Ben’s Bogus Confession and Other Thoughts

By Jeffrey Burton

Ben’s Bogus Confession

Ben’s interview was softball B.S. I don’t believe he is remorseful for his actions and I’m back to thinking I really don’t want him to be a Steeler anymore. He was only remorseful for getting called out on his asinine behavior. Any of Michael Vick’s interviews have been more convincing. The ‘Big Ben Persona’ did it defense? Broadway Joe Nameth had a bigger persona than anyone and he nailed (with consent) Raquel Welch, Ann-Margret and others with no controversy whatsoever. And Tom Brady? Forget about it. When he makes serious amends I’ll believe it, right now we need to raise his stock and unload him next year. Now the question is should we go for a Quarterback in the 1st Round?

Draft Thoughts

After analyzing the Draft and checking out what the sports media has to say, I had to evaluate a couple things. To hear the media talk Colt McCoy and Jimmy Clausen’s careers are over before they begin, because they weren’t drafted in the 1st Round. Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow conversely should be getting fitted for their yellow Hall of Fame jackets. Hey, it’s self-evident; they went in the 1st Round didn’t they? This sent me down a rabbit hole that I want to share with you, because it surprised the hell out of me. I took a look at a fantasy site that ranked all starting Quarterbacks. After some further research, here is what I found:

Now, I was kind of floored when I checked this out. There is exactly the same amount of 1st Round starting Quarterbacks as there are 2nd Round plus at 16 apiece.

In Super Bowl appearances the 2nd+ group have the edge 5 to 4. The franchise tag is subjective, so this is just a best guess based on how I feel about the guy as opposed to how the team feels about the guy.

Super Bowl wins are dead even at 3 a piece. Out of the QB’s that are a lock on the Hall of Fame, I can only find three, Manning, Brady and Favre. The only way that Brady doesn’t make it is if the NFL declares it a violation to have violated (with consent) too many hot women. That is 2 to 1 for the 2nd+ gang.

On the All-time list we have 6 of 10 2nd Round plus.

How does this influence Draft philosophy? Below is a breakdown of hardest positions to transition between college and the pros:

Defense

Now, I have Cornerback first because it is the most physically demanding in a one on one basis. Rookie CB’s will be facing wily veterans that are as good as or better than the best people they have faced in their college career. They also have a target on their back that QB’s and Offensive Coordinator is just living to exploit.

Inside Linebacker and Free Safety comes next because they are the OB’s of the front seven and secondary respectively. They have the most to learn coming in. The rest break down from the edge defenders in. If you are a big bodied run stuffer with good lateral movement at the college level, you are going to be asked to do the exact same in the NFL so that’s why the Nose Tackle is at the bottom of the list.

Offense

QB is a no-brainer as the hardest. There is no position that is more demanding physically, mentally and psychologically than this position. This latest trend of throwing in your number one pick sometimes your first overall into the game in the first year has rendered disastrous results in recent years. If you value someone so highly that you spend a franchise quality pick, you owe it not only to the player, but to the franchise to allow him to develop. (See David Carr).

Wide Receiver is to Offense as Cornerback is to Defense. Left Tackle, the blind side, edge player dealing with cagey veterans one on one is next. Following is the Center, the QB of the offensive line, with lots to learn.

The rest shake out down to Running Back. If you can run in college, much like the DT on Defense, you can run in the Pros. Given that the average career of a RB is 5 years, most teams want to get them in and productive as soon as possible.

So why do so many GM’s roll the dice and sometimes come up with Akili Smith, Tim Couch, JeMarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf? Because it’s the most important position on the team. You can have all the other pieces in place and never make it to the big show, unless your name is Dilfer and you play on that pesky Baltimore team.

The top rated QB’s have had their game picked over, generally they encountered the highest level of college competition and played in a pro-style offense for a coach that understands the pro game. The only two 1st Round picks I have are either Jake Locker of Washington or Arkansas’ Ryan Mallet if he declares.

The other athletes to watch are projected anywhere from the 2nd to the 6th Round at this point Colin Kaepernick is my favorite.

Quarterbacks 2011:

Its way early to do a Mock Draft, we need to wait until we see what’s happening with our Cornerbacks and Offensive Line. We know we have to go to the Defensive Line and Safeties early.

Summer Wish List

1. Could we sign Logan Mankins, please? I can’t stand another season of Chris Kemoeatu. The Patriots don’t want the 2-time Pro Bowler for some reason. I think for five to six million dollars a year we could have someone to stabilize the Left Guard position for the next four to six years.

2. Could we please get someone to take the Right Tackle position away from Willie Colon? Ramon Foster, newcomers Jonathan Scott or Chris Scott? Someone? Bueller?

3. That Charley Weis and Todd Haley clash next season so we can pick up Weis as Offensive Coordinator. Bruce Arians should have been fired long ago and Weis is well versed in Smash-mouth Football.

I had other stuff, but I’ll save it for next blog.

Go Stillers!

About the Author Jim McMillen

The Editor & Chief, the brains so to say, behind Pittsburgh Blitz. Jim is a rabid sports fan who just loves his Stillers, Pens and Buccos. Feel free to contact us at steelerguy26[@]yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments or would like to join our staff and write for Pittsburgh Blitz.

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