Playcalling Notes From FO Analysts
by BadMaafala on Dec 15, 2009 5:38 PM EST
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Football Outsiders always have some fun and insightful comments about most of the games on a given weekend and publish them in a feature called "Audibles at the Line". In this week's edition, there's a bit of objective commentary on the Thursday game. Mike Tanier, who I think might actually be a Steelers fan (although he still does fine objective or even a little pessimistic commentary) wrote the following about the fact the no one ever seemed to get open:
Part of the "nobody getting open" was the play calls. The Steelers seemed to be running a bunch of little hook and stick routes, usually with Ward, Miller, and Wallace or somebody, with Holmes running deep. Against man coverage, the slower receivers got no separation on these routes, then had to turn and stop. Meanwhile, Big Ben was getting sacked while Holmes worked deep.
This happened a few times in the first and second quarter, and I kept wondering why they were calling these "zone-breaker" plays against a team running a lot of man. And why they were emptying the backfield against a team that likes to blitz from the outside. And why they always run from a single-back formation even though Mendenhall looks like an I-back based on his running style. And so on.
I've mentioned multiple times that the Steelers' offense seems to really struggle against teams that run man coverage, and while I don't have the football knowledge or time to dissect the film to figure out why that is or how to fix it, what Tanier says rings true to me.
There are other problems with the team, injuries, mental lapses, etc, and I don't know what the better alternatives are, but I am sure that Bruce Arians is bad at his job. I've been hesitant to cite specific things like, "we should run/pass more on all/1st/second" downs (although that 3rd and 1 empty set was pretty tough to watch). I've always felt the problem was more subtle. It's stuff like running "zone breaker" routes against man blitz schemes that make him a bad OC.
Subtle or no, a head coach should be able to figure this stuff out and find better options. Identifying and surrounding himself with capable personnel is his primary job.
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We'll see next year
When Arians is gone if the schemes had a lot to do with our offenses inability to move the chains. I don’t ever again want to see an empty set 3rd and 1 as long as I live.
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 Dec 15, 2009 6:39 PM EST reply actions
Part of the problem is that Hines simply cannot get separation against most starting corners in man coverage now – he simply doesn’t have the speed, and certainly didn’t have it Thursday when he was playing with that hammy.
He’s still a demon in zone schemes though. Absolutely no one can find the soft spot in a zone like Hines.
Teams have figured out how to simply derail this offense – and it has little to do with bringing tons of blitzers at Ben. Here is, to a different degree, Mini, Cincy, and Cleveland did to stop the passing game: A deep cover-2 (2 high safeties), with man coverage underneath while rarely blitzing at all, but sometimes bringing a fifth blitzer from the edge.
This prevents the deep throw (2 safeties covering different halves of the field) with Hines unable to get man separation underneath and Ben getting harassed while Wallace tries to figure out what to do.
The antidote to this kind of scheme? Run draws, swing passes to the RB, little dump offs to the TE until they start cheating people up to cover the dink and donk stuff THEN take a shot downfield. OR simply run the ball effectively and force one of their safeties to come up in run support and then play action a deep ball to Tone or Wallace.
In coming in with this sort of game plan the Browns displayed absolutely no respect for our ground game. And, the sad part is, neither did Arians.
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 15, 2009 6:45 PM EST reply actions
Good analysis
I agree that the offense hasn’t adjusted to man coverage this year. Makes me wonder why all teams don’t follow your recipe? The Bengals certainly did it to perfection.
Regarding Cleveland, you’d think with Hines’ sore hammy and difficulty getting open it would be time to give Sweed a chance. If there is anything he’s shown it is that he CAN get separation, and he can also out jump most defensive backs. Part of adjusting is getting the right players on the field to win the one-on-one match ups.
I actually think Hines hurt the Steelers by deciding the play Thursday. He’s not a fast receiver to begin with, but with the hammy he was slowed down even more. You could really see Ben put balls into spots where Hines really should have been, but simply hadn’t been able to get there in time.
Sweed is simply going to be able to get better separation than Hines and (potentially) be able to fulfill the role of the go-to underneath receiver by using his size advantage to just out muscle and corner if he can’t get separation. Of course, who knows if Sweed can actually catch the damn thing even if he gets open. However, Hines was such a non-factor in the game that you couldn’t have got much less production from Sweed if he did tank.
That being said though, I think you’ve just got to give Sweed more playing time sometime soon. Everybody is down on him because of the drops, but we simply don’t what we’ve got in him with such a small sample size.
