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Around SBN: SB Nation NFL Power Rankings for Week 11

More diversity needed on offense


I don't think the Steelers use their RBs very consistently or effectively as receivers. In the past, you could have chalked this up to FWP's stone-handed ways. But even Willie is a more reliable receiver now, while Mendenhall and Moore are both solid receivers. And Stefan Logan could be dynamite if used occasionally as a 2nd- or 3rd-down receiver out of the backfield. 

Star-divide

The Steelers need to find more creative ways to get the ball to their backs. We've seen a few successful dinks to Mendenhall, Moore and Parker this year, but overall the Steelers haven't been consistent. Often it seems that Ben only passes to the RBs when all else fails, instead of calling their numbers in the huddle.

That's maybe due to Parker's influence in not exactly being the best receiver. But it's way too easy for teams to simply crowd the line and stop the Steelers running game. And your WRs won't always be open.

I'd like to see the Steelers put in more RB screens, swing passes, etc. Other teams use these plays very effectively,  but the Steelers frequently look awkward when they try to execute them. Maybe this is due to a still-developing coordination by the OL--I don't know.

My beef with Arians has always been that he only has a few tricks up his sleeve. With the exception of Ben's uncanny escapability (something that nobody can coach), it's pretty easy to develop a defensive game plan when you play the Steelers. In most cases, they're gonna run short or throw long. Many of the really spectacular offensive plays this team makes are purely the work of #7.

Arians isn't finding ways to exploit the full range of offensive weapons available to him. That's why I think the team still has trouble scoring points at times. 

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Bring on the Screens and Dump passes! I would love to see Mendy get 3-5 a game and Logan pick up some to keep defenses guessing.

by BlkNGold on Oct 15, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't think offense is really the problem this year

(5.9 yards per play, good for about sixth in the NFL), but there’s no reason why we can’t aim higher. I was a booster of Memo and Mendy for just this reason.

by Desroko on Oct 15, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Diversity? No one's more diverse than the Stillers offense....

A half-Korean wide receiver, a Polynesian offensive lineman, a Puerto Rican offensive lineman, a wideout with no hands, a Center on the PS with no arms, a white QB, black running backs…..and a midget who can play the slot. How much more diverse can you get???

Oh, you’re talking about diversity in play calling! Never mind.

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

by Homer J. on Oct 15, 2009 8:45 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, and don't forget The Big Legursky, Poland's fair-haired boy!

We’ve got to find a way to keep this guy; he could become a Pittsburgh legend.

by Billy52 on Oct 15, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You forgot the biggest!!!

A flying Polynesian safety!!

by Steel in FL on Oct 15, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dammit lol

I literally just made my poast with this joke without seeing yours.. you win.

by Mechem on Oct 15, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hell

at the start of the season we had a Tank in the backfield, thats diverse as hell, those aren’t even allowed in football

by shleeve on Oct 17, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

how about this..

run draws out of the shot gun? with mendy back there, the defense will have to respect the run..

by nycsteelerfan on Oct 15, 2009 9:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Good point

That used to be a staple of shotgun offenses. Still is in college. As a matter of fact, if I think I remember Illinois using Rush-Hard Spin-Den-Haul that way in their offense.

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

by PixburghArn on Oct 16, 2009 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thank you

I just replaced the batteries in my speak and spell it tadaaaahhh out it comes.

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

by PixburghArn on Oct 16, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought the Steelers ran one draw against the Lions

It went for 3 or 4 on a bad hand off, coulda gone for more.

" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.

by Johnny_S on Oct 16, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Still cookin'

I think this offense is still cookin’ in that it is still developing. I certainly agree with needing more of those type plays, Logan on a little shovel pass, he could be 10 yrds down field before anyone realized he had the ball. It does seem like they have been doing a little bit more with Mendy in there but like you said more as dump passes. I would be surprised if we don’t see more and more. By seasons end I think this is going to be a very scary offense to go up against.

by DarinS on Oct 15, 2009 9:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What I think

I think our Offense is plenty diverse…

Half Korean WR.
Samoan OL
White Center and QB
Black WR’s and O-linemen

We’re doing great on diversity.

by Mechem on Oct 15, 2009 11:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

4 hours late on the comment

" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.

by Johnny_S on Oct 16, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Diversity Czar approves!

by SteelerMike on Oct 16, 2009 12:14 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hey need to check your background to vet you as a Czar

If you paid your taxes you are disqualified.

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

by PixburghArn on Oct 16, 2009 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Arn know how to get a Dem to pay his or her taxes....

Appoint them to a cabinet or sub-cabinet position.

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

by Homer J. on Oct 17, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

LOL

I can’t say true because I want to be neutral. So I’ll say……..uh…….that was funny.

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

by PixburghArn on Oct 17, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs


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