The Greatness of Ben

Posted on January 16, 2011 by James W

The criteria for measuring a quarterback changes as quickly as the discussion itself. Does it matter if the quarterback throws for big yards? Does it matter their playoff record? Does it matter if they manage a game or are asked to win it with their arm? Does it matter if they have a Super Bowl ring or if they have never gotten close enough?

When judging the greatness of a quarterback there are very few things that matter more than the end result. The rings is the thing for a quarterback. Just one ring for Drew Brees put him into the discussion of elite quarterbacks playing. So with this being the criteria, where does Ben Roethlisberger rank and why is he never in the discussion of the games best?

If Ben can go to Dallas and defeat the Green Bay Packers he’ll do something he has never been able to do before. He’ll have three rings which will be as many as the games best, Tom Brady, has. He’ll have been undefeated in Super Bowl’s(unlike Brady) and he’ll have done it all in his first six seasons. That should put him in the most elite company.

There is also something staggering about Ben’s ability in the big moment. Perhaps no quarterback playing right now is as good when it matters the most as big Ben. He’s been tremendous and it only adds to his legacy.

Ben will never be the type of quarterback that is driven by stats and he’ll never be the quarterback to play the position like an artist. He’s a flawed machine that is capable of making flawless play when needed. That is what separates him from the rest of his elite competition and if he wins the Super Bowl he’ll be separating himself further.