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 16, 2009 1:10 AM EST up reply actions
I mentioned this in another post...
Only to be ridiculed. I honestly think the unselfish Hines Ward had a moment of selfishness last Thursday night and played when he shouldn’t have. Tomlin is also responsible for this. Whisenhunt did it to Bolden (took all his gear out of the locker) and it really pissed Bolden off, but hey, its not about one player, its ablut the whole team. Sweed should have played.
Not to mention...
Ward may be looking behind him on the roster. His time as a starter may be drawing to a close soon.
You can't play forever
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Dec 16, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
"C'Mon Man!"
“Hines hurt the Steelers by deciding to play Thursday.”
That guy (86) is a freaking Marine. The guy is a leader. The guy just got his nuts put in a vice for an interview implying that Ben should play with a concussion and Hines had lied to play hurt. How could he sit at that point?
On top of that fellows, Limas Sweed has done absolutely nothing to prove he should be in a game. Oh yeah…he blocked someone in a playoff game last year. But he has dropped virtually everything of substance that has been thrown his way! Not saying he doesn’t deserve another chance at some point but “C’mon Man!”
In a game where the Steelers needed to win to try to make the playoffs I will take an injured hobbled Hines Ward over Limas Sweed 7 Sunday’s out of 7. Even in retrospect with the Steelers getting the L I will go to war with Hines Ward every time.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Hey, it’s not like I thought I’d ever be in the position to ridicule Hines for playing – I’m surprised at myself too. And, might I add, I would rather have seen Sweed play for Hines for this one game only.
But seriously, Hines had 4 catches for a whopping 21 yards in the game, although he had one key 3rd down grab. The kind of deep zone, man-underneath stuff they were throwing is the type that eats slower receivers alive. And slower receivers with hammy’s are even less effective. You’re telling me that you don’t think that a speedy, 6’4" Sweed couldn’t have offered more against that?
I mean, it’s true Sweed may have dropped a lot of stuff, but his production couldn’t have been much less.. The upside of Sweed against that kind of scheme is just much higher than Hines.
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 16, 2009 9:42 AM EST up reply actions
Possible but
so much went wrong that game, Sweed wouldn’t have made a differance. If the idea was to get Holms open down field, a hurt Ward is more of a distraction than Sweed after a case of red bull, a jar of stick-em, and pixie dust on his shoes. After the drama about Ward’s interview regarding playing injured, it was important moral-wise also. More about pride and wanting to help the team than selfishness
"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 16, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions
Seriously, if stick’em was still legal, Sweed would be an annual pro bowler
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 16, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
This is in no way about you KHITH...
But isn’t it funny, Sweed drops one pass, all be it in the endzone, and his one drop can cost us a game (to some), but, in no way should we think that he could have even made any difference in the Cleveland game.
So, we’re supposed to believe his impact could easily cost us a game, but it’s impossible he could have made any difference at all in another. So there is no posiitves to him being on the team at all, essentially.
'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 Dec 16, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
It's all good
I just saw more positives to Ward being in the game. I have not completely givin up on Sweed, but at this point, I am more comfortable with him on the bench. I don’t know what the intent of the offensive coaching for this game was. If the idea was get other people open, I’ll take Ward.
"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 16, 2009 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
add an "e" on the end of moral
"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 16, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
Well...
that “injured, hobbled Hines Ward” looked quite pedestrian out there Thursday night. Plus, from my vantage point, the Steelers weren’t fighting any “war”(more like a skirmish), looked like they were getting their tee times scheduled for January and February.
by Piratefan13 on Dec 16, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
No problem Bucco. Difference of opinion. You go to war with Sweed and I’ll stick with 86.
1) “When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen”
2) “Dance With Who Brung You”
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
3) If 1 & 2 fail....
Throw the ball and dance with someone else. :)
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Dec 16, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
sometimes you’re witty and funny. Then there are times like now…:)
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Sorry I was thinking about high school
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
by PixburghArn on Dec 16, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Naw it's just 5020 :)
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
5020
This is based upon Ward being injured. If Ward is healthy, Sweed should enjoy the big heaters on the sideline. Don’t mistake me for a fool, Ward at this point is far better than Sweed, but an injured hammy on an icy night, we probably should have seen what Sweed could offer.
by Piratefan13 on Dec 16, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
Cool, but Ward says he could play, the coaches played him and never took him out. 86 must have been healthy enough for them to not turn to Limas Sweed in the biggest game of the year. Hobbled Hines had more catches than Wallace. Why not bench Wallace for Sweed?
