Bubble (Screen) Bruce
by TampaLen on Jan 12, 2012 11:18 AM EST
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Nation-
I love the passion I am reading from this group and I hope I can contribute in a logical and sane manner because the past five years I have been pulling my hair out. This year was the cherry on the cake so to speak. Why do you ask? Well as our defense has aged a bit and the God del NFL has impacted our defensive brand I felt certain our new offensive fire power could supplement these challenges. BTW, our defense was still rather good.
Over the years I have seen our wizard of offense or as I call him Bubble screen Bruce, continue to come up with the same game plans ... Hold on, who am I kidding, what game plan chuck to Ohio on every play? Not make any adjustments and single handily start the new Steeler way. We can't gain tow yards on the ground when we need to and we have lost the fire to drive block. Over the past few years we have had a wicked time closing out games because we can't hear the announcer say and that is another Steelers first down.
I am at my wits end with him. Our defensive windows have been closed until we can re-tool just a little but with the young studs I believe in. Our offensive window is wide open but I fear for the waste of it with the Bubble boy leading the charge. I can go on and on but we have all seen it. Our gun slinger not being told to just get the two yards and a first down to secure the points. Chucking the ball to the next state every play and yes, the play we all love and the name of our boy... the bubble screen. Heck, he is throwing fade routes and back shoulder throws to 5'10 skinny receivers. He has to go gang.
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i can't think of many current faults in this team i can blame on arians
the bubble screens bug me, but other than that i think he’s doing an acceptable job.
22nd
in pts scored. that’s his biggest fault, we have been outside of the top 10 2 0f the past 4 years and out of the top 20 the other 2 years, the only thing Arians will guarantee if he comes back is an underperforming offense. You have to out score teams in this league or atleast be able too and we never do, our defense holds the other team to fewer points while our offense spins its wheels once we get to the 50 and we try one shot after another deep down field. Our recievers are 50 yards downfield with their backs turned while Ben is scrambling or laying on his back. Routes with multiple receivers in the same area and neither thinks the ball is thrown to them so neither go for it and if they do then their is 3 or 4 defenders in the area to int or break it up or immediatly make tackle. The individual talent overcomes the playcalling and we squeak out enough points but it’s only because we have the number 1 scoring D. We would be 6-10 with the same offense and a lesser defense. And this is years of underperforming not just a couple seasons. Watch the 2002 playoffs against the Browns when Arians was their cord, 400 yards passing and a big lead and we still came back because of his terrible playcalling and it is same here. Tomlin needs to give him his walking papers and realize he is holding the entire team back. Thats a much different game up 14-0 instead of 6-0 and even the Wallace TD was a dumb playcall from the 1 yard line, made a 1 yard run into a 20 yard run 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage, so even when things work he is still an idiot and making things more difficult.
by SteelCity G on Jan 12, 2012 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
Red Zone Efficiency
Arians’ red zone TD efficiency is shameful considering the QB we have and the talent we have at receivers. Since he’s become our OC, we’ve only been in the top 10 once….2007. Since then, we’ve been 14th, 22nd, 15th and this year 18th. With all this talent we have on offense, there’s no excuse for that. It looks so easy for some teams; but when it comes to this team, we don’t seem to know what to do. I’ve also been questioning the fact that we seem to have to throw the ball 12-15 yards down the field to pick up a 3rd and 3. I’ve been hoping for years now that we could pick up an OC that does not scripts his plays on an Etch-A-Sketch and doesn’t call his plays using eenie, meanin, minie, moe.
Really?, i believe other than Suisham, all other faults on this team are his
"Everytime NE Patriots lose, Football wins", myself
it takes a shrewd mind to lead the #22 scoring offense
with a HOF QB on the roster. There aren’t many (any?) OC’s in the league that can make chicken shit out of chicken salad. BA is pure genius.
