Pouncey defends Ben

[Legacy User]

http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-stee ... hlisberger

Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, upset by Hines Ward’s criticism of the Pittsburgh Steelers, had a message for his former teammate.

“Come here and watch us work. Come here and watch the preparation,” Pouncey told ESPN.com on Thursday. “He’s gone so far away from us in making all of these comments. I respect Hines and Hines has always been good to me but I don’t agree with that.”

Pouncey and Ward, the Steelers’ all-time leading receiver, were teammates for two seasons before the latter retired in 2012. Ward is now a TV analyst, and after the Steelers’ 31-10 to the Browns last Sunday he said on NBC that he didn’t recognize the offense because it had become too finesse.

On Wednesday, Ward said on NBCSN that the fault for the Steelers’ offensive struggles lie with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, not offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

Roethlisberger declined to comment on Ward’s comments when asked about them by ESPN.com, though he acknowledged that he was aware of them. Pouncey, however, took exception to Ward criticizing the quarterback.

“I don’t get that,” Pouncey said of Ward blaming Roethlisberger for the Steelers’ offensive struggles. “Y’all made each other the player you are. Once you’re in the Steelers family, you’ll always be in the Steelers family. Even if you feel a certain type of way, when you’re family keep it to yourself. If something happened in your family you wouldn’t go around blasting it to everybody, you would just keep it to yourself or say something to them.”

Pouncey has bristled in general at the criticism the Steelers have received during their 3-3 start, which includes two losses by at least 20 points.

“I joke around with my family members back home whenever they say something stupid, ‘Hey bro, tryouts are tomorrow. If you can do it come out and do it,’ ” Pouncey said. “I probably feel differently than others but for someone to sit back and judge something that never did it. ... If a person has a bad game, heck yeah call him out on it. But when you sit here and try to criticize a man for something he’s been doing for so long, I don’t think it’s right.”

[Legacy User]

Winning fixes everything

[Legacy User]

I'm a Pouncey fan but he was also surprised when Tomlin called them undisciplined over all the penalties

[Legacy User]

Good for Pouncey.

[K_C_]

Winning fixes everything

Then nothing is getting fixed for quite some time.

[BethlehemSteel]

This good, perfect. Get them angry and turn the slop inside out

Anger sharpens Iron

[Jobu]

Hmm...doesn't sound to me like Hines Ward is still as close to the team and the lockeroom as some would tend to believe.

Sorry Markice, but I got news for you...Hines Ward isn't part of "the family". Hines Ward is all about Hines Ward. Always has been...always will be!

[Joe Steeler Fan]

Honestly, I can give 2 fucks what Pouncey has to say. The kid is as immature as they come and has shown he doesn't have the best decision making ability. He needs to suck it up. Perhaps he should start taking "outsider" comments personally and use it to fire up the boiler room a little.

[Steelafan77]

Regardless of Pouncey's credibility (lack there of) I agree with the premise. I think Hines was egged on to come to this controversial conclusion. (Scripted much?) Hines ain't in the locker room any more. Hines ain't in the meetings anymore. Hines ain't on the field anymore. Sure Hines has some better insight than fans do but this drivel seems contrived and quite frankly I'm a bit shocked Hines is trying to throw Ben under the bus when Hines would be the first to tell you this is A TEAM Sport. You win as a team and you lose as a Team. Period.

[Legacy User]

Regardless of Pouncey's credibility (lack there of) I agree with the premise. I think Hines was egged on to come to this controversial conclusion. (Scripted much?) Hines ain't in the locker room any more. Hines ain't in the meetings anymore. Hines ain't on the field anymore. Sure Hines has some better insight than fans do but this drivel seems contrived and quite frankly I'm a bit shocked Hines is trying to throw Ben under the bus when Hines would be the first to tell you this is A TEAM Sport. You win as a team and you lose as a Team. Period.

2 questions

1. Do you think Hines intentionally lied for some reason?

2. Do you think he's experienced enough to have a valid opinion on Steelers offense?

[K_C_]

Regardless of Pouncey's credibility (lack there of) I agree with the premise. I think Hines was egged on to come to this controversial conclusion. (Scripted much?) Hines ain't in the locker room any more. Hines ain't in the meetings anymore. Hines ain't on the field anymore. Sure Hines has some better insight than fans do but this drivel seems contrived and quite frankly I'm a bit shocked Hines is trying to throw Ben under the bus when Hines would be the first to tell you this is A TEAM Sport. You win as a team and you lose as a Team. Period.