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Wallace has nothing to do with the equation
With Ward hobbled and slowed down, the Browns were able to roll the coverage towards Tone and Wallace. Additionally, Wallace is still learning the position. Earlier in the season we were able to get him to stretch the field because of defenses playing that Cover 2, but now that defenses have been playing man coverage with 2 deep, that virtually takes Wallace away. He won’t be able to contribute against that kind of coverage until he can clean up his route running. The Steelers needed to establish the run the bring those safeties closer to the line and then open up the deep field. Just my take.
by Piratefan13 on Dec 16, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
Unless your Bettis on the goal line in Indy trying to put a playoff game away
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
or Ernest Byner trying to put the Broncos away
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
C'Mon Man
Like I said in another post Crabtree had several drops they keep going back to him.
Hixon had several drops last week, in a row. He didn’t get benched, they went to him again.
Subsequently they both caught TD passes later in the game. Limas Sweed hasn’t had the oppurtinity given to him, He has dropped 2 passes that everyone gets on him about. Get real. He has been thrown to about 5 times this year. Are you serious? Crabtree and Hixon combined for about 8 drops last week. If they had given up on them you never get the TDs. As a former wide reciever if I get the ball thrown to only 5 times a game I’m pissed. You have to have faith in yourself and be confident you can help the team win. You take that away then you just wasted a draft pick. Thats how you become a losing team, drafting to replace other draft picks that were either mismanaged or didn’t work out. You neglect other areas on the team. So Yes Sweed should have played Thursday, Hines was on his tail half the game, at least Sweed could run his routes.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Dec 16, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
I'd rather go to war
with a fully able bodied person, than one without a limb. Just my preference. :)
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Dec 16, 2009 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
He deserves another chance but only 2 drops? C'Mon Tan!
1) Numerous drops during the 08 preseason
2) Numerous drops during 08 regular season
3) HUGE drop in the SD playoff game that could have iced the game much sooner than late in the 4th quarter
4) HUGE drop in the AFCCG against Baltimore that could have cost a trip to the SB
5) Dropped a sure TD against Cincinnati this year
6) Had his hands on a tough Hail Mary from Ben against the Raiders but “dropped it.”
C’mon Tan! Maybe 2 drops this year! Again, I know that Sweed has potential. I think you earn your place on the field. He hasn’t. If the Steelers lose to GB and the last 2 games are meaningless then give Sweed a shot. Otherwise give Sweed another shot at Latrobe in July. But in a game that yo NEED to win where Hines Ward says he can go…I go with Hines. You and Arn can go with Limas.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
If I recall
This was 2009. He had made a lot of catches this preseason.
2) Numerous drop? I remember one against the redskins and thats about it.
3) Don’t remember that one buddy.
4) Do you remember the 2 3rd down catches he made to help Ice that game?
6) lets be serious
Hines has playing on one leg. He was about as useful as a penny with a hole in it. If sweed would have played I’m sure he would have had an effect. He is faster, taller and run good routes. I don’t question his hands, just his confidence. I seen enough tape from texas to know that his hands are good. Hines can’t play forever and if you don’t give your young talent a chance then you doom yourself for the future. You had nothing to lose after the 1st quarter and you saw Hines gimpy to let sweed get a chance and more than just one pass thrown to him in a game. Like I said Crabtree and Hixon had four drops in one game. They kept going to them. It worked out. Keep going to sweed, let his get his confidence up and the hands will come.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Dec 16, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
See where you're going with that but,
basing who plays on preseason preformance would’ve had Redman dressing.
I don’t know what able bodies Crab or Hixon have behind them. These teams may have the luxery of not having other options.
Sweed needs more opportunities, but I don’t believe this was the best time for it.
"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 16, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
Redman
right now is probably better than FWP
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Dec 16, 2009 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
“If Sweed would have played I’m sure he would have had an effect.”
You’re so sure he will be the next Crabtree because you watched him play at Texas. You also have a very selective memory. Sweed has gotten more than several opportunities. He can have one again when we are eliminated or in Latrobe. Again, it’s all good. You take Sweed and I’ll take Hines. Easy to play Monday morning QB after the L Tano. But I’ll tell you what, on game day if Hines looks me in the eye and says he’s ready to go I go with Hines 7 Sunday’s out of 7…especially when my alternative is Limas Sweed circa 08 or 09.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Right
Again you are assuming Hines healthy, which he wasn’t. Its all good. I agree a healthy hines theres no debate, but as many times I saw hines fall on his route only to lead to a big ben sack I just can’t help but wish someone was in there who could actually run a route without falling down. But thats just me.
