Mystery of the Spurts
by Billy52 on Nov 10, 2009 6:36 PM EST
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OK Steeler Nation, here's a question to ponder. Overall, the Steelers have been unbelievable in the past two games against top-flight opposition. But while our defense has been rock solid, the offense continues not exactly hitting on all cylinders, even in victory. How to explain this sometimes-glorious, sometimes-anemic offense?
Coach Tomlin said he thinks it took the Steeler offense some time to shake off the cobwebs in Denver after a 2-week layoff. Perhaps there's some merit to that view, except this offense has been running in spurts all season. Sometimes Ben and Company make it look so damned easy and other times they seem to have their feet planted in tar. What gives?
Other than guys occasionally running the wrong routes, losing their footing, missing blocks, etc., I think the only factor that emerges is our play selection in key situations. For example, in Denver we had a 1st and 10 on the Broncos 15 yard line, after marching downfield with relative ease. But Ben promptly zings one to the end zone and, sure enough, it's picked by the Broncos. We had another 3rd-and-6 situation from mid-field when we called a deep sideline pass (incomplete of course). And we've seen similar, overzealous plays called since the season began.
In the wake of another superb team effort, I certainly don't want to dwell on the negative. But sooner or later, calling bonehead plays on critical downs is going to hurt. Maybe not against Orton or Favre, but maybe against Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Tom Brady. When an offense continues to squander golden scoring opportunities, it puts way too much pressure on the defense.
So let's hear it: How can the Steelers find what appears to be the only remaining piece of their 2009 puzzle--by establishing more consistency on offense? How can we start pulling away from teams without constantly relying on our D to ride into town and save the day? Despite all of the offense we saw displayed in Denver, at the end of the day it was the D that turned the tide. While it's not a view that I subscribe to, maybe we just feel that our D is good enough to carry us through, no matter what the offense does. You tell me.
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Hmmm
I agree that we haven’t put a complete game together all year. It seems, though, that we are getting closer and closer as the season goes on. I think it will be very soon that they do put it together for 60 minutes, hopefully next week. It would be great to win that one, especially if it is with a little exclamation point. I thought we came out fairly flat in the first half but I also think some of that was adjusting to the altitude, I heard the commentators saying that it was tough at first but as the game goes on it is easier to breath. I can’t really fault the plays you listed though. The first one was flat out just a bad pass, nothing wrong with the call. The second one, eh, you have to take those once in awhile, if it is a completion, we would all be saying how brilliant it was. They will put it together, and when they do, someone is in for a thumpin’
That play
I kept thinking run it run it run it. We’ve blown up their defensive line. Our O has the push. Just run the damn thing down their throats. But what does Arians do? Pass happy Arians calls for a pass. I’m sorry but more often than not he abandons the run game in times where it starts to really click. If he were coaching a less talented quarterback than BB he wouldn’t last a season. You’ve got to dominate the football game. Run the ball= eat the clock=tire the defenders out. I know Mendy isn’t a ball security guard but come on. Trust your line, your RB and your tight ends to get it in the end zone. We’ve been a pass first team because our O-line never liked to show up most of the time. Hope you get this memo Arians: The O-line is going to show up the rest of the year. They manhandled a top tier run defense last night with ease. If you want to pass on second and 8, second and 6, hell even second and 5 fine. But our run game is taking off. And Steeler football is STILL about running the ball down the defenders throats and dominating the game. End of freakin story
Bring a towel to the game. Black or gold or yellow. If you don't have one buy one, If you can't buy one, dye one!!!
by SoCalSteelerFan on Nov 10, 2009 8:07 PM EST reply actions
Not sure I agree
It took them awhile to find their rhythm, but the offense looked really good last night.
Take away the strip- fumble and the bad pick which killed a drive, and this game would have been a laugher. Even if we ended up with field goals, the final score would have been 34-3. You think that is bad play calling?
Let’s put this in perspective, Baltimore’s offense only hung 23 on the Broncos (and that was in Baltimore, not in Denver). The Patriots only managed 17… it’s not like the Broncos have a porous defense…
A coaches perspective
Run ur game plan irregardless of what is happening. Especially if the situation looks bleak. Its the same as setting up a play. The deep ball that seemed stupid to run was really a good call. U just told the defense that ur not affraid to go deep. that pass keeps the safties in check. Our running game kept the line and backers in check. The defense bought into the silly notion that the steelers were confused, and not on the same page. Lets us all remember that this is a 60min. game of three phases. Now its second half and we get the ball. From what denvers D showed it seemed that their were now adjusments n steelers took advantage. Denver did not throw one long and steelers knew that they can cheat with their safties because of the dink/dunks denver were running. Hence polumalus play that shut down knowshow. Very next play was an int.
Everything was a set up for a counter and the straight that denver didnt see until it hit them square between the eyes/ N the steelers rode the broncos arond town n out. Did u not see the bronco fags leave their Own stadium only to be ruled by the steelerNation. All of that pompom orange laying on the turf, I have never seen a Terrible Towel on the turf or thrown away. Win or lose. Cheers to the steelerNation for the Loyalty, and undivided untity seen no where else in the world. Not only does the steelers dominate, the steelNation dominates every stadium. Now that is TOTAL Domination. Go Steelers
by pistonsteelers on Nov 10, 2009 11:15 PM EST reply actions
Please don't say Irregardless
It’s not a real word, it is a double negative, it is one of my pet peeves. ‘Regardless’ will suffice
Bring a towel to the game. Black or gold or yellow. If you don't have one buy one, If you can't buy one, dye one!!!
by SoCalSteelerFan on Nov 10, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I hate
“Same difference”
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by John Stephens on Nov 11, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions
That one sort of makes sense
If you are a math whiz…
7minus 4 is the same difference as 5 minus 2
But, I pretty much agree with you…
what about same indifference?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
That is fine, but people generally never use it correctly. That is what generally bugs me.
