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By Dutch Wydo

In the quarter century that followed their win in Super Bowl XIV, the Pittsburgh Steelers had some very good offenses and intimidating, smash mouth defenses. Yet in all that time, they were unable to win another until they drafted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Since his arrival, they've won the NFL Title twice. And that's in just a five-and-a-half year period.

The Steelers have averaged over eleven wins per season under Roethlisberger's leadership, and it is the wins that he is best known for. He began his career by winning his first 14 games, as a rookie, in 2004 - one of the great sports feats of all time.

Not only did he win his first 14 games, but, in so doing, he laid claim to the best all-time rookie passer rating.

This year, New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez is proving that playing winning football as an NFL rookie is not an easy task. Not even a solid defense, massive offensive line, and good running game has saved Sanchez from costing his team wins. Sanchez was nicknamed “San-chise” (like “Franchise”) after he won his first couple of games. Imagine the scene in the Big Apple if Sanchez would have gone on to win his first 14.

They might have forgotten all about Joe Namath.

Despite all of his early success, it seems that Roethlisberger has not been given his just due. When the Patriots win, it is because of Tom Brady. When the Colts win, it is because of Peyton Manning. When the Saints win, it is because of Drew Brees (who has become the media's new flavor of the month QB).

But when the Steelers win, it just seems like a lot of people are given the credit. The truth of the matter is that all winning quarterbacks are supported by their team. That includes Manning, Brady, and Brees.

Still Roethlisberger has been largely misrepresented by print and broadcast media his entire career.

Through his first four years, Roethlisberger wasn’t the game manager that so many labeled him. He was more like Joe Montana. A game-changer. 

BEN ROETHLISBERGER – JOE MONTANA COMPARISON (entering their fifth years as starters)

Montana played in 56 games during his first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger played in 56 games during his first four years as a starter

Montana had 28 wins during his first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger had 39 wins during his first four years as a starter

Montana won a Super Bowl during his second season as a starter

Roethlisberger won a Super Bowl during his second season as a starter

Montana had a 63.5 completion percentage through first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger has a 63.2 completion percentage through first four years as a starter

Montana had 77 TD passes through first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger had 84 TD passes through first four years as a starter

Montana's team went 10-6 in his fourth year as a starter

Roethlisberger team went 10-6 in his fourth year as a starter

Roethlisberger had two more touchdown passes than Montana in his first year as a starter

Montana had two fewer interceptions than Roethlisberger in his first year as a starter

Montana averaged 17 touchdown passes per year during his first three years as starter

Roethlisberger averaged 17 touchdown passes per year through his first three years as starter

Montana's team averaged 141 yards rushing per game in his fourth year

Roethlisberger's team averaged 139 yards rushing per game in his fourth year

Montana's team failed to gain 100 Rushing yards in four games in fourth year

Roethlisberger's team failed to gain 100 rushing yards in four games in his fourth year

Montana had 1622 pass attempts through first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger had 1436 pass attempts through first four years as a starter

Montana had 11,880 passing yards through first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger had 11,673 passing yards through first four years as a starter

Montana averaged 7.3 yards per pass attempt through first four years as starter

Roethlisberger averaged 8.1 yards per attempt through first four years as a starter

In Montana's third season as a starter, he finished below .500

In Roethlisberger's third season as a starter, he finished below .500

Montana had a TD percentage of 5.5% during first year as a starter

Roethlisberger had a TD percentage of 5.8% during first year as a starter

Montana's longest pass completion through his first four years as starter was 78 yards

Roethlisberger's longest pass completion through his first four years as starter was 85 yards

Montana had a 89.7 passer rating through first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger had a 92.5 passer rating through first four years as a starter

Montana averaged 3.7 yards per rush through first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger averaged 3.3 yards per rush through first four years as a starter

Montana had 7 rushing TDs through first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger had 8 rushing TDs through first four years as a starter

Montana had 15 fumbles during his first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger had 18 fumbles during his first four years as a starter

Montana's record was 4-14 through first four years when his team failed to rush for 100 yards

Roethlisberger's record was 4-13 through first four years when his team failed to rush for 100 yards

Montana won a Super Bowl when his sack percentage was 7.9% during that season

Roethlisberger won a Super Bowl when his sack percentage was 7.9% during that season

Montana had 2.7 rushing attempts per game during first four years as starter

Roethlisberger had 2.8 rushing attempts per game during first four years as starter

Montana averaged 11.4 yards per completion through first four years as a starter

Roethlisberger averaged 12.3 yards per completion through first four years as a starter

In his fifth season as a starter, Montana won his second Super Bowl

In his fifth season, Roethlisberger won his second Super Bowl. 

Some say the Roethlisberger only wins because he has a great defense, but the support he’s gained from his defense, isn’t any different than the that which Tom Brady has received throughout his career.

Brady’s defense allowed 17.5 points per game and gathered 34 turnovers per year from 2001-2007.

Roethlisberger’s defense has allowed 16.7 points per game and gathered 29 turnovers per year from 2004-2008.

The Patriots' special teams have also been near the top of the rankings throughout the Brady era, while the Steelers' special teams kickoff return units have rarely offered the offense good field position. They even used a fullback, Najeh Davenport, to return kicks at one time.

Brady also got help by that whole video camera thing that the Patriots had going on. That gave way to a plethora of new receivers in 2007, including the great Randy Moss.

Peyton Manning might be the greatest regular season quarterback of all time in the NFL, but when the postseason comes around, Roethlisberger has elevated his play above that of Manning’s.  

Postseason statistics

Manning – 61.0 completion percentage, 7.7 yards per attempt, 85 passer rating, 8-9 record.

Roethlisberger, 62.0 completion percentage, 8.1 yards per attempt, 87 passer rating, 8-2 record.

It has been said that if Manning had Roethlisberger’s defense, he would have won more Super Bowls. However, in nine playoff losses, the Colts' offense under Manning has only averaged 13 points per game. That isn’t his defense's fault. Just last year, Manning’s offense could only muster 17 points against the Chargers. Roethlisberger’s offense put up 28 points.

Roethlisberger’s work through his first four years most resembled that of Joe Montana.

He’s a better passing quarterback in the postseason than Peyton Manning.

His defensive support isn’t any better than what Tom Brady has received throughout his career.

Roethlisberger is like John Elway.  He has been the NFL's most clutch quarterback since 2004, as he leads all quarterbacks in game-winning drives.  That's right - he wins games.

That is how Roethlisberger’s prowess should be reported. He’s never been a game manager. Only a game-changer.

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to speak with Roethlisberger live on my radio show.

Roethlisberger discusses.

 Mike Wallace  
Rashard Mendenhall 
Does he throw to his running backs enough? 
Offense ready to take off?  
Most Memorable game not including 2 Super Bowls 
Discusses 2004 season 
Peter Kings list in 2007 ranking him 17th best QB 
What makes a great Road player in the NFL? 
Media coverage of his career/ how does he feel about it 
How much film work does he put it in, how well does he read defenses  
Fantasy football  
Breaks down Vikings Packers match-up

You can listen to a recording of that Interview by clicking here http://www.wmbs590.com/sportstalk.html 

Dutch Wydo hosts a radio sports talk show Saturday mornings from 9:15-10AM Eastern on WMBS-AM 590