Did Bruce Arians Save His Job Monday?

by Blitzburgh on Oct 1, 2008 7:33 AM EDT

Let the debate continue. Apparently this conversation is worth having, as Chris Mortenson of ESPN had reported that Mike Tomlin had a conversation with his offensive coordinator about shaping up or being prepared to get shipped out. So, did he do enough Monday to save his job? Here's my take.

Barely.

The first half Monday was as bad as the Eagles game, no doubt. And when put in the context of coming after the catastrophy that was the previous Sunday, the first half against the Ravens was all the more difficult to stomach. Believe me, I feel you if you're of the mindset that the first half was more than enough to deserve a pink slip out of town. As I wrote in my previous post-game reaction, I was beyond embarassed. It wasn't that anymore. I was just kind of bored. Watching the Steelers! How bad is that? There was little to no reason to believe that things would be improving, no?

But, finally, and I mean just at the last moment, we showed a sense of urgency. We finally went no-huddle (apparently at Ben's insistence), we finally did some 3-step drops and quick dump offs to our play makers, starting of course with our first offensive TD in 8 quarters on a slant to Santonio Holmes. Holmes, the play maker that we were ooooing and ahhhing over all this summer, finally was given a chance to make a play in open space! What do you know? He did.

There were both impressive and unimpressive moments in the second half. Our 3-play series on 1st and goal in the 4th quarter was underwhelming, but in Arians' and the offenses' defense, we were down to our last RB, Mewelde Moore, who's not exactly thought of as a goal-line power back. That makes things tougher of course, particularly against a fast and smart Ravens defense that closes down small windows and running lanes in the red zone as well as anyone in the league. But those realities lead to the question: why go unimaginative there, then? Why try to pound it with our 3rd down back on 2nd and 3rd downs?

But there were great moments too. The play-calling was solid in our game-winning drive in OT. Much of the credit goes to the players of course, but by that time, the offensive line had shored things up enough that we didn't have to keep our back in there to block, freeing Moore to roam free in the passing game. Arians saw that, deployed him, and Ben looked his way in the biggest of moments, including on 3rd and long from the Ravens 35. An incompletion, or worse yet, puts us in tough FG range. We executed, got Reed in a distance he could kick smoothly from, and the rest was history.

So, there was the unthinkable - a pathetic first half in the wake of the Eagles game. And then some adjustments in the second half. But perhaps not enough to get him off the hot seat alltogether, at least with us fans. Great offenses put teams away when there's an opening. You have to in this league, as even a rookie QB named Flacco proved. We weren't able to when he had the chance.

Hopefully the coaching staff will take lots away from this game. Little things like the QB sneak Ben called for 3 yards early in the second half when the Ravens were still bringing the house at him. That was a sign of pulling out all the stops to change the flow of things for us on offense, even if it was ugly and non-traditional. The no-huddle, of course, was a sight to see. Teams will again adjust to our adjustments.

How will Arians respond? I feel he's earned himself some more time, at least two more games after the BYE, at bare minimum. Let's hope this is a non-issue moving forward and our offense will fare far better as we go to the no-huddle more often and find new and better ways to get the ball out of Ben's hands and into those of our playmakers.

The odds are against us this Sunday, but best of luck to Arians and the gang as they gameplan for a Jaguars defense that has some holes on defense compared to years past. A win before the BYE week sure would go a long way towards making us all believe that our offense can be good enough to keep up with what's turning out to be an outstanding defense.

Thoughts?

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Good Thoughts

Yeah, I consider myself one of the stalwarts of the anti-Arians camp, but I’d still be surprised if he was gone before the end of the season. I think this week is key for keeping his job until the end of the season. His saving grace in the last 2 weeks was that he was facing either really good defenses, or defenses that did some things really well. Philly doesn’t have a complete defense, but they are really good at stopping the run and blitzing. It’s a shame we couldn’t exploit that, but this week we face a Jacksonville defense that doesn’t do anything particularly well.