Arians
Arians is so good that no other team wants to interview him for head coaching jobs. Damn Brian Schottenheimer gets interviews for head coaching jobs but not Arians? And don’t say age is the factor here. Damn Romeo Crennel is in his 60s as is Wade Phillips and both of them got jobs or had interviews this week. The entire league thinks very little of Arians. It just so happens the QB of the Steelers goes to bat for him every time. Arians needs to do the right thing and just walk away but I doubt he can do that. He will just call another bubble screen for a 2 yard loss.
There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.- Mark Twain
by steeler_chris_5 on Jan 12, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
I don't mind the bubble screens if you run them 3 times a game
not 10, at some point the defense is going to recognize the formation and come flying downhill at the receiver
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Back in my day we killed five hookers and thought nothing of it" Craig James
This
If I can call out the Steelers exact play before the snap a LOT of the time, I am sure opposing defenses and their coordinators can figure it out too.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 13, 2012 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
So Bruce has been the OC since 2007, right?
Y/G
07-17th
08-22nd
09-7th
10-14th
11-12th
Y/P
07-17th
08-25th
09-5th
10-10th
11-11th
P/G
07-10th
08-20th
09-12th
10-12th
11-T21st
Before BA P/G
06-13th
05-9th
04-11th
To me, it doesn’t seem like BA is that far off the mark, except for this year. If we rule out the last 4 games, when Ben was injured we get a P/G this year of 22.3, which woulda put us at about 17th. Still not great.
I’d like to be a team that averages somewhere around 25-30 points a game, but I don’t know if BA can be that guy.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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I will pay his airfare
I reall hope some team takes him off our hands. I will spring for his airfare. He is the key gang. Every game it is the same script.
I believe we are, talking about the "extra baggage" the Stellers have.
And I’ll chip in also.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
"Free to a good home"
Friendly temperament, good dispositions, enjoys walks with the kids. Has a weird tendency to plan bubble screens, and sh^! the bed at odd times, but otherwise, a good addition to any household.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
by lottwasgangsta on Jan 13, 2012 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
FullBack and empty set
I mean, can he not also see we can actually run the ball when we have a fullback. And I forgot to mention this oldie but a goodie. in the redzone, how many times do we go empyt set and how many negative plays have we had. Much more than positive. Why shrink the field down. It is me right gang? Countless empty set formation even inside the 10… wow.
Good Point
I couldn’t agree more with the need for a full back. Whether Steelers fans want to believe it or not, we have a top 10 back in Mendenhall (provided he makes a healthy return from the injury) along with a bruiser for a back up. It pains me to say this, but the Ravens did a smart thing by going out and getting Ray Rice the best present any back in the NFL can ask for (Vonta Leach). If we got a top full back and do well in the draft with linemen, we may be able to produce two 1,000 yard rushers. But this can only happen if BA pulls his head out of his @$$ and realize we don’t have Drew Brees as our QB…
Super dumb
Empty inside the 5. Colts and pats run ALL THE TIME FROM THE THREE YARD LINE OUT OF SHOT GUN. And it works. We don’t even make the defense worry about the run
This proves that We are right about Arians and not " just being fans"
He is terrible
I appreciate that Arians is trying to use bubble screens to take advantage of the shiftyness of our guys
But, it’s the pros, not high school, you can’t just screen it all day.
If Penn State fans and alumni truly believe that chant that echoes throughout Beaver Stadium ("We are....") then it's time to show it.
by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Jan 12, 2012 5:06 PM EST reply actions
We rant because we love the Black and Gold and mediocrity is unacceptible
If I go back and count the play investment towards these plays and add up the yardage I believe we would be ahead of the game but the risk involved is huge and I really feel we have an awesome stable of RB’s. I agree #34 Dippsy Doddles too much but let’s be real, our line is no longer nasty and does not have an attitude. Back to the screens. I am in favor of incorporating one or two a game but this play is a staple in the play call.
