Don’t be surprised. He and Tomlin had a very long talk today. Also, we had only one bad-weather loss this year and two bad-weather wins. You might be pleasantly surprised next season.

Steeler football is whatever the men in black and gold are out there doing. We weren’t running the ball last year either. The offense wasn’t the problem this year. While I agree that there were some bad calls, none of them really cost us games. The only person I place any blame on for the way the season turned out is Mike Tomlin. He was too stubborn to realize that the people he was putting out on the field weren’t adequate enough to get the job done. Week in and week out he watched William Gay get embarassed but he didn’t even light a fire under him. He started Deshea Townsend? Was that supposed to scare anyone’s offense? Hopefully we can address those problem through FA and the draft so we can get back to loving everything about the Steelers

the 31 and 32 ranked run games of San Diego and Indy each have at least 6 more rushing touchdowns than us (17 and 16 respectively, I believe.) Not to mention that both San Diego and indy run more short passing routes that are timed and precise — they act as a substitute for the running game. High % passes that have good men in the open field

Great letter MR.

Totally on board with you.

I would add half an item. I think a big part of BA’s problem is that he telegraphs his play calling. As you point out, when you put together an empty backfield on 3rd and short to medium you do not leave the defense guessing. Once they don’t have to guess, their life becomes a whole lot easier.

I feel that has been the case in much of BA’s play calling. He does run the ball. He just does not use the run to set up the pass or the pass to set up the run. There seems to be little or no misdirection to his play calling apart from the occasional reverse.

Spot on Maryrose. Thank you.

I am not convinced that BA is the entire future of the New Offensive Era. I think he’s good enough for the transition. And that’s the operative word for me: “transition”. As soon as Ben started using the words “pass” and “different” in his interviews, it became apparent to me that this season was going to be wobbly. I knew we were in for a transition season and expected that we wouldn’t go far into the playoffs. Of course, I didn’t think that our D was going to suck shit to the tune of a 5 game, Barnum and Bailey losing streak. I honestly figured that this year was going to be about establishing a new energy, and that we were going to sacrifice wins and a Superbowl. I was surprised at the 6 and 2 start.

I would sincerely start vomiting on myself if I had to go through another 5 years of 3 yards at a time offense, killer D, and the Steelers possibly winning in the last 15 seconds because Ben went apeshit with the out-of-the-pocket, whoopsy-daisy 2 minute drill, and then Jeff Reed possibly winning it with a Field Goal. It might have worked for one Magic Ring, but with the way the league is evolving, there’s no way that formula would being future results.

If the difference between the old way, and a new era of Steelers O, is one or two circus seasons, I’ll take it.

I could give a shit less who’s drawing the X’s and O’s. Tomlin will work that out. I’m 100% sure of it. For me it all comes down to Tomlin. Do you believe in him or not? That’s what all of this shit boils down to. It’s like someone reading the Lord of the Rings for the first time. You either believe that Frodo is going to take the ring to Mordor and stuff it down Sauron’s throat, or you don’t. The “I’m not sure what’s going to happen” crowd fits into the latter catagory.

In my world, Tomlin stuffs the Ring down Sauron’s throat and we live happily ever after.

Than putting up fancy stats. The playcalling is predictable. I could predict it accurately at least 80% of the time sitting at home on my fat butt. Imagine how often a NFL Defensive Coordinator can.

I don’t care that this offense is becoming pass oriented. Hell, I like it. But the playcalling is telegraphing pass every time. There’s no play action. You didn’t set up the run for the pass or pass for the run. There’s no strategy. Just throwing it. That’s my problem with BA.

Let’s not forget one MAJOR thing…..

Tomlin is APPROVING of the way BA handles the offense. They have meetings….Tomlin MUST sign off on the plan. At any time during a game Tomlin COULD say to BA….“yo…ya wanna try to run it here??? maybe the weather is screwing us up?”

