Observations of the Pittsburgh Steelers

This is just a quick entry dealing with the various things I feel need to be addressed with the Steelers.

1. Ben Roethlisberger should not be your team's starting quarterback: Let's face it people, it is not 2005 any more. The offensive line does not give Ben the protection he needs. Ben is a deliberate decision maker, meaning it takes him close to forever to make a decision. Ben has taken way too many hits, and is constantly on the injury list. Every time he gets sacked, it takes what seems like an eternity for him to get up. If you saw what happened to Carson Palmer because of the little protection he received (he didn't play in Week 4), then you have to fear that Roethlisberger will be lost for an extended period of time.

2. Byron Leftwich should be the team's starting quarterback: If you have learned anything from watching Leftwich, you have learned that Leftwich is a warrior. While he is one of the least mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, Leftwich will quickly get up from any play. The offense seems to respond more to him than Roethlisberger, and offers him more protection. Leftwich makes quicker decisions and releases the football accordingly. He is much better in terms of using a hurry up offense and is a huge upgrade over Charlie Batch.

3. These recent injuries will have a huge effect on the team: With Rashard Mendenhall and Kendall Simmons now gone for the season, the Steelers have to be searching for answers. At the end of last night's game, only one running back, Mewelde Moore was healthy (Willie Parker was out for the whole game, Carey Davis was injured as was Mendenhall) and that is worrisome.

 Fans do not know the status of Willie Parker for Sunday night against the Jaguars, and the likely signing of Najah Davenport doesn't help either. Davenport for whatever reason was released before Training Camp truly begun and signing him now shows a true sign of desperation.