They are 18th in yardage, 15th in points allowed, 14th against the run, 24th against the pass. The’re allowing 4.1 yards per carry and a 93.1 passer rating with only 5 sacks in 4 games. They’ve done this against the 0-3 Texans, a struggling Colts team, the Vince Young-led Titans and the steady but unspectacular Bills. I don’t care if we have Billy Lasko in the backfield, we should be able to run, set up the play action and eat this defense up.

This is the kind of game that worries me, not because I think we’ll lose, but because if we put up 21 points on a bad defense, give up “only” 3 sacks, and win the game, people are going to start acting like everything’s okay again (see also: 2007 Steelers). “Hey we put up some points on the Jaguars. They have a good defense, right?” We have the talent to destroy this Jaguars team, and the game should be 24-3 by halftime. It won’t be though, thanks largely due to a terrible game plan, no offensive identity (hat tip to dagger at PGH), and Bruce Arians. My prediction is 20-13 and a false sense of security.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 1, 2008 9:07 AM EDT 0 recs

agree

I kinda think we might have an offensive explosioin, at least by our standards the past two weeks. Short week and all the injuries are a big big caveat though. Even so, I think we have it in us to exploit this defense.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 1, 2008 9:38 AM EDT up 0 recs

I second BadMaafia's thoughts

1st half should be 24-3 Steelers (with no defensive or ST’s TDs) and 0 (Yes ZERO) sacks for me to feel comfortable for the rest of the season or at least until the Gmen come to the burgh. Our only saving grace will be our no-huddle packages against the best teams at home, how lucky are the Steelers to have the Gmen, Colts, Chargers, and Dallas at home.

About BA – He better have a farm breeding rabbits in that ridiculous sambora straw hat (I had to look up the names of hats). On MNF, the Ravens looked like the Steelers of 2004 and the Steelers looked like the Ravens of 2003.

I’m not having it!!

How does Lane Kiffin at OC sound? Wolfpack’s got imagination!

by TomlinEra on Oct 1, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up 0 recs

Arians

like it or not I don’t think they will dump him midseason unless the wheels really fall off

by schnifin on Oct 1, 2008 9:18 AM EDT 0 recs

the wheels haven’t fallen off? Could’ve fooled me,….we’re damn lucky to be 3-1 right now.

by ismail on Oct 1, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

wheels officially fall off if...

…we look like we did the last three weeks against Jacksonville. No hurricanes. No high-powered or elaborate defenses. Mediocrity. We should blow these fools up like we did Houston. It’s not gonna matter as far as my personal opinion of BA’s skills go; He’s gonna have to pull quite the turn-around for every game remaining on the schedule for him to get on my good side. He’s awful at his job and is wasting our talent. A good offensive coordinator and a solid right guard and we’re winning championships. As far as the team though, how can we not can him if he has another of these piss-poor performances? That will be four weeks in a row and we’ll be heading into the bye week (giving us extra time to work on a new OC’s gameplan). Oh, and we’ll have a nice easy test-the-waters game against the Bungles. Can you see it now? I’m almost hoping for an incredibly bad performance by the offense, just so we can get this fixed in time for the end of the season/playoffs

by TheCincinnatiConqueror on Oct 1, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

Arians lost respect

When you’re 5th year quarterback has to take charge of the offense because of the ineptitude of the OC, that makes the coord. look bad imo. I think Arians lost a lot of respect from his players Mon. night but Ben gained more which to me is more important. The guys in the huddle don’t know which play is called by the OC they only know that the quarterback is calling them. They have to trust that the QB is making the right decision. I have always said the thing that separates college and pro QBs is leadership. Your team has to believe that they can win with you at the helm. I think, Monday night, this team, specifically the o-line, learned that of Ben.

by woody71 on Oct 1, 2008 9:46 AM EDT 0 recs

haha

I just saw this quote Tomlin gave in the post game. When asked how the no huddle worked, he said “It was thoughtfully non-rhythmic”. Clutch response by Tomlin – it’s an oldie but a goodie.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 1, 2008 10:16 AM EDT 0 recs

if arians goes down

who steps up?

