Ben Roethlisberger passes the Steelers out from under their goal post in the first quarter Sunday. — GETTY
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
One last look at the Steelers’ last game …
• The NFL’s MVP award might as well stand for Most Valuable Position, as it’s got an excellent chance of going to a quarterback, a so-so chance of going to a running back and virtually no chance of going to anyone else. In the past 20 years the Associated Press has picked its MVP, 14 on the list have been quarterbacks, six running backs.
Wide receivers?
Not one. Ever. And the award began in 1957.
Defensive players?
Only Lawrence Taylor and Alan Page.
So let’s start with this premise when discussing whether or not Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown should be in anyone’s discussion for MVP: Brown has virtually no chance. If Jerry Rice didn’t get an MVP in 1987, when his 22 touchdown catches were double the total of the next-highest receiver, then Brown won’t, either.
That’s unfair to Brown, who only boosted his No. 1 standing in Pro Football Focus‘ wide receiver rankings with 11 catches for 144 yards Sunday and, on a more tangible level, leads all wide receivers in catches, yards and touchdowns. But inherent unfairness can never be omitted from an MVP discussion.
Roethlisberger’s case, clearly, is different.
His 2,720 passing yards are only 11 behind the leader, Andrew Luck. Roethlisberger, Luck and Tom Brady are all two touchdown passes behind leader Peyton Manning’s 24. Roethlisberger’s 68.3 completion percentage is a hair behind leader Drew Brees’ 69.6. Roethlisberger, Brady and Aaron Rodgers each has only three interceptions, lowest by far among the top 10 passers. Toss a blanket over all those, and Roethlisberger is right there in every category.
But dig into the more advanced metrics, which, for example, take into account passes that are on target but dropped, and Roethlisberger’s No. 1 standing is every bit as solid as Brown’s. His overall 21.4 grade from Pro Football Focus is miles ahead of Aaron Rodgers‘ 18.1. And when isolating on passing — Roethlisberger 2.0 hasn’t exactly been doing a lot of running — the gap is wider, 23.1 to Brady’s 17.7.
He’s the best quarterback in the NFL. As I wrote in the Monday game column, that’s well beyond being an opinion at this point. And if you add into that the Steelers’ success of late, the league-record 12 touchdowns in two games, the toughness that’s been displayed and all the other traits you’d want to see from a quarterback, it isn’t close.
As such, is he a candidate for MVP?
Heck no, he’s the front-runner.
• The Steelers have had one MVP, Terry Bradshaw in 1978. That’s borderline criminal when weighed against all the men they’ve sent to Canton.
• Loved this remark from Roethlisberger after the game, related to the crowd, Joe Greene night, the Ravens in town and all that: “It felt like, you know, the old-school, early days of being here … the fans were into it, it was loud … it was a perfect night for football.” A big smile accompanied that last line.
• Loved this even more, from Terrell Suggs on Roethlisberger’s six TD passes: “You could have never sold me on that during the week. He had a heck of a day, and that’s a reflection on us all.”
• Undoubtedly buried in all the excitement over all the passing is that Le’Veon Bell was held to 20 rushing yards on 10 carries. His longest run was 5 yards. But part of what’s made Bell’s breakout so fascinating this year is that, even when that happens, he contributes: He caught five passes for 38 yards, including that neat touchdown that almost looked like a goal-line fade, if you will. He also was asked to pass-block six times, run-block four times and rated positively on all 10.
• Nothing has changed the look and feel of the Steelers’ defense like the return of the outside pass rush: James Harrison had two sacks and four QB hits, Arthur Moats a sack and a hurry, Jason Worilds a hit and all kinds of general penetration. “This is what we’ve wanted,” Worilds told me afterward, “to be able to bring it on every play.”
• Anyone remember Jarvis Jones?
• John Harbaugh, on all that pressure: “They were blitzing us. Sometimes, we had them beat one-on-one. Other times, we might have gotten the hot throw out, and we didn’t get it out. They did a great job of rushing the passer. I thought 92 looked really good. I thought 93 looked good.” Harrison and Worilds, respectively.
• Don’t forget Cam Heyward in this area, with one hit and five hurries from a down stance. Though not good enough, apparently, for Heyward: “I need to play better.”
• That might have been the residue of what several players told me was Mike Tomlin’s postgame theme: “We need to keep our heads low and just keep getting better,” Ramon Foster said. Not a bad idea for a team that has repeatedly raised its level against good teams while doing exactly the opposite against the lousy ones.
Hello, Jets!
• Brett Keisel has spoken passionately in recent days about the need for this defense to carve an identity, and that came up again after this one:
• No one’s stock rose more in the game than that of Antwon Blake, whose NFL starting debut saw him grade higher than any defensive player. He was targeted seven times and allowed three receptions, one each to Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Marlon Brown. No catch was longer than 13 yards, and only one total yard was conceded after those catches. He also had four tackles.
• Cortez Allen can watch again next weekend.
• Screen plays run by the offense: 0.
Cite that little statistic when your buddy gets on you for having been a Todd Haley critic. You didn’t change. Haley did.
