Follow-Up Thoughts on Bruce Arians

by Michael Bean on Jan 7, 2008 3:46 PM EST in News

A post was written earlier today by cgolden about the play calling of Bruce Arians. It was a good piece with many good thoughts. The comments by you guys were worthwhile too. Allow me to jump in on this one:

Before going on, let me start with this: Bruce Arians, will, and should, remain the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.

This is a serious dilemma for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, perhaps not this year, but maybe after next if some of the same inconsistencies resurface. The problem is this: you want to hire the best man for the job, yet you have to reward improvements and success. Arians may not be the best guy for the job - that's yet to be determined - but it would certainly be hard justifying his dismissal after such a dramatic improvement in the play of our offense from 2006.

On the one hand, Arians undeniably has made certain decisions that have been hard to figure out, and that have frankly jeopardized our success. On the other hand though, how in God's name could you possibly fire a man who helped Big Ben have by far his most productive season as a pro? How can you sack a coach whose RB was on pace to win a rushing crown? Santonio Holmes didn't just magically become a fringe Pro Bowl player. Nate Washington didn't all of a sudden figure out a way to contribute. Our offensive coordinator has to be given some of the credit for these pleasant developments. Developments, mind you, that should allow us to return to the playoffs for the next 5 years provided our defense gets a bit younger and our offensive line gets stabilized.

Although it's not all that worthwile to compare this year's team with offenses of yesteryear, it should be noted that this year's offense was far more explosive and productive (in terms of points scored) than just about every one of Cowher's offenses. Again, that's comparing apples and oranges, but the bottom line is Arians has taken what was given to him personnel wise and molded an offense that really only struggled for short periods of time within games this year. And most of those problems had to do with the offensive line.

However there is plenty to be desired from Arians. His mixing and matching of play calls leaves me scratching my head at times. We'll come out of the gates like we did in Denver or against Jacksonville Saturday and look absolutely unstoppable. Our redzone offense to start the year was unbelievably effective. Yet at times, it seems as if his thoughts are somewhat disjointed. Too often it seemed we'd abandon an effective game-plan for no other reason than to just simply mix things up. Well, yes, you do need to react before defenses do so, but you can also overthink yourself. Earlier in the year it was a propensity to want to throw deep. Other times it was an insistence on running the ball. And at still others, it was suspect play-calling in the redzone, especially during the 2nd half of the year.

Back to Saturday's game: I was appalled by how frequently we ran the ball on Saturday. 26 carries for 43 yards! 7 of those carries went for negative yardage! I know you need balance over the course of the season, but it was crystal clear we weren't going anywhere running against that Jags D with Najeh Davenport.

On our first drive of the game, we marched the ball 80 yards down the field in 10 plays for a TD. We ran the ball just once before making it down to the 1 yard line, where we then proceeded to run the ball twice - the second being for a TD. I was so happy to see this aggressive mentality from Arians early, and I thought we would win handily if we were similarly aggressive for the remainder of the game.

So what do we do on our next drive? We run the ball on 1st and 2nd down and are then forced to punt after an incompletion on third down. Yes you need balance, but you also must stick to what's working in a win-or-go-home situation like we were in on Saturday.

On our first drive of the 4th quarter, down by 11, we had a 10 play 69 yard scoring drive that resulted in a TD. We ran the ball once that drive. We mixed and matched Heath and Hines brilliantly on short routes and really had no problems marching down the field. The short 3 step drops by Ben allowed him to get rid of it quickly, and really Hines only needs a half step of separation to haul in Ben's usually pin-point accurate passes.

So after an entire 2nd half of successfully throwing the ball, I was disappointed to see us shell up on our final drive of the game when we had a chance to ice it. There were 3:43 seconds left in the game when we got the ball back from Jacksonville following a HUGE LaMarr Woodley sack on third down. You've just got to know your personnel and strenghts in that situation. You play conservatively, you get burned, almost every time in the NFL. We just don't have the team to run out the clock this year. We haven't been able to all year. Why would that suddenly be any different? You play to win the game, and I was disappointed that Arians called three straight conservative calls from deep inside our own territory. Ben was on a terror in the second half, why take the ball out of his hands? You better believe the Patriots don't employ that same strategy if they were faced with similar circumstances. After the three straight running plays, including a hard-to-comprehend rollout keeper on 3rd down, the Jags got the ball back with 2:38 seconds left around midfield. I might as well have turned the game off, as it was obvious we had missed our chance. Point is, 2:38 is a ridiculously large amount of time to go 80 yards, let alone 30, or in the Jags' case, 20-25 to get in reasonable FG range.