For me it all comes back to our offensive mindset scheme and goals. Splash plays are great bring them on but three and outs are even worse. Never mind being behind the chains from sacks and not throwing the ball away but when Ben is not sandlotting it by running around we cant execute a drop back passing scheme, thus getting us into third and 9.
Being a Lambert Lunatic and a New York transpalte to Florida, I dont hear what goes on in the burgh regaridng our Bubble boy. All I know is the script is very predicatble and I have not been fortunate enough to enjoy a nice thris quater meal because the game is a blow out in our favor. WAY TOO MANY CLOSES GAMES WITH SUB PAR TEAMS.
I am rolling now. For that matter, we lose our 100 million dollar man to the Browns? the wordt run defense in the league… are you really serious. We could have Broncoed them with the run and have a healthy QB but the run and shoot was in affect. COME ON BUBBLE BOY or is this I acknowledge this Mike T? Hummm.
I'm not an Arians fan
but as I’ve said before; be careful what you wish for. Out of the 32 OCs in the NFL, he’s probably somewhere between 12-18 ranking. There are a lot out there worse than him. I guarantee you the Ravens fans would trade Cam Cameron for him in a heartbeat (right Mr Malor ?). And remember; it’s really easy to bash the OC after a play failed, but you have the gift of hindsight; he doesn’t. And how much did the lack of continuity on the O-Line have to do with the 22nd offense ranking ?
As to the bubble screens, they’re fine in theory…. pull up the CBs to the line with the call, the later in the game have the speed receivers blow past tham. I think the failure is that either the receiver or Ben is somehow “tipping” the play… I’ve often seen a CB or LB play back 5 plays in a roow, and then as soon as the Bubble screen is called, wham , here they come running up at the snap. Not so much the call itself, but a failure to “sell” it.
There are a handful of OCs I’d love to see the Steelers get in place of Arians, but unless they can get one of those top guys, I don’t want to see change for the sake of change. Also, as far as I’m aware, the contract for Arians isn’t done; only that Tomlin stated the team would like him back. So who knows ?
" I think this is probably the best team ever assembled. They talk about the Vince Lombardi Era, but I think the Chuck Noll Era is even greater. " - Mel Blount
IMO Football Isn't Rocket Science
Just one man’s opinion bro. I think there are plenty of guys that they can get that would be good OCs. It’s not a job that you need a PHD from MIT. Belcheck finds OCs a dime a dozen. He just lost another to PSU.
Thing is…again IMO, sometimes you have to be fearless to achieve greatness. The Rooney’s could have gone the easy road and taken Whiz or Grimm. They let them go. The Rooney’s hired unknown Mike Tomlin. Tomlin has had them to two Super Bowls.
Many on the site ponder life without BA as to how bad it might be. Could it be any worse than it is now? Seriously, most of the yards the Steelers get on the charts posted are after the play breaks down. Ben scrambles. Ben finds a WR downfield for big yards. Ben goes no huddle and calls his own plays. None of that is BA. Others are unsure of a change because Ben is comfortable in BA offense. Ben would be uncomfortable if he had to learn a new offense. IMO Ben is a smart kid. He would figure it out. Opposing DCs would no longer have tendencies to study and would have to go back at the tape to look at the new Steelers offense. Ben has become complacent in this system. These Steelers under this OC can no longer get the tough yard, make a play in the red zone or milk the clock to victory. We need to get that back.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
+1
Arians is a detriment to the Steelers offense and has been ever since he was made OC. You’re right, it would be difficult to find another OC whose playbook is as limited and unimaginative as BA’s. I can’t believe that the Rooney’s, of all people, continue to reward his utter incompetence.
i will take anyone, including our janitor as the OC instead of Arians
"Everytime NE Patriots lose, Football wins", myself
Just imagine our sweeps
"They timed it perfectly, they just went too soon." - Darrell Waltrip commenting on an illegal restart.
