Two observations from recent losses.

by moonjockey on Dec 2, 2009 3:13 PM EST

I felt that the Steelers made some "losing football" decisions that really hurt us.

The first was not giving our Offense a chance to try to score points at the end of the half. But the worst decision I thought, was not allowing them to run a play on the 3rd and 10 before the end of regulation. My thought is, you're either going to let them go for the win or run out the clock. Why change our minds in the middle? How can anyone be successful with only 2 downs to work with?

Some may disagree the conservative approach was warranted because of Dixon's lack of prep and scary near-interceptions, but I say, give the kid a chance. You throw anybody into a 2 minute drill, and who knows what happens.

Secondly, In two of our recent three losses our quarterback threw a huge low percentage bomb in a key situation on second and long with the game on the line, leaving us with difficult third and long situations.

Did these calls stand out to anyone else? They both angered me as I felt at the time that they wounded our chances of moving the chains and making game winning drives. One was Dennis Dixon in the Ravens game, and the other was Ben, but I can't remember if it was the KC or the CIncy game

Just a couple of thoughts.

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The first was not giving our Offense a chance to try to score points at the end of the half.

While I don’t agree with it, it is pretty justifiable. As you may know, the ravens are very good at turning interceptions into points. With a minute left I think it should be pretty easy to give the steelers a pass not trying to ram it into field goal range. You accept 14-7 and move along in the half. Going into the half 21-7 is not acceptable at that juncture. Dixon could have performed brilliantly in the “2-minute” drill. In hostile territory against the ravens with the half he had…it’s incredibly unlikely.

We’ve been over the long ball a lot this week. I don’t have any problems with trying to ice the game in a single throw. Some people do. Ultimately its a strategy that can be argued either way. I think it is also worth noting that those bombs are not mandatory. They seem to be the first read, but if the QB thinks the WR is covered it is up to them whether or not to throw the ball.

You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"

by steelguy99 on Dec 2, 2009 6:57 PM EST reply actions

Yep. The QB needs to read that deep ball. It doesn’t HAVE tp be thrown. Flacco forces it and I am a bit worried about his deep ball this year. Not too good.

As far as Dixon goes, he’s already ahead of Kyle Boller : ) It’s not the wins and loses with a rookie QB, it’s the fire he has and control of the situations. Dixon didn’t look nervous. He was intent on winning. He almost pulled it off. He gave you more of a lead than Manning did in the 4th against us.

by raven on Dec 2, 2009 11:45 PM EST reply actions

It was against Cincy

We had the ball with a chance to drive down and win the game and on 1st down Ben threw a pass 40 yds incomplete. On 2nd down it was a 15-20 yard incomplete pass i believe to set up a 3rd and 10. Then on 3rd down, knowing were in a 4 down situation he attempts a 12 yard pass, incomplete. Leaving us with a 4th and 10 which ended up with a sack. Last week we do the almost the same thing, 1st down 40 yard incomplete pass, setting us up for a 3 and out. Playcalling and decision making has been horrible this year!!!

by colorado steelhead on Dec 3, 2009 11:03 AM EST reply actions