…the Browns offense when Arians was offensive coordinator over there (2001-2003).

Not much of a running game. At least they couldn’t run it when it mattered. As a result, they didn’t have much of an offensive identity, unless it was resorting to chuck and duck.

Sound familiar?

Yeah, they moved up and down the field against us in that 2002 playoff game. But who didn’t that year? Any team that was a decent passing team had their way with us that year. And that was compounded in that playoff game when Chad Scott was hurt and Poteat saw extensive playing time.

So the answer to that question is no. Expect only minimal improvement in this offense. Maybe Ben gets healthy and can lift the offense a bit. Because that’s the state of our offense. If Ben doesn’t get it done, it’s not going to get done. Think back to the (pre Terrell Davis) Elway led Broncos of the 80s.

And to those who think the offense can improve, I pose this question. How?

- This team can’t run on first down.
- This team can’t run on third and short.
- This team can’t pass protect well enough to survive many 3rd and longs.
- Ben has to rely on a short passing game to offset the poor running game and the poor pass protection. But that’s never been his strength. And that’s really a lot to ask of any qb.

Steeler fans only hope is that this defense gets and stays near 100% healthy for a stretch run and is dominant enough to tow this flawed offense deep into the playoffs. The other hope is that we don’t meet any teams that can rush the passer that well in the playoffs (hello New England without Adalius Thomas, or Denver, or even Indy again). I know many think we can handle Tennessee and maybe we can, but only if our defense totally stonewalls them.

But if we face a balanced team in the playoffs. Forget it. Luckily, most of those teams reside in the NFC.

Otherwise wait til next year when FWP/Mendenhall are hopefully healthy, to see if the offensive line is upgraded to at least an average unit and there is a different OC in charge. If those changes take place, this offense can be very good next year.

Is it just me or is all the talk about the offensive line getting pretty old? Not taking away from your post, it’s good. But, I just think the o-line talk is being played out. Every steeler fan knows about the offensive line. Now-a-days hearing “The Steelers need to work on the offensive line” basically means that whoever is saying that obviously just saw the steelers play for the first time in two years.

We all know there are problems. I think it’s time we just stop talking about the one that doesn’t look like it’s going to get better anytime soon. Arians needs to work with what he’s got. Tomlin preaches “No Excuses” so BA should not have an excuse. The best players/coaches are the ones that overcome adversity and can find a way to win.

good post maryrose

this line that Tomlin inherited was drafted under the Cowher/Whiz/Grimm era, which prided itself in the ability to run the ball early and often, with hopes of wearing the opponent down as the second half of a game wore on. (miss watching insert sad emoticon) Granted this is NOT the same o-line under Cowher by any stretch of the imagination.

This line (over the past two years) has proven that they can run block and have suffered with pass blocking = painfully obvious. Although Ben has proven that he can throw the ball effectively down field, and is surrounded by play makers, I think I speak for everyone when I say its time to get back to pounding the rock. With the caliber of defense this year, which might rival some of the best Steelers defenses ever, why not run the ball, play possession football, and hopefully set up some play action passes.

The Steelers always seem to win when the running back goes over 100 yards and ben throws under 25 passes.

And these fake wide receiver screen passes/hand-offs are not fooling anyone bruce!

I’m not sure that we have the players to be anything more than passable. This is not to take away from the improvements that have been made this year – mostly by Hartwig and Stappleton giving Ben some semblance of a pocket to step up into. Starts has shown he doesn’t have the ability to deal with speed rushers and Slow Willie Colon continues to show that try as he might he is constantly overmatched – thus tons of holding/false start calls. Combine these problems with Smith’s back problems and I fear for our immediate future at tackle.

 After all, it’s unlikely we’ll resign Smith – and we probably shouldn’t really – or Starks. So, I wonder about left tackle next season as well as depth at the position in general. Either we’ll be forced to pay big money for an elite tackle over the offseason and not resign some players we really need to (i.e. BMac), or we’ll be putting a rookie there that we probably traded up to draft. Or we stick Essex or move Colon over. shudder My hope is for an elite tackle in the first round, although I wonder how much it’ll end up costing us.

is when will they get rid of z. as far as i’m concerned he made it quite clear when he said before training camp even started that the line was already set. ( i could be wrong might not have been before camp but it wasn’t long after it started) someone mentioned in the comments that great players/coaches overcome well if tomlin can’t see whats wrong then he isn’t a good coach. not that i ever thought he was. only reason he was hired was because of the rooney rule. rooneys can’t preach about other teams not hiring black coaches then not hire one themselves. whether he deserved to be one or not just the best option at black head coach available.

the fullback would be a good idea too. oh thats right we don’t have one. thanks again bruce.

Does Coach Z know what he is doing? If not then we’re screwed because no one else is in the position to step in and rectify the situation. As I read your piece a light came on, the O-line is being out schemed. I’ve seen too many scenarios this year where Ben has plenty of time. Perhaps it is just a matter of whether these guys are meshing or not. A problem that should work its way out by month’s end. It should also be mentioned that we are not exactly off pace for where we thought we would be at this point of the season. (with the nagging thought that we might 8-1 with just slightly better play). At this point a couple of games may make the difference between a commanding playoff seeding or no playoffs at all.

Thanks again Rose.