Let's get real...
by BlitzburghBlog on Nov 30, 2009 1:02 AM EST
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PrintWith dozens of fan posts pouring in about the playcalling, I think everybody should step back from the ledge for a minute.
If Bruce Arians' offense not scoring more than 20 points in a night game at Baltimore with a 3rd string QB running the offense is the straw that broke the camel's back, then the Steelers organization is in big trouble.
The same Steeler "fans" that love the franchise for being different from teams like Dallas are the same "fans" screaming for firings and cuts each and every week. It's stupid.
Arians was going against a stacked deck this week. He only had a few days to prepare Dixon for the game. Everybody knew it would be an uphill battle and the defense would probably have to play one of their best games of the season. They didn't. Yet all everybody can think to say about the game is "FIRE ARIANS."
Arians isn't the greatest offensive coordinator, sure, but this is starting to get ridiculous. Good, even great NFL franchises do lose football games on ocassion and heads don't always have to roll.
The breaks just haven't went the Steelers way this season. That doesn't mean there needs to be significant change.
God forbid the Steelers end up at 9-7 and barely sneak into the playoffs. That would be *such* an embarrassing season.
I think we all need to look at the bigger picture. Throwing a tantrum about losing a game like this is pointless. So is throwing a tantrum about not winning the division, etc.
We're all blessed to root for a team that competes and wins at a high level year in and year out. If a 9-7 or 10-6 finish to a season is soooo terrible and unfathomable, I think we're going all right.
Just our $.02.
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Exactly!
Arians only had a few days to get Dixon ready, but yet all he can come up with is dropback passes with an off. line that can’t pass block right now? Dixon’s strong suit is his running ability. That should make the preparation easier for Arians. Bootlegs, rollouts, getting outside the pocket…where were those plays? It’s what Dixon does best. It’s not hard. I just think Arians – and Tomlin to some extent – get stubborn and let pride and ego get in the way of what the offense needs to do to be successful. Even with our first-string QB in the game, the playcalling has been questionable at best. That’s my $.02.
double up putz!
lol. (congrats prick)
Ron Paul was Right.
by Steelchamps !! on Nov 30, 2009 1:36 AM EST up reply actions
Pure Crap
It doesn’t take weeks of preparation to give the ball to one of the fastest guys on your team and say, “Run Forest, Run!!”. I’m sure we could have even managed to get a couple guys blocking for him. I’m sure Hines would have loved to lead the charge. Any continued support for Arians is like giving the same darn homeless guy with the will work for food sign two bucks every day for six straight months. Eventually you figure out he aint working
"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted" Martin Luther King Jr.
lol
7-5 after Oakland! RELAX!!!
Ron Paul was Right.
by Steelchamps !! on Nov 30, 2009 1:22 AM EST up reply actions
"Run Forest Run"
well after reading all the posts and scenarios, etc ………I am feeling much better after last night – but that “Run Forest Run” comment – was just terrific – still laughing and feeling OK …………really think the Steelers will run the table………………..into the playoffs this year and defend the title with gusto!!!!
terrific post
Your “Run Forest Run” comment just made my morning ………..terrific and was right on……. the humor in that was just what I needed after last nights loss!!!!!! thanks
Sorry, didn't mean to insinuate you were full of BS
my dislike for BA gets the best of me sometimes. Nice post, I’ll think it over. NOT!!!
"Human salvation lies in the hands of the creatively maladjusted" Martin Luther King Jr.
Agreed
Arians has to go. Too many blown calls. He’s got it right sometimes but other times has most scratching their heads. Your OC’s job is to put the players in the best position to win. he’s not doing that now. I’m sorry to announce.
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 30, 2009 1:29 AM EST reply actions
I just find it really hard to criticize when nobody other than the coaches understands Dixon’s grasp of the offense. It’s easy to sit back from our couches and say that BA did a terrible job blah blah blah.
The bottom line is that they had 2 days to prepare a QB with no experience to face one of the league’s fiercest defenses.
There isn’t an offensive coordinator in the NFL who would have had Dixon out there throwing the ball all over the field and making the Ravens look stupid. Some of you guys have completely unrealistic expectations. This is the NFL, not the Pac-10.