Arians had the chance to continue calling an incredible second half of offensive plays and he tightened up. Disappointing, but hopefully a learning experience.

Here's the deal though guys: Arians isn't going anywhere. Period. And frankly, I don't think he should, mainly because I don't want Roethlisberger learning yet another offensive system. He clearly feels comfortable working with Arians and QB coach Ken Anderson. Let's give the three of them another year, AT LEAST, to work out some of the kinks and take it to the next level. Our problems rest with our offensive line and our defense, not our play calling. Play calling can always be improved upon from an outsiders' perpsective. And there is certainly validity to our complaints throughout the year. But at the end of the day, you've got to look at how well we ran it against shoddy defenses, as well as how well Big Ben developed this year under his system.

That said, I, personally, am not sure Arians will ever truly figure it all out and string together solid gameplans against the league's best teams, but the man definitely deserves another go-round with this Pittsburgh Steelers offense. I commend him for the work he did this year. I can only hope however that the high points of this year were just a small foretaste of an even greater feast to come in the near future.

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Quick comment

Agree with Blitz. He's got to learn to think these things through. One Saturday he showed the same impatience and stubborness (that's a hell of a combination)as Ben. Impatience; abandoning the quick short passing game that neutralized the pass rush and allowed us to march the field on the first series in favor of looking for the homerun and getting either sacks or interceptions. Stubborness; as cgolden said, run the ball on first down. Then add to that cowardice. We're ahead by one point, we need to keep the ball out of the Jags hands and we respond with three running plays? Yeah, yeah I know you don't want to risk stopping the clock,interceptions, etc. But we don't have a safe five yard pass in that playbook?

Nonetheless, on balance he has to given credit for crafting an offense that can overcome an 18 point deficit in less than a quarter, and at its best is very creative and at times nearly unstoppable (except by its own players). His problem, like Ben's is discernment. We have to hope that he has the capacity to develop a higher level of it.

by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Jan 7, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions

Arians

Yea, maybe I finally knee jerked after a game that drove me nuts. He has done some great things and that can't be ignored. Hopefully he's grows in this offense as Ben does.

Time to take the training wheels off this offense.

by cgolden on Jan 7, 2008 5:15 PM EST reply actions

def valid concerns

The problem, which I agree with cgolden, is that he has such moments of brilliance in most games, followed by stuff that's hard to comprehend. Being that its his first year though, I'm more than ready to give him more chances to iron out some of the mistakes and improve.

by Michael Bean on Jan 7, 2008 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

RE

Let me state first that I have only really liked one O coordinator since I was an adult and really began to understand the game. In the 70's I was just a teen and didn't understand. The guy that I liked was Ken Whisenhut. I liked Whiz because he had guts. He brought us the flea flicker, the Bettis half back pass etc. but believed in smash mouth. I have not been enamored with Arians since he was with Cleveland and his offensive play calling allowed Tommy Maddox and the undermanned Steelers to beat him in a huge come from behind playoff game in 2002. True Clevelands D gave up all those Maddox second half points but Arians play calling didn't help Cleveland.
Answering Blitz;

Arians will not get fired because the Rooney's are loyal and will stick with him almost too long. (Joe Walton)
You do hire the best man for the job. By the time the Steelers hired Tomlin and passed on Whiz they also lost many coaches to AZ. Zierlien and Arians were already there so were promoted for continuity. Ligashesky (a U of P guy) was hanging around UMPC and had experience. It was quick and easy. Arians is NOT of the Tomlin regime but a Cowher hold over.
While some want to credit Arians for Ben's improved play how about this hypothesis; Ben is a franchise QB. We saw how magical he was in 04 and 05. After winning the SB and partying all off season Ben promptly was involved in a motorcycle crash, an emergency appendectomy and never recovered. C'mon, who didn't think Ben was going to rebound from 06 with or without Arians? Many of his big plays were busted plays anyway where he escaped the rush and made something happen down field. I think Ben took 06 personal and was at Steeler offices the day after the season ended working towards 07. If you like Ken Anderson that's cool. Keep him.

I also don't think Arians has anything to do with FWP and Holmes. I give Bettis and Ward more props for their improved play.

4) Blind and fat John Madden stated during the telecast "It seems like the Steelers don't have a plan on offense." Couple that with the goal line calls against New England, the 2 fade calls on the 2 point conversion and a QB draw from 12 yards out, his time in Cleveland and I've seen enough.

Again, they won't fire him because of loyalty, continuity and all of the things that make the Rooney's great. That doesn't mean it's a good decision.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Jan 7, 2008 5:25 PM EST reply actions

all very good points

I personally don't think Arians will be around more than one or two more years, but for continuity's sake, I'd like to see him around next year. We're probably not going to win a SB next year (should be in a somewhat similar situation as this year, perhaps a bit better), so if nothing else, I'd like to make sure Ben doesn't regress next year by having to learn a new system.

Perhaps we should bite the bullet and force the issue sooner rather than later, since Ben will have to learn a new system at some point in his career. Might as well make it while he's still young and entering his prime? That's open for debate.

I did like the chutzpah of Whiz in certain situations, but all in all, I wouldn't trade Arians for Whiz, at least not with this group of players. We're just not a smashmouth team. Our RB isn't, and our OL isn't. I'm afraid Whiz and Cowher would try to force that regardless.

by Michael Bean on Jan 7, 2008 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

Blitz...

You articulated my thoughts exactly.

Arians deserves, and will get, a second year to evolve the offense further. Of course all of this discussion is moot if we don't get better blockers to make the offense go. It won't matter who is calling plays if we can't open running lanes or give Ben more the 2 secs to throw.

I do hope they upgrade the O-Line coach.

by _ET_ on Jan 7, 2008 5:44 PM EST reply actions

Tomlin should give him another year

I think Arians deserves at least some credit for Ben's development. He also deserves credit for establishing the kind of relationship that works best for Ben - a supportive and flexible teacher. What Tomlin needs to ensure is that he and Arians do a legitimate and thorough assessment of what needs to be corrected and how to do it even though the offense averaged almost 25 pts a game.

ST and O-line coaches are the ones who need to go: Ligashesky, his assistant (Jones?) and Zeirlein. It should be easier to find candidates for those positions this year because the Steelers were eliminated early and have an HC in place.

by santhome on Jan 7, 2008 9:35 PM EST reply actions

The problem with Arians

1. Most of us agree that Arians/Tomlin were too conservative on the Steelers next to last possession, where they handed off to Najeh twice before calling that Ben rollout keeper.

While that was a horrible strategy in my eyes (and many others it seems), what is even more disturbing is that we saw this same strategy earlier this year at the end of the 2nd Browns game (hand off to Parker twice followed by a QB draw).

So that leads me to believe that we are more likely to see a repeat of this "strategy" in future close games, rather than expect an epiphany.

This actually reduces my confidence in Tomlin, as I'm sure the head coach probably huddles with the OC in these situations and gives him the directive to either play conservative (keep it on the ground) or stay aggressive (trust in the right arm of the franchise qb).

2. I tend to think that Ben, Holmes et al would have continued maturing regardless of whether Arians was here.

by steeler1275 on Jan 8, 2008 3:08 AM EST reply actions

ben, holmes

Definitely true, theyre good players that will get better no matter the coaches around them.

As I said, this is a tough situation to be in. It's pretty clear Arians has a screw loose, but at the same time, he's done some very good things with this offense this year.

by Michael Bean on Jan 8, 2008 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

The question

I guess the main question for Coach Tomlin is this: Is the improvement in offensive productivity because of or in spite of Bruce Arians? Kind of like the Cowboys in 1995. Did they win a SB because