Roethlisberger Can’t Read the Defense

If you watch a Pittsburgh Steelers game, you know the style of play exhibited by two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

He’s very unconventional, and routinely draws out each passing play as long as possible before gaining positive yardage either by scrambling with his feet or connecting with one of his receiving targets.  But if you rewind some of those plays (thanks to the technological advancement of TiVo anyone can be a telestrator analyst), you will see that Big Ben probably missed several opportunities to complete a pass. 

Steelers fans realize that it’s his inability to read the defense that causes stressful moments each time he takes a snap. 

That same inability is also plaguing his social life.

Now facing his second set of sexual harassment charges in two years, Roethlisberger is now going to be a target.  So, now would be a good time for him to realize how an NFL superstar should carry himself.

As cliche’ as it is for the media to bash the ‘thug culture’ in professional sports (particularly football), we cannot disregard Roethlisberger’s issues.  Some of the more polarizing figures in football – guys like Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco – have gotten a bad rap for “damaging the integrity of the game” when they’re simply having fun. 

We believe you, Ben. We know you can drink like a champion.

But, if that’s the case, is what Roethlisberger doing “damaging the integrity of our society?” 

Back in 2009, we were introduced to Andrea McNulty, the alleged victim of sexual assault by Big Ben in August 2008.  McNulty had us wondering whether we should believe her, and her co-worker didn’t do her any favors.  Angela Antonelli testified that McNulty’s allegations were false, based on the fact that she claimed McNulty’s bragged about having consensual sex with the former Miami-Ohio star.  The general public was left to sort out the fact on its own, and to form its own opinion.

Here we are, less than a year later, visiting similar allegations from a different woman.  This time, the 28-year-old Roethlisberger appears to have gotten caught up drinking and hanging out with college kids at a popular nightclub.  Ben’s accuser has stated that the whole incident occurred inside the women’s bathroom of that club.  That’s just plain poor judgement.

Despite his postseason superhero status, Roethlisberger’s kryptonite may have been discovered.  And if he doesn’t learn to read defenses quickly, his super powers may eventually be taken away.

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