Should Ben be calling most of the plays, assigning protection, hot reading, the whole bit? Does he have enough experience to take this next, huge, step?

and again, Coach Z on the offensive line, if Stapleton is a hidden gem that wasn’t getting playing time, that is another error on his part. But is his fate tied to Arians? can one go without the other?

by vherub on Oct 1, 2008 11:46 AM EDT 0 recs

How about

Lane Kiffin? He was probably too young to be hired as an NFL HC, but he was the OC at USC with Leinart, Bush and Lendale White.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 1, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

U've got imagination Wolfpack!!

I like it!

by TomlinEra on Oct 1, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thanks! :)

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 1, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

2 knocks against BA

1. Lack of ‘during the game’ adjustments
2. Horrible play-calling at inopportune moments

Finally he’s on the hot seat and Tomlin is turning the dial on the burner.

Big Ben bless the ‘no-huddle’!! Doesn’t Ben have have a say in putting together the offensive gameplan? mmhh

Quick question: Tomlin called for an injury timeout on MNF for Marvel Smith (thats what was reported at least during the game) anybody know whats wrong with him?

by TomlinEra on Oct 1, 2008 11:53 AM EDT 0 recs

Mis-reported

Marvel was good to go. Tomlin said in his press conference he called that TO because he believed the playclock would expire before Ben got the snap. He apologized for this and said he needs to learn to trust Ben to manage that part of the game.

by Chicago Steeler on Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Arians Scripts the Plays?

I heard from a friend that Tunch reported that Arians scripts not only the “first 15” which is common practice in the NFL, but also a few series after the first 15. Is this true? Did anyone else hear Tunch say this during the Ravens game?

by FireAriansNow on Oct 1, 2008 12:13 PM EDT 0 recs

I’ve heard that but I’ve seen it disputed. It was either Ed bouchette or dale lolley who said he only scripts the first 10, I can’t remember which or find you the reference.

by steelguy99 on Oct 1, 2008 1:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

i heard

it was 30 plays, which is ridiculous, and would explain no first half adjustments.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 1, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up 0 recs

Eh, there weren’t really any adjustments in the 2nd half of the eagles game or until we went no huddle against the ravens. Until I read a reliable source that tells me otherwise, I’ll assume it’s 10 or 15.

by steelguy99 on Oct 1, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Eddie B said it was only the first 10 plays. Which sounds right. I’m pretty sure you should give this guy more credit. No coach could get a job by scripting the entire first half.

That being said, I’m no longer a fan of BA, and unless the Steelers show major offensive improvement which results in a long playoff run, he’d probably gone after the season. In no way, however, do I think he should be fired now. Too much to lose by changing up in the middle of the season.

by Cols714 on Oct 1, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Why can't BA pull a Chris Cooley and give us some insight on how he gameplans during the week? (minus the nude!!)

by TomlinEra on Oct 1, 2008 2:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thanks Blitz

Good post.
I think Arians saved his job over the summer when they didn’t fire him for Cameron or someone else available. The FO would rarely can a coach in season.
I don’t think any one game will save Arians job. It will be a culmination of a season’s work and improvement. If the Steelers O somehow starts clicking and is playing better in December than now that will bode well for Arians. If they win a playoff game, that will bode well.
It’s no secret what I think. I think Tomlin can do better than BA. He is not a yound innovative force like the guy in NE. He is not the Jedi Master like our own LeBeau. He is middle aged and in this thing for 20 years already. His claim to fame before riding shot gun with Whiz, Grimm and The Chin was Cleveland. Same with Z. I hope they improve. They are professionals. I just think the Steelers OC job was a plum just like HC. Why Z & A?

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Oct 1, 2008 1:30 PM EDT 0 recs

I agree with 5020

Arian’s job safety will be based on the whole years work. I personally can’t think of what type of screw up he would have to do to get fired during the season. The FO is to loyal and classy. It would not fire a coach during the season for bad play calling and loses. I can’t remember the Steelers ever firing a coach during the season.