My wife said "that's bad"
by which I think she means it is funny in a painful way. I liked the timing.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 14, 2012 1:21 AM EST up reply actions
No way is he even top 20
let alone top 18 as an OC. Take our ranking (21st in scoring) and combine it with the talent we have at WR and QB and this team should be top 10 in scoring minimum. The fact that he hasn’t had one sniff from any other team trying to hire him away shows what the rest of the league thinks of him.
There must be someone out there that can do a better job at getting more out of this offense. Scan the high schools fellas!
If Arians goes....
Spaceman loses a TON of material for his posts.
Stay thirsty my friends.
by SteelerMessican on Jan 12, 2012 8:18 PM EST reply actions
Plenty of options for OC
Love the Steeler way and their dedication to keeping the continuity, however, where would mike and bubble Bruce be without our d. What is mike and bubble boy going to do as d re tools? I don’t think you need an offensive wizard at the helm. But nation, think about it.
Heath miller under utilized. Poor line how many screens do we run? I would never want to see anyone lose his job but if it were any other team bubble boy would be gone. Thought we squandered the 7th ring last year with offensive stupidity. Let’s keep throwing the ball to Ohio on every play. Ask the raiders how that has worked out for them.
by TampaLen on Jan 12, 2012 10:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions
We have seen bad OCs before
Remember Kevin Gilbride? What about Ray Sherman? At least those guys didn’t work with amazing talent that Arians has had the last few years. You say “be careful what you wish for” and I say outside of Mike Martz, anyone would be better than Arians. That also includes Brian Schottenheimer. I think in Shotty’s case, he was working with an average at best QB with no confidence whatsoever. I would even consider taking Cam Cameron.
The guy I want but will never see in Pittsburgh is Todd Haley. His old man has roots with us and Haley is very good at calling games. Not only that, he actually will make adjustments unlike Arians. It will never work because by the 4th day in training camp, Haley and Roethlisberger will stop talking to each other. Big Ben does not know how to take criticism at all, which is why Arians and he get along so well. Arians is likely an average OC at best but given the talent he has available, he is actually worse. The window for the Steelers’ championship run is gonna slam shut next season. The last thing the Steelers need is Arians to hold the team back again. I still think it speaks volumes that no one else in the league wants Arians at all.
There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.- Mark Twain
by steeler_chris_5 on Jan 13, 2012 12:56 AM EST reply actions
I think BA should go
He’s horrible at in game adjustments and thus not a good OC.
However I wonder what his influence was on picking our current crop of WRs. It seems like we’ve hit a home run on every WR we pick in the draft since 2007, and before that our record wasn’t nearly as good… oh who am I kidding? We must have had a change in the scouting department that this is just a coincidence.
Maybe make him a scout
I know we could do far worse but I would like to do better.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 14, 2012 1:23 AM EST up reply actions
He was the WR coach before becoming the OC
so he may have an idea of how to pick ’em.
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Jan 14, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
I can't, for the life of me, figure out why they would bring him back
Let’s say we are all wrong. We do know they know more than us!
But….
1. He’s pretty old as far as oc’s go in the NFL
2. No one wants him at all, not even college! Hell, every assistant coach who goes to a super bowl gets an interview for a head job, every one of them. BA went to 3 and hasn’t gotten a sniff. C’mon……this is pretty startling.
3. it was alluded to earlier the BB/BA relationship. Ok, get it but…..if that’s true who’s team is it? Tomlinson or Ben’s.
This organization has a telling offseason ahead. We are starting to be either very stubborn or too loyal for our own good…or both. 2 very commendable traits but may not get us another ring.
Cam Cameron
Is excellent despite ravens fans complaints. With the exception of a couple games ignoring ray rice look what he does with limited talent. Flacco is average at best and he ALWAYS has a check down option available. I thing ravens fans dislike him because they think they have a lot of offensive talent. They don’t. Cam is going a nice job with what he has and was terrific in San Diego I would take him in a heartbeat
OC Experience... Really?