The Steelers had some success running the ball and they tried to control the clock and hope the defense would play a stellar game. Dixon and Arians were the ones who got the lead in the 4th quarter.
I just don’t understand what some of you expect, especially in this situation. The Steelers have won a LOT of football games over the years with a lot of different offensive coordinators, yet the fans have hated every single one. It’s ridiculous.
Nobody actually thinks much anymore. No matter what happens, it’s always “blame the guy calling the plays” and yinz are crazy if you think anything will change if a new OC is brought in.
by BlitzburghBlog on Nov 30, 2009 1:36 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
+ 2
7-5 comin up!!
Ron Paul was Right.
by Steelchamps !! on Nov 30, 2009 1:39 AM EST up reply actions
Nobody said Arians should’ve had Dixon throwing the ball all over the field against the Ravens. But it’s funny you say that because that’s EXACTLY WHAT ARIANS HAD DIXON DOING! Straight drop back passing with no running or moving the pocket. What we have been saying is that Arians didn’t put Dixon in the best situation to be successful, which is getting him on the perimiter where he has a run/pass option. I guarantee you the Steelers win that game tonight if Dixon is on the move more. Heck, just look the two times Dixon did run….a 32-yard run (it was called back for holding…surprise, surprise) and a 24-yard TD scamper. It’s not rocket science. Use the players’ strengths to their advantage and put them in the best situations to be successful! Arians isn’t doing that! I just don’t know what he’s thinkin’ sometimes. Just think about this….If Arians isn’t fortunate enough to be coaching the most elusive QB in the NFL, how bad is our offense right now? If Ben Roethlisberger isn’t Arians’ QB, we may have one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Ben has bailed Arians out countless times because he’s the best QB in the NFL at avoiding the pass rush and extending the play. Granted, Arians can’t block for offensive line, but he just doesn’t put his players in the best position to win. Where are the screens and draws to slow down the pass rush? Where are rollout plays? Arians just isn’t very good. He needs to go.
He had to give Dixon what he already knew
What he already knows is what Ben runs. You can’t overhaul your offense in 2 days. You can’t throw a bunch of new stuff at an NFL virgin when he has to digest the core and get on the same page with his receivers. You could already tell that the only one he was comfotable with was Holmes. He even missed Heath Miller at least twice wide open and for a first down one time to throw to Holmes. It’s easy to nit pick when you aren’t going to be held accountable for the results and you have no idea what it takes to get the desired results on the field. Just chill. If they don’t win a Super Bowl or even get into the playoffs it’s not the end of the world. They have people in position in the organization to fix problems. I think they do a good job of fixing them without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 30, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
agreed
good post
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean on Nov 30, 2009 1:42 AM EST up reply actions
so you're going to sit there
and tell me that you wouldn’t want the whiz back? that BA is just fine and we have a better chance of winning another superbowl with him calling the plays. I think yinz the one that’s crazy sir.
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 30, 2009 1:55 AM EST up reply actions
Whis
Everybody complained about Whisenhunt too until he won the Super Bowl.
The Steelers had one of the most creative and daring playcallers in Mularkey and he became a laughingstock among the fans. And now all you hear is that Arians’ offense is too predictable and vanilla.
A lot of fans will never be happy no matter who is calling the plays. Steeler fans always think they know better from watching on TV and playing Madden (or whatever).
I’m not a huge Arians supporter, but I don’t think he’s singlehandedly destroying the season and there are plenty of worse options at OC.
by BlitzburghBlog on Nov 30, 2009 2:02 AM EST up reply actions
Shoot, anyone can see we should be running up the middle out of the no-huddle. That’s how Chuck Noll would have done it.
Cowher used to run the same plays over and over again, it worked because the team executed. We still run those same plays. You don’t outsmart everyone, you execute and outplay them.
by Phantaskippy on Nov 30, 2009 2:11 AM EST up reply actions
Players play...
…coaches coach.
That’s another reason I’m not big on ripping OCs. They could call the perfect play and one of the players could blow an assignment or something else wacky could happen.