I feel the frustration just like everyone else when the offense does some wacky stuff……

But I agree with anyone who says that the reason this team is not making a run at the 7th Lombardi is because of injuires, age—-both old guys not good enough and young guys with no experience…..plus lack of talent in the secondary when TP is not in the game.

Special teams KILLED THIS TEAM. The defense in the 4th KILLED THIS TEAM.

Yeah….if they grind it out and keep the defense rested more for the 4th that would be great, and TP was always the first to say that this D is a D that needs to get off the field because of how they play.

Sooooo I don’t think anything is going to “change” next year. There won’t be a FB, they won’t put FWP and RM in the backfield at the same time…..they are gonna do the same thing and ya know what…..barring injuries and horrible special teams….the team will finish with 12 victories or more, go to the playoffs and maybe bring home #7.

But yeah….I’d like to see a FB and more run attempts. Would love to see a nice draw play….the kind the Patriots always run and seem to get 10 yards each time. I’d love to see more quick passes to save BB…..1, 2 drop pass on the slant…pass on the come back…..short pass, short pass…run run…BOMB….run run short pass BOMB…

Anyway…..Im babbling….sorrreeeee!!!!

But what can you do?

Where does Tomlin live? Maybe if we start a tent society outside his house and scream at him and his family every time they leave we can get somewhere.

He wont mind.

Why BA? Yes he sucks.

But what about special teams coach Ligashesky? Have any of you EVER seen a Steeler special teams this bad?

I suggest that Bruce Arians read the book ’The Art of War by Sun Tzu

The book is thousands of years old

http://www.military-quotes.com/Sun-Tzu.htm

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War

“wine cooler in a case of Rolling Rock”! Priceless.

I agree with you maryrose; changes proposed are spot on and as always, we have to keep in mind that BB is very, very comfortable with Brucey. Does he deserve this chance? Well… judging on the failure to make any adjustments when adjustments to the offensive playbook were beyond needed during this season, then no. He blew his chance.

I guess now it’s Steeler Nation’s job to suck it up and back him (while keeping him under the microscope and calling him out when necessary.)

I still don’t think we’re going to have to suffer through as much of the horrible play calling next year as we did this year. As reluctant as I am to say it…. I’m more willing to back Tomlin’s decision than I am interested in complaining that he didn’t fire BA.

I disagree with anyone who thinks the Arians situation is doomed for more frustration. There is a huge difference in the mindset of this offseason. In 2007, Tomlin/Arians first year, they took an 8-8 nonplayoff team and went 10-6. The offense lit up the scoreboard, even in the two late losses to Jacksonville. There was every reason to believe everything was on the right track.

Then in year two the team won the Super Bowl, with the offense coming through in the end. There was every reason to believe that things were still cool, despite the warts.

Now after year three, it’s the first time the Tomlin/Arians duo experienced failure. The mindset during this offseason is completely different. Goodbye Zierlein for starters. These guys are having heart-to-heart discussions about change for the first time in their Steeler careers. They know the status quo is not good anymore. They know changes must be made. Arians knows his job is dependent on making adjustments. The braintrust has made that crystal clear (I am assuming).

If there are no adjustments made next year then I will be wrong and Arians will be gone for sure. But I don’t think that will be the case. Call me a hopeless optimist, but I would bet my house that some of the suggestions we all are pointing out will come true. Each year in the NFL is a completely different world. I think we have much to look forward to.

I almost wish Zierlein was fired after last year, because I thought the O-line made big improvements this year. At times you had to be proud of them.
  
Of course, 50 sacks is just gross, but protection improved, Colon’s penalties declined and Max seemed worth his overpaid contract (you know you make too much when you pay CASH for a home — unless it’s in Fayette or Greene county).

I think the first Baltimore game proved they can run block well if needed (plus Mendy had 4.6 ypc for the season which isn’t shabby).

I go back and forth loving and hating Arians, but not every team gets to complain that their offense is too explosive for their defense’s own good. Plus, injuries to Troy and Aaron Smith made for tough sledding (it’s not an excuse, but it is a reality).

When it’s all said and done (as it is now), I believe this is the same team as last year’s, except all the big game-winning plays that went our way last season, didn’t go our way this year (dropped interceptions, dropped touchdowns, missed tackles). What if Deshea drops the pick against Dallas, or Tone is ruled not in the end zone against baltimore last year?

You can’t ignore the 4th quarter performances this year, unless we win a couple more of those games. Then we could talk about 4th quarter stats for days, all while we point to the scoreboard.

the only think i still can’t understand about this season was the loss to Cleveland. I’m still not sure what happened that day. That and the WR pass call against Miami (wasn’t Hines the college QB?)

good article maryrose

This is what he said before the announcement of B.A. staying for another year.
*****************************
So, if I’m Tomlin and I’m allowed to keep Arians, this is what I tell him:
1) There will be NO empty backfield formations on 3rd and short. Throw it to
your heart’s content, but we’re not telegraphing to the other team that they can
abandon their run defense. 2) I’m going to have very limited patience with
empty backfields on 1st and 10. 3) Screen passes are great ways to beat a
blitz. Try it sometime. 4) When it becomes obvious early in a game that
the offensive line is struggling, shorten up the passing game and don’t call for
long pass patterns. If you forget this directive, you will be forced to watch
the ‘08 Philly game every day for a month. 5) There is no league rule that
says "Inside the opponent’s ten yard line, you will run the ball on first down
and throw it on second and third down." Mix it up a little. Heck, you might
even consider putting in a power package just for a goof. 6) It might be
boring, but there is something to be said for grinding out the clock when you have a lead. Every second our offense is on the field is a second the oppositions offense
isn’t toasting our DBs. Tick…tick…tick; that’s the sound of victory. I
implicitly trust our offense to be able to score late if we have to, but let’s
not set up scenarios where we have to if we can avoid it.

If Bruce can live with those directives, he’s more than welcome to stay as far
as I’m concerned.
Chris

The offense wasn’t the reason for this season of heartache, the defense did at times let us down, but as you stated maybe if we had controlled the ball more this wouldn’t have happened. I have been a Steeler fan for 37 years and took pride in the way we mauled teams even when they knew what was coming, to see an empty backfield on 3rd & 1 or 2 made me wanna puke!! Times change but let’s not forget what made the Steeers the Steelers!!!

Well put sir.

good to remember that many times the Steelers did nothing in 3d and short situations. That certainly doesn’t generate confidence in the run. Here’s a little snippet from CNN SI -
“The standard notions of how to win in the NFL - run, stop the run — are leather helmets now. Ten quarterbacks threw for more than 4,000 yards. Thirty-two QBs combined for 104 300-yard passing games." Certainly implies the game is changing …

BA isn’t a great offensive coordinator and of course there are times when we don’t agree with play calls in certain situations but you make a compelling case as to why he should still be here.

you can’t teach imagination.

stems from the fact that at one time he was in the employ of the Brownies?

I’m not a BA fan myself, but you sure know the best way to stimulate the conversation in how you write. Really well done….

These days it seems like MaryRoses posts are few and far between but It feels like Christmas when I get to read them.

 I’m not going to repeat all that’s been said. You should all know how I feel about BA. His plan racks up the yards and not the points. If this were the BCS or another system where wins don’t hold full merit than go for it.

This is the NFL. An NFL that is changing. You can buy into all that hype about running the ball not getting you into the playoffs because SD and IND are there with the worst of the running games. The fact is, that this league doesn’t put the same strengths into the post season every year. It’s weird.

Sometimes you’ll see a slew of teams with monster D’s and almost no O. Sometimes you’ll see a team that can’t pass but can grind out the yards. And this year we see teams that can air it out for the cameramen.

