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Friday, February 07, 2014

What about Roethlisberger?

In the days after the Super Bowl, I have seen multiple stories making a case why Russell Wilson should have been the MVP of the game. I've also seen others, such as Cam Chancellor stories and how he should have been the MVP.

It made me wonder why Ben Roethlisberger didn't get the same kind of respect after his performance in XLIII.

Santonio Holmes won the award following that game after catching nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown, which happened to be the game-winner with 42 seconds remaining. Roethlisberger was 6-8 for 84 yards and also had a 4-yard rush on the game-winning drive that started at the Pittsburgh 22 and was pushed back to the 12 on the first play from scrimmage due to a holding penalty on Chris Kemoeatu.

But Roethlisberger was 21 of 31 for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception. But Roethlisberger was masterful on the game-winning drive, buying time with his legs to find open receivers.

Had Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or pretty much any other quarterback directed that game-winning drive, they would have easily won the MVP award.

Heck, Wilson threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-8 rout that was more about Seattle's defense than anything the team's offense did.

24 comments:

John Kang said...

I so agree. On one of Wilson's TD, Kearse did all the work (or rather, Denver's D forgot how to tackle).

Anonymous said...

Disagree... that catch was amazing man

phil said...

If I had to guess its because 2005's 9/21 for 123 yards and two interceptions colored everyone's perception of Roethlisberger's superbowl performance. After that performance in his first one he needed to blow everyone away to get in the conversation.

Steve-O said...

Santonio Holmes catch on that game winning drive was spectacular but I'm with you Dale. Big Ben was masterful with his feet and his arm. On several occasions he escaped sure fire sacks (Manning and Brady couldn't do that) and I for one was dumbfounded when he didn't get the MVP. In my mind it was his finest hour. But all of that said, it's a great problem to have... Between Santonio's catch, Big Ben's Houdini act and James Harrison's interception return for a touchdown we can argue this issue for hours and nobody would be wrong.

joe said...

i too have read some of the articles on who should have been mvp. in the end, it really doesn't matter, but all those claiming an offensive player should have won it, imo are wrong. that defense was outstanding. it was great to watch. rog forgets many of us love a good defense.

i thought harrison should have been mvp, but have no problem with holmes getting it. once again, really doesn't matter

Anonymous said...

Agreed, total bunk he didn't get in in '08. Particularly when you take into account it being sandwiched by a pair of shEli comparable if not subpar performances for the award. He just doesn't have the right last name. Maybe he should have gone to some other receivers on that last drive and spread it around more, lol

Anonymous said...

Everyone I know thought it shoulve have been Roethlisberger as well.

However, Im not sure I agree that we didn't hear the argument for Ben. I heard plenty of it.

It was also before Twitter, so we hear anyone and everyone's opinion now.

Mark said...

If Harrison's play was at the end of the game, instead of at the end of the first half, I would have wanted him to win.

Holmes TD catch was spectacular, but he had two chances to do that. Ben made two absolutely perfect passes in a row, and Holmes missed the first one.

Anonymous said...

I was also shocked that Ben wasn’t the Super Bowl MVP. However, the Super Bowl MVP is primarily chosen by sportswriters. Prior to the season, I believe Ben had an incident involving little Ben in Nevada. How sad that he didn’t learn from this and had to repeat it. Again, no charges, just accusations but this did taint his image. This past year, Ben was voted 4th most disliked player in the NFL:

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eddf45mehh/feeling-the-fans-wrath/

The sportswriters voting on the MVP award are from all over the country. In some parts of the country, Big Ben is known as Pig Pen.

Anonymous said...

Are you guys forgetting the 40 yard catch and run (mostly run) by Holmes to set up the Steelers in scoring position at the Cardinals' 6 yard line?

Of the 78 yards on the last drive, all but 15 were accounted for by Holmes, and 40 on that one play.

Ben only threw for 234 yards total (135 to Holmes) and also threw a pick that only the Harrison miracle kept from being a disaster.

John Kang said...

Holmes big catch and run was only set up by Ben's pump fake that made the safety bite and slip.

Anonymous said...

I don't think that's what the video shows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzDawiYEpFU#=3m52s

The safety doesn't slip until after Holmes catches the ball and breaks to the middle of the field.

Dale Lolley said...

I was in the press box that day and had a vote. Mine went to Roethlisberger. But, my vote was just one of many.

Anonymous said...

Nobody cares who was the MVP in a Super Bowl played a half dozen years ago.

Anonymous said...

Curious, roughly how many vote? And what's the splits of the press box, how many locals from each team and how many nationals? And compared to a regular game.

TarheelFlyer said...

I think the point Dale is trying to make here is NOT whether or not Holmes was deserving of the MVP or Ben or James, the point was that if almost ANY other QB takes his team on that drive and makes that throw to win the Super Bowl....he wins the MVP. I think that is without a doubt.

Anonymous said...

trent dilfer would not have gotten the mvp.

Anonymous said...

Harrison made one of the greatest defensive plays in SB history, and caused a 14 point differential. His (and Woodley's) pressure throughout the game was key in slowing Warner, and the holding penalty he drew on Gandy is what stopped the Cards and got the ball back for the Steelers final drive. Certainly Ben came through in the clutch, but the offense left a lot of points on the field. In my mind, JH was the clear MVP.

Anonymous said...

Tom Brady leads (used to lead) game winning FG drives to win SB's and win MVP. He won it throwing for 145yds and 1td @ 5.3YPA against the Rams.

~sbk

TarheelFlyer said...

Marc....

Trent Dilfer couldn't have made that throw. LOL!!

Anonymous said...

I for one like the fact Ben didn't get it, leaves something on the table for him to go after..

Anonymous said...

haha...not in his wildest dreams.

Dale Lolley said...

My point was that I saw a bunch of stories backing Wilson and other players for the MVP award. But I don't remember any backing Roethlisberger, when had it been Manning or Brady or nearly anyone else, they would have been a no-brainer pick.

As for the Super Bowl. I'm not sure exactly how many vote on the award. It's not everyone in the press box, I do know that.

Tim said...

SB 43 MVPs

1. James Harrison

James put up 14 points, drew several of holding penalties, and played lights out all game. He was unfairly discriminated against because of a blown personal foul penalty - Madden called for his ejection, but he broke no rules. Everything he did to Francisco was legal, and he did it all before the play ended.

2. Ben Roethlisberger

Awesome game, awesome finish. The throw was as good as the catch. His numbers are good, especially when you consider the INT wasn't really his fault. But he was not going to win (legal/image troubles).

3. Santonio Holmes

Good game even beyond the final drive. You could make a case for MVP of the playoffs, when you include his PR TD against SD and long TD against Baltimore. Still, for this game, he did not have the impact of Harrison or Ben.