It’s not fair to just look at the end result of a play and make a judgment based off of that.
by BlitzburghBlog on Nov 30, 2009 2:15 AM EST up reply actions
Exactly
Thanks for the post. One of the things that mystifies me on this site is the invective directed week after week towards a few people. I realize that I’m new to football, but from what I understand, football is like the rest of life – nothing is ever ideal, and you do the best you can with the hand you are dealt. What I saw last night was some incredible playing by a team nobody thought had any chance of winning because they were missing too many of their main players. There were some mistakes made – that’s pretty inevitable when you are playing with human beings. (I am of course exempting The Legendary Brett Favre and The Great Peyton Manning from the class of human beings, as I have learned to do from the commentators.) But from what I saw there were a number of problems were from the defensive side, and the offense put all of the points on the board. And yet everyone is calling for BA’s head? I just don’t get it.
I’m sure I’ll now be vilified for being too much of an idiot to see how bad he is. Shrug. All I can say is that it is a lot easier to second guess someone, and to see in hindsight what would have been the perfect strategy, then it is to actually be the person making those decisions. Given the immense improvement we have seen from the O-line over the past few years, I don’t understand the hysteria. I will be happy to make a public apology to any of the Arians-haters on this site who take over his job and suddenly turn this into a 16-0 team. Oh, wait, you mean none of y’all are in line for his job? Ah…
by Rebecca Rollett on Nov 30, 2009 8:49 AM EST up reply actions 7 recs
How good was this?
Rec’d.
'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 30, 2009 8:58 AM EST up reply actions
the annoucers
seemed to be wondering where the bootleg plays were too!? in fact chris collinsworth said it TWICE….I don’t think he is a Steelers Fan with grudge against BA’s play calling! Might be the first time Collinsworth has covered a Steelers Game this year…and he saw it!! He was saying the exact same thing we are saying…that a bootleg, waggle,roll out or QB draw should at least be a good OPTION in some of those situations rather than asking him to read the entire defense…with one day practice!!
It seems like this works for Tebow at the college level
Tebow seems to be able to put pressure on Defenses with his feet. Why could BA not use Dixon in a more creative manner?
"Why could BA not use Dixon in a more creative manner?"
Gee, maybe because Dixon got about two practices with the first team?
COMMON SENSE PLEASE
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
key words...college level
Bad Andy, Good Pizza.
by count'em_six on Nov 30, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
An option takes serious reps to get down, unless you like loose footballs 7 yards behind the los.
We don’t run Bootlegs much in our offense, BA had Friday to get Dixon ready, and not even a full practice, you can’t tell the whole team to learn a bunch of new plays and execute them well in one practice.
As for running Dixon, what happens when Dixon is exposed and Ray Lewis has a clean shot and no rules protecting the QB, I’ll tell you, Tyler Palko is our QB. There is a reason starting QB’s don’t run all over the place, because they get hurt.
by Phantaskippy on Nov 30, 2009 2:14 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Exactly. The TV announcers made that point also. Tyler Palko, who has had all of 3 days to learn the system.
by LeBeau-a-Constrictor on Nov 30, 2009 2:23 AM EST up reply actions
BA is not using the strengths of his players adequately
BA did not use the strengths of DD tonight. DD ran 2 times and had great results when on the move, but after his run TD we never again saw him move the pocket or put pressure on the Baltimore D with his running ability (Vince Young is doing that same thing in Tenn.)
Bad call on 2nd down in OT and we need 7 or 8 yds and we were running the ball well and we go long to Wallace out of bounds and then do not get the 3rd down.
We had better get some things fixed soon or we are a one and down team if we do make the playoffs.
Those passes to Wallace
were near misses. If they make the play we aren’t discussing this. Got to give the kid a chance to try and win, it’s not like he can’t throw deep.
by Phantaskippy on Nov 30, 2009 2:16 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He isn’t on target, but at least he hits Wallace in stride, something Ben could learn from.
You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"
I said in another post I’d love to see Dixon start next week, if we can’t win next week without Ben we have no business trying to make the playoff, and it would be interesting to see Dixon with a full week to prepare and not in Baltimore facing the Ravens.
by Phantaskippy on Nov 30, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
and I would love to see a gimick option play (like the one he scored the second touchdown on) be put in for Dixon so he could come in against B-more when we play them at home and get redemption on those f-in ratbirds!
Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...
I want Dixon to practice holding for kicks in his spare time.
You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"
Since he's numebr 2 he can do that
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
IF????
