Who would you rather have, Vick or Big Ben?

[Roy H.]

ESPN.com has a poll up, asking people who they'd rather have on their team, Vick or Roethlisberger.  I thought it was an interesting questioning.

I think to answer the question, you need to assume that your team's starting QB had a season-ending injury.  If you had to pick one guy to fill in, who would it be?

I think Big Ben is the better QB.  He's won two Super Bowls, he's a very good pocket passer, and he's got respectable mobility.  Vick is more dangerous with his legs, and has made it to the Super Bowl, but he just doesn't have the passing pedigree.

At the same time, there's the morality issue to weigh.  Vick was involved in torturing and killing animals.  Big Ben is alleged to have raped at least one, and potentially multiple, women.  To me, both guys are scum bags, but Big Ben's alleged crime is worse.  However, he was never convicted, or even charged.

In the end, I just don't know.  I guess if my team was mediocre, I'd prefer Vick, because he can make more things happen on his own.  If my team was a Super Bowl contender, I'd probably hold my nose and take Roethlisberger.

[Donoghus]

Rothliesberger.

Despite the off the field antics, he's a better quarterback.  For a QB, he's a beast physically.  Holds up well in the pocket.  Plus, his arm is certainly above average.  I'll take that over a running quarterback any day of the week.

Still hate him, though.

[Fafnir]

If you're talking football, it has to be Ben. He's had a lot more playoff success and has proven he can make big plays from inside the pocket. That said, I don't think he's all that great as a QB. He's a step below elite for me, too many sacks, too many turnovers, and he's never been asked to be the leader of his teams. The defense has always been the best unit on those steelers teams.

Vick has only played two games as the starter since his time in prison. We can't be sure that he'll be able to maintain this level of efficiency. For all his exciting plays in the past Vick has been a very inefficient in the pocket. He also costs his teams too many possessions.

I don't like either QB but Ben's my choice of two bad ones. Ben's alleged crimes are much worse, and based on the police reports I have no doubt he did things much worse than Vick's convicted offenses.

[Kwhit10]

I'd take Ben also (of course I would since I'm a Steelers fan).  He's big and would do much better behind a weaker O-line than most QBs.  Vick is more mobile, but I don't necessarily think that is a winning formula to get a championship.

[housecall]

Big Ben all day long and triice on Sunday

[Witch-King]

While Michael Vick has served 18 months of jail-time in federal prison, Rothlisberger 'allegedly' sexually assaulted someone, not to mention the fact that the summer after he led the Steelers to victory in Superbowl XL in 2004 he had that infamous motorcycle accident where his face was almost quite literally 'peeled' off of his skull, requiring extensive plastic surgery to heal.

As for who I think is the more resilient QB, as a Bengals fan I'm still hesitant to pick 'Ruthless-burger(bugger)' even after the Steelers won the Superbowl again in 2008 because it may go to Steelers' fans head, especially seeing that they're still winning football games while 'Ruthless-booger' is on the bench serving a 4 game suspension. Drew Brees and Peyton Manning over him and Vick all day...

[guava_wrench]

Vick. That is because I am still hoping for a Rothlisberger prison sentence or motorcycle wipeout.

Vick paid for his idiocy.

[celticsclay]

This is a real what have you done for me lately kind of question. I would actually take Vick and here is why. I am not so sure that Big Big Ben will be the same quarterback when he comes back from suspension that he was before hand. Big Ben has become a pretty big public enemy, and isn't even completely supported in Pittsburgh. I think there is a chance he won't have the same confidence or swagger that may have made him successful. Also from every article I have read he seems like he is a complete jerk and very stubborn. So he may also have future issues. On top of that Big Ben has always had a really good supporting cast include a very solid running game (bettis, parker earlier, then parker/meddenthal), o-line and wide receivers in Holmes/Ward and a great Tight end in Heath Miller. Couple that with having a really good defense to make plays and keep pittsburgh in games and he has not had to do as much. Vick has not had great receivers in his career until arguably this year. He also has not always played behind the best lines (the philly line is bad and atlanta's wasn't great) Also, couple in the fact that Vick has served his punishment, seems reformed and is currently playing well and you have to go with him for the moment.

[wdleehi]

Big Ben.


I think there is a better chance he learns how not to create the off the field issues then there is for Vick to learn to be a better passing QB. 

[Spilling Green Dye]

I really don't see how this is even close.  Big Ben is far and away the better QB and much more capable of bringing a team to the superbowl.  Owners mostly want a team that wins, b/c winning sells.  

The Vick love affair is quite ridiculous when you consider that most of his success this season has come against the Lions.  Not to mention that opposing teams haven't even started to gameplan against him.  As soon as they do he won't be as good.  Do you have confidence that he can succeed in the playoffs?

How could Big Ben come back from a motorcycle accident and win a superbowl, yet not come back in good shape from a suspension?   That makes no sense.

Moralistically, Vick was raided by the FBI and convicted of more than just killing animals... he ran a whole system of it.  Big Ben, while I probably wouldn't like him in person, hasn't been convicted of anything.  As soon as he smiles, says he's changed, and goes back to winning then people will forget most of what he's done.  Organizationally he's the optimal choice.

Outside of possibly Tom Brady, which QB is more clutch than Big Ben in the playoffs?  Definitely not Peyton Manning.

If you owned a team and picked Vick over Big Ben, your long term revenue would definitely be lower.  

[Spilling Green Dye]

Big Ben.


I think there is a better chance he learns how not to create the off the field issues then there is for Vick to learn to be a better passing QB. 

TP, this pretty much sums it up.

[ReggieLewis#35]

I'll take Ben,but I'd rather have #6 for Da Bears over any QB!

[Donoghus]

I'll take Ben,but I'd rather have #6 for Da Bears over any QB!

It'll be interesting if you're still feeling that way in December.

[Roy H.]

I'll take Ben,but I'd rather have #6 for Da Bears over any QB!

It'll be interesting if you're still feeling that way in December.

So far, the Mike Martz experiment looks like a success.

[ReggieLewis#35]

I will feel the same way in December,Cutler will prove hes 1 of the elite QB's in the game.I should feel this way in FEB.