i’m still holding out for dennis dixon to get in on some plays

Maybe the game plan is to run a successful screen? Or not run out of 2 TE formations? Maybe we’ll run reverses on every play? Punt on first down and let our defense do it’s work?

If this is something more than a smokescreen, my best guess is we’ll use a spread offense to exploit their lack of CB health and depth. I don’t know if it’d be a good idea to change things up now and with the weather, but it sounds like something Arians would do. Remember when he started the job, he talked about the Browns-Steelers playoff game, opening things because he thought their WR depth was better than our CB depth? It won’t hurt that they’re not very good at rushing the passer and that they’re best pass rusher is playing hurt. Still, I’d rather see us pound the ball for 3 ypc.

I just had another thought – Lolley didn’t say the twist was on offense. I hope they do gameplan for that ridiculous “unbalanced line” gimmick the Ravens do. If they bring out another OT, I want to see Hoke out there too. The main reason they ran the ball on us last time is that they had more big guys up the middle than us. We need to match that.

                                                                      
                                                  Hampton Smith
                        Woodley Timmons Farrior Keisel Harrison
Taylor B-Mac
                                    Clark Polamalu

Lots of run blitzes.

Lolley set this up personally – give steelers fans something to do for three days.

I would be interested to see what he says after the game about the game plan, or if he is just blowing smoke out his arse.

i think he is the key, we have to keep him active in our play selection, it seems to me that when he is getting the ball and picking up first downs, our whole offense clicks better

i dont think reverses are gonna work, especially against Baltimore, they move to the ball so fast you are much more likely to lose yards than catch them off guard for a big gain.

question: if Hines is lined up in the slot where he catches those screens a lot, can he go from that position and catch a pass behind the line of scrimmage and then maybe throw a pass- i dont know if something about that would be illegal or not

also agree with WETSU Run it, Run it, Run it- maybe willie can break their no 100 yd rrusher streak

We don’t have a good answer to the unbalanced line.
+
Lebeau is a god.
=
Unbalanced line is destroyed.

It sounds like Lolley is talking about trick plays. I think that we may see a lot of running early, but it seems that the new game plan is hit them hard and take occasional gambles down field. My sense is that will come with long bombs to Nate or Tone (especially if Frank “Loose Lips” Walker is out in coverage) but also with the possible trick play. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some sort of flee-flicker or something cute. We do have to be careful though. That stuff can blow up on you in a hurry. The only good news is that its less likely that someone is taping our practices this year.

Maybe Arians will use our own unbalanced line and try to run the ball with it. It does make sense because they are tough to run against anyway and play a 3-4 structure. If they can stretch the 3 man front with an extra lineman and 2 TEs, that puts a lot of stress on your normal gap responsibilities – it forces a DB to play as a LB. If your 7th or 8th man is big and his is small, you can get a good push advantage.

Our Heavy package could include McHugh and Davis/Russell plus 6 OL, Miller and Hines. That would make an interesting personnel group. I’d imagine they will have a gadget or reverse type play paired up with any odd ball formation to take advantage of an over-reaction. Wouldn’t it be great to see Ray Lewis getting knocked around?!!

 Maybe the Chargers game was the smokescreen, make them think we intend to run through the playoffs. Maybe they come out no-huddle right from the jump, and try to put up quick scores and make the rat-birds play from behind just like we did in indy and denver in ’06 SB run!

Obvious passing downs – Wood, Deebo, Smith, Keisel and Timmons rush. Farrior and Foote underneath looking screen/draw, 4 DBs. Nickel situation – take out Keisel and sub in extra DB – 4 man rush with remaining guys listed.

Offense – FB out, Dixon in, BB at slot w/ Holmes at X, Miller at Y. Shotgun with Dixon at QB and Parker at HB, with Moore at wing on Millers side. A couple run plays, then Moore motions to BB side and blocks, Dixon gives playaction to Parker, throws to BB, BB either throws it to Holmes, Miller or throws back to Dixon on wheel route or screen back to other side of the field!!! TD for either team but would be exciting…. we only do this when up 2 scores in 2nd half…. fun to dream as a playcaller – harder to actually call it.

Watching RayRay explode in a fit of rage afterwards would be great. Even better would be Hines smiling and laughing at him as he jogs onto the field when we go for the 2 pt conversion to rub it in….. Priceless!!

and threw a beautiful TD in College – 20-30 yds. Doubt that is what Lolley is talking about but sure would be fun.

He is a really good TE. Just needs to add a little wiggle when near the goalline. I almost had a heart attack when he lowered his shoulder at the 2 on the TD pass last week…. had visions of a fumble ala Tenn Titans… Make one little cut and you glance right off the guy into the endzone….

would have to be implemented by Tomlin at this point in the season. If you think about it, there was a change in our gameplan last week, as we ran the ball to set up the pass, which is relatively new for this season.

I think that we’ll run the ball to setup the pass, then try to stretch the Ravens out by throwing downfield. I think the key to our offense last week was Ben throwing the ball deep. That kept the safeties back when the ball was snapped, and allowed us to focus our blocking on just the front line of defenders. Also, throwing the ball deep allows for more underneath passing options because the safeties will have to stay honest and not cheat up. I know that Ed Reed is the best deep coverage safety in the league, but with Jim Leonhard blitzing as much as he has been, I think looking downfield will force him to stay back, and open up more room to run, and throw underneath.

I like the deep pass vs their corners but away from Reed’s side. They need to formation to get Reed well outside the hash mark and throw opposite fade, stop & go or skinny post.

Did you see Reed pick the ball on an In or Post from the opposite hash vs Miami? That was friggin ridiculous… the guy obviously watches lots of tape and has great instinct. Absolute ball hawk and comfortable returning it. We don’t have anybody close to him except for a healthy Troy – but his hands aren’t as good.

1. Have a fullback (McHugh)
2. 50% of the time, run counters opposite of where the fullback blocks. Will take advantage of the over aggressive nature of Ray Ray and make him a step slow during traditional lead plays.
3. HEATH! Run down the seam and dare Ray Ray to cover. If Reed comes to help this will free up the deep ball, if not, Heath has his best day as a pro in the playoffs.
4. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY……DO NOT THROW WHERE EVER REED IS PLAYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If we do not turn it over on our side of the field we should be in Tampa in two weeks. Go Steelers!