• Only defensive players in on all 71 snaps: Worilds, Lawrence Timmons and Willie Gay. Mike Mitchell and Brice McCain were in on 70. Moats was the starter at right outside linebacker, but Harrison had 42 snaps to Moats’ 29 there. And Stephon Tuitt had a hit, a hurry … and only 17 snaps. (Cue sigh.)
Baby steps, people, baby steps. They’re listening to you gradually.
It's utterly laughable and indeed indicative of how prisoner of the moment ESPN is that they have debates "is Ben elite?" on shows today. Some of us always knew.
I'm watching Harrison just hoping Jarvis Jones is as well.
Losing to a good team is one thing. Losing to bad teams is something else entirely. Steelers have been 8-8 because they've lost to bad teams. If they lay an egg against the Jets, we're back to square one. If they take care of business we'll know there's real progress being made.
Talking about TuittI just dont understand how Cam Thomas gets washed 8 yards down the line and yet continues to play ahead of him I mean if you want a backup NT give McCullers a helmet hopefully Tuitt sees the field more compared to Thomas in coming weeks and McCullers gets a lid
Might want to watch the tape again, distinctly remember a quick screen to AB as well as a short dump off (Will Johnson maybe). Fact remains, nobody complained about not going deep every pkay when it worked (Carolina). Its about players executing.
No play was officially recorded as a screen. I know the AB play you're describing. Not sure I'd call that a screen as much as a quick swing pass to the right.
Ben is tired of hearing Brady/Peyton/Rogers/Brees. He's going to shut up his critics once an for all. He's on a mission, league MVP, Super Bowl MVP, his 3rd Super Bowl ring, the 7th franchise Super Bowl Championship. He will never again be forgotten in the best QB conversations.
With Harrison and Keisel not just playing but playing very well, team has calmed down on D. Not as frenetic.
.
Veteran leadership + performance can do this. Nice that our young guys are learning at their heels.
As great as he's been playing, we can't expect this guy to continue to throw 5/6 TD passes every week. That said, the Steelers need to have the RB's get into the end zone. 3 rushing TD's so far? I agree Bell is contributing, but the team needs rushing TD's
I used to believe that. Just as I used to believe it's important to run the ball in general.
.
But if the last two weeks have taught us anything, it is this: score touchdowns. Anyway, anyhow. Score them early. Score them in the middle. Score them late.
.
Never let up.
The difference in play calling on offense, or at least the appearance of a difference has gotten a lot of attention. I think there has been an equal or greater difference in the play calling on defense. The pressure the front seven is bringing is very noticeable.
Good post, Cherokee. I think this video enhances both arguments. It's not "sideways," but clearly isn't downfield, maybe 2-4 yards from scrimmage. The key is the middle of the field, which we weren't attacking before (at least with any success).
There is nothing wrong with a screen pass as long as it is one facet of your game and not THE facet of your game. You have LeVeon Bell. A great pass catching back. Use him. You have AB who can leave a corner in the duat flat footed use it. But also use the vertical game
Arthur Moats had the sack and a QB pressure, but he also made maybe the most pivotal play of the game when he stripped the ball that The Senator scooped up and returned deep into Balt territory. I thought the whole game turned right then & there.
Excellent observation about Jarvis hopefully watching & learning from JHay. You can't watch Harrison for long as a young LB and not learn the value of effort and intensity.
Did anyone else notice that in the Pittsburgh skyline backdrop of the NBC studio last night there was a giant smokestack photoshopped in? Does that bug anyone else? Seems very unprofessional to me to change the look of the city to fit their narrative.
I seem to recall a screen too guys. Anyway, DK is moving the goal posts. "East-west" or "sideways" game, the "dink and dunk" -- however it gets disparaged at that particular moment, is still key to our offense. It's not going anywhere, nor should it. Haley knows what he's doing.
Dejan--Offer some insight into Tomlin sitting Bryant for 6 for games, who now has come on, and Tomlin sitting McCullers for an equal number when the guys in front of McCullers seldom (never) get a call in your column about playing well or being dominant?
"Cite that little statistic ... a Todd Haley critic. You didn’t change. Haley did."
Yeah, I'll bite. You've been exhibiting a pathology regarding Haley all season. The change that counts was the performance of the O-line. No protection, no downfield passes, no how.
I tend to agree with Ghost. A chicken or egg kinda thing. Which came first, o-line protecting better or throwing ball downfield more. I'm just happy both are happening!
November 3, 2014
Steelers PATs: Ben more than MVP candidate
by Dejan Kovacevic • News/views • Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger passes the Steelers out from under their goal post in the first quarter Sunday. — GETTY
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
One last look at the Steelers’ last game …
• The NFL’s MVP award might as well stand for Most Valuable Position, as it’s got an excellent chance of going to a quarterback, a so-so chance of going to a running back and virtually no chance of going to anyone else. In the past 20 years the Associated Press has picked its MVP, 14 on the list have been quarterbacks, six running backs.
Wide receivers?