That being said I am fine with him being canned now, and unless we truly right the ship and win the SB I would still like to see him gone after this year.

by SteelBuckeye on Oct 1, 2008 6:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

Arians

At this point, I think Arians needs to go. His gameplan in the first half sucked out loud, and it really didn’t get better until Ben started calling his own plays in the no-huddle. Maybe BA has a good system and good plays, but his feel for the game and in-game play-calling are horrible. When we are playing a clearly overmatched team, we look great, but when the competition is close, our offense looks terrible.

It’s too late to get Cam Cameron, but there is an offensive mind available right now, in Lane Kiffin, that we could take a serious look at. Based on his age, and relative success at Oakland, I think he’d be getting looks for another head coaching job in a few years, but so would anyone else who had much success as our OC. Yeah, I know, his record sucked at Oakland, but Al Davis has so destroyed the organization of the FO, I’m amazed that he won 5 games in his 20 on the job.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 1, 2008 1:35 PM EDT 0 recs

agreed

Kiffin is a very bright offensive mind, and young, and like Tomlin, open to exploring new areas when one thing doesn’t work.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Oct 1, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

Last year wasn’t a great one for the Raiders, but their offense has shown some promise. They’ve brought Russell along nicely and that 3 headed rushing monster is pretty dominant when they’re losing by few enough points to be running. Another big plus to signing him is that he passes to the TE’s and RB’s Their top 4 reception leaders are a TE and 3 RB’s!! I’m not sure how Ward and Holmes would feel, but Moore would like it.

Considering how hard it is to evaluate OC’s and how limited my knowledge is, I don’t know if Kiffin would be good coordinator, especially if he had to be ready to go in 2 weeks (or 3 if you count the Bengals as a bye). If Tomlin and co do hire him, though, I’ll trust them and rejoice.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 1, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

No, last year wasn’t great, but I believe that Kiffin doubled the win total of Art Shell the previous year. Remember when Shell was hired, Davis tried to get Whiz, but Whiz could see it was a poisonous situation and stayed away.

The main concern I would have is that I don’t know enough about Kiffin’s offensive system (I believe he was only OC at USC for a couple of years), but I’d rather try him than stick with Arians. Either that, or we just let Ben call all of his own plays from now on. Arians can design the plays, but let Ben call them on the field.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 1, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Arians

Beyond disappointed in Arians – if I see that stupid no back, tight 3WR package, where ben takes 2 steps and gets hit I will jump through the TV – Ben saved the game with HIS decision to go shotgun in the 3rd – if it wasnt for his leadership Arians would’ve stuck with the same old game plan – not time for change yet – but its real close!

by SteelBrooks on Oct 1, 2008 1:38 PM EDT 0 recs

More on Arians

I wish just for a day Al Davis was the steelers owner so he could Fire Arians for CAUSE!

Somewhere in his contract there is a statement about having to move the ball FWD and not injuring your star QB.

by SteelBrooks on Oct 1, 2008 1:41 PM EDT 0 recs

Who really changed the game plan?

Ben’s post game comments made it sound like he suggested moving to no-huddle. Which if true means to me that Bruce Arians was lost about where to go after his 6th consecutive quarter with his offense in shambles.

While changing coaches mid season is a risky proposition, could Arians actually be the hump we’re trying to get over?

by moonjockey on Oct 1, 2008 2:02 PM EDT 0 recs

Arians

With full disclosure, I admit to fully supporting Arians in the off-season.

But, like everyone else, I am fed up and confused. I just don’t get it…the absolute inability to adapt to what the opponent is doing baffles me. No quick screens, dump offs, change of pace stuff…the only reason we go no-huddle is b/c Ben asks for it? Huh?

I was equally perturbed that we had not use Moore…this guy is a real threat out of the backfield…screens, draws, dump-offs…until last game, Arians didn’t even think of using him…Huh?…and the only reason is was in the game v. ravens is b/c of injuries??…the reason we won the Raven game is b/c of his 3 catches in crunch time…a LB can not cover him…remember that Bruce!

