The 2007-08 SteelerFury.com Player of the Year is Pro-Bowl selectee, Quarterback Ben Roesthlisberger.  

Coming into the 2007-08 season there were more questions about the effectiveness of Roethlisberger than the hiring of Mike Tomlin.  Ben had a dismal 2006-07 following the famed crash, injuries and leading the NFL in interceptions and sacks.  Roethlisberger would not disappoint and through the course of the season he would show the NFL and Steelers fans that he is the franchise and 2006-07 was forgotten. 

Ben started off the regular season by setting a personal high, four touchdowns against the Browns.  Ben continued to progress even with a porous offensive line and his #1 and # 2 wide receivers plagued with injury. 

On November 5^th, the Steelers played Baltimore on Monday Night Football and Ben lit up the sky throwing five touchdown passes (tied Steelers record) in the first half.  Ben was perfect with a 158.3 passer rating, his second of his career. 

As the Steelers started to drop some games, Ben continued to put the team in the hunt with come behind performances and gutsy play.  At the end of the season, Ben threw his 29^th touchdown pass of the season breaking the Steeler’s single season TD record, previously held by Terry Bradshaw, against Jacksonville.   

Ben capped off the 2007 season with his second game with a perfect passer rating of the season against the Rams.  This feat gave him three games with a perfect passer rating, tying Peyton Manning with the most in NFL history.   

During the 2007-08 Wild Card Playoffs against the Jaguars, Ben once against showed his gritty play by digging out of a hole after throwing three picks in the first half and orchestrating a dramatic comeback that almost advanced the Steelers to the Divisional Round.   

Some Highlights of Roethlisberger’s 2007-08 Season: 

• # 2 ranked QB in the NFL
• 104.1 QB rating; # 2 in the NFL
• 32 touchdown passes; # 3 in the NFL
• 41.6 1^st Down percentage; # 1 in the NFL
• 65.3% completion rate; 7^th in the NFL
• 3,154 yards passing; 14^th in the NFL
• 11 interceptions; cut his 2006-07 INT rate by over half
• Two games with a perfect passer rating.  First QB in the NFL to throw two perfect games in a season
• Pro-Bowl Selectee
• Twice, SteelerFury.Com Player of the Week

Ben demonstrated his worth as a pro QB this season.  He is a franchise QB worthy of a significant pay raise and long term contract.  He has demonstrated his ability to lead the team; personally taking blame for losses when there was much blame to go around.  Big Ben silenced many of his critics this season and his mental toughness and determination to win was a major contributor to the Steelers’ winning record and playoff berth.