The Steelers are flunking chemistry 101

I believe that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is still one of the top six or seven quarterbacks in the NFL. I also believe that Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton has all the physical tools to be a good No. 2 receiver and maybe a quality No. 1 someday. Unfortunately, the two of them are so far from being on the same page right now that they might not even be in the same notebook. Against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Big Ben actually hit Wheaton for 6 yards on their first play from scrimmage, but it was pretty much all downhill from there.

Ben tried to throw to Wheaton on third down three different times and all three balls fell to the ground incomplete. Hard to know who was “wrong,” but on at least two of those three downs it appeared that Wheaton was running one route while Ben was throwing to another. The two were also just off on a deep pass that was a little too long and a little too far outside. At the end of the game with the score already out of hand, the duo couldn’t connect on two good opportunities to score a touchdown. Wheaton was wiiiiiiide open on one and Ben still overthrew him. On the other, a fourth down play, Wheaton turned in and it appeared Ben expected him to turn out.

Wheaton ended the game with four catches for 33 yards, which I guess is better than nothing. But considering his physical talents, it’s not much better -- especially considering how many times Roethlisberger actually threw his way. Thing is, this has been going on damn near the whole season so far. Yeah, Wheaton had six catches for 97 yards in the opening Week 1 win over the Browns, but since then he hasn’t had more than 57 receiving yards in any game. He also doesn’t have a single touchdown in six games. This is just Wheaton’s second season and as a third-round pick I don’t think they are quite ready to give up on him, but how long do you wait for things to click better between he and Roethlisberger?

At 3-3 and currently in the basement of the AFC North, I don’t think the Steelers can afford to keep playing wait-and-see with that situation. If nothing changes soon then I imagine Wheaton will find his butt on the bench within the next couple of games, because any slappy off the street can put up his numbers. Something has got to give.