How to take down NFL Playoffs quarterbacks: Ben Roethlisberger
There are a lot of differences between the four quarterbacks that are taking their respective teams to the division championship games. Each one is a challenge for the opposing team’s defensive coordinator. Let’s take a look at the four quarterbacks for
the division championship games, what their strengths are and what the opponents should do to take them down.
First up we have Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Big Ben just might be the most underrated player in the entire National Football League (NFL), and he should be one of the forerunners for the best quarterback in the business.
In the playoffs, he is 9-2 and has already led the Steelers to win the Super Bowl two times. When there is a lot to lose, you can expect Roethlisberger to step up and gladly take up the challenge.
Few quarterbacks play as well under pressure as Big Ben does. The rest of his offensive line trusts him to make the big plays when necessary and Roethlisberger doesn’t let them down. His ability to make plays ranks him among the best and his mental focus
is essential for these ventures.
Also, Roethlisberger has probably the highest level of physical skill in the entire league. Look at the guy, he’s huge! He’s a struggle to take down and plays strongly in everything that he does. This also applies to how he runs and the way he throws the
ball, aside from being hard to tackle. He is able to make the plays that others only dream of because of his overall physique. This has been Big Ben’s best season as a professional quarterback because he now knows exactly where he has to go and what he needs
to do to get there.
When you’re at your own 20-yard line, down by four points with a minute left in the game and only one timeout left, is there really a better choice than Roethlisberger?
Although he does pose a significant threat to opposing defenses, there is a way to attack Roethlisberger. The thing that the New York Jets have to remember on Sunday is that the Steelers’ pass protection blitz is an area where the team has problems. This
is exactly what Jets coach Rex Ryan wants to hear. Big Ben has improved greatly in terms of the pre-snap phases, but can still be attacked mentally. The main point is that he doesn’t like to give up on a play or throw the ball away. Why does this
matter?
There is always an aspect as to how he plays his position as quarterback. His tendency to hang onto the ball is what makes it easy for the Jets to take him down. Very few teams in the league are able to alter and disguise when and how they will pressure
the quarterback and the Jets are one of the few. All they have to do is bring in more pass rushers. Big Ben’s statistics will decline when the Jets do so, but not by much.
One of the problems that the Jets will have is who they send in to rush. If they send a rusher who is very agile and fast, he will get to Roethlisberger quickly, but may be shaken off like a flea. If they send a big, brawny rusher, it will take longer for
him to get to the quarterback, by which time the football would already be out of Big Ben’s hands and sailing over everyone’s heads.
However, if the Jets are able to get multiple rushers on Roethlisberger, he will most definitely come down for a loss. He will not try to run or throw a bad pass. He will take the challenge like a man and do his level best to shake the defenders off of him.
If not, he will go down and get right back up again for the next down.
Next, we’ll take a look at the quarterback that the Steelers defence has to try and take down; the Jets’ Mark Sanchez.
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