http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
All things being equal, give me No. 7.
In the NFL's biggest game, on its grandest stage, I'll take Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger over Indianapolis Colts' wunderkind Peyton Manning to win a Super Bowl.
The Colts' 31-17 loss to New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV, in which Manning was statistically brilliant but flawed in the clutch, highlighted critical differences between two iconic players who are successful despite wildly contrasting styles.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning vs. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Columnist John Harris would take Roethlisberger.
AP/Tribune-Review composite
Manning has few peers in regards to family pedigree and gaudy statistics. His father, Archie, was a star quarterback with the Saints before the team's current quarterback, Drew Brees, was born. Younger brother Eli was the MVP of Super Bowl XLII with the New York Giants.
Peyton is the only player in league history to win four MVPs. He has passed for 4,000 yards in a season a record 10 times.
Roethlisberger's next league MVP will be his first. He topped the 4,000-yard milestone for the first time this season
Roethlisberger didn't grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth. In fact, he didn't play quarterback until his senior year in high school. He attended Miami -- Miami University, not the "U" in South Florida, which is famous for churning out NFL stars.
Here's the catch. Manning, the so-called greatest quarterback in league history -- as he was portrayed by fawning members of the national media leading up to Super Bowl XLIV -- isn't even the best quarterback in Super Bowl history.
Manning is 1-1 in Super Bowls. He was named MVP in the Colts' win over Chicago in Super Bowl XLI. He is among a large number of quarterbacks with one Super Bowl victory -- Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer and Jeff Hostetler included. Winning one Super Bowl is big, but many quarterbacks -- far less accomplished than Manning -- have done that.
Roethlisberger is 2-0 in Super Bowls. He's on a much shorter list of quarterbacks with at least two Super Bowl victories without a loss., a list that includes Terry Bradshaw (4-0), Joe Montana (4-0), Troy Aikman (3-0), Bart Starr (2-0) and Jim Plunkett (2-0) -- and he's the only active quarterback to do so.
Roethlisberger is also 0-2 in winning Super Bowl MVPs -- but that's a credit to teammate Santonio Holmes, who was brilliant with nine receptions for 131 yards and the game-winning touchdown catch against Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII.
Roethlisberger did as much to help the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII as Manning did to help the Colts win Super Bowl XLI, but only Manning was named MVP.
Manning, known for his pinpoint accuracy, never threw a better pass under pressure than the one Roethlisberger completed to Holmes in the closing minute of Super Bowl XLIII. Roethlisberger's innate ability to execute comfortably under duress is what makes him special in big games.
To Roethlisberger, playing football is all in the backyard. It's a game he plays exceedingly well -- sometimes, by his own rules.
Roethlisberger throws on the run, throws off his back foot, throws across his body and throws into coverage. At times, he's a bulked-up version of Fran Tarkenton, scrambling to elude potential tacklers while buying time for his receivers to get open.
Unlike Manning, Roethlisberger rarely gives up on a play.
Manning, on the other hand, plays quarterback by the book, sometimes to his detriment.
New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter said knowing Manning's tendencies helped him on a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
One of Roethlisberger's best qualities is his ability to shake off a mistake and focus on the next play. A bad throw in a big game doesn't diminish his aggressiveness.
Roethlisberger, who's 8-2 in the postseason, saved his best for the last drive against Arizona in the Super Bowl. Before that drive, his performance had been average.
Manning, whose career playoff record is only 9-9, failed once again to shake his nagging reputation for being a sensational regular-season quarterback who's mediocre at best in the postseason.
If, on the other hand, you prefer a quarterback who excels during crunch time and wins big games, Roethlisberger's track record gives him the edge over Manning, who's been touted by some as the greatest passer ever.
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