Steelers Ben Roethlisberger won’t take Ryan Clark’s advice

The winless Pittsburgh Steelers have had enough problems on the field, let alone the bickering that has now started off the field.

Over the weekend, Steelers safety Ryan Clark told ESPN he thought quarterback Ben Roethlisberger needed to change his style of play and that the team can’t afford the sacks and turnovers that can come when Roethlisberger extends plays.

Clark was asked about his comments again on Wednesday, according to Pro Football Talk, where he said the quarterback wasn’t the only problem, but needs to be part of the solution.

Clark said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

"We need to protect Ben. Defensively, we need to make plays so Ben doesn’t feel like he has to do everything. Offensively, we need to protect him so he can get the ball out. The receivers need to get open. The running backs need to run the ball. But in that as well, he needs to understand that, as constructed right now, we aren’t playing well enough as a team to where we can take sacks and have turnovers. That’s a team solution, but the quarterback has to spearhead it."

While Roethlisberger thought that what Clark felt was fine, he did not agree with the assessment.

“It is what it is. I’m just going to play the game the way that I play it and try not to turn it over,” said Roethlisberer, per Pro Football Talk.

While Clark’s comments hold some truth, Roethlisberger’s style of play have also allowed for big plays and two Super Bowl victories, and it is unlikely the nine-year quarterback will change. What the team needs to be doing is making improvements on the field, and not talking about each other in the media.