If my grandma had balls she’d be my grandpa.
by colorado steelhead on Dec 1, 2009 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
or your grandma with balls
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
getting hurt!!??
as far as Dixon getting hurt…you mean like a concussion…Like Big Ben Happens in Football. It’s a collision Sport. We don’t need to call plays ‘cause we’re scare of getting hurt?? That’s a joke…It may or may not happen…and why draft an Athletic QB if you don’t want him to run…EVER?? Makes no sense! Kordell ran for years against Ray Lewis…never got hurt!! My point ….he ran for one TD…Why not try it at least one MORE TIME??? You do something that has worked…until they stop it…That Coaching 101.
You
Are not a realist with your assessment of this team. This team lacks the desire, motivation and the drive to FINISH the game. A lot of pedestrian play going on for both sides of the ball. It’s hard to watch!
Every day brings future to past, every breath leaves me one less to my last. DT
Then don't watch.
You can’t win all of the time and on a day when our team was missing 2 key players, a young guy with no NFL experience got a chance to step up and try to win the game. I don’t think this team lacks desire, they just can’t seem to execute and that falls at the feet of both the players as well as the coaches. The were many missed opportunities, but Dixon played well! To act like this game was the end of the world is to do a disservice to Dixon. He did his best and while his best didn’t win us the game, it’s not solely his fault nor is it solely Arians’ fault. 2 days to teach a guy the offense is not enough time, I don’t care who your coordinator is.
So take a deep breath and step back from the ledge.
Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.-- John Madden
by steelcitysweetheart on Nov 30, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
Ugh, dude.
Why do you always have to be Debbie Downer? Why don’t you try posting some funny pics over on my “Friday Fun” thread. It’ll make you feel better, trust me.
"Chris! That's a terrible word! Pussywillows..."
-Lois Griffin
There should have been plays designed for Dixon
Dennis Dixon didn’t just join the team. He’s been with them for two seasons. How is it that in all that time Arians never designed any plays particularly suited to his running ability? I am not talking about restructuring the complete offense, but Dixon has a very different skill set than Ben and Batch. Maybe a handful of plays should have been designed to get him on the perimeter and do his thing.
Plus, the Steelers already have rollouts in the playbook for Ben. Why not use them? On two designed plays Dixon got on the perimeter. One was the TD pass to Holmes, the other was Dixon’s TD run. Why not try it a third time? Late in the game or in OT?
Wasn’t there a point in the pregame that said that BA went to Dixon and asked what plays he was most comfortable with and they concentrated on those plays in the game? I think the game was a good sign for the progress of Dixon.
True, Collinsworth said that Dixon was asked to choose his 15 preferred plays. Two problems with that: firstly, Dixon had to choose from Ben’s playlist. After being on the team for two years Arians still had not drawn up anything specifically for Dixon. Secondly, the rollout and perimeter plays that were on the list were not called frequently enough.
I agree that the game showed that Dixon has progressed and believe he will be a credible backup next year if Batch retires. The problem isn’t with Dixon, it’s with Arians. After two seasons on the team I would think that Arians could would have drawn up maybe 5 or 6 plays specifically designed to get him outside the box with options to run or throw. I saw no evidence that Arians bothered to do so. Yet another example of Arians forcing players to adjust rather than adjusting to the players.
agree
sorta gotta put that on the coaching not being prepared for the huge difference between BB and DD. Dixon could be good with this team, but needs a different scheme to play to his talents. I just don’t see him stiff arming 4 linebackers and getting the throw off like ben.(don’t see much of anyone doing that) Roll out’s and options and fun stuff like that could really help a quick qb like him.
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.
by kick him in the head on Nov 30, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
Arians and every other OC in the league have more important things to do than sit around and draw up plays for the 3rd string QB.
They added a couple new zone read-type plays that they ran and used last night. Asking him to have anything more than that ready isn’t fair.
Cam Cameron isn’t wasting his time drawing up plays that are specifically designed for John Beck. Tom Moore isn’t spending his time in Indianapolis making plays up for Curtis Painter.
Only Steeler fans would criticize the OC coordinator for having more than a couple plays designed for the 3rd-string QB. With a guy as good as Roethlisberger at the helm, Arians rightfully designs the whole offense around him.
by BlitzburghBlog on Nov 30, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
+1
You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"
So how many roll-out plays does Pittsburgh have in their system?... 1?