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Dec 16, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll take Hines almost every time over Sweed as well. But given that Hines was injured and Sweed enjoys a huge physical advantage over the Browns DB’s (I mean, they’ve got Mike frickin’ Feurry playing safety for them on a lot of packaged), I think my odds are actually good with Sweed.
Look Hines is a gamer – he always wants to play. And when he’s healthy he can still kill a defense, especially on 3rd and longs (sometimes Ben will just throw to a well covered Hines on 3rd downs, regardless of what’s going on down the field). He’s still the premier run blocking WR in the league and still capable of making a big play in the right coverage. And there’s absolutely nobody I trust in the red zone more than Hines.
It’s also not his fault that Arains kept trying to implement a game plan that showcased Hines inability to get separation from DB’s and kept having him do cut backs he simply couldn’t accomplish that night (whether through age, injury, the weather – or more likely – a combination of all three).
My only argument is simply that a healthy Sweed has a better chance of making Arians game plan in the Browns game work than a injured Ward.
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 16, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
there's too much black and white here
I still prefer a hobbled hines over sweed. but how many downs did he play? If he’s hurt, why not sit him occasionally and throw in sweed? showing the defense a different look couldn’t hurt, maybe confuse them a little and get us some much needed extra time after the snap.
by TomlinsPuffyJacket on Dec 16, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Probably because
on a cold night with that hammy, you either play or not. If you were to have Ward sit out a few series’ it would have given that Hamstring too much time to tighten up.
good point
Steelers football is 60 mins.
by tannofsteel84 on Dec 17, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
He'd massage it.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
+1
It all starts in the trenches.
by The_Nation_in_Mexico on Dec 17, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
I give credit to Hines for trying to help the team and doing everything in his power to get on the field. But if he can’t cut, he should know he can’t play the position.
But you absolutely cannot give a pass to his position coach or Tomlin for letting him stay on the field when he demonstrated repeatedly that he couldn’t make a play.
by pghnorthside on Dec 16, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
Sweed make a few great catches in the pre-season...i would like to see them use him again so that he can get some experience out there.
Who's laughing now, O Line??? Ben Roethlisberger (from the Podium) to his O-Line and the world in Superbowl XLIII
by SteeladyinVA on Dec 16, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
Help me out here. Isn’t the answer being able to adjust to what the defense is giving you. BA is so stuck in his ways this year, that he will not adjust the game plan come hell or high water. As I recall, last year they adjusted much better at half time to what the other team was doing and we would control the 3rd and 4th quarters, especially the 4th quarter.
I would think that with the addition of Mendenhall, we would have more weapons to play with not less.
by Steeler Nation VA on Dec 15, 2009 7:14 PM EST reply actions
You’re right – adjustment is key. Sometimes you’re just outclassed by a team and there’s not a lot you can do about it – when you’re getting beat at most positions there’s not much of a way to scheme yourself to victory. The Steelers, however, have way too much talent to be outclassed (with the possible exception of a Troy-less secondary). That is, when the Steelers get beaten like a drum it’s usually because either the coaches don’t understand what’s going down on the field well enough to adjust or they’re simply bullheaded and refuse to adjust.
But the Steelers really ought to be able to adjust better than they have this year, especially on O. The fact that you won’t try an exploit the weakness of a defensive look that they keep throwing you over and over again is just pathetic.
Seriously, if I was a DC for a team playing the Steelers I would:
1) Always keep my safeties in a deep cover-2. I would only bring them up situations in which the Steelers were obviously going to try to power something in short yardage (usually on 4th downs)
2) Assign my speediest corner to Hines and just have him shadowed all day. Ben always looks to Hines on 3rd downs and when he’s not available Ben really struggles to figure something else out.
3) I would not overload blitz or zone blitz much. Rather, I would mostly bring 4, but i would bring a fifth blitzer from a weird angle on 3rd and longs i.e. a corner, an extra safety, a LB I’d been dropping into coverage all day.
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 15, 2009 8:38 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, the cover-2 man has generally been a formula for success against us, although the first time we played Cleveland, we destroyed them in the exact same scheme. Maybe they dropped their safeties a little too deep the first game. Of course our OL was playing a lot better at that point too, and they didn’t seem to call the “timely blitzes from odd angles” much.