Nation-
Just a thought here and at this time I am not sure how best to apply it. We hired Cowher, we hired Tomlin, the H brothers in SF and Baltimore. Guess what I am saying is do we really need an OC who is proven or even has a ton of experience to come in and do a better job. Look what C Lake did for our DB’s this year.
All I am saying is perhaps Bubble Bruce got way to sophisticated and got away from the basics, whihc is using this great talent of ours. I have pounded Bruce only because this is the best offensive we have had since I have backed the Black and Gold and this dates back to the mid seventies.
We have gone on a ledge for our head coahces Kevin C so why not apply this to our OC? Am I nuts here gang?
no
very valid points, and we do have the talent to be way more creative and have more plays. I also feel we can utlize the RB screen way more effective than the WR screen. We have very capable and good backs to do this. Just a couple a game, maybe the same amount of the WR screen. If I am correct, I think last year or so the Rooneys got on Tomlin and BA about dedicating to the run. Not so sure they obeyed that very much. Not a BA fan at all, but I think having the O line we had this year, with injuries, etc and Ben going down did break up the chemistry quite a bit.
Someone missed the run memo
Yes, I recall reading this during the off season. The Rooney family saying we are ging to get back to the rub, so where are the disconnects? Bubble Bruce and Mike the Tinker did not get it and as I write these comments other bone headed things come to mind. I know I am a broken record but I have to say it again, we lose our QB to the Browns the worst ranked run defense in the milky way. Never mind the run memo gets burried and Redzone does not get the ball enough, but there was mad scientist experiment by putting Sanders on Punt and lickoff while MVP 84 sits because they dont want to risk him? Huh?
I have givn Mike a pass because I feel Bubble boy is the issues but you can make a strong case fo Mikes lack of game day siutationla awareness and pre game approaches. Oh, how do some of the lesser brianiac coaches meet wiht success in the NFL book chaprter 1 verse 1… Run the dam rock for god sake.
Lots of great points
One more – We didn’t win the division because we try to play finesse and that will not work in our division. This team has to get tougher ( run the ball). Baltimore won with less talent. They look like us or what we used to look like. I like the Raven mentality, too bad it is not here anymore. We can’t win our division with the offensive philosophy.
When I walked out of the Tampa Superbowl, someone was videoing fans and asked how I felt, without hesitation I said we won in spite of BA, and should get another OC. My opinion hasn’t chnaged.
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest." Jack Lambert.
Im telling you........
He’s going to Miami. Sit back and watch.
In Communist China and Russia, you have 1 choice of "Kool Aid": RED
In America, you have 2 choices of "Kool Aid": RED (republican), AND BLUE (democrat)
The difference is, in China and Russia THEY KNOW IT’S KOOL AID.
If that happens
I am going to celebrate like we won another Super Bowl. If Arians does leave/retire, as long as anyone but Mike Martz takes over as OC, the Steelers will win the Super Bowl next season. I am willing to go that far.
There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.- Mark Twain
by steeler_chris_5 on Jan 14, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Name these "Sources"
that’s all I want
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
by WVPiratesfan on Jan 14, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
There are no sources...
…a contributor to the Phinsider wrote some articles about the Miami HC search; one such focused on possible candidates from the pool of Offensive Coordinators. Arians name got mentioned on the basis of him being an Offensive Coordinator; that and that alone was the sole reason for any connection between Arians and Miami.
This fan is merely trying to keep the anti-Arians pot boiling.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Perhaps we have placed too much on #7
Well because I live in Tampa I will personally help him up pack his bags but let’s give this a little thought because my senses tell me that yes, even though Bubble Bruce is no wizard, others in the organization may have placed way too much on our tough guy QB. I have gone on the record and saying Ben is one tough SOB for sure.
