Jerome Bettis writes negative article about the Steelers O-Line!
by lightningrod on Sep 15, 2009 12:55 AM EDT
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Bettis gets blunt about the Steelers
Posted by Mike Florio on September 14, 2009 11:07 PM ET
Jerome Bettis, whose NBC gig ended after the 2008 season, is now writing for SI.com.
And his debut column will raise some eyebrows in the 'Burgh.
Bettis explains -- accurately, we might add -- that the biggest flaw with the Steelers is their offensive line.
"This problem isn't anything new," Bettis says, "and I blame the coaching staff for not addressing the line in the offseason. How did they rationalize not doing anything about it? Well, they won a Super Bowl. They won't be so lucky twice in a row. If Ben [Roethlisberger] continues to get hit the way he did Thursday -- the same way he did last year, then this will come back to haunt the Steelers. Ben will get hurt. Ben will miss games. And they don't have a line to run behind without Ben. Pittsburgh can't repeat with the line playing like this."
Bettis also echoes our recent item regarding the possibility that Mewelde Moore will leapfrog Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall on the depth chart.
continued...
Here's an Excerpt from his article: Page 2
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com
3. One more reason Pittsburgh's in trouble: these Steelers are a mediocre running team on their best day. I don't think they've reached a panic situation quite yet because the Titans don't allow anyone to run the football on them. But there are serious problems.
Willie Parker: I haven't seen much from him. Rashard Mendenhall: I haven't really seen him, period. One thing I have seen is Mewelde Moore making plays. And I think the little guy's going to get more of those opportunities as the Steelers continue to grow into what I think will be more of a passing team in 2009.
The running back I like least on that team is Frank Summers, the rookie fullback. He doesn't seem to understand what's going on. He's missing plenty of blocks, and that's affecting everything. That definitely has to be addressed off the field this week.
The bigger problem, though, is the offensive line. They have no continuity. On top of not being able to protect Ben Roethlisberger, they're letting running backs get hit before they reach the line of scrimmage. There's not a lot any back can do in that situation.
This problem isn't anything new, and I blame the coaching staff for not addressing the line in the offseason. How did they rationalize not doing anything about it? Well, they won a Super Bowl. They won't be so lucky twice in a row. If Ben continues to get hit the way he did Thursday -- the same way he did last year, then this will come back to haunt the Steelers. Ben will get hurt. Ben will miss games. And they don't have a line to run behind without Ben. Pittsburgh can't repeat with the line playing like this.
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Negative, but true.
Bettis was simply stating the obvious in this article. I was shocked as well when I first read the article that Bettis would write such negative things about the team he will be inducted into the hall of fame with. As a writer he must deliever news about NFL teams, good or bad. Maybe he chose to write about the steelers in such a negative way for shock value and in hopes of getting more poeple interested in his column. Who knows? The truth is the Steelers run game is awful right now and something must be done to correct this. Bettis is 100% correct in saying the Steelers will not repeat if the run game doesn’t show up. I trust the coaches and front office at some point to address this issue and the young linemen on the team, Legurskey, Foster, Shipley,and Urbik have shown progress. Hopefully they can mature into quality starters down the road.
Gotta agree with the Bus
I can only assume Jerome Bettis is correct about Frank Summers missing blocking assignments. I cannot blame Willie Parker or Rashard Mendenhall for lack of a running game. Also it is only week one. However this is what we saw alot of the past year. Furthermore I would like to see Ben Roethlisberger be given the benefit of a tired defense to work against in the fourth quarter….
The Steelers simply haven’t had a strong running game since Bill Cowher retired. The two biggest reasons for this drop off is the retirement of Jeff Hartings a couple years ago and then the free agent loss of Alan Faneca. Those two things are something all NFL teams have to go through. However dumping the use of a fullback as a lead blocker and going to two TE sets are also the reason. Beyond that you have to take a hard look at the Steelers Offensive Assistants…
Larry Zierlein- The Offensive Line coach hasn’t exactly done a splendid job. Yes QB Ben Roethlisberger holds onto the ball to long on many occasions. That however does not excuse this group at all when pressure comes right up the middle and no time was given.
Bruce Arians- I love what he has done with the passing game. I really do. The fact of the matter is that having two TEs at the line on running plays does not insure success. Should the Steelers dump this? Probably not. However if you run the ball 2 out of 3 times in this formation on second down. When it never works you need to reconsider the usage of a Fullback as a lead blocker.
What am I getting at?
It’s time to reconsider a few things here.
"Just like an a**hole! Everyone has one and it's usually full of *hit!!!!" -Warren Sapp
"People have been listening to Jim Palmer talk since before I was born because he is right. Sit down, shut up and listen to what he has to say."- I said it so bite me.
