Echelon thinks Ben Roethlisberger is wildly overrated and whenever recent on field events prove that point expect to read about it on H&F.

So was that a delight or what? The Seahawks averted disaster to score a boxscore blowout over the Redskins and then we got to watch a vintage Ben Roethlisberger performance carry the Steelers to a loss. Here’s how the most overrated qb in football blew it this time.

Still awash in the post Seahawks glow, my stomach full of a Goodfellas hero from QFC I settled in to watch the NFL’s marquee matchup on Wild Card Saturday. Jacksonville and Pittsburgh went into the nightcap featuring similarly styled squads. Both teams run well and have efficient quarterbacks that do well in protecting leads. “Efficient quarterbacks that do well in protecting leads” is code for “I hope this guy never has to win a game for us”.

Being that both teams would be totally fucked if they fell behind, Pittsburgh had to be feeling great after a nice first drive to go up 7-0. Unfortunately for them, MJD took the ensuing kickoff back to the Steeler 2 and Fred Taylor cashed in on the next play to negate the lead. Here’s where things got Roethlisbergian.

Whoever runs the Steelers offense still hasn’t figured out that Ben Roethlisberger at his best is a “game manager” (again code for “bad qb”). Sometimes they get the idea that he should be pitching the ball all over the yard like Manning or Brady. Big mistake.

Instead of grinding it out with the running game and playing field position to hope that Garrard makes the first gaffe, Roethlisberger forced a pass in the direction Rashean Mathis. It was promptly returned 63 yards for a score. What happened next per the AP:

Roethlisberger, perhaps attempting to prove he wasn’t discouraged by that interception, went right back at Mathis on Pittsburgh’s next possession — and was intercepted by him again.

I love that. Classic “Ben”. Always trying to be something isn’t (read: good). Nice subtle dig at his psyche there by the AP too. I wholeheartedly agree. That two-pick game-killing sequence is Roethlisberger’s quarterbacking in a nutshell. He is always capable of imploding and spectacularly costing Pittsburgh games. Yet he will always be there because he happened to be present at a Super Bowl win and many Steeler fans have talked themselves into him.

The funny thing is, Garrard imploded in the fourth quarter but Jacksonville had a sufficient advantage by that point to weather the storm. Pittsburgh keeps it on the ground and maybe their defense and home crowd get them a win. Instead they let their liability screw them first.

I will not rest until everyone realizes how terrible “7″ is. It is my calling. Luckily for me Big Ben is constantly adding fuel to my fire. Have a nice offseason Steelers! Steer clear of motorcycles!

Catch up on past clowning about!
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