It was very obvious this year we are a one man show and there is no question in my mind we can’t continue this philosophy in concert with the bubbles approach to winning offensive football. Ben is a solid QB but he is not a tier one guy… sorry nation, he is no Brady, Brees, or Rodgers. He is very good via the sandlot approach, running around making things happen. His long ball arm is suspect and he can’t hit the windows the way the fore mention QB’s can, however; the man can win. We talk about no style points but on offensive we are always trying to out wizard and look great. Perhaps I am too hard here because of our OLine but I think we have placed too much at Ben door step. He only needs to have one bad game (and you lose a SB) and we are cooked. I love his grit but I think he would be more effective with our run game cranking. Another point.
When we go no huddle we move the ball anyway we want. Why not bring it out all the time? Not sure. Lot of perplexing things going on offense but being ranked in the middle of the pack places a wealth of pressure on our defense. Our takeaways have been going down and thus the reason why we may seem like we have slipped a bit. On defense we are fine, youth is off the charts there. Offensively, I challenge anyone to say we don’t have top-5 talent. Let’s go Management, wasting talent pissed me off when Lloyd, Green and woodson were on Defense and we could not score, let’s not waste this offensive talent. Bubble boys goes, he gets contained or we try to understand the game better. I am baffled really I am.
Ben is Uncoachable
Ben has never really been “my” quarterback. I give him respect for his toughness and the Super Bowl wins, but in my opinion he is a ‘cowboy’. What I mean is that Ben prefers to do things his own way instead of taking what the defense gives him or running the play the way it was designed. Ben consciously skips the checkdown in hopes of big plays. He puts himself into situations where he gets sacked and hurt to the detriment of the team. Read on for how he has done this his entire career.
The play where Ben got hurt in the first Cleveland game this season, it was 1st and ten. One-back set with a designed roll-out for Ben. Ben is staring down Antonio Brown the whole way, but when he is covered, Ben keeps holding the ball, hoping for something to happen. Only two in the pattern. Miller is a checkdown possibility but stumbles and is well covered in lots of traffic. Mendenhall is open on the opposite side of the field (after a poor blocking effort or a designed play to slip put of the backfield,) but doesn’t work up the field and Ben can’t see him, plus it would be a dangerous throwback (so if it was a designed play to slip out of the backfield, the design was very poor or Mendenhall didn’t work it at all.) There is NO REASON for Ben to hold the ball here, and he either should have run or thrown it away. Instead, he keeps waiting for Brown or Wallace (both double-covered) to do something miraculous. Even in the face of pressure and both receivers double-covered, he tries to avoid the pressure and gets sandwiched high-low, takes an unnecessary hit and the injury needlessly on a first down play.
This type of idiocy isn’t new to Ben. While we marvel at his toughness, it would be far better to avoid these types of hits and injuries by playing smarter. Take the wide-open checkdowns when they are there instead of ‘throwing to Ohio’. I thought Ben threw a few more checkdowns this year, but they are still extremely rare. In Super Bowl XL with coach Cowher, the NFL had audio on Cowher, and he repeatedly tells Ben to take the checkdown if the play isn’t there. Ben simply ignores Cowher. He hasn’t learned to take what the defense gives him. He is always looking for the ‘splash play’, the home run. Against the Ravens, the announcers were remarking that the Ravens coaches told them that the defense didn’t really begin for 3-5 seconds after the snap when Ben tries to make things happen. It doesn’t matter who your offensive coordinator is (although BA’s play design and calling sucks mightily) when your quarterback eschews the play design or the surefire wide-open checkdowns and tries for sandlot glory.
If you can’t pull your quarterback out of a game he has no business being in, he is out of control. If you can’t get your quarterback to throw to wide-open checkdowns, he is uncoachable. If Cowher couldn’t get him to do it, no one will.
by bananajr6000 on Jan 15, 2012 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
Strangely, I agree
I agree Big Ben is way too much of a do it yourself guy. I feel the quandary. Big Ben has won but man, all of his baggage is frustrating (him talking up his ailments, his off the field crap, his lack of a solid work ethic).