People will say, “Well, they still have James Harrison and Casey Hampton and so on…” Irrelevant. Troy’s really the only guy on this defense that I see as a full playmaker. Sure, James Harrison gets after the QB. But Troy is all over the field. He can change the outcome of a game in one play. Without him, this becomes a good defense with a very ordinary secondary.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jerome_bettis/09/14/bus.stops/index.html#ixzz0RBAdEnKB
Right…because Harrison never changed the outcome of a game with a single play.
Willie Colon - top 2 RT in the NFL
by steelguy99 on Sep 15, 2009 8:51 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
USA Today
Here’s the article from USA Today: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jerome_bettis/09/14/bus.stops/index.html?loc=interstitialskip
I don’t disagree with his assessment of the running backs and O-line play, which I think he is more qualified to comment on, but check out this quote about the defense:
“People will say, ‘Well, they still have James Harrison and Casey Hampton and so on…’ Irrelevant. Troy’s really the only guy on this defense that I see as a full playmaker.”
Really? The defensive MVP isn’t a full playmaker? That’s just a ridiculous statement.
Some guys ar egood football players but can say some dumb things
(See Jim Brown)
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Sorry - Not USA Today
I was apparently up too late last night.
A Draft Issue
The under-reported aspect of the terrible offensive line play is the Steelers inability or lack of interest in drafting offensive linemen in the top 2 rounds. Marvel Smith (2nd round) in 2000 in the last offensive lineman to be drafted in the first two rounds. That is way too long. I will concede that I do not want to see them reach for a need, which would have been the case in 2008 after 6 tackles had been drafted prior to them selecting Mendenhall.
Looking at the current starters, you have two third rounders (Starks and Essex), a 4th rounder (Colon), and two 6th rounders (Kemoeatu and Hartwig). Contrast that with the Ravens, who have one of the best OLs in football: two 1st rounders (Grubbs and Oher), a 2nd rounder (Chester), a supplemental 5th (Gaither), and a 6th rounder (Birk). Plus, their top back-up tackle (Adam Terry, currently on IR) was a 2nd rounder. I would argue that Gaither would have been selected in rounds 1 or 2 if he would have entered the traditional draft on time. It’s a stark contrast to the Steelers, that’s for sure.
Wouldn't we all say
The Titans have one of the best if not the best o-line in the League? And yet out of their entire line only one player was drafted by them in the first to rounds
C Mawae 2nd round FA 1994 (Jets 05)
RG Scott 5th round FA 2004 (Indy 08)
RT Stewart 4th round 2005
LG Amano 7th round 2004
LT Roos 2nd round 2005
As a comparison here is who we got in those same rounds
Adibi 5th round 2004
Eric Taylor 7th Round 2004
McFadden 2nd round 2005
Gibson 4th round 2005
Remeber now this was back when Bill was coaching. And now an illustration of how hard it is to good players late in the draft: In 2004 the jets had back-to-back-to-back picks in the seventh, pick 234,235,236. Only one is still around being productive: Derrick Ward current Buc, former Giant. After him there only 4 players I have ever heard of.
by Steel in FL on Sep 15, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
It's a fair point...
But wouldn’t we all agree that the later you consistently draft offensive linemen, the bigger of a crapshoot it becomes. That positions tends to be one with a more limited flame-out factor in the early rounds, so an emphasis on the position early usually pays off. All you need to do is look at the last good Steelers offensive line to further see my point: Marvel Smith (2nd), Alan Faneca (1st), Jeff Hartings (1st, Detroit), Kendall Simmons (1st), and Max Starks (3rd).
Believe me, I’m glad they’ve spent 1st and 2nd round picks acquiring superstars (Ben, Troy, Timmons, Heath, Holmes, Woodley, Hampton, etc), but they are paying the price for ignoring the OL too long.
by Tim Tomczak on Sep 15, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
That's the problem with winning
Since 04 we have drafted 15th of better. who would you rather have Ben or Shawn Andrews? Miller or Logan Mankins? Holmes or Nick Mangold?
When you win you can’t get the top 10 players which is where the good linemen go. How many SB did that last good line helps win? 1 How many has this one won us? 1 in their second year together for most of them. This o-line is good when it counts.
I would rather spend pick on D-line right now than o-line because that 1# D keeps us in alot of games while this young o-line matures and grows together
Ziggy #1
I like Ziggy but don’t see him starting for a while. To get our money’s worth I think we should convert him to O-Line for a couple of years ;)
by steelerwheeler on Sep 15, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
He can play Troy's position while he's out
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
In last years draft the best rookie linemen was drafted 12 overall. we are a team that won’t reach for a player. T Sam Baker went two pick ahead of us when he shouldn’t have been taken till the 2nd round
by Steel in FL on Sep 15, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Trade up
What do we need with extra 5th and 6th round picks. Most years they do not make the roster. Trade a second and 5th to move up in the 1st round or trade this years 2nd for next years 1st. We were aggressive and moved up to get Troy and Holmes. Do it again and get a lineman. Ben will not be worth anything if he can’t stand up.
