Our running game now major key to success

by BubbyBrister6 on Oct 15, 2009 3:05 PM EDT Comment 28 comments

With Aaron Smith now gone the defense is really going to have its work cut out for them although it should fare better than it did down the stretch in 2007. Regardless there might be a dichotomy for 2009 in that this year the offense may have to carry the defense much like the defense carried the offense in 2008. To help the defenders out the key may be our running game. It might not be a bad idea to try to put more emphasis on controlling the clock. With Willie Parker and Mendenhall finally healthy together at the same time they have 2 quality backs for the first time since 2005. The offensive line is starting to gel and they are steadily improving every week. If they can run the ball 25-30 times a game and just average between 3-4 yards a carry they can reasonably expect to have a 35:00 time of possession game. This helps the defense because they can stay fresh and avoid a pounding as they are already now stretched thin as well as making opposing offenses one dimensional. Of course this is all easier said than done but they can still try to run the ball a little more especially later in the game to help the defense and possibly avert these late 4th quarter problems that are becoming too common this year.

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I don't agree

Just because we can run the ball 25-30 times a game doesn’t mean we should. We have four to five excellent receivers including Moore and Miller, and Ben is having his best season as a passer yet. Why run the ball if it’s not getting first downs consistently. Now I agree that the running game is key to running out the clock in the fourth quarter, but Ben and the receivers are instrumental in scoring points in the first three.

by bensmitty234 on Oct 15, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

keep in mind that the run game opens up the passing game and vicea verca

Offense may sell tickets, but defense wins championships

by canadianblackandgold on Oct 17, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It isn't easy

thats true. I don’t think they should “sell out” just to hit that number of running attempts and yes I agree with the way Ben and the receivers are working taking the ball completely out of their hands would be foolish but running the ball more may actually increase the effectiveness of the passing game as well as make the play action a handy weapon in the arsenal. But regardless how they do it running or throwing; controlling the ball is going to be important.

by BubbyBrister6 on Oct 15, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Play action?

by SNW on Oct 15, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how about this?

As rod Woodson said “the Steelers canot win the same way as last year” I think he is right! That means that we will have to score more points..We have the tools to do so, only if Arians takes the shackles of Ben!

by nycsteelerfan on Oct 15, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

We must score more points. I think we need to run the ball just enough to keep the defense honest. The actual amount will vary depending on the opponent and the score.

While last our defense carried the team and the offense came through in the clutch…this year the offense is going to have to carry most of the load.

We can’t get a 7-10 point lead and breathe easy. We need more points this year. In the end I think our defense is good, infact, very good at times but not as dominant as last year.

Big Ben is just the guy to do it…

by SteelerMike on Oct 16, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

And this year Ben can carry that weight.

I think this year the balance shifts to the front and the O takes some more weight. Its still probably not going to be all O, more like 50-50 instead of recently with the 75-25 split the D has blessed us with.

by Mechem on Oct 16, 2009 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They both feed off each other.

We are starting to get a nice blend. The running game is opening up because teams are having to respect the pass. Ben is getting more time because teams have to respect the run. Play action is actually working for the first time in awhile. This offense is on the verge of exploding and doing that by running and passing effectively. I think the key is eliminating most(hard to eliminate all) of the executional errors. I think that happens the comfortable everyone gets with this offense. That seems to increase every week. I agree that losing Aaron while tough, should not be as bad as last time. His replacements have more experience and hopefully Ziggy grows up fast. No game is a gimme and it is a divisional game but Cleveland seems to be getting worse as the season goes on instead of the other way around and they traded away their most explosive offensive player. All that said, I think the balance we are starting to get will serve us very well as the season goes on.

by DarinS on Oct 15, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Something I've noticed

and hope that it continues, is that receivers are staying in bounds after receptions for the most part. A common misconception is that a team can’t control the clock by throwing the football. I couldn’t disagree more.

How often to you see Hines or any of the men running out of bounds after a catch? They are more likely to put their heads down and plow forward. As such, the O can still bleed 35 – 40 seconds off the clock per play and sustain drives by passing the football.

