Somehow, Two "Killer B's" Will Play In The Super Bowl

Unfortunately, we all know how this story plays out. It felt like the team of destiny, and on paper, it really should have been. I think it once again points the finger again at Mike Tomlin, for not being able to coach superstars. Or at the least, for not being able to win a single championship with this offensive juggernaut. 

I could go on but that's not what I want to discuss. I'm sure you have already pondered it yourself, but it's hard to figure out just why this team couldn't get it done with those players.

I'm here to tell you that the one player out of that trio who isn't in the Super Bowl this year is the one guy that deserves to be there the most, Ben Roethlisberger.

Let's start with Antonio Brown, how does the worst of the bunch get chosen by the best of the best, and get second chance after second chance? Well, the only explanation I have here is Tom Brady. Brady made it clear while he was still in New England he wanted Brown. He talked coach Bill Belichick into giving him a shot in New England right after Brown pissed off Jon Gruden and the Raiders past the point of no return. 

While AB was only with the Patriots for two weeks, after more ineptitude, it was enough for Brady to make a connection. After the NFL cleared Brown to once again play in the league, Brady urged coach Bruce Arians into giving him a third chance, ultimately resulting in reuniting them down in Tampa Bay.   

That's nine seasons with the Steelers, followed by two years and three different teams. And now he's somehow playing for a title. I am going to chalk this up to Brady getting what he wants. Arians was quick to point out he wasn't all that interested in someone disrupting his locker room and AB was on a short leash before even getting to Tampa. If it wasn't for Tom, I don't see many teams being interested in bringing in a potential locker room cancer. So for all intent and purposes, it's possible AB might get his first Super Bowl win as a member of the Buccaneers because of Tom Brady.

On to Le'Veon Bell. What a disappointment this guy turned out to be in his post-Steelers life. He didn't accomplish much of anything when he went to the Jets after holding out for a year with the Steelers because of contract disputes. In less than two seasons with the Jets, who saw no return on the $27 million they shelled out for the guy, Bell ended up being released because of disagreements.

So how does a dude who holds out on a team have a legitimate shot at a championship? This one honestly baffles me for multiple reasons, starting with the fact that he just hasn't been good since he played for the Steelers. People can give excuse after excuse about the Jets offense or their O line or whatever. The fact of the matter is he took over a year off, and when he went back he just wasn't the same guy. I know Andy Reid was looking for some depth behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but there were better choices than Bell. 

I think the final kick in the teeth to all of this, and why Steelers fans may be the most frustrated about everything, is that Bell and Brown really haven't done jack shit for their respective teams. Brown played in eight regular season games this year hauling in an almost career low 45 catches, only four of which went for touchdowns. In the playoffs he has 3 catches. Bell had a career low 63 attempts this season with two touchdowns to show for it. This post season: two games played, two attempts six yards. Those are some embarrassing numbers for guys who still refer to themselves as the "stars of the show."

Finally you have good old Big Ben, staying true to the black and gold until the bitter end. The guy has gone through a lot, and yes, he has two super bowl wins under his belt, but those seem like ages ago. The ones he got in the beginning of his career felt just like that, the beginning. Now, on the cusp of retirement, in a season where he led this team to an 11-0 start, Ben went out in the first round of the playoffs. Fair? No, but overall pretty telling of how this team has fared in the past decade under Mike Tomlin, and how it could keep going if things don't change.

Ben should have had the most illustrious career out of these "Killer B's", and right now I would argue that he does. But could that change? AB has shown he is still in great shape. He just needs to stay out of trouble and he could easily go down as one of the best receivers of all time. Bell may be 28, but sitting out a year, and then hardly playing in NY, maybe he could still have some miles left on the tires to turn things around? Ben on the other hand, is likely all but done.

Not many franchise's are lucky enough to draft guys like Roethlisberger. I will always be grateful for Sunday's watching Ben play, but unfortunately that time is all but up. It would have been nice to see Ben compete in one last super bowl. This year really felt like it could have been the one. Instead, we will be watching a superbowl game with two former beloved Steelers. And I don't think I'll be happy for the one that walks away with a Ring.