He thinks he can make every play. He has made a lot of plays but he also has made a lot of dumb decisions. I think 2010 when he missed 4 games really put things in perspective. The team ran the ball more and was only a bad Bryant McFadden move away from 4-0 without Big Ben. That had to scare Big Ben a lot, that the team won without him. Ever since he came back, it seemed like he tried to play like he wanted to be in the same category as Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Face it, Big Ben is not them. He is a good QB with great talent around him. I do agree with the lack of checkdowns/RB screen passes. Big Ben wants to make all the plays to the WRs deep and Arians keeps enabling him.
Yes, Big Ben has two rings and 3 Super Bowl appearances. However, no one is bigger than the team. If one guy makes your entire team, then you deserve whatever horrible fate you get (just ask the Colts).
There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.- Mark Twain
by steeler_chris_5 on Jan 15, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
completely agree
And, in last years SB, this applied on both 3rd down and 4th down on their LAST DRIVE. Miller was open as the check off on both plays and Ben wouldnt throw to him on either down. Miller could of walked for the first down and got out of bounds to stop the clock, instead Ben forced the throw on both downs and even threw into double coverage on 4th down.
backing my post....please click and paste to see video
I havent done this yet, but wanted to put video to my comments.
Please see the video, you can fast FF to 8:23 – 8:24, 3rd and five. We not only have Miller open in the flat, but Moore coming out of the backfield, slipping behing the MLB,even more WIDE OPEN once he slips behind the MLB for a sure first down, (after all, your PRIMARY goal on third down, is to GET the first down) and Ben forces the ball down field for incomplete.
At 8:31, 4th and five, Ben refused to throw to Miller in the flat who could of caught the pass right around the first down marker and got out of bounds. I think the 3rd down was more of a sure first with Moore. But, just an example of Ben forcing the ball downfield and not using his check offs. If its not there, dont force it and take what the defense gives you, your players will do the rest once they catch the ball.
Happnes all the time
Nothing new and this prevents me from progressive thinking. I want to be a homer but until we fix this, it will be the same script every game.
please see above posts TampaLen,
also check out video
There were a few shots in the Denver Game
that I think say a lot about our offense.
In one shot they show the Denver OC holding his play card aver his mouth (standard shot we see all the time). What was interesting was the SIZE of his play sheet. It looked to be maybe the size of a legal tablet. Then later they show the same shot of BA and his play card is at least TWICE the size. Then there is a shot of the whole field on one of Denvers pass plays. There were only 3 receivers in the pattern. Everybody else stayed in to block, allowing Tebow all the time in the world for a receiver to come wide open so he could complete the pass.
The point I am making here is that maybe we need to scale back some and just run a more basic offense that, as they say, gets the ball in the hands of our playmakers with some room to operate.
Just a thought.
Oh what do you know
Well Nation, it looks like three out the four finalist this year have something in common, whihc we used to so. They run the football and play defense. Too much on Ben who is not fundamentally sound when it comes to football knowledge or is it just their desire for the splash play. I love his grit but there are sounder QBs out there… Not a tier one guy. Moving forward, I feel we will be ok of we can controll the fillm room and Ofensive brian power.
not much defense or running in that 36 – 32 49ers/Saints game, though. And the Giants relied on Eli to throw for 330 yards to win.
The days of running to win are long gone. The Patriots give so little consideration to the running game, they had their tight end carry 6 times. Even Denver had to beat us with the pass.
by Dr. Spaceman on Jan 17, 2012 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
Good footbal is
The results of great talent and coaching being on the same page. I want to move forward and have to move foward but it is tough for me when I know not much will change. Let’s really be honest here, when was the last time we out workd anyone and out coached them? The last time I can recall (and I know I am most likely not right) was during our 05 run to SB 40. Against the Colts, we came out and out game planned them and really out workd them. My point is we have not played 60 minutes in a very long time on offense.
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