Simply, they may all be right.
[Note: Before you jump to any conclusions about my stance on this topic, please read this entire article.]
First of all, for over a month, Ben has been unable to throw deep (or at least, with any accuracy). No one can argue with that fact. In turn, opposing safeties could crowd the line-of-scrimmage...which will not change until Ben's shoulder heals.
SOLUTION: Time.
Secondly, Ben has been under duress. Pittsburgh's make-shift offensive line has given Ben little time to throw the ball. [Tangent: Trai Essex is rotting on the bench while Max Starks makes turn-style block after turn-style block.] It is not just that other teams are rushing more defenders than the Steelers can stop. Teams have sent as few as three defenders, and those defenders still get through the line. Simply, Pittsburgh's offensive linemen can not recognize which defender they are responsible to block. In other words, one-on-one, Pittsburgh's offensive linemen are not too shabby, but as a unit, they need to communicate better.
SOLUTION: Trai Essex...communication...and wishing on stars.
Lastly, Ben does indeed hold the ball too long...but, I would never (ever, ever) change that. The analogy that I have used with my friends, with fans, and with other journalists is that Big Ben's legs are akin to Brett Favre's arm: Brett always thinks that he can make the miracle throw, and Ben always thinks that he can escape ANY pass-rusher. To Ben's credit, he routinely "makes the play."
For example, in Thursday's game, one of Cincinnati's defensive linemen broke through the line and had a bead on Big Ben. Ben pushed the defender to the ground with one hand, slid to the right about five yards, and threw a strike to Hines Ward (who was streaking across the middle of the field). Changing Ben (i.e. having him "throw the ball away") would mean that on the aforementioned play, Ben would have thrown the ball away the very second that the defender was closing in on him...resulting in a punt. Whereas, what actually occurred was that Ben completed a huge gain, to convert a third down.
Simply, Big Ben is always going to give up a few sacks...but most of the time, he "makes the play."
Similarly, with the game well in hand, the Steelers found themselves on the eight yard-line. Ben dropped back, found no one open...and took off running. I know that some fans were screaming for Ben to "throw the ball away"...but, Ben being Ben, ran for a touchdown. When asked about whether or not he considered throwing the ball away (so as not to risk re-injuring his shoulder), Ben replied something along the lines of "I play to score...on every play." Again, I would never change anything about Big Ben's demeanor.
SOLUTION: Patience & perspective (from Steelers fans).
In summation, against Cincinnati, Ben's shoulder looked strong. Pittsburgh's offensive line blocked well. And, Ben was scrambling around, buying time, and making plays. In other words, the Bengals can cure a lot of what ails a team. Let us just hope that this level of play continues.
