Big Ben's fans didn't like Enquirer analysis

My analysis story this morning in The Enquirer – that I would pick Carson Palmer over Ben Roethlisberger if starting an NFL franchise – has created a stir.

Some responses:

Letter 1, from Matthew Muia: "What a surprise that you would pick Palmer in that farce of an article. Venture outside of Cincinnati, and most disagree with you."

Letter 2, from Nancy Anderson, who refers to herself as a loyal Pittsburgh fan: "I just read your comparison of the quarterbacks for the Steelers vs. Bengals. You are grossly misinformed regarding Ben Roethlisberger’s personality.

"How absurd it was of you to refer to him as a `hot dog’ – have you ever met him? His public appearances are all driven by the football fever that permeates the air in Pittsburgh. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh during the Steel Curtain days. Pittsburgh fans and the like have created the `Big Ben Era’ NOT Ben himself. He has accepted his role and has earned the respect of mostly everyone, except for you, I suppose.

"Check out his charitable contributions in the Pittsburgh area, and you will feel ashamed. I recommend that you do more research before you write your next article. That way you won't appear like a `weiner!'

"PS: Please forward this to the appropriate department at The Enquirer, so that it can be published and folks in Cincinnati can see another perspective on Ben. I dare you!"


Letter 3, from John: "In response to your article titled `Ben's a star, but Carson's a keeper' – isn't the most important aspect of any sport winning? Ben has a better winning percentage. Period, end of story. Ben is the best young QB out there. It takes more than a soft touch to win games. It takes poise and confidence and (trust) from your teammates and Ben has all of that. Carson does not."

Letter 4, from Lee W. Young: "I am a huge Steelers fan, so I guess I can give you one more advantage that Palmer has: he stays healthy. Ben's been injured all year. Both knees are bad now. Can you say, `Good-bye mobility?' And now his thumb is hurt again.

"It pains me to say this: I think it's the Bengals' year. I would love it if we won, of course, but I think (Cincinnati) will win, perhaps easily. We can't run the ball, nor seemingly now, pass it."

Letter 5, from Robert M. Farrell Jr.: "You're right on target. Up until now, at least, Ben had gotten all of the ink, but Carson is clearly the better NFL QB. As we’ve seen, stuff Pittsburgh's running game and you own them."