Kiffin is an interesting name…but…the only thing I don’t like is he wouldn’t be there long…first big time college offer, which will be coming, and he is gone…

It will be interesting to see what Tomlin does with Arians/Z…and someone please tell Tomlin to move Colon to RG and start our $7 million dollar man at RT…I don’t understand Tomlin’s hesitancy to make that move.

by SteelerMike on Oct 1, 2008 3:01 PM EDT 0 recs

College

That’s something I hadn’t thought of with Kiffin. In fact, he might be pursued during the season by a program that feels like they’re underperforming (Tennessee?). I could see a college going after him now to try to get in before the other schools have chance. Kinda like Butch Davis to UNC.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 1, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

good call

Wouldnt be surprised if Tennessee called Kiffin. Their offense is a total mess with the new guy they brought in.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 1, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

Tennessee

I’ve been telling a UF co-worker that I expect Fulmer to get fired soon, and with the surprising success of Duke so far, I thought their coach (David Cutcliffe) would be the candidate, since he was the OC at Tennessee when Manning was there, as well as the last two years. But Kiffin may get the call earlier, since he’s already available.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 2, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up 0 recs

Cutcliffe

Is the engine that makes that offense go. Now that he’s gone, they suck. They had another lull a few years back when he left the program before returning. Remarkable really how successful TN’s been when he’s there, and how mediocre when he’s not in the Fulmer era.

I think that young OC might get canned before Fulmer. Fulmer might get one more year with a new guy. He was in the SEC title game last year.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 2, 2008 12:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

True

Yeah, it may not be this year that Fulmer gets the axe, but their recruiting has been down since they had the top class in the country 3 years ago (of which about a third got arrested during the offseason), and without Cutcliffe, their offense has sucked. Add to that the fact that Alabama is doing so well with Saban. . . . I just don’t see him lasting much longer.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 2, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

Its too early in the season AND the steelers are 3-1….NO ONE is getting fired.

I have plenty of questions about Bruce Arians and the offensive line coach, but lets not too soon forget that Big Ben had a record breaking year throwing the ball last year. (although suffering in the rushing touchdown category)

Just because a few coaches around the league lost their jobs, its not time to start thinking about who needs to be fired on the steelers coaching staff. The Steelers don’t participate in this kind of business because they are better than these other organizations. There is plenty of blame to go around. Just make sure that you are not blaming everything on one person.

Its still early in the season, lets see how everything shakes out. Even super bowl caliber teams (last year’s Giants) went through offensive difficulties throughout their season.

by bradyquinnsclipboard on Oct 1, 2008 9:43 PM EDT 0 recs

The Steelers are 3-1, but their offense has had one good game and essentially, two full horrible games (the 2nd half of the Browns game, all of the Eagles game, and first half of the Ravens game). And the improvement in this last game apparently had nothing to do with Arians. It was Ben saying to let him run a no-huddle and call his own plays. The only TD we scored was with Ben calling the plays, not Arians.

But, more than likely, you’re right. And, to be honest, I don’t know that Kiffin’s system would be a good fit, because I just don’t know enough about it. It could end up being so different that it just wouldn’t make sense to make that change.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 2, 2008 10:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

@wolfpack

I’m just as frustrated as everyone else about the lack of offense for the steelers recently. I’m not happy w/ Arians’ obviously bone-headed decisions, but there is plenty of blame to go around the entire steelers offense = the offensive line coach, dropped passes, lack of protection, ben’s inability to get the ball off without allowing the play clock to run down and calling the correct protections…..SUCKS!

If the steelers lose a bunch of games in a row and/or this season quickly goes down the shitter, I’m all for making adjustments. For now, I will wait impatiently.

by bradyquinnsclipboard on Oct 2, 2008 8:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

+ ben getting rid of the ball

by bradyquinnsclipboard on Oct 2, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Agreed

All of those play into it, but those are all areas within Arians “sphere of influence” (to use a Franklin Covey phrase:)). He’s the OC, and he needs to find out why those problems occur and gameplan to minimize them. Have we seen him make any change to suggest that he understands the problems? Anyway, as you said, I don’t think that they will fire, although, apparently Tomlin told him his job was in jeopardy without improvements. If Tomlin wants him gone, I don’t think the FO will stop him making that move.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Oct 3, 2008 12:11 PM EDT up 0 recs