With the exception of the Detroit game, the Steelers are dominating the TOP battle. I’m being too lazy right now to look it up, but it is approaching the 35 minutes a game you reference above.

With Ben throwing the ball with crazy accuracy, I say keep throwing!! That will loosen up teams a bit in the 4Q since there is no guaranty anymore that the Steelers are going to put their heads down and try to ram it down the oppositions collective throat.

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Oct 15, 2009 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

33:49 per game

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Oct 15, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Steelers used to run to set up the pass.....

Now, when the offense is clicking, they pass to set up the run.

The short, equatorial passing game is what makes this offense click. And, it the receivers stay in bounds, it also eats the clock and is successful at keeping the defense rested.

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Oct 15, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as the one sets up the other...

…I could care less what sets up what. Run sets up pass, pass sets up run, either is fine, as long as the setting up and freeing up is done successfully, and we win games.

"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler." -- #58

by __.58.__ on Oct 15, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hines looks like a fricken full back in close quarters, love watching him bull over DB’s.

by DarinS on Oct 15, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i know right

by Mechem on Oct 16, 2009 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well he used to play runningback along with WR and QB in college

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 16, 2009 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A successful pass for say 8 yards and the reciever stays in bounds eats up about 40 seconds.

Two running plays for the same 8 yards eats up 80 seconds.
I think this is the point trying to be made.

Now if the oline and rb’s average 8 yards a run we really have a problem, a good one but the O would score so fast every game the other d would never get tired and the Steelers d would.

by SNW on Oct 15, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unless

Of course the D can just force a 3 and out. Doing so then gets them off the field. And from the start of the game they should be able to do just that, nice and fresh.

by Mechem on Oct 16, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Combine that with the 8 yards ave rushing and passing per play

and the score would be like 50-0 each week.
Imagine how much our hearts could heal in just a few weeks.

by SNW on Oct 16, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love to see us Pass

But this is the worst rushing defense in the NFL so lets run the ball 40 times and let Ben NOT have to win the game :)

by BlkNGold on Oct 15, 2009 6:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Huh

I don’t see the logic in that. A successful run play or a successful pass play will take about the same amount of time off the clock as long as everyone stays in bounds. While I understand what your saying that 2, 4 yard runs would take twice the time as 1 8 yard pass. Wouldn’t it be better to have 2, 8 yard passes and a first down in 80 seconds versus 2, 4 yard runs and a 3rd and 2? I am all for running the clock out however we can, this just didn’t seem logical to me.

by DarinS on Oct 15, 2009 6:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Pats used Welker

as a passing ball-control offense very effectively two years ago. Generally, if I can have eight yards in one play or two, I’m taking one every time. We’re closer to the first down, closer to the end zone, and that’s one less chance to turn the ball over.

by Desroko on Oct 15, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just before someone jumps on it

I, of course do understand that if those 2 passes go imcomplete then very little time has been run off.

by DarinS on Oct 15, 2009 6:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Was thinking the same thing

Plus, we should take into account that even with his league-leading passing percentage, Ben only completes 73% of his passes (I’m rounding a bit, so lay off, all you accountants!).

That means that 27% of the pass plays will burn only a couple seconds. If you score every time, it doesn’t matter, but if you’re trying to primarily kill the clock, running is more successful.

How much so? 37% more so. (that’s 1/.73) Which is nothing to sneeze at.

Good post, BB6!

by gostevego on Oct 15, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You get the rec for stating the obvious

But important point.

by Mechem on Oct 16, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A running game is key to success in the NFL

Damn, Bubby, you have a keen perception for the obvious.

Rumor has it the ability to pass, play defense, good coaching, and good special teams really help teams win too.

by worldtrip on Oct 16, 2009 4:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"If I could start my life all over again, I would be a professional football player and you damn well better believe I would be a Pittsburgh Steeler." -- #58

by __.58.__ on Oct 18, 2009 6:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs