RUSSELL WILSON KNOWS SOMETHING GREAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS YEAR’S STEELERS TEAM. (PHOTO BY BRIAN COOK SR.)
He’s not another Ben; He’s his own man
This is a modern-day tale of Christmas and the holiday spirit.
There were a few unscrupulous individuals who entered homes unauthorized and unwelcomed on late Christmas Eve night in 1995. They came with no intent to leave Santa cookies and milk, but to steal presents and joy from families that were looking forward to exchanging gifts that had carefully been placed under a meticulously and beautifully decorated Christmas tree. But alas, many folks were horrified when they arose on Christmas day, greeted by a blank space staring at them from under their Christmas tree instead of colorfully wrapped gifts.
However, the thieves missed a partially concealed gift, left in the back corner under the tree. The gift that was left behind was a square-shaped and unassuming package wrapped in black and addressed to “little Russell Wilson.”
To his complete surprise, after “little Russell” anxiously tore off the wrapping paper of the only remaining gift, its contents were a small, partially worn black book with the title: “How to Become an NFL Quarterback,” a book written by Baron Forward W. Pass, the innovator and creator of the modern forward pass during the early days of professional football.
“Little Russell” jumped up and down with glee because this was one of the gifts that he had always wanted. It wasn’t visions of sugarplums dancing around in his head, but it was visions of Baron Forward W. Pass throwing touchdowns instead. The book was expertly illustrated and if the students followed the format carefully and modeled their play after the formula of Baron Forward W. Pass, they at least would have an opportunity to succeed.
Fast forward to 2024. “Little Russell Wilson” has become “cooking Russ,” one of the most accomplished and decorated quarterbacks in the history of professional football, specifically the National Football League.
Despite the success of Russell Wilson, there are a few folks who link the greatness of Russell Wilson to the deposed and retired Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, also an alleged disciple of Baron Forward W. Pass.
Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan recently posted an article titled: “Steelers winning because they have another Big Ben.” An excerpt from the article states: “This is not meant to compare the two or their careers, however, it was something that Najee Harris said that is ringing true about the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers. They finally have someone doing Ben Roethlisberger things.”
I say old chap, what happened to the NFL first-round pick Kenny Pickett and his colleagues in futility, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph? The “wicked Pickett” and his cronies were all at one time or another, projected to be Ben Roethlisbergers-in-waiting, right?
The article continues on pointing out: “It was minutes after Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards and as the Steelers scored 44 points. Both of those feats last accomplished by Roethlisberger. After trying with Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Justin Fields, the Steelers again have a Super Bowl-winning quarterback under center.”
Of course, Justin Fields, the current number 2 QB of the Steelers and a former number-one draft choice of the Chicago Bears, was the last QB to be listed on the depth chart of the article. So what if Justin Fields had three more passing touchdowns (16) than all three of the QBs had in the Steelers QB room in 2023 (13)…
The article also reminisces further saying that: “Then there is the other tight end who fans chant ‘Muth’ like they used to yell ‘Heath.’” The fans won’t even allow the gridiron ghost of former Steeler great Heath Miller to RIP, much like the “Ghost of Christmas Past.” When will the fanatic support and enthusiasm be displayed for the current Steeler heroes QB Russell Wilson and the extraordinary wide receiver for the Steelers, George Pickens?
The article really begins to grasp for straws pointing out that: “Credit needs to be given to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, like with a veteran quarterback, the Steelers went from a rookie NFL offensive coordinator to a former head coach.”
Arthur Smith was a bust as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons because his schematics were ineffective. He was a failed head coach and at most, a second-hand hire by the Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan. If his spotty and bipolar game plans were left unsupervised and unchecked, the Steelers would be loudly chanting bah humbug in concert and would likely find their “playoff stockings of hope” full of ashes at the end of the 2024 season.
Russell Wilson does not in the slightest resemble Ben Roethlisberger. First, Ben Roethlisberger competed in 23 playoff games with a won-loss record of 13-10. As of 2017, Russell Wilson competed in 11 playoff games with a won-loss record of 8-3. Glancing at those numbers, who would you prefer to be under center for your team? Ben Roethlisberger threw 418 touchdowns and 211 interceptions during his career. Up to this point in his illustrious career, Russell Wilson has thrown 334 touchdowns and 106 interceptions.
In Super Bowl XL, his first, Ben Roethlisberger passed for 158 yards and attempted 21 passes completing just 9 for 123 yards squeaking by the Seattle Seahawks by the score of 21-10. Roethlisberger’s miserable 22.1 quarterback rating was the lowest QBR in the history of the Super Bowl.
In Super Bowl XLVIII, Russell Wilson’s first Super Bowl, he completed 18 of 23 passes 203 yards with a QB rating of 123.1 and the Seattle Seahawks routed the Denver Broncos, 43-8. Wilson’s QBR was more than 100 points higher than Roethlisberger’s was in the first Super Bowls in which both quarterbacks competed.
I repeat, as far as a preference for a starting QB, numbers suggest that Russell Wilson might be more inclined to achieve success for your team. Based on numbers only, why would Russell Wilson use the performances of Ben Roethlisberger as a blueprint for the present and future success for himself or the Steelers? The greatest gifts that could be under the Christmas tree of the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 25, 2024, would be new contracts for Russell “Batman” Wilson and his sidekick, Justin the boy-wonder Fields, locking them in as the remaining present and future signal-callers for the men of steel. Ho, ho, all of yinz have an early and merry, merry Christmas.
THE BROWNS QB JAMEIS WINSTON, FLUSTERED ALL DAY BY STEELERS DEFENDERS IN THE STEELERS’ 27-14 WIN, DEC. 8. (PHOTO BY BRIAN COOK SR.)
About Post Author
