Charlie Batch says Ben Roethlisberger wasn't allowed to change plays last year

sbnation.com

Here we go again. The drama just never stops ticking when it comes to the Steelers. At least this drama doesn't involve someone getting shot and/or arrested. This time it's more Todd Haley vs Ben Roethlisberger garbage, spewed by the media and media wannabees. 

This from Charlie Batch and Alan Robinson of the Tribune-Review.

"One of Ben Roethlisberger's major frustrations last season was offensive coordinator Todd Haley's refusal to allow him to change plays at the line of scrimmage, according to former backup quarterback Charlie Batch.

Batch, now the co-host on the Steelers' radio network pregame show, said Haley came in intending to re-establish the run. Haley's former team, the Chiefs, led the NFL in rushing in 2010. Batch paraphrased Roethlisberger by saying, “ ‘Yeah, you have to run the football, but sometimes there are eight people in the box. Let me turn around and throw this football.' By not being allowed that flexibility, like Bruce Arians allowed him to have to change at the line of scrimmage to a pass, that frustrated him a little bit.”

Batch said during his first broadcast that it is evident Roethlisberger is being given that flexibility now. Haley implemented numerous tweaks and changes in the offense, some at the players' request." Alan Robinson -Tribune-Review 

So let me get this straight, Haley didn't want a 9-year pro quarterback, who has a Hall-of -Fame caliber resume, who's won two Super Bowls, and has been to multiple Pro Bowls the ability to audible at the line of scrimmage. Haley, the same guy that had just gotten fired from his previous job and led the Steelers with said qb to the 21st scoring offense in the league. 

Not trying to make this a bash Haley post, because quite honestly, I'm not sure how much merit this story has. Batch's career is over and now he's trying to make a name for himself in the media business. Best way to do that nowadays is to say some controversial shit, even it it's extremely exaggerated. 

Let's be honest, Roethlisberger audibled last season. Hell we all saw it. But was he asked to limit his audibles or was he asked to not audible at all? Who the Hell knows and to be honest, who the Hell cares? Facts are the offense stunk but Ben's numbers were really good. 26 touchdown passes and only 8 interceptions in just 13 games is borederline MVP criteria. 

The big problem I have with Haley's offense is this: the offense is supposed to help protect Roethlisberger from getting injured and hit as often. Well, that really wasn't the case last year. Roethlisberger is a big-play quarterback who has been one of the best down the field throwers in NFL history. The stats back me up on this, via his career yards-per-attempt and yards-per completion. 

Haley's offense negates that, at least way more than it should. When you have a quarterback as good as Roethlisberger, you need to build the offense around him and his skill-set. Dink-and-dunk does not really do that. Then again, it all doesn't matter when your offensive line sucks. 

This season I need to see more down the field throws from Ben and more no-huddle. If this audible shit from Charlie Batch is true, then that is a huge problem and a big-time disrespect to Roethlsiberger.