Ben still standing after big poundings
PITTSBURGH — When the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl three seasons ago, Ben Roethlisberger's protectors included All-Pro guard Alan Faneca, All-Pro center Jeff Hartings, plus a first-round and a second-round draft pick.
When Roethlisberger went under center Sunday during a 21-14 loss to the Giants — sometimes, the only time during a play he was on his feet — there were new offensive line starters at four of five positions from a year ago.
Right tackle Darnell Stapleton? Wasn't drafted out of Rutgers two years ago. Right tackle Willie Colon? The former Hofstra lineman had game-long problems with Giants pass rusher Justin Tuck and was called for holding to nullify a touchdown pass.
Center Justin Hartwig? Was cut after last season by Carolina. Left tackle Max Starks? Was buried deep on the bench until Marvel Smith was hurt. Left guard Chris Kemoeatu? As Faneca's backup, he started only two games in three seasons until this year.
Despite playing behind a reworked line, Roethlisberger is holding up so far as the Steelers (5-2) lead the AFC North despite that Giants loss. The question is whether he can hold up under nine more weeks of regular season pounding like what he's gotten so far.
"We are 5-2, and he's a big reason why," coach Mike Tomlin said.
Roethlisberger has been sacked 23 times and is on pace to go down 53 times, which would tie Cliff Stoudt's 1983 club record. In the last 2Z\x seasons, Roethlisberger has been sacked a remarkable 116 times; only Jon Kitna (129) has gone done more times, according to STATS, Inc.
For comparison's sake, Marc Bulger (108) is the only other QB to be sacked more than 100 times since 2006. Donovan McNabb, the No. 4 most-sacked quarterback since then, has gone down 77 times — almost 40 fewer than Roethlisberger.
Kitna and Bulger, of course, play for losing teams that often fall behind early and must throw to get back into games. Roethlisberger plays on a strong team that runs the ball as much as it throws.
Still, the poundings go on and on for Roethlisberger, who has been sacked three or more times in four games this season, including a season's high eight against the Eagles. The Giants sacked him five times and put him to the turf twice as many times as that on plays he wasn't sacked.
"We have to do a better job of protecting, recognizing how to get the ball out of our hands and running those plays, and it's something we work on every day," Tomlin said. "We will just continue to work and hopefully alleviate that problem."