Just because this is the year of the pass doesn’t mean it’s the only way to go from here on out. I think MT wants to run hard and pass later.

 Arians’ play calling throughout his career has yet to really change. He’s going to do the exact same thing he did last season. I promise you that.

 A revamped line and a shored up secondary should help cover his flaws.

 If they don’t. You’ll see why he’s a bottle of Zima in a case of Arrogant Bastard Ale. ;)

But I disagree that Arians is some kind of cutting-edge offensive strategist. Actually, he has an uncanny knack for calling absolutely the wrong play in critical situations. If this isn’t grounds for dismissal of an OC, perhaps someone can explain to me what is.

You’re right, though that running the ball won’t help much. Unless the NFL drastically alters the rules that it has implemented during the past 10-15 years, establishing the run will never again have much importance in the pro game. Quite simply, it’s too easy for teams to outscore you via the pass. As the Steelers have often demonstrated in recent years, time of possession has become largely irrelevant in today’s game.

But you’re right again that we need to run the ball on third and short. But this implies a short-yardage, 3rd-down back who can push the pile. One more point: why does Arians call so many mid- to long-range passes on first down? And why does he continually call go-for-broke pass plays anytime the Steelers move the ball close to mid-field? What’s wrong with gaining 8, 10 or 12 yards with shorter passes and just driving the ball down the field? You don’t always have to go for the bomb and, in fact, it’s a low-percentage play in the NFL.

I have a serious doubt that things will change significantly next season if Arians stays.

What the fokkin’ fokk!?

You are either joking or you are trying to be the smart, doing something positive for the steeler nation, the rationale is “everyone is depressed and BA sucks, but if we are going to stick with him, lets give support, lets tell him how great he is and who knows, maybe next season he turns up to be great, for the first time in his career and everybody will love me because Im positive” .. hope its the latter ’cause that is kind of smart indeed..

If the first option is the one though, you could not have missed more,

First, if you think he is great, that already shows you have no clue about the game and the post is dumb,

then you write him like if he was a little kid or retard, and you ask things that obviously he is aware of, why? You think he didnt know it was a tough weather to throw in Cleveland? You think he doesnt know how strong Rashard is? You think he likes Ben being sacked 50 times a season for multiple years? Or maybe you think thats news to us! How redundant.

Let me just say right now, if he was not aware of all the things you wanted to say to him, he MUST be fired, and if he knew and obviously he did, then he MUST go anyway because that shows he has a serious mental condition..

Anyway,

I tell you what, throw your stats in the trash can because they dont win superbowls, the 2 most important factors to win superbowls are a great defense and an offense who can close games, who can execute in critical moments, basically offenses who can score points any time needed. What you need is a bad ass defense and a smart situational offense. Bruce Arians is not smart, his situational “stats” are awfull. HIs performance through critical moments is laughable and honestly? NO ONE deserves to watch things like that Santonio throw, what in the name of a goat was that anyway?? That play alone should make this man get fired,

If you guys want to have a couple of more years with an arrogant preek as OC who turned our franchise QB into a spoiled brat who thinks he owns the entire franchise, a guy who thinks he can do whatever he wants and screw others, its fine, let me be the first one who tells you all, this offense WON’T change! We will be head scratching with his calls until his last day in Pittsburgh, and I guarantee, if we dont have a super defense again next year, he will finally go and I will be the first one to laugh on this ridiculous “situational” BA bandwagon,

or perhaps you are doing the second option I mentioned, then its ok.. ;)
 
Bite me.

Here are some revealing stats from two Super Bowls played 40 years apart:

Super Bowl III (Jets vs. Colts):
*285 total yards rushing (net)
*66 total rushing plays
*17 first downs rushing

Super Bowl XLIV (Steelers vs. Cardinals);
*91 total yards rushing (net)
*37 total rushing plays
*6 first downs rushing

At this rate, running will become nearly obsolete in another 10 years.