Man is a pretty simple scheme to beat, you just have to have WR’s that can get open and run the right routes. I’d think the middle of the field would be pretty easy picking most of the time, to which Arians would probably say, “well, if that guy makes a block, it’s a good play.”
I don’t know, I thought with Wallace emerging and Sweed doing anything we’d have an easier time against man this year, but for whatever reasons, it’s the same story. When we get man coverage, I think we’d be best off throwing to Holmes on every play. Or taking Arians out on a rowboat for a friendly fish…
charity standing orders
Agreed.
The weather might have had something to do with its extra success against us this time. It would be harder to throw the ball accurately deep. That and Hines playing injured probably contributed.
That being said, the refusal of a professional OC to adjust to that kind of scheme when it’s obvious to someone like me what’s going on is deeply troubling.
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 16, 2009 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
We definitely need to exploit the middle of the field more.
We could do that with some simple concepts like Mesh (Crossing routes from the slots with one rubbing the other’s defender) or Levels (double In routes from the slot and WR with a Flat route from the back or TE… the Colts do it wonderfully). Unfortunately, BA has “his” offense and he doesn’t seem willing to explore concepts other than those he’s comfortable or familiar with. I’m pretty sure he has some of that Andy Reid “I’m the smartest guy in the room” syndrome. He might be the smartest guy without a job pretty soon…
by cliff harris is still a punk! on Dec 16, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
Smartest man in his living room! Zing!
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 16, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
Smartest man watching games on his couch in a Snuggie…
by cliff harris is still a punk! on Dec 16, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
Nice visual. He could wear the head-set and tell his wife to bring him beers through it. I wouldn’t mind him so much then…
by cliff harris is still a punk! on Dec 16, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
The UFC 107 fight between Penn and Sanchez
reminded me a whole heck of alot of the Steelers, Browns game. “Nightmare” Sanchez had one offensive attack, which he tried to no avail for 5 rounds. He just kept doing the same thing and B.J. Penn just kept blocking it and then pummeling him in return. I kept wondering if Arians was in his corner calling the offensive plays. Between rounds he was probably telling them… no no, it’s gonna work, trust me!
Moral of the story, Sanchez got dominated… much like the Steelers did. Being a good coach is not just calling the right plays, but it’s adjusting to the opposition when your stuff ain’t working. BA is a fat 0-2 on both skills.
by Piratefan13 on Dec 16, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Huge MMA fan too
Penn, Florian, and Mir are the 3 guys I can’t stand…yep, they all won last week. After losing CLE too, ugh!
"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 16, 2009 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Funny kick...
I actually like Florian and Mir. I just got into this UFC stuff and I am starting to like it.
by Piratefan13 on Dec 16, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
I sure do like head kicks, yep
"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 16, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
There are other problems with the team, injuries, mental lapses, etc, and I don’t know what the better alternatives are, but I am sure that Bruce Arians is bad at his job.
LOL
my thoughts exactly- I couldn’t specifically site why his playcalling is bad, i just know it is.
by steel.curtain.number2 on Dec 15, 2009 10:45 PM EST reply actions
Play calls
The perfect example was the 1st series. 1st down-Mendenhall 5 yds. 2nd down-Mendenhall 4 yds. 3rd down-empty backfield!! he should have been fired on the spot! Tomlin’s "we had the wind at our back " explanation was even more ludicrous. Do it til they stop it used to be our motto. Now’s it’s “maybe this will work”. C’MON MAN!!
Maybe they were trying to confuse the Browns
Yah know, send 50 receivers out and leave 2 guys in to block against a blitz. That just might throw the Browns off…. errr not!
I was screaming as soon as they went empty backfield, my new wife who has been quickly learning (much to her credit) Steelers football, was confused as to my outburst. Nevertheless it took me a good 5 minutes to explain the stupidity of the playcall and the subsequent result.
Shouldn't take 5 minutes
Running plays netted 5 and 4 yards a piece. You now need only one yard. All signs point to run.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Dec 16, 2009 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
Tomlin: "Mendenhall only 50% on 3rd & short"
If Mendenhall only converts 3rd & short 50% of the time, then why not use a FB. If we had a real FB who could move mountains, then Mendenhall could make those tough yards.
by Steeler Nation VA on Dec 16, 2009 8:57 AM EST reply actions
...Redman
"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 16, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
Legursky
Who's laughing now, O Line??? Ben Roethlisberger (from the Podium) to his O-Line and the world in Superbowl XLIII
by SteeladyinVA on Dec 16, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
45
Great article Bad. Thanks! Just cements what I have been saying on this website since sometime in January 2007 when we had Jax on the ropes in the 4th quarter and let them off the hook. “BA is an amateur as an OC.”
