Five observations including props for Arians

by Homer J. on Jan 16, 2011 11:31 AM EST

1) Some people are saying Troy played a disappointing game. Well, he whiffed at a couple of tackles, but we've seen that before. The important thing to remember is that LeBeau's defensive scheme had him playing centerfield and guarding against the deep pass. That allowed the DB's and LB's to play tighter, without the normal cushion. It worked magnificently. One big reason why the Ravens had only 126 yards offense is because - unlike previous games - nobody could get open deep.

2) They flashed a stat on the screen last night that completely blew me away: The Steelers were first in the league in converting third and one. Last year, that was their biggest offensive weakness. Once again, Tomlin sees a problem, focuses on it, and it gets fixed. And it is time to stop all the Arians hating. As a former Arians hater, I view the play calling and offensive schemes with skepticism. And I take my hat off to him for his work this year. That doesn't mean I don't want to see more traditional screen passes, a few more draw plays, and much more of Isaac Redman.

3) MANNtonio is better than Santonio. Manny and Antonio have given Ben a combination of quickness and speed that makes this year's receiving corps far more dangerous than last year's. And with MANNtonio and Wallace, the Steelers have the luxury of being able to put Ward or Miller in the backfield to block for Ben on obvious passing downs. This is something that Arians has done, and to GREAT effect. Fewer sacks, far fewer picks, and much more protection for Ben, despite the offensive line problems. When I see Heath Miller or Hines Ward shift into the backfield on a passing down, my stomach settles down. I automatically assume Ben will have top-flight protection. And with MANNtonio and Wallace, I also assume somebody's gonna get open. Together, Manny Sanders and Antonio Brown give the Steelers more options that Santonio Holmes did. And better clubhouse chemistry, as well.

4) Some of the Arians haters were calling for his head late in the fourth quarter, when the Steelers had a three and out deep in their own territory. Well, folks, this was a game with five turnovers that led to short field scores. And the Steeler defense had already proven it could stop the Ravens cold. The last thing anyone wanted was another turnover. Sometimes, you have to trust your defense. This was one of those times. Not that anybody wants to turn turtle and three-and-out, but this was no time to do anything stupid.

5) Ziggy Hood, last year's pledge class President, is everything we had hoped he would be. Like Troy and Timmons, it took him a while to learn Coach Dad's defense. He is also clubhouse gold. He will be a leader of this team and a star, and sooner than we expected.

6. The chemistry on this team is absolutely amazing. Not only are there no egotists on this team, there is no quit, either. Tomlin says they're "fun to coach." Well, Mike Tomlin excels at having fun.

Tweet Comment 22 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good points.
Coach Dad’s usage of Troy was absolutely brilliant. The Defense play absolute lights out yesterday. The second half blew me (and the Ravens!) away.

Arians gets too much guff. His a very good OC.

Whatever it takes!

by SteelerInSeattle on Jan 16, 2011 12:00 PM EST reply actions

all solid comments, especially agree on 5 and 6.

Ziggy is turning into a monster. Next yr will be interesting. That is if Aaron Smith even comes back. Of course I would love to see him/Keis/Hood but Aaron makes over $7M next yr I believe (6.6M this yr).

by Majabe on Jan 16, 2011 12:37 PM EST reply actions

BA and Ziggy

I was not a BA fan but I will give him credit where it is due. His offense was prepared and it executed when it needed to execute. I would like to see what will happen next year with Starks and Colon back.

Does anyone remember people who were down on Ziggy around training camp (maybe it was before)? Maybe it was just folks not thinking he would be the NT to replace Casey. I can’t remember but I do remember negativity about his rookie season. I glad we are not hearing that anymore.

"I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them."

"Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes."

Tommy Douglas

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 16, 2011 1:44 PM EST reply actions

yep

there was def some talk about Hood being a bust early in the season, and as early as last season!
They were so so wrong. I think this was his breakout game.
Arians has more or less redeemed himself, in my mind. Not sure if he is that much above average, but the offense is clearly NOT costing the team games because of play-calling anymore.

by tkired on Jan 16, 2011 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

It looked like Troy played a disapointing game because he was right there not making the play on three huge Baltimore plays. But he was all over the field terrorizing Flacco and Baltimore had 130 yards, so yea, He was alright.

"So put 2 on, put 10 on, WHAT DO YOU CARE IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE PAYIN' FOR 'EM!!!!?"
-Doug Heffernan, in regards to Arthur and his stamp needs

by Jon Ross on Jan 16, 2011 1:48 PM EST reply actions

BA bashing

I agree BA does not get any love on here, and I think he does a decent job. But I thought the play calling with the lead in the fourth was terrible. The run was getting stuffed all night, I can’t stand our play calling when trying to protect a lead. We turn way to conservative.

Watch the Pats destroy the Jets today, they will keep the pedal to the metal, I wish we could learn from them…dont deviate from what works…last night Ben was carrying the offense, they should have kept that going.

Oh yeah, Ziggy rocks, I loved when he planted Flacco last night, I feel that last night he totally became a legitimate force on our D.

by rickmottley on Jan 16, 2011 1:57 PM EST reply actions

Its nice knowing Ziggy can handle all 3 spots, and bring another dynamic our D has never enjoyed in the 3-4, pass pressure from the NT.

by alistar7 on Jan 16, 2011 2:04 PM EST reply actions

Anyone else...

salivating at the thought of what Lebeau could do with a healthy Hampton, Keisel, Hood AND Aaron Smith…? I mean, what would that even look like? Would he just rotate, or invent some new ridiculous package to utilize that talent?

Big Ben seems to have too much time on his hands, and too many hands on his time.

by sctx109 on Jan 16, 2011 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

what does Baltimore do with Ngata and Cody?