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 17, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you Steel,
Tim, look at this way, would you like for us to go 2 to 3 years with no playoffs, finish with back to back #1 draft picks, take 2 offensive linemen to shore up the line? What happens in the meantime? Ben takes a beating more so than usual, losing, embarrassment, players leave in an exodus, just so we can satisfy fans thirst for high draft picks in the 1st round!??!!
p.s. We “tried” or wanted specific guys in the 1st round the past 2 drafts remember? and they ALL were picked ahead of us! now whether or not we tried “real” hard to move up to get them is another debate altogether.
Agree, to a point
I am completely on board with what everyone is saying as far as the reasons for not taking an OL in the first two rounds under Colbert. 1st round linemen usually early and too high, so considering that the Steelers are typically picking in the mid-late 20’s it would be a reach to take the guys available. I also don’t question using those picks on value picks, regardless of position (Miller, Mendenhall, Hood) or trading up for a guy they target (as mentioned, Holmes and Troy). And, the rare time they pick in the top 20, they don’t miss (Hamp, Ben, Troy, and Timmons). That said, there is a lot of moving around via trade that can be done in rounds 2 and 3 to get high quality OL, especially interior linemen. Here are some 2nd and even 3rd rounders from 2004 – 2007 (’08 and ’09 are too soon to judge), all quality starters:
2007 – Arron Sears (TB), Justin Blalock (ATL), and Ryan Harris (DEN)
2006 – Duece Lutui (ARZ), Chris Chester (BAL), Marcus McNeil (SD), Andrew Whitworth (CIN), Jeremy Trueblood (TB), and Eric Winston (HOU)
- 2006 is where it really hurts. They trade their 2nd round pick to get 2 3rds from Minnesota (the Tavarius Jackson pick at #64) and turned those two picks into two of the bigger Colbert busts, Willie Reid and Anthony “Guarantee” Smith.
2005 – Michael Roos (TEN) and Adam Terry (BAL)
2004 – Chris Snee (NYG), Justin Smiley (MIA), and Sean Locklear
My only point is, everyone is always trying to unlock the great mystery as to why the OL stinks, and I personally feel the draft component of it does not get enough attention. Clearly Colbert knows what he’s doing, since he has two rings and a pretty great 1st round draft record. Furthermore, I’m just a loser know-it-all fan. That said, if Dan Rooney doesn’t overrule Cowher in selecting Roethlisberger over Shawn Andrews, the Colbert era has ZERO rings.
when comparing SB wins, well...there's no comparison that's for sure.
I think as the season goes on, we’ll be able to run the ball when needed and people need to chill out with all the panic talk. The titans make most run games look rough, as do the ravens and lastly, of course, our Steelers. I will say it again. FWP has a history of delivering when everyone writes him off. It’s a contract year for my brother too. Just give him and the line a little time and he’ll be rolling.
by SteelersFnRule on Sep 15, 2009 10:33 AM EDT reply actions
Just One More Example...
Of another guy in the media who has nothing original to say so he basically parrots whatever has been said already.
Can’t, can’t, can’t. Yes they can! The Steelers won the Super Bowl last year with less talent. Period. Everything the Steelers line showed Thursday night is the same as last year except they did a beautiful job of pass protecting in the fourth quarter. That was an improvement.
So, the Steelers are strong in every aspect of their game except the run. Here are the categories for your consideration: Kick coverage, kick return, pass offense, run offense, pass defense, and run defense. Out of six categories, one is weak. The rest are all solid to strengths.
I love Jerome, but he has taken the path of bad-mouthing his former team to gain credibility in a profession he never prepaired for. Tiki did the same thing (Only, he actually prepaired for his second proffesion). The only time statements from Jerome that are paid any attention to, are when he is saying negative things about the Steelers. What a shame.
If you looked at the Steelers at the beginning of last year and the beginning of this year, which would you call the better team? What did the team do last year? After watching way too much football the last two days, I like the Steelers chances!
So Bettis is pointing out the obvious for SI?
I heard his next article is “Drew Brees: He is Good”
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by John Stephens on Sep 15, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well, you would think that if anyone knows running backs, it is Jerome.
I happen to agree with everything he said. Much of what he has said has been echoed here elsewhere.
I can’t imagine it makes him very popular in the Steelers Locker room. But the truth is the truth.
And, if when he says:
And I think the little guy’s going to get more of those opportunities as the Steelers continue to grow into what I think will be more of a passing team in 2009.
If he means Logan, I could not agree more. We need to use him the way the Chargers are using Sproles. Get that kid the ball in some space and let him start making things happen!