2 questions

1. Do you think Hines intentionally lied for some reason?

2. Do you think he's experienced enough to have a valid opinion on Steelers offense?

1. Do you think Ward is a me-first attention whore?

[Legacy User]

No I don't

Now do you want to answer my questions ?

[Steelafan77]

It does seem odd that all the sudden during his stint with nbc of all shit sports sights Hines is on the dump on Ben train. I do think Hines has better insight to form an educated opinion of whats going on. That's what I said. But even you have to admit Hines would be the first guy to tell you this is a team sport. Win as a team and you lose as a team. That's why I find it shocking Hines would say something as disingenuous as "It's Ben's Fault." It's cool though. Carry on crucifying Ben if that's what floats your boat. I don't agree its solely on Ben. Anyone that has ever played an organized sport will tend to agree.

[Legacy User]

Regardless of Pouncey's credibility (lack there of) I agree with the premise. I think Hines was egged on to come to this controversial conclusion. (Scripted much?) Hines ain't in the locker room any more. Hines ain't in the meetings anymore. Hines ain't on the field anymore. Sure Hines has some better insight than fans do but this drivel seems contrived and quite frankly I'm a bit shocked Hines is trying to throw Ben under the bus when Hines would be the first to tell you this is A TEAM Sport. You win as a team and you lose as a Team. Period.

Thinking about Hines comments, I recall reading reports on this board after the Browns game that Charlie Batch was saying on his radio show that he believes that Haley is calling the plays in no huddle. I wonder if that's true or not.

[Legacy User]

It does seem odd that all the sudden during his stint with nbc of all shit sports sights Hines is on the dump on Ben train. I do think Hines has better insight to form an educated opinion of whats going on. That's what I said. But even you have to admit Hines would be the first guy to tell you this is a team sport. Win as a team and you lose as a team. That's why I find it shocking Hines would say something as disingenuous as "It's Ben's Fault." It's cool though. Carry on crucifying Ben if that's what floats your boat. I don't agree its solely on Ben. Anyone that has ever played an organized sport will tend to agree.

Maybe your problem with me and Hines is you're afraid of hearing the truth

I know I stated my opinion early in the year that is his play doesn't improve the national media will start catching on in about 6 weeks. Little did I know you could set your watch by it

[Steelafan77]

No Idea 512. It would not surprise me.

[Legacy User]

It does seem odd that all the sudden during his stint with nbc of all shit sports sights Hines is on the dump on Ben train. I do think Hines has better insight to form an educated opinion of whats going on. That's what I said. But even you have to admit Hines would be the first guy to tell you this is a team sport. Win as a team and you lose as a team. That's why I find it shocking Hines would say something as disingenuous as "It's Ben's Fault." It's cool though. Carry on crucifying Ben if that's what floats your boat. I don't agree its solely on Ben. Anyone that has ever played an organized sport will tend to agree.

Maybe your problem with me and Hines is you're afraid of hearing the truth

I know I stated my opinion early in the year that is his play doesn't improve the national media will start catching on in about 6 weeks. Little did I know you could set your watch by it

Riiiight that's what you said.

[Legacy User]

Proverbs 17:28: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Translation: Pouncey is a dumfuk.

[Steelafan77]

It does seem odd that all the sudden during his stint with nbc of all shit sports sights Hines is on the dump on Ben train. I do think Hines has better insight to form an educated opinion of whats going on. That's what I said. But even you have to admit Hines would be the first guy to tell you this is a team sport. Win as a team and you lose as a team. That's why I find it shocking Hines would say something as disingenuous as "It's Ben's Fault." It's cool though. Carry on crucifying Ben if that's what floats your boat. I don't agree its solely on Ben. Anyone that has ever played an organized sport will tend to agree.

Maybe your problem with me and Hines is you're afraid of hearing the truth

I know I stated my opinion early in the year that is his play doesn't improve the national media will start catching on in about 6 weeks. Little did I know you could set your watch by it

Now you're reading too much into nothing IC. No problem with either of you. You're both entitled to your opinions. Just as I'm entitled to disagree with them.

Ben has a lot of territory he has to cover. He has one legit WR, one legit TE and then some young guys with little familiarity and an OLine that couldn't stop a bubble on a light breeze for more than 2 seconds. Not excuses just Ben's reality. In the end I just don't believe Ben gets a lot of the help from staff and other players that other QB's are gifted with. JMO

[Legacy User]

It does seem odd that all the sudden during his stint with nbc of all shit sports sights Hines is on the dump on Ben train. I do think Hines has better insight to form an educated opinion of whats going on. That's what I said. But even you have to admit Hines would be the first guy to tell you this is a team sport. Win as a team and you lose as a team. That's why I find it shocking Hines would say something as disingenuous as "It's Ben's Fault." It's cool though. Carry on crucifying Ben if that's what floats your boat. I don't agree its solely on Ben. Anyone that has ever played an organized sport will tend to agree.

Maybe your problem with me and Hines is you're afraid of hearing the truth

I know I stated my opinion early in the year that is his play doesn't improve the national media will start catching on in about 6 weeks. Little did I know you could set your watch by it

Now you're reading too much into nothing IC. No problem with either of you. You're both entitled to your opinions. Just as I'm entitled to disagree with them.

Ben has a lot of territory he has to cover. He has one legit WR, one legit TE and then some young guys with little familiarity and an OLine that couldn't stop a bubble on a light breeze for more than 2 seconds. Not excuses just Ben's reality. In the end I just don't believe Ben gets a lot of the help from staff and other players that other QB's are gifted with. JMO

He has a legit Wr and RB.. miller is not legit anymore..hes a good vet backup on a championship team imo

[Legacy User]

It does seem odd that all the sudden during his stint with nbc of all shit sports sights Hines is on the dump on Ben train. I do think Hines has better insight to form an educated opinion of whats going on. That's what I said. But even you have to admit Hines would be the first guy to tell you this is a team sport. Win as a team and you lose as a team. That's why I find it shocking Hines would say something as disingenuous as "It's Ben's Fault." It's cool though. Carry on crucifying Ben if that's what floats your boat. I don't agree its solely on Ben. Anyone that has ever played an organized sport will tend to agree.

Maybe your problem with me and Hines is you're afraid of hearing the truth

I know I stated my opinion early in the year that is his play doesn't improve the national media will start catching on in about 6 weeks. Little did I know you could set your watch by it

Riiiight that's what you said.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=744&p=29026&hilit=+national+media#p29026

If this shit keeps up give it about six weeks and the national media will start to catch on. Theyre usually a month to a month and a half behind the curve on things like this

You were saying? Do you see why this is so easy for me with you?

[Steelafan77]

Now you're reading too much into nothing IC. No problem with either of you. You're both entitled to your opinions. Just as I'm entitled to disagree with them.

Ben has a lot of territory he has to cover. He has one legit WR, one legit TE and then some young guys with little familiarity and an OLine that couldn't stop a bubble on a light breeze for more than 2 seconds. Not excuses just Ben's reality. In the end I just don't believe Ben gets a lot of the help from staff and other players that other QB's are gifted with. JMO

He has a legit Wr and RB.. miller is not legit anymore..hes a good vet backup on a championship team imo

I stand corrected. I still think Miller delivers in the clutch. Perhaps I'm conditioned to this because we've had little else since Heath was drafted? Sorry I even forgot about Bell and even Blount. Brain Fart.

[Legacy User]

IC, seriously just stop... I could go back and pull all sorts of your quotes saying something else. You move the target on a daily basis...do you see why this is so easy for everyone.

[Legacy User]

IC, seriously just stop... I could go back and pull all sorts of your quotes saying something else. You move the target on a daily basis...do you see why this is so easy for everyone.

actually I dont.

I'm not sure if I've conveyed it in text, but in my mind my point has remained constant

You don't know whether to defend Ben with wins or stats these days. If you use wins, I bring up 8-8 and you change. Then when you use stats then all the sudden the offense isn't as bad as your apologizing for.

And when all else fails, you point to his play 6 years ago, which says nothing about what he's doing now

What am I missing here?

[K_C_]

IC, seriously just stop... I could go back and pull all sorts of your quotes saying something else. You move the target on a daily basis...do you see why this is so easy for everyone.

actually I dont.

I'm not sure if I've conveyed it in text, but in my mind my point has remained constant

You don't know whether to defend Ben with wins or stats these days. If you use wins, I bring up 8-8 and you change. Then when you use stats then all the sudden the offense isn't as bad as your apologizing for.

And when all else fails, you point to his play 6 years ago, which says nothing about what he's doing now

What am I missing here?

90% of the people on this board disagree with you about Ben for a few simple reasons. Todd Haley is a fuck up and has neutered Ben. Mike Tomlin stands by, likely powerless, with his finger up his ass, while it happens. Secondly, the talent on this offense is pathetic. As those have already stated, Ben has a legit RB and 1 legit WR. He has ZERO red zone threats and the play calling is pure comedy.

You disagree.

You believe Ben should be able to overcome all these obstacles.

The reality is, nobody could overcome the lack of talent and the what Haley has done to this offense.

Nobody.

[swissvale72]

IC, seriously just stop... I could go back and pull all sorts of your quotes saying something else. You move the target on a daily basis...do you see why this is so easy for everyone.

actually I dont.

I'm not sure if I've conveyed it in text, but in my mind my point has remained constant

You don't know whether to defend Ben with wins or stats these days. If you use wins, I bring up 8-8 and you change. Then when you use stats then all the sudden the offense isn't as bad as your apologizing for.

And when all else fails, you point to his play 6 years ago, which says nothing about what he's doing now

What am I missing here?

What you're missing, IC....is that Hines Ward:
*Never has been hesitant to throw Ben under the bus, like when Ben sat out due to a concussion vs. Baltimore in '09
*Is relatively new to the broadcast biz and knows he gets a bump when saying shit like this....thus its legitimacy is compromised.

[Legacy User]

2 questions

1. Do you think Hines intentionally lied for some reason?

2. Do you think he's experienced enough to have a valid opinion on Steelers offense?

Okay Im going to waste any more time. Where did Ward say that Ben sucks a dick and its all his fault? Where?

Link please,,,,,,,,,,,

[jeemie]

Hines Ward mentioned that Ben alls the plays in the no hudle.

Last I looked, the no huddle wasn't really where the Steelers have had troubles, so I am not sure where Hines is making the connection between Ben calling plays on the no huddle and the Steelers struggling to score.

I think it is more on what B2B pointed out in another thread...in the RZ, the Steelers are facing 8 in the box and man coverage.

Who do we have on offense that can beat that, and how is Ben "supposed to compensate", IC?

Instead of criticizing, give us some ideas of how he can beat that, given the targets he has and the OL he has...and show us where he's not doing that.

You criticize and criticize...and continue to fail to show us exactly WHERE Ben has failed the team.

[Legacy User]

2 questions

1. Do you think Hines intentionally lied for some reason?

2. Do you think he's experienced enough to have a valid opinion on Steelers offense?

Okay Im going to waste any more time. Where did Ward say that Ben sucks a dick and its all his fault? Where?

Link please,,,,,,,,,,,

As requested:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... not-haley/

Another thing I've been hearing lately is that the blocking assignments are not being changed in the red zone. This means any mistake or match up that is lost will likely cause the play to be busted. This OL is not the OL of 2009 - 2011. It's much better. Gilbert and Beachum can be turnstiles at times, but all in all, it's a much better OL. I'm scared to death of Beachum vs. Clowney.

[Legacy User]

IC, seriously just stop... I could go back and pull all sorts of your quotes saying something else. You move the target on a daily basis...do you see why this is so easy for everyone.

actually I dont.

I'm not sure if I've conveyed it in text, but in my mind my point has remained constant

You don't know whether to defend Ben with wins or stats these days. If you use wins, I bring up 8-8 and you change. Then when you use stats then all the sudden the offense isn't as bad as your apologizing for.

And when all else fails, you point to his play 6 years ago, which says nothing about what he's doing now

What am I missing here?

90% of the people on this board disagree with you about Ben for a few simple reasons. Todd Haley is a fuck up and has neutered Ben. Mike Tomlin stands by, likely powerless, with his finger up his ass, while it happens. Secondly, the talent on this offense is pathetic. As those have already stated, Ben has a legit RB and 1 legit WR. He has ZERO red zone threats and the play calling is pure comedy.

You disagree.

You believe Ben should be able to overcome all these obstacles.

The reality is, nobody could overcome the lack of talent and the what Haley has done to this offense.

Nobody.

Brian Hoyer seems to be doing alright with lesser or equal weapons. It has nothing to do with his OC and HC. Also Hoyer is a QB and so helps design the offensive game plan. So Hoyer is actually better than Ben. I think that's pretty clear.