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Something's wrong with Big Ben
John Harris is a sports columnist for the Tribune-Review. He can be reached via e-mail or at 412-481-5432.
The Steelers defense played well in spurts but surrendered key yards and points and couldn't protect a 10-0 lead. Special teams play was nothing special. And, most disturbing, the Steelers offense, following a fast start, sputtered and failed in the clutch.
You could blame last night's loss on the Steelers' defense, and you wouldn't be wrong, at least not in theory. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's unit allowed San Diego, led by first-year starting quarterback Philip Rivers, to score on four straight possessions in building a 20-13 lead with 8:59 remaining in the fourth quarter.
You could blame the defense for the Steelers' fall to 1-3, but you would be overlooking the obvious. Despite its faults, the Steelers defense remains the strength and glue of the team.
The Steelers look nothing like last year's Super Bowl team. And it's all because the offense can't seem to get out of its own way.
Even more troubling, the Steelers offense has failed to move the ball in clutch situations.
Last night, with the Steelers trailing by a touchdown with just over six minutes to play, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was intercepted by defensive back Marlon McCree at the San Diego 42.
It was a terrible pass, with Roethlisberger trying to beat the pass rush and, basically, throwing the ball up for grabs.
This season, we've come to expect at least one game-turning interception from Roethlisberger. There was the end-zone interception in the fourth quarter in the loss against Cincinnati and the pick against Jacksonville late in the fourth quarter of another loss.
It's not all Roethlisberger's fault. He's not solely responsible for the offense's failures this season. But he's the quarterback. On top of everything else, he's the Steelers' quarterback.
Steelers fans expect their quarterback to throw for touchdowns, win football games and lower taxes, not necessarily in that order.
Coming off a Super Bowl season, the excitement level for Roethlisberger was high. But the patience level is low, and the frustration level is growing.
With Roethlisberger, there was a need for patience, certainly more than the two games he played prior to last night, because of all the off-field turmoil surrounding No. 7.
One had to expect Roethlisberger to struggle early in the season. After dodging death in a horrific motorcycle accident during the summer and undergoing emergency surgery the week prior to the opener, he has been in a catch-up mode.
To think Roethlisberger would come in and dominate right away was a tad unrealistic, but understandable in Pittsburgh, which has a love-hate affair with its quarterbacks but seems to have found a keeper in Big Ben.
When Roethlisberger looked shaky in losses against Jacksonville and Cincinnati, those hard feelings surfaced all over again.
Who knows what the fallout will be from last night's 10-point loss?
If you watch Roethlisberger closely, you can see he is not fully comfortable. He hesitates making some throws, which means he is still trying to find his receivers. Some of his receivers are hesitant going in and out of routes.
The timing appears off, with the exception of Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller. Of course, San Diego's big pass rush didn't make things easier for Roethlisberger.
Given his track record, it's still too early to call out Roethlisberger's poor play and write off the season. Let's just say Roethlisberger has been less than inspiring.
Whether Roethlisberger can get the Steelers in or deep into the playoffs is another matter for another day, because there are troubling signs indeed.