.
mark,
some of the things Bettis is saying I totally agree with, BUT when he criticizes the RB’s, I have to disagree big time. Mendy and Parker can’t run thru seams meant for an ANT! the offensive is NOT getting enuff of a push to create any holes for anyone at all. Pretty easy to see really.
Yes and No
There were times that I saw places the runners could have gone and didn’t. (Like for instance, when Mendy had a hole, and chose to run into Ben instead…) A couple of times the parker of old would have bounced to the outside with enough speed to turn the corner… Thursday he saw blue, and hit the dirt
OTOH, I can’t understand why Bettis dissed the whole defense… Troy is great. We will miss him. But he is not the only guy we have who can make plays…
Agree
I don’t disagree with his comments about the O-line or the running game. My big disagreement is with his statements about the defense not having any playmakers except for Troy.
I love Jerome, but he has taken the path of bad-mouthing his former team to gain credibility in a profession he never prepaired for. Tiki did the same thing (Only, he actually prepaired for his second proffesion). The only time statements from Jerome that are paid any attention to, are when he is saying negative things about the Steelers. What a shame.
I totally agree with Wyofan here. Many people have already forgotten Jerome’s book where he made some statements he got called out on as inaccurate and some of which he later had to retract.
I loved the guy as a player (as you can see from my screen name) but I think it’s a little sad he has to bash his old team to get attention.
Agree with the Bus to a point ...
Yes, the OL, the RB’s and the running game have looked suspect thus far. Thought he was a little harsh on Tank, considering he is a rookie that has only played about 2 games in his life at FB.
I do not agree with him that Troy is the only defensive playmaker and game-changer on this D. I think Deebo, Woodley and Farrior fall into that category as well.
As far as the OL, the eye in the sky doesn’t lie. They’re not getting any push and Ben is still taking too many hits. The great thing about the NFL is that you have 16 weeks to write a new story. Eager to see what appears on the pages this weekend.
Yeah that doesnt work now bud
Nowadays you need to draft good talent because whatever you do have gets drifted away in free agency.
This aint the 70’s. We dont run a 4-3. We’re a different team in a different era.
He's damn right
Doesnt bother me one bit. What, should an ex player not be allowed to point out glaring flaws?
I appreciate his candor all the more actually. It rings more true when spoken by a legend of the team.
I also like how he notes that there isnt much ANY back can do with this line. He didnt really dog willie parker or anybody, just pointed out the obvious. Which lots of people here dont understand.
Big Ben
We have been complaining about bad line play especially for the last two years. If I’m not mistaken two years ago didn’t Bruce Arians say in the off season of 2008 that he was assigning Ben the ability to designate blocking assignments. This was something that Ben readily accepted. I’m no football wizard, but does this quarterback assigning blocking assignments have an impact on our poor line play. Yes! I realize Ben got Lombardi VI.
by manchesterheights on Sep 15, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions
New Blocking Assignments
Kemo, Wille, and Summers: Try to actually contact a defensive player this week.
Spaeth: Aren’t you like 7-foot? Run as hard as you can and try to block, then turn around and catch a short jump-pass all day long. No official in the league will call what you do a block=no penalty.
Starks: You’re one of the highest payed Steelers, try to play like it at least once.
by steelerwheeler on Sep 15, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the pass protection is improving. If you think about it, the lions share of sacks happened in the first 8 games last year. Hell, we gave up 9 sacks to the Eagles in week 2. The run blocking? A whole different story. We will run the ball effectively at times this year, but it will just be a bonus when we get that. Two of those sacks on BB fall squarely on him. 45 other times he went back to pass, and most of those times he had lots of time to throw against a very good pass rush. those are not bad results if you think about it. Our running game is dogsh%t however, and that is not going to change too much
13 years and no playoff wins for the Dallas Cowboys... SWEET!
Pretty much spot on no matter who wrote it.
As many have already said, he is just pointing out the obvious while maybe being a little harsh on Hank, who certainly did miss some blocks but also needs more time.
I think part of it is when you play for a team and they have always been know to have a great line/running game and you see that rapidly go south, it irks you a little so you become very critical, which he was but I don’t think there is much there to argue about. I agree, shame on the coaching staff and front office for doing absolutely nothing in terms of improving the OL in the off season except to sign them all to long extensions, thus insuring that the OL will be a topic for years to come. When you look at the money they shelled out we could have had Faneca for another 4-5 years, maybe he doesn’t have that much in him but at least another 3 from when we lost him. If Ben does get hurt, look out, batch is good but not that good.
Any way the Bus’s article may not have been that original but hard to say it isn’t accurate.
Bus put down the pen
What the Bus said is accurate.
Put your money where you mouth is and join the coaching staff. We need you.
by Steeler Nation VA on Sep 17, 2009 8:17 PM EDT reply actions
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