I have an MVP vote for the NFL and I strongly considered Ben Roethlisberger last season. It was tough to get past his 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, because those numbers aren’t glittering. But I take valuable to mean just that – valuable. How would the team be without him? I thought Roethlisberger won a lot of games for Pittsburgh by himself last season.
I didn’t vote for him.
But I wish I had, because he deserved it. And he proved it in the Super Bowl.
Just like he proved it last night. The Steelers could not run the ball, but they won. They won because of Roethlisberger, who shrugged off a last-minute Hines Ward fumble in regulation to come out in overtime and lead a game-winning drive.
Roethlisberger has “it.” When you list qualities of a quarterback, there’s all the measurables. But the immeasurables are just as important. The guts, the moxie, the fight to keep a play going. Roethlisberger now has this thing he does where he pumps like he’s going to throw, but he holds onto the ball. This is much harder to do than it looks. It takes strength, and guts – because the longer you hold the ball the more likely you’re going to take a shot in the ribs. But Roethlisberger makes it work.
The by-the-book quarterback doesn’t do the things Roethlisberger does. But the by-the-book quarterback also doesn’t win as often.
John Clayton of ESPN points out that Roethlisberger has 18 fourth-quarter or overtime come-from-behind wins in the regular season since 2004.
He’s started 73 games in that time. Which means that one in four were wins he produced when it mattered most.
Pittsburgh has won 52 games since ’04, which means Roethlisberger won more one-third when it mattered most.
He’s got two more come-from-behind wins in the playoffs. And he’s won two Super Bowls.
This guy ranks up there with the most valuable players in the league, and he should be considered with the best quarterbacks in the league.
He’s on a Hall of Fame path. And the Browns will have him stuck up their craw twice a year for the next several years.
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love it man. thanks for the praise. especially from the 'enemy'. Appreciate your candid view on the steelers. I really do believe that its because of ben we are where we are.
Our Defense has been dominating for 20 years and only when Ben came did we win the superbowl.
Cleveland/Akron is speechless I guess. Thanks for reporting the truth