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by John Stephens on Nov 11, 2009 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
So it's not a word irregardless of what he didn't not want to say?
I don’t want no trouble on this here site. So don’t nobody start nothing.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Don't mess with Arn, he's a mean dude,
he’s black, and he’s armed with a nasty keyboard.
What he says goes.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
It's a magnificent keyboard
but it doesn’t have spell check
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Arn,
I think MarkJoel just winked at you. Haha.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Nov 11, 2009 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
He did not. Cut that out!
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Something in my eye
Just wanted to make sure I didn’t get a grammar lesson from “taffastrophe” the new English Sheriff in town…
Is the sheriff a *Dong*?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 11, 2009 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
I think the Steelers look normal - and very good
All teams have fits and starts. It’s the NFL. They sure didn’t drive down the field and score a td every series in the super bowl. I think you need to better manage your expectations.
Agreed. What are we expecting the Steelers to do, for god’s sake? Put up points practically every time the offense touches the ball? The defenders on the other side of the field are paid professionals who have been all-stars, mvps, and generally the best players on the field their whole lives up until they reached the pros (and for some that continues even in the pros).
The Pittsburgh passing game saw 3 TDs vs 1 INT with a high rate of completion while the rushing game pounded out over 160 yards at a phenomenal yards-per-carry figure. Every team in the league would consider this a great offensive performance. Combine that with a top-notch defensive effort and you get the beatdown we were treated to last night. Yes, it is possible for the Steelers to have done better, but then again it is always possible for a team to have done a little better. You will get absolutely no complaint from me about last night’s game.
Lets Not Forget...
They did all of that on the road in a not-so-easy place to play
by RoethlisCrosby on Nov 11, 2009 6:02 AM EST up reply actions
You call 72.4% completion rate HIGH?
Come on man – we want 85%!!
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Nov 11, 2009 8:08 AM EST up reply actions
while you're at it, don't let the ball touch the ground
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
No doubt they look good.
I’m not complaining about the performance of the players. I’m saying that the plays they run in key situations leave something to be desired. Since Ben doesn’t normally call the plays, I’d say that’s mainly a coaching issue.
They’re playing about as well as anyone can expect right now, but there’s always room for improvement. And I’m sure that Tomlin isn’t satisfied with the staus quo either.
At least 27 points per game the last four games...72% completion percentage...
That’s a helluva good bottom line.
And – to be honest with you – they’re not THAT good on the offensive line.
Oh, they’re performing well and the results are there, but to get it done, everybody has to do his job close to 100%. One slip-up and things almost certainly go to hell.
This is not a team that is so good that they can simply ram the ball down your throat like Steeler teams of old. This is not a team with such an overpowering offensive line that Ben will get all day in the pocket while you send everybody out on pass patterns.
The offense consists of the strongest quarterback in the game – blessed with an amazing arm and excellent touch, and the best receiving corps in football. Mendenhall is clearly a work in progress, and he is gaining consistency. The offensive line has been the biggest improvement this year, and they are gaining consistency. But the running game ain’t soup yet. And THAT’S why the offense goes in fits and starts.
I think Arians has done a solid job this year….just as he did last year when his play-calling was putrid enough to win the Lombardi Trophy. He knows what his players can do, and most important, he knows what they CAN’T do. And he calls plays within those limitations.
After last year’s Philly game, it was unimaginable to most of us that this team would go anywhere. The question was whether BB’s head would be separated from his shoulders before or after the midway point of the season.
The offensive line and running backs are no longer bad. They’re becoming quite good.
They’re just not consistent yet. And they don’t have the great power back. But Arians is making do with what he has, and what he has is getting better all the time.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Anyone else LOL at the title?
Or am I the only immature one here?
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
dang college kids
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Hey that’s grad student to you Mister Tomlin.
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by John Stephens on Nov 11, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions
My bad....
That’s even worse old guys that stay in college to feed on the barely legal… tsk tsk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Hahaha! My GF is 3 years younger than me….ut oh
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by John Stephens on Nov 11, 2009 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
Well I know you're not 18 so it's ok
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 11, 2009 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
“Old enough to party”
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by John Stephens on Nov 11, 2009 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
HA!
McLovin!!!
"My doctor said I'd quit getting nosebleeds if I just kept my finger out of there!"
-Ralph Wiggum
by Steel Spike on Nov 11, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
Glad someone got it
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by John Stephens on Nov 11, 2009 11:16 AM EST up reply actions
because that would make her 15
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 11, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
Well I already completed my under grad…so I can’t be 18 unless I was some genius, which clearly I’m not.
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by John Stephens on Nov 11, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
I know...I was being silly for a change......
Don’t be majoring in “young tail”. lol
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 11, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
Where do I sign up for that?
Wall of Shame
"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
by John Stephens on Nov 11, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions
Any college
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 11, 2009 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
I laughed on the inside
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Nov 11, 2009 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
But we digress
Blitz notes that the Steelers’ overall TD percentage in the Red Zone is about 55%. So I’m wondering how this stacks up against the other top teams.
Sorry, but it does
Complaining because they actually get stopped sometimes, or miss throws, or don’t always run the perfect play for the situation is just silly. No team is that perfect.
Interception
There was nothing wrong with the play call that resulted in an interception – it was just a bad pass by Ben. In fact it would have been a TD if the ball was thrown properly. Sorry, can’t blame Arians on that one.
What Tomlin had to say about it
“We know the outcome of games are defined by what happens on critical downs, in critical field position.” — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, May 21, 2007, USA Today
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