"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." ~Jack Lambert.
"The next thing you know, they are going to pass a rule that says the Quarterbacks have to wear skirts" ~Jack Lambert,
"Superman ain't got nothing on me, ... Kryptonite? C'mon now. It's just that you're never going to hear me say that somebody is tougher than me, ... Because I don't believe somebody else could be tougher than me." ~James Harrison
"I don't want to see anyone injured, but I'm not opposed to hurting anyone. There's a difference. When you're injured, you can't play. But when you're hurt, you can shake it off and come back. I try to hurt people." ~James Harrison

by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Jan 16, 2011 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

Lose…

Big Ben seems to have too much time on his hands, and too many hands on his time.

by sctx109 on Jan 16, 2011 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

Cody

Cody needs to lose weight and get into shape. A tackle shouldn’t shimmy like an oversize jelly when they make a tackle.

"I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them."

"Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes."

Tommy Douglas

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 16, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions

i bet lebeau is so smart he could even invent a 4-3 with those players

by klompus on Jan 17, 2011 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

:D

"I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them."

"Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes."

Tommy Douglas

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 18, 2011 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

After a performance like that, you can't blame the coaches for anything.

I’m never going to be an Arians fan, but the offensive scheme yesterday was solid and exploited exactly what the Ravens were giving us. We were efficient in the Red Zone. What more can anyone ask for?

by Billy52 on Jan 16, 2011 3:06 PM EST reply actions

nice post but.....

This is not right point #4

The last thing anyone wanted was another turnover

In that situation, you can ice the game with a drive. You say trust the D, how about trust the O? You can’t go run, run pass punt. Did that not result in the tying field goal? You are way off on that one. Short passes to move the ball are perfectly safe.

by scottd7 on Jan 16, 2011 5:08 PM EST reply actions

I agree

was very disappointed that a pass wasn’t called on 1st or 2nd down. No QB is playing better than Ben, I think trusting him with short passes would have been the most appropriate thing to do. Short, complete passes run clock as well as runs do and result in 1st downs much more often.

"I don't want to see anyone injured, but I'm not opposed to hurting anyone" - James Harrison

by LifelongSteelerFanInVa on Jan 17, 2011 8:15 AM EST up reply actions

Sorry BA has too do better

I texted my son after the first TD that the playcalling was excellent and it was. The deep pass to Wallace was a good call, because you stretch the defense and you can get a interference penalty. But you have to be more consistent thorughout the game, and BA was not. One screen? I don’t remember a slant, Ben got sacked too many times (6). Not many underneath throws, receivers running too far down the field.

The long pass to Brown was changed, BA originally called all the receivers to go 15 yards (they needed 19); Ben changed the play in the huddle and wanted Wallace and Brown to go long. Good call Ben.

"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest." Jack Lambert.

by 58 on Jan 16, 2011 5:52 PM EST reply actions

i disagree

there were def a couple of screens called, just off top of my head, 2 were stuffed pretty bad, including a Wallace bubble screen that lost 3 yards, and there was the PA screen to Mendy late that worked nicely…. Hines made a couple nice catches on slants…. At least a few of the sacks were just Ben being Ben, pump-faking and waiting to throw as long as possible, including the fumble for touchdown.

I understand Ben changed some plays, including for some big gains, but who do you think designed those plays in the first place?

by tkired on Jan 16, 2011 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

This

“I understand Ben changed some plays, including for some big gains, but who do you think designed those plays in the first place?”

BA gave his offense the plays they needed to succeed. His play calling may not win awards but I think the Steelers will keep him around he is willing to stay.

"I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them."

"Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes."

Tommy Douglas

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 16, 2011 9:02 PM EST reply actions

cheers. Man, Arians has totally changed my mind this season. I was one of those calling for his head last season, but he is totally acceptable as an OC to me now. I don’t doubt there are some better OC’s out there, but he is Not holding the team back at all.
play-calling can be suspect, but overall he is solid.

by tkired on Jan 17, 2011 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

The only critizism i've heard on the radio this morn is the reverse that didn't work in the 4th quarter.

the play didn’t work but I don’t think it was a bad CALL. Bad execution against the wrong defensive set. yes

but earlier in the game on the mendy 9 yard run up the middle on the TD drive, it was a fake reverse to Wallace.

If I recall correctly they had a few different fakes leading up to the failed play. They almost scored on a reverse to Wallace later on ,deeper in ratbirds territory( if he cuts behind Heaths block instead of into it)

So to me, if the play pops like it should have the first time, Its a great play call. I remember a few times that these so called “trick plays” have worked pretty well (SB XL for 1).

thoughts?

Polamalucules , dude!!

by 1STstate bucco on Jan 17, 2011 9:43 AM EST reply actions

oops

just rewatched the game and the 1 that didn’t work was in the 3rd quarter and the 1 that almost worked was in th 4th quarter.

also, on the 12 yd run by Mendy that he fumbled into the end zone was a fake reverse to Wallace.

It also looked like Ben changed the play at the line of scrimmage on the failed reverse. He 4 some reason didn’t see that LB standing out there with not even a TE on that side to block him. I think Bruce had it set up 4 when they ran it the 2nd time and Ben thought he saw something and jumped the gun in running it then.
4 or 5 plays earlier he audibled to the QB sneak on first down( with no MLB it should have been an automatic 5 yards).So to me, Ben himself was too blame for the 2 worst offensive plays in the second half , not that I’m blaming Ben at all. He saw something but they just were not executed properly. it happens.

We, as fans, do not know what plays are called from the sideline as opposed to what is changed in the huddle or at the line of scrimmage. I guess blaming BA for our offensive blunders is the easy thing to do, but you win as aTEAM , lose as a TEAM.

Polamalucules , dude!!

by 1STstate bucco on Jan 17, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions