Does Silence about new OC speak volumes

by MrZoot on Jan 24, 2012 12:10 PM EST

Has anyone heard of any OC candidates being brought in for interviews?

I have not which makes me wonder if Fitchner has the inside track for the position. Also, does Miami hiring Philbin possibly take Clement off the board since he could get promoted to OC in GB? Fitchner makes some sense to me since he knows the players and personnel.

I am expecting the OC position to be filled by the Super Bowl but you never know.

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Are there even any especially good candidates?

Like most Steeler fans I had my frustrations with Arians, but in any circumstance like this the question becomes is the alternative better than the status quo? We won’t know that answer for some time, but I’m afraid the ousting of BA reeks of “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it”.
The red zone efficiency under Arians definately left a lot to be desired, but on the whole our offense was pretty damn good during his tenure (one that included year after year of talent deficent offensive lines).
I love Rooney’s philisophical commitment to running the ball, but the offense as it was this year landed the QB and both starting WR’s in the pro-bowl. If we had run a higher percentage of the time would Mendenhall or any of the O-linemen be there? Clearly not.
If our QB coach gets promoted we will have an OC with no prev. experience implimenting a new offense, with less of Ben, Wallace and Brown and more running behind a questionable O-line in 2012. If that’s the idea it hardly inspires confidence.
The Steelers will be fine I’m sure, but I’m not sure Arians was the problem, and I’m even less sure that whoever replaces him will be the solution.

by Kansas Steel on Jan 24, 2012 1:29 PM EST reply actions

I see where you are coming from

Sure QB coach in most cases won’t have OC experience. However, that did not seem to be an issue for Whisenhunt. I am sure someone gave Sean Payton, McCarthy, and others the chance to see what they could do. Just like with head coaches. I am glad the Rooney’s have gotten HC without experience than a retread that you know has failed.

My issue with Arians was that he always tried to fit the athletes into his system instead of tweaking his system to fit the athletes. He used the darn WR screen play all the time. That was not bad when our WR core was Ward/Cedric Wilson and El and no one really had great speed. Now with Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Mendy, crossing routes and slants should work consistently.

I have seen CB’s give Wallace a 10yd cushon and the ball never (rarely) was quickly thown to him. Granted some of that was Ben but then Arians should have kicked him a bit and not tried to be best buddy.

Arians also had zero screen plays unless the RB got the ball 7yds behind the line. In general he was too predictable and was unwilling to change his game plan.

When have we ever done a shovel pass? Why wasn’t the blue print used to kill NE repeated? Also, Arians has had iffy lines since he became OC. However, did he change his system to counter that? When we played Indy why weren’t quick passes used to slow down Freeney and Mathias from the edge.

Time will tell how this plays out. I am not saying there may not be struggles depending on how extensive the changes are to the system (or a new one). However, my money says we finish next year higher than 22nd in scoring offense.

Good comments. These boards are fun with constructive criticism.

by MrZoot on Jan 24, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

When have we ever done a shovel pass?

Ben to Hines Ward for -3 yards and his 1000th career catch against the Brownies in the last regular game. ;)

by axiomatic on Jan 25, 2012 1:58 AM EST up reply actions

True

but one shovel pass versus 100 WR screens froma bunch formation.

by MrZoot on Jan 25, 2012 8:34 AM EST up reply actions

No it doesn't

I heard Tomlin and the coaches are doing stuff for the senior bowl. So it’s no big deal. I heard not to expect anything until next monday at the earliest

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by John Stephens on Jan 24, 2012 1:38 PM EST reply actions

the senior bowl doubles as a career fair for potential hirees, so I would be shocked if any decisions are made before the festivities are over….they had a piece in the trib about Fichtner, which told me (literally) everything I know about Fichtner. He seems like he’s the type that’s had success everywhere he’s been, and he’s upbeat and energetic which would mesh with the younger receivers. He also ran a spread style offense at Memphis, so maybe he’ll bring some elements of that should he get the job….personally I’m lighting a candle hoping for Clements

by NoVAPensFan on Jan 25, 2012 4:45 AM EST up reply actions

Peter King said its going to be Jim C

8. Pittsburgh (12-5). Mike Tomlin (secondary) and Jim Caldwell (quarterbacks) coached together at Tampa Bay under Tony Dungy in Dungy’s last season with the Bucs, 2001, if you’re looking for a clue on the next offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh

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by rhino-mike on Jan 24, 2012 5:16 PM EST reply actions

If that was John Clayton

I’d be more inclined to believe it.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jan 24, 2012 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

I'm inclined to believe neither

The Steelers play things way to close to the chest. And I remember before Tomlin was hired EVERY analyst was certain it was going to be the Whiz. Also, with Tomlin and Rooney disagreeing on Arians I really doubt that Rooney will not oversee the hire and prevent Tomlin from bringing in “more of the same”. Rooney said he wanted to get back to Steelers football, and bringing in Caldwell doesn’t do that.

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by John Stephens on Jan 24, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

good point

"Everytime NE Patriots lose, Football wins", myself

by rhino-mike on Jan 24, 2012 11:18 PM EST up reply actions

I think it was Grimm they were close to hiring. At that point Whiz had already bolted for ‘Zona…I just remember one radio station was in such a rush to be the first one to break the news that they reported Grimm had gotten the job. Either way though, you’re definitely right, the front office definitely plays things close to the chest

by NoVAPensFan on Jan 25, 2012 4:47 AM EST up reply actions

I thought the Whiz ran for Az after they were leaning toward Tomlin.

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by John Stephens on Jan 25, 2012 8:40 AM EST up reply actions

Yes

and took Grimm with him

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"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 25, 2012 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

people have to remember

that tomlin had 2 interviews

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jan 26, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

The fact that the packers have not annouced Clement is the new speaks alot

maybe he is getting offers from a lot different teams

by steeler_in_maryland on Jan 24, 2012 7:48 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Why go to any other offense though?

That’s the best one right there

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by John Stephens on Jan 24, 2012 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

GB vs Pittsburgh

The decision may be more complex. There is a lot of talent on both teams. The Steelers have a great organization and I am assuming GB’s is not too shabby. There could also be the issue of money, whether he thinks he can work with Tomlin and Ben, and whether he feels he can make more of a mark with the Steelers than with GB. He may also not want to be OC at this point in time.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 25, 2012 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

rec´d and only Tampa interviewed him for HC

Mccarthy calls the plays in GB, and the new OC is Edgar Bennet former RB

by Ben Balesverger on Jan 24, 2012 11:46 PM EST up reply actions

really? Clements got passed over for OC in Green Bay? That could be either a good thing or bad thing I guess

by NoVAPensFan on Jan 25, 2012 4:49 AM EST up reply actions

Unless GB already knows Clements is planning on heading to Pittsburgh

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by PaVaSteeler on Jan 25, 2012 8:35 AM EST up reply actions

Caldwell

Lets see they coached together one year in tampa and his offense was horrible without peyton so he is tomlins guy???? Fitchner and Tomlin coached a few years together in college and several years in pros. not saying its him but can’t see Caldwell at all
faulty logic

by scottd7 on Jan 24, 2012 9:06 PM EST reply actions

even with Peyton, it’s not like he called the plays…Manning was the OC in the huddle, it always seemed like Caldwell was just an empty suit

by NoVAPensFan on Jan 25, 2012 4:50 AM EST up reply actions

I really don't want Caldwell

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by John Stephens on Jan 25, 2012 8:41 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

+1

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by Michael Hewitt on Jan 25, 2012 10:06 PM EST up reply actions

+10000000000000000

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jan 26, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

Running the ball might be steeler football

But is it smart to resist a league wide trend of high-flying offences?

by troy43polamalu on Jan 24, 2012 11:23 PM EST reply actions

I think they mean a more balance attack like in 2010

not a complete retooling. BA went back to his old habits after last year among other things. His playing calling sucked at times. The fact is BA offenses were too predictable and defenses like the Ravens caught on and hurt us big time.

by steeler_in_maryland on Jan 24, 2012 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

I'll never understand

why we didn’t once fake the swing pass, just pump fake it, step back after the defense bites and then pass it to an open guy, if you are going to use it at least do something diff with it.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jan 25, 2012 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

I saw Ben pump fake far less this year.