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
schematics
Good points. I’ve heard folks (Ben?) suggest that their losses were because they’re not getting the ‘bounces.’ This post points to the more logical answer: Teams have figured out the defensive scheme that stifles the Steelers offense and the Steelers offense is unable or unwilling to adjust.
I’d suppose they throw out the ‘bad bounces’ b.s. line to the media just because they have to have something to say and they’re required to speak with the media.
Disciplined, stuborn or stupid?
You are right, BA is too stuborn or stupid to adjust his game plan if it does not work.
by Steeler Nation VA on Dec 16, 2009 9:58 AM EST up reply actions
Ward
"Hines hurt the Steelers by deciding to play Thursday."
I agree with 5020’s comments
Ward is a leader and a winner,
In this moment is very easy to blame everybody for the bad lapse Steelers are.
The guilty one is Tomlin why? He should take action into the situation since the lost vs Bengals, that game affected mentally the team and was showed in the following weeks losing against a very, very bad teams
The bad calling during these games is a BA’s blame but Tomlin should choose and decide about the calling too.
He’s a good Head Coach (the way He managed the team last year is a proof) but this year is leaving a lot of desire, I hope by the end of the season BA leaves and then find a good OC that can use much better this offense because is amazing the ability in there not used properly and adecuate a game plan according with those abilities.
In the defense we need a good corner to complement Taylor to give security to this unit.
For special teams OH GOD! new blood too
Steeler forever
Sweed reminds me of Mel Blount. I still think it would make sense to make him a corner.
He can out jump other receivers and he has a big body to defend the pass. If he makes two catches a year, we have two more interceptions than we do now.
Who's laughing now, O Line??? Ben Roethlisberger (from the Podium) to his O-Line and the world in Superbowl XLIII
This assumes...
He can do what I think is one of the most difficult and under the radar things… actually cover a WR. I know it’s the odvious task for a CB, but it’s not that easy to just do.
'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 Dec 17, 2009 8:25 AM EST up reply actions
Just what we need
Another CB who can’t catch.
Actually, it’s not such a crazy idea. College coaches ask players to switch positions all the time, although it seems to be rare in the pros, except for college QBs who aren’t suited to pro-style offenses. I’d give the idea serious consideration as an alternative to simply giving up on Sweed. The learning curve would be steep, and it would probably require another year of apprenticeship and so some patience from the FO. Maybe they could bring in my old namesake to coach him? (As long as Sweed doesn’t ask him for help with his taxes…)
the FO walkthrough
this week goes into some of what the Saints do on offense. And with the offensive personnel the Steelers have, it seems the steelers should just outright watch tape of how the saints play and steal packages.
Hines is a zone killer, and a young corner killer. If he can out savvy guys he can get catches. Against man coverage with a corner who knows what to expect from Ward he can’t do anything, he just doesn’t have enough anymore.
Another thing I think is going on is teams are learning that Ben isn’t comfortable if he can’t move much. Cinci did a great job of just keeping him in the pocket and restricting his movement in the pocket. Other teams are copying it. If he can’t move his feet, he struggles.
We do need to run the ball, the problem is the money says the opposite. We used to invest our money in O-line and Defense, now we invest it in WR, QB and defense. That doesn’t say power football. Ward Holmes Wallace and Miller are four good reasons to throw the ball, but the best reason is Ben. Those guys are receivers, and in football you win by getting your best players the ball. That’s how we won last year. It’s not working now, we need to update the offense and Ben needs to play better. I’m hard on Ben, I personally think he’s a Favre type QB, he goes through hot and cold spells, and will cost you games and win you games, although with bad sacks more often than horrible picks. But I’ll take Ben and 2 SB wins over Peyton and 1 every time, so don’t think I don’t love the guy.
I tend to cut Arians slack, one man does not this crap of a season make, this is on everybody. However I do think he will be gone next year, and I hope we get the right guy for the job. I don’t care about names, I didn’t know Tomlin’s name, and nobody knew Cowher, but they turned out perfectly. Hopefully there is someone perfect out there. If there is I trust the Rooneys to find them.
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