The second play looked like a designed play specifically for Dixon. I haven’t seen Pitts run that all year. The first looked like their normal PA roll-out. Is that all they have?
With BB and DD ability to make plays outside the pocket isn’t this something that should be incorportated into the system more? I don’t think you overall the system for your 3rd stringer, but when your starter has a great ability in an area, wouldn’t that be something we should utilize more of? Not to mention if your hands are tied to your 3rd stringer for a game, wouldn’t you want to help him pick the plays in the offense that are going to play to his strengths?
I don’t think the guy’s head needs to be chopped off for this, but it has to be a concern doesn’t it?
Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...
You don’t run rollouts for elusive QB’s, they limit their movement more than enhance it. Ben moves a ton in and out of the pocket, and he doesn’t need rollout plays to succeed, they are pretty much training wheels for guys who need to get out and see some daylight once in a while.
by Phantaskippy on Nov 30, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
true, and I do agree
however the second batch got hurt the realization that dixon could play could’ve redirected a tiny bit of time towards being prepared. Esp. considering his speed and different skill set. I’m not saying Dixon did bad, but wasn’t he #2 since Charlie went down? What I saw with the limited playbook they were running went well. I guess since we don’t run options and bootlegs with ben so much, that’s more of what I was looking to be prepared for.
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.
by kick him in the head on Nov 30, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
there's more to designing plays than drawing them up
you have to get the whole offense to practice plays and get on the same page with them – you know, like that thing they do all spring and all training camp…
But it's fun to draw them up and expect them to work on the first try
by StoneColdSteel on Nov 30, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
If they rolled out more than that those two may not have been TD?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Nov 30, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
Ah yes...
So… by extrapolation… 25 rollouts equals… carry the 7… 25 touchdowns! It’s pretty simple.
And, nobody gave Ariens any credit for calling two plays correctly either. See, he did do something right.
Sorry MEP12, just some smart ass humor. No harm meant by it.
'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 30, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
25 tds
I usually do a shot a td. That would kill me. Although it would be an honorable death.
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.
by kick him in the head on Nov 30, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
I guess you've been sober a month now huh?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Haha to both...
Funny stuff.
'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 30, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
just used it as an opportunity
to find other things to celebrate. Amazingly enough, I’ve managed to find a few…opportunity in difficulty right?
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.
by kick him in the head on Nov 30, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
I hear those are the easiest :(
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
I think Dixon played well for not seeing any real action for almost three years
he was in the Running for the heisman for a reason the kid can play he is kinda like ben just smaller but with more moblility and maybe just not as strong of an arm, I like the Option read play on his Rushing TD th esnap was a little late but Hartwig has probly never ran a spread option play so you can’t blame him for that. All in all a good game just needed a few more bounces and Kruger to not a spectacular catch on the lone INT for Dixon we could have won this game
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
Acceptance
I actually loved the offensive play calling last night. We ran the ball effectively and mixed in play action perfectly. I do think that Arians gets too obsessed with the pass at times, but we clearly lost the game on the 3rd and 22 and then the 4th and 5. You knew Dixon was not going to go all night without an INT, unfortunately, it came at the wrong time.
What amazes me is how much different the defense, esp. the secondary is without 43. We were leading the Ravens in the 4th Quarter with our 3rd string QB, I would have not envisioned that at all. I think this team really misses our 43. Anyone know his status for the rest of the year? Our schedule is not daunting from here on out and a healthy 43 and 7 could get us to the play offs.
Playcalling in the face of adversity.
Last night, I watched the game not as a Steelers fan, but as a non-partisan football fan. I figured with Ben, Troy, A Smith, Kemo all out, that we had little chance against the Ravens. What I saw was contrary to a lot of things I once felt.
1). Heart. It’s been said by many posters here that “this team has no heart, desire, balls, etc….” I never bought into that, and now absolutely refute it. How else can a team roll into the house of their most hated rival, on national TV, without they’re 2 best players and even make it a game? The Steelers certainly didn’t have the most talent on the field last night. They certainly didn’t have the highest level of preparation. But they had enough heart, desire, etc…to rally around their injured teammates, and pick them up as best they could. Dennis Dixon had no chance of playing as well as Ben did…but he stood in the pocket, barked the signals, read blitzes, and lead his offense to 17 points against one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. That is impressive.
