For example, in last Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Steelers had every opportunity to win the game, but the balls that bounced Pittsburgh's way last season (e.g. forced fumbles) are now bouncing the other direction (e.g. fumbles lost).
Take for instance, the fact that at one point in the second quarter, the Steelers had an advantage over the Falcons in first downs, 14 to 1. Yet, a few bungled exchanges between Ben Roethlisberger and Jeff Hartings kept the Falcons in the game. Add to that, fumbles by Santonio Holmes and Willie Parker, and the Flacons had everything they needed to mount a comeback.
The difference between winning and losing can be as simple as a missed tackle...or a shovel pass...or a flinch while trying to spike the football.
With three minutes remaining in regulation, the Steelers surrounded Michael Vick; Pittsburgh should have sacked him, forced a punt, and taken over with good field position and time enough to drive for a winning score. Alas, Vick tossed a shovel pass to his running back, who galloped for a first down.
Then, with nine seconds left in regulation, the Steelers were in field-goal range. Yet, instead of getting an opportunity to kick a potential game-winning field goal, Nate Washington moved before the snap. The mandatory ten seconds were run off the clock, and the game went into overtime.
Then, in overtime, Troy Polamalu had Vick in his sights. Alas, Troy missed the tackle, resulting in an Alge Crumpler twenty-six yard reception...which was well within Morton Anderson's field goal range. Game over.
In years past, the Steelers would have kicked that game-winning field goal in regulation. Or, at the worst, they would have won in overtime. Alas, "finding a way to win" is not occurring for the Steelers this year.
Ben is typically the difference maker on this team. As I have mentioned before: Ben may not always put up the best statistics, but he adds that extra little something (an "inch" if you will) which turns losses into wins. On Sunday, aside from the muffed snaps, Ben was doing just that: finding a way to win. Simply, Ben was having a great game...until he was knocked unconscious.
Cutting to the chase, I want to watch Ben play for more than the next game. In short, I hope that Cowher sits Ben for at least one game, if not two. In other words, I am not willing to risk Ben being sidelined and his career cut short...like what happened to Steve Young.
See also, Merrill Hoge.
See also, Gary Busey.
Really though, why would the Steelers even consider starting Ben Roethlisberger. First of all, as I just mentioned, there is the health aspect. Secondly, Charlie Batch is better than many of the starters in this league. But, the most blatant reason to sit Ben is the fact that any quarterback (with "any" meaning even Tommy Maddox) could beat the lowly Oakland Raiders. And, when I say "lowly," the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers should come to mind.
See also, the 1999 San Diego Chargers. .
See also, the University City High School Centurions.
Really though, Ben can wait to come back in two weeks. The Steelers will not need that extra "inch" this week: it would require a "mile" of errors by the Steelers for the Raiders to even have a chance.
