Damien Woody: Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger 'washed,' 'worst quarterback' in division
The Pittsburgh Steelers dropped their last two games to fall to 1-2 on the season, and veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is receiving much of the blame from observers and fans for the team's offensive woes even though head coach Mike Tomlin hasn't yet sounded concerned or pressed a figurative "panic button."
Across the first 12 quarters of play, Roethlisberger endured two-dozen hits and eight sacks, he suffered a left pectoral injury, and, per ESPN stats, he dropped to 30th overall in the NFL in passer rating (79.0) and 28th in total QBR (35.5).
During Thursday's edition of ESPN's "Get Up," former player and current analyst Damien Woody left little doubt about what he thinks of Roethlisberger's ability to turn things around this fall.
"I think Ben is what we call 'washed,'" Woody explained.
"Anyone who watches the Pittsburgh Steelers, particularly Big Ben, he's like a statue in the pocket. I don't even know if he's a shell of what he used to be, like the guy that could move around, and throwing people off of him. There's none of that now. He doesn't push the ball down the field. Everything seems like it's almost a checkdown.
"When I look at Big Ben, Ben is the worst quarterback in (the AFC North), and I don't even think it's close."
Things get no easier for Roethlisberger and company, as they head to Lambeau Field to face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. If Roethlisberger again fails to produce points and the Steelers lose their third straight, some will look for Tomlin to at least consider starting either backup Mason Rudolph or former first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins against the currently unbeaten Denver Broncos on Oct. 10.
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