Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got too much credit when the team won the Super Bowl two years ago, and he'll get too much blame for the Steelers' playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday night. That's just the way it works for quarterbacks, and Roethlisberger himself seems to accept that he'll get the blame. He said this after the game:
"Nobody should blame (anyone) other than me," Roethlisberger said. "I take the heat. I dug us a hole. We got out of the hole a little bit, but it was too deep. I'm ashamed of the way I played today."
Although Roethlisberger's three interceptions certainly dug a hole for the Steelers, he also made some big plays under pressure as the Steelers came back and took the lead in the fourth quarter. His final numbers -- 29 of 42, 337 yards, two touchdowns -- are nothing to be ashamed of. But big-name quarterbacks are expected to have big performances in big games, and Roethlisberger fell short.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-06-2008 @ 9:02AM
Tasso Paris said...
Watched every play Ben has nothing to be ashamed of .... the Jags defense took it to him ... Pittsburg needs to shore up its offensive line ... Ben was on his back way too much this entire year..... GO BROWNS beat steelers 2 times next yr!
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1-06-2008 @ 9:18AM
Big S said...
Big Ben didnt play very well but he didnt play terrible either - the last fumble was a shame but he still got no help from his O-line in the first half he will be back in the same spot next year again to redeem himself
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1-06-2008 @ 9:50AM
Tammy said...
Ben you were great!! We love you in Jagsville..
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1-06-2008 @ 10:01AM
neutral said...
what an idiot..........you say that every time you have a bad game, just play better and you wont have to say that every time!!!!
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1-06-2008 @ 10:06AM
Big Cee said...
Steelers need to tackle better and protect ben better than what they did. and as for the jags, steelers not know primarily passing they burned the jags over and over again so TAMMY in jagville what do you think is going to happened when the jags play a high powered passing offense like the patriots or colts hmmmmmm......remember steelers have 5 lombardi trophies to your jags uh hmmmmmm oh yea 0
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1-06-2008 @ 10:09AM
Anti- said...
ya, we think you did just fine too Ben.......uh lets see, the NFL's easiest schedule, and you still manage to lose 7 games.
I would normally say "maybe next year" but after seeing you schedule , and free agency losses for next year.....highly possible!!!! LOSERS!!!!
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1-06-2008 @ 10:16AM
CAROL SCAMPTON said...
ITS BEEN A GREAT SEASON FOR THE STEELERS. NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF.AT LEAST WE HAVE ONE TEAM WE CAN BE PROUD OF IN PENNSYLVANIA...GO PITTSBURGH...
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1-06-2008 @ 11:02AM
marianne oines said...
With 5 starters out, Pittsburgh did the best they could with what they had. Ben and Mike should get credit for being able to keep it as close as they did. But what's with the booing in PIT in the first quarter? What kind of 12th man support was that??
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1-06-2008 @ 12:02PM
JEREMY SMITH said...
SORRY PITT, BUT YOU DESERVED TO LOSE THIS ONE, EVEN IF THE REFS TRIED AND GIVE YOU THE GAME, AND HINES WARD, YOU ARE THE BIGGEST CRYBABY IN THE NFL, I WAS HOPING ONE OF THOSE DBS WOULD RIP YOUR HEAD OFF !ESPECIALLY AFTER YOUR DIRTY PLAY, YOUR A DISGRACE !I WAS PROUD OF MY GOOD OLD FASION TOUGH STEELER FOOTBALL, NOT YOUR BACKYARD ALLEY BALL.....TAKE THAT BACK TO THE STREETS. AND BEN.....YOU'LL BE FINE !
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1-06-2008 @ 12:26PM
Joe said...
your every other teams best asset, thanks Ben!
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1-06-2008 @ 12:39PM
Dick McCurdy said...
Watching the Steelers-Jags game was very entertaining.Why can't fans appreciate the effort of the players without degrading them Personally I think Hines Ward is a tremendous player and I'm very happy that Big Ben is the Q. B. of the Steelers.I have watched the Steelers since 1950 and they have given me many fine memories.Its o.k. to lose sometimes. Remember it's a game
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1-06-2008 @ 1:12PM
Bill Walters said...
Post #6 Toughest schedule in the NFL is the AFC north. Get your team out of the pansy league and try us.
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1-06-2008 @ 4:07PM
joey vance said...
Am I the only one that thinks Arians needs to go? The play calling all year has been horrible. 3rd and 6, season on the line, and you call for Ben to run the ball??? My 7 year old was even asking why they would run that. Solid team, oline needs work, offensive coordinator needs to go...Today!!!!
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1-06-2008 @ 4:19PM
Jim said...
Jags fans send your payments to the NFL officials. It was obvious they were giving you the game. Holds and illegal blocks not called. You and us Steeler fans though both will be watching other teams in the Super Bowl. Enjoy.
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1-06-2008 @ 4:49PM
Dari said...
Nobody's perfect, Benny. We love our boys. Get 'em next year.
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1-06-2008 @ 5:47PM
Julie said...
This game was lost by a bad decision to go for 2 points after the touchdowns. If we'd just kicked the extra point, especially that first time, the game would have gone to OT and who know what might have happened then. And what was the play before Jacksonville's last FG possession where Ben ran that little 2 yard route when we needed 4 or 5? I call this a coaching loss!
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1-06-2008 @ 8:17PM
Wendy said...
TO BIG BEN: You can't take the blame for every loss the Steelers have. You did that last year, too. It's nice of you to try to take the heat, but let's be realistic. It takes a TEAM to win and a TEAM to lose!
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1-06-2008 @ 9:04PM
Christina said...
BEN IS THE REASON THE STEELERS GOT TO THE PLAYOFFS IN THE FIRST PLACE. So what...he didn't have his best game. THAT HAPPENS. All the blame for the loss SHOULD NOT JUST BE ON BEN. Most of it was because of bad coaching by the OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR. He needs to go! If Wisenhunt would have been the coordinator for that game, the Steelers would have won. NO DOUBT. Next year is a new start. Thanks Steelers for a good year of football. Go Steelers!!!
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1-06-2008 @ 9:24PM
Steelady said...
Ben, we love you...you are absolutely the greatest!!!!
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1-06-2008 @ 11:10PM
frank said...
Ben is obviously shaky at times, but overall an awesome and outstanding individual. It would have been nice to see the confidence in Ben with less than 5 to go in the game and the ball in his hands!!! I've heard all the buzz about the coaching staff believing in him. Yet with the lead a, prolific offensive output shown in the 2nd half, and minimal to obscure rushing attack, the coordinator goes to the rush. Can't imagine Jags were expecting that!!! Bad move on the coaches, wish Ben would have had the ball to throw!!!
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