Let me start with this question. Had Ben Roethlisberger been 10 years older and drafted by the B&G in 1994, how many super bowl rings would Cowher own? Forget 1994, the Niners were not going to be stopped by anyone. However, I think the Stillers would have had �One for the Thumb� in �95. Knowing Roethlisberger, he would have taken a sack or scrambled around and thrown the ball downfield on those two hot reads that turned into crushing INT�s. I definitely believe Big Ben could have pulled out the win in �97, however, the B&G still would have had a problem in �01 with those two special team TD�s. Actually, Roeth would have probably been able to tie the game at 24 and after that it would have been anyone�s game.
I am not doing this to exonerate Cowher, I have always
believed the only way The Chin could win a Lombardi is with two strong X�s and
O�s coordinators. The point is that you need great players to win
championships, see Mike Shanahan post Elway and Davis. (also Mike Holmgren post
Brett Favre) Cowher is as much to blame as anyone for holding onto Stewart way
too long and signing those aging veterans to lucrative contracts after the 2001
season. It�s just that the combination of LeBeau calling the defense and Big
Ben running the offense might be enough to get a Cowher led team over the hump.
If Cowher can�t do it over the next few years with a true franchise QB, he
never will.
The best thing to come out of Plexico Burress� injury may be
Lee Mays receiving playing time. The Tribune-Review reported Mays gets so
pumped up before games that he has a hard time concentrating. Now that he has
received extended playing time as a starter the B&G may actually be able to
get some production out of their #4 receiver when Burress returns. Burress�
injury has really stalled Stillers offense. Without him, the offense can�t
stretch the field and defenses have been playing much tighter. They are
bringing 8 in the box to stop the run and jamming the receiver more often off
the line of scrimmage. Burress� return will open the run game and give Ward
some room underneath.
Plexico Burress is a must re-sign. Simply stated, nobody
else stretches the field and opens the running game like Burress. Maddox had
extremely limited scrambling ability and relied on throwing to a spot. This is why
Maddox had such a good rapport with Hines Ward. Big Ben is comfortable throwing
on the run and has a strong arm. He has built a good rapport with Plex. It
would be a shame to break up this tandem before they even get a full off-season
and training camp to work together. Plex came into camp in great shape this
year and at 27 is in his prime. Hopefully we will see a healthy Burress in NY
this weekend tearing up the G-Men.
Speaking of the Jints game, Still Drink and I will be flying
the Stillers.com banner in the tailgate lots of Giants Stadium. There will be free
beer for the B&G faithful at our 2nd 2004 Stillers.com tailgate.
(The 1st was in Dallas and was a blast) Just look for the
Stillers.com banner and come over for some beer and food. This should be a
relatively easy game for the Stillers as thousands of terrible towel waving
fanatics invade the Meadowlands. The Giants are a shell of the team that
started 5-2. Michael Strahan is out for the year and the Jints� O-line has not
been able to block anyone. Eli Manning is running for his life and has no real
chance to enjoy the kind of success Roethlisberger has in his rookie season. The
B&G should coast to a 31-10 victory. I will post a wrap up on the game and
the tailgate. Hope to see you there. Go Stillers!!!