Not one. Ever. And the award began in 1957.
Defensive players?
Only Lawrence Taylor and Alan Page.
So let’s start with this premise when discussing whether or not Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown should be in anyone’s discussion for MVP: Brown has virtually no chance. If Jerry Rice didn’t get an MVP in 1987, when his 22 touchdown catches were double the total of the next-highest receiver, then Brown won’t, either.
That’s unfair to Brown, who only boosted his No. 1 standing in Pro Football Focus‘ wide receiver rankings with 11 catches for 144 yards Sunday and, on a more tangible level, leads all wide receivers in catches, yards and touchdowns. But inherent unfairness can never be omitted from an MVP discussion.
Roethlisberger’s case, clearly, is different.
His 2,720 passing yards are only 11 behind the leader, Andrew Luck. Roethlisberger, Luck and Tom Brady are all two touchdown passes behind leader Peyton Manning’s 24. Roethlisberger’s 68.3 completion percentage is a hair behind leader Drew Brees’ 69.6. Roethlisberger, Brady and Aaron Rodgers each has only three interceptions, lowest by far among the top 10 passers. Toss a blanket over all those, and Roethlisberger is right there in every category.
But dig into the more advanced metrics, which, for example, take into account passes that are on target but dropped, and Roethlisberger’s No. 1 standing is every bit as solid as Brown’s. His overall 21.4 grade from Pro Football Focus is miles ahead of Aaron Rodgers‘ 18.1. And when isolating on passing — Roethlisberger 2.0 hasn’t exactly been doing a lot of running — the gap is wider, 23.1 to Brady’s 17.7.
He’s the best quarterback in the NFL. As I wrote in the Monday game column, that’s well beyond being an opinion at this point. And if you add into that the Steelers’ success of late, the league-record 12 touchdowns in two games, the toughness that’s been displayed and all the other traits you’d want to see from a quarterback, it isn’t close.
As such, is he a candidate for MVP?
Heck no, he’s the front-runner.
• The Steelers have had one MVP, Terry Bradshaw in 1978. That’s borderline criminal when weighed against all the men they’ve sent to Canton.
• Loved this remark from Roethlisberger after the game, related to the crowd, Joe Greene night, the Ravens in town and all that: “It felt like, you know, the old-school, early days of being here … the fans were into it, it was loud … it was a perfect night for football.” A big smile accompanied that last line.
• Loved this even more, from Terrell Suggs on Roethlisberger’s six TD passes: “You could have never sold me on that during the week. He had a heck of a day, and that’s a reflection on us all.”
• Undoubtedly buried in all the excitement over all the passing is that Le’Veon Bell was held to 20 rushing yards on 10 carries. His longest run was 5 yards. But part of what’s made Bell’s breakout so fascinating this year is that, even when that happens, he contributes: He caught five passes for 38 yards, including that neat touchdown that almost looked like a goal-line fade, if you will. He also was asked to pass-block six times, run-block four times and rated positively on all 10.
• Nothing has changed the look and feel of the Steelers’ defense like the return of the outside pass rush: James Harrison had two sacks and four QB hits, Arthur Moats a sack and a hurry, Jason Worilds a hit and all kinds of general penetration. “This is what we’ve wanted,” Worilds told me afterward, “to be able to bring it on every play.”
• Anyone remember Jarvis Jones?
• John Harbaugh, on all that pressure: “They were blitzing us. Sometimes, we had them beat one-on-one. Other times, we might have gotten the hot throw out, and we didn’t get it out. They did a great job of rushing the passer. I thought 92 looked really good. I thought 93 looked good.” Harrison and Worilds, respectively.
• Don’t forget Cam Heyward in this area, with one hit and five hurries from a down stance. Though not good enough, apparently, for Heyward: “I need to play better.”
• That might have been the residue of what several players told me was Mike Tomlin’s postgame theme: “We need to keep our heads low and just keep getting better,” Ramon Foster said. Not a bad idea for a team that has repeatedly raised its level against good teams while doing exactly the opposite against the lousy ones.
Hello, Jets!
• Brett Keisel has spoken passionately in recent days about the need for this defense to carve an identity, and that came up again after this one:
• No one’s stock rose more in the game than that of Antwon Blake, whose NFL starting debut saw him grade higher than any defensive player. He was targeted seven times and allowed three receptions, one each to Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Marlon Brown. No catch was longer than 13 yards, and only one total yard was conceded after those catches. He also had four tackles.
• Cortez Allen can watch again next weekend.
• Screen plays run by the offense: 0.
Cite that little statistic when your buddy gets on you for having been a Todd Haley critic. You didn’t change. Haley did.
• Only defensive players in on all 71 snaps: Worilds, Lawrence Timmons and Willie Gay. Mike Mitchell and Brice McCain were in on 70. Moats was the starter at right outside linebacker, but Harrison had 42 snaps to Moats’ 29 there. And Stephon Tuitt had a hit, a hurry … and only 17 snaps. (Cue sigh.)
Baby steps, people, baby steps. They’re listening to you gradually.