2). Playcalling. The playcalling wasn’t too bad last night. I’ve been very critical of Arians this year, but after last night, I take my hat off to him. I’m still not a fan of his, but he called a good game. Here’s why: Dixon, gets no reps in practice, gets no field time…therefore, there are no plays designed for Dennis Dixon in the Steelers playbook. Also, this team relies on pullling guards to run the football, and with Kemo out, it would have been easy to abandon that philosophy. BA stuck with the team’s strength, and still hammered out over 100 yards on the ground. Could he have called for more screens to Holmes/Ward? Sure. How bout another designed bootleg with Dixon? That would’ve been nice…But what I was able to keep in perspective last night was this: BA is in the position he’s in because of years of experience, hard work, etc…I’m in no place to say “he should do this, that, and the other” because I certainly don’t know better than BA.
3). Personnel changes on the defensive side lost the game. Namely one: James Farrior. I love Farrior, but he can no longer effectively cover backs or TE’s. On that 4th and 5 at the end of the game, as soon as I saw Ray Rice go in motion out of the backfield, I said out loud “First down.” He just doesn’t have it anymore in man-to-man coverage. Playing zone, he’s still ok, but barely. Rushing the passer he’s still fine. Stopping the run he still does a solid job. But I firmly believe now that he can’t be successful in man coverage, and in obvious passing situations, he either needs to rush, or be subbed for.
All-in-all, a great game. Not the blood bath that I was expecting after last year, but a helluva game. Props to the Ravens…..we’ll get ’em next time for sure.
breathe in deep feel your heart beat, just to know that life's worth livin'. feel your feet on the earth, better love it while it's still here spinnin'.
by NoCal-SteelCity on Nov 30, 2009 7:38 PM EST reply actions
Just a thought
Didn’t the Steelers win from the six spot a few years ago? On the road then the “home” game in Detroit. And didn’t they win even with the toughest sched. last year? I think we,as fans, should cut them a break for a blip on the screen. It’s not like they are the Bengals or Browns.Let’s just wait and see and judge the season when the season is done. But that’s just what I think.
Well, okay. But:
I’m not calling for BA’s job. What I’d like to see is a little more playing to the strengths of his players. Dennis is not Ben, and Ben is not Dennis. We all get that. I’m not sure that I would have called for QB draws, options or the like – I don’t know Tyler Palko and don’t remember him at Pitt – but I sure would have tried to take advantage of all of the blockers and slide him out of the pocket. Even that probably a little nitpicking.
I saw Heath catch 1 pass. That doesn’t cut it, no matter who the QB is.
I saw Mendy catch a swing pass or check down pass and get some good yardage. When we saw that work, couldn’t we fit that in again?
Downfield to Holmes…check. Downfield to Wallace….check.
How about this guy (Dixon) is on the team and there is an investment made in him. How about the fact that although he’s number 3, there should maybe be more than 15 plays he can feel good running – after a year and half in the system!
Remember, the expectations don’t change when someone is out. Why should the expectations change for the coaches?
Wow, tells you something about this year versus last – we won all those games by 6 or less; well this year we’re losing them all by 6 or less. I’m absolutely a believer now, if I wasn’t before, that there’s a target on the champs and EVERYONE raises their game when we’re in town.
Instead of splintering, let’s get it together and get some W’s, one game at a time.
If I'm not mistaken
If Dixon was listen the #3 QB (emergency QB) on game day, if he would enter the game before the fourth quarter, neither Ben nor Batch could have re-entered the game. That is why he was never an option.
never knew it worked that way
thanks
"Now that I'm here, I don't want to just be here, I want to be here for a long time." Hines Ward, 1998 4th round draft pick.
by kick him in the head on Dec 1, 2009 10:37 AM EST up reply actions
You are correct.
All I am saying is that Dixon has been with the team a little while now. Batch isn’t going to be around forever, and if Dennis is the future #2, even if he never gets in, shouldn’t there be more than just 15 plays we’re okay with him callling? Ben and Charlie both have some history with missing games, so Dixon and the coaches should be ready.
Hell, this is the NFL baby, got to be ready to go when needed…..
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