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2. The assumption is that naturally the backup (Mettenberger in this case) is better, because—why do we always think that anyhow? You would assume that the coaching staff, who has the training and perhaps their jobs on the line, will have a better idea than we do about which guy should be used. The trouble is, just often enough the replacement comes out and looks better. But this is perhaps because there’s little tape on them, or they weren’t prepared for at all. I’ve noticed that the back-ups who do really well typically do less well as they get more game exposure.

3. AB always wants the ball. We want him to want the ball. Unless he starts whining a lot more and a lot more publicly I’m not worried.

4. I think it will take a whole article to answer this – one which I think I will write.

5. I prefer to just pencil this into the loss column so that I will be pleasantly surprised if they manage a win. I think there’s a chance they can pull it out, but the percentages are rather low. On the other hand, I think the chances anyone would have given the Dolphins of beating the Steelers as thoroughly as they did were also pretty low, so there’s the “Any Given Sunday” aspect of it.

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2. He is such an unknown at this point to the fans. The coaches are obviously more comfortable with Landry. I would hope that if the game gets out of reach that they throw in Mettenberger to test him out in a real game situation.

3. I don’t really see anything there. To me he is saying he wants the ball to help the team win. it does seem a bit that he was not the primary receiver on a lot of the play calls by what he said though. I won’t see yellow or red flags unless this starts to repeat.

4. I don’t agree with that at all. I have never heard about Ben trying to be brady until i just read the above. I think it is more the play calling and trying to be cute, as discussed in yesterday’s article.

5. Ben Roethlisberger decided to dress as Landry Jones for Halloween and torched the New England Patriots Defense for 400 yards passing and 6 touchdowns. Le’Veon Bell added 125 rushing yards and a rushing TD to add to the melee. The Patriots high powered offense could not keep up. Score – Steelers 48 Patriots 42.

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2. I really don’t have anything insightful to offer in this regard as far as a backup quarterback controversy is concerned, except to say that I sure miss Charlie Batch.

3. Not necessarily given Brown’s competitive nature. But it could be if it is related to the issues addressed in item # 4. But I also believe that Brown has to be cognizant of the fact that the combination of the recognition of him being the best receiver in the game , combined with the fact that the compliment of Sammie Coates and Eli Rogers is a step or two down from Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton, making it harder for him to operate.

4. Steel brings an interesting perspective that is somewhat in line with my recent criticism. Care should be taken however, with how this may be interpreted. For example, if it is possible that Tomlin and Haley might feel pressure to defer to the high priced quarterback, might that quarterback also feel pressure to perform at a certain level as well. In other words, it might not be a simple matter of ego or a sense of entitlement, though that can’t be ruled out either. What I think can be agreed upon is that the offense is being handicapped by decision making emanating either from the Ben, Haley or both that is often ill advised, risky, low percentage and totally unnecessary given the tools that they have at their disposal. This resulted in games against Washington, Cincinnati and New York that were more closely contested than necessary, and a loss to the Dolphins.

5. What we could learn is Bell and D-Will behind a quality offensive line might be enough to overcome mediocrity at the quarterback position. If that could be pulled off that may provide just the wake up call and leverage necessary to move beyond the offensive dysfunction.

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