But in the years prior, when Ben pump faked, man I got excited. He rarely seemed to miss on those.

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by Fifty-Eight on Jan 25, 2012 11:55 PM EST up reply actions

good point

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jan 26, 2012 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

I think our personnel is more set up to be a pass team too

But, I don’t own the team.

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by John Stephens on Jan 25, 2012 8:41 AM EST up reply actions

I don't think its all about running more

but more about running more effectively. Of course I think they will run it a little more.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jan 25, 2012 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

We ranked 11th in Y/A

That’s not effective enough?

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by John Stephens on Jan 25, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

I know the numbers

evidently it isn’t if it was do you think BA would be gone?

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jan 25, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

Like I said

I’m indifferent. I think most of the problems extend from the OL. If we continue to ignore it, the new guy will have the exact same problems.

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by John Stephens on Jan 25, 2012 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

we have to fix OL in this draft. Thats why my mocks have consistenly more and more help up front, last one had 3 offensive linemen and 3 defensive linemen, ILB, and K.

Just saying of Rooney thought it was just the line BA would have been offered another contract.

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jan 26, 2012 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

I’m starting to think we should all focus our energy and words together and say “we don’t need O Line helps, it’s just fine” then maybe things will be different, because we say “we have to fix the o line this year” every year.

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by FrankWyt on Jan 27, 2012 12:40 AM EST up reply actions

BTW

2 of the top 10 Y/A teams had winning records, 3 went to playoffs

6 of the top 10 Y/Pass Attempt teams had winning records and went to the playoffs (2 in SB)

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by John Stephens on Jan 25, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

yea I know

in reality its all about scoring, thats what hurt the Steelers this year, not running the ball, but I still think they want to do a better job of it, its not like we’re terrible at running, just probably wants to get around that 6-8 ranking range

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Jan 25, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Not more running

because running to run does nothing. Effective running and none of the 15 bubble screens a game

by WVPiratesfan on Jan 25, 2012 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

How Many?

Superbowls did the “Air Coryell” offense win? And….“The greatest show on Turf” offense win? I will take our 6 with Steeler football being able to RUN and THROW the ball effectively. You control the clock being able to run the ball. How’s that High flying offense working out for Green Bay right now?

by lamberts58 on Jan 25, 2012 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

It worked out just fine for them for 15 games

And in last year’s Super Bowl.

Just sayin…

Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
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by StoneColdSteel on Jan 26, 2012 1:44 AM EST up reply actions

point is;

being one dimensional only gets you so far. I will take two dimensional on both sides of the ball any time. Gives you the best chance to win long term.

by lamberts58 on Jan 26, 2012 1:54 AM EST up reply actions

So, one game in which a team gets beat because the other team had a better day means the whole system is a failure?

The greatest show on turf won 1 super bowl, played for another.
It also featured one of the greatest running backs of all time, so, it was obviously a nice mix of run and pass. (250+ 1300+ rushing yards all three years of the GSoT)

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 26, 2012 2:26 AM EST up reply actions

what about the other side of the ball Frankie?

why do you like to put words in peoples mouth? where did I say its a failure?

by lamberts58 on Jan 26, 2012 2:50 AM EST up reply actions

well, your first comment was about running and throwing, and offensive systems. So I’m not sure why you are asking about the other side of the ball when you only mentioned offense. And while you didn’t say it’s a failure, your comment of “how’s that high flying offense working out for Green Bay right now” would sort of lead one to believe that you are saying their passing offense was a fail.

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 27, 2012 12:43 AM EST up reply actions

hence making them one dimensional

by lamberts58 on Jan 27, 2012 2:06 AM EST up reply actions

Then what do you mean by “what about the other side of the ball”?

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 27, 2012 2:36 AM EST up reply actions

Fitchner has ties to Tomlin as well

Fitchner and Tomlin also coached together before. Thus they have as much history as Tomlin/Caldwell just further in the past. I read somewhere where one coach mentioned that when Tomlin got the Pgh job that he thought Fitchner would eventually end up in Pgh in some role.

Caldwell sets off more alarms for me than Fitchner.

Plus it is curious that Clement got passed over in GB.

by MrZoot on Jan 25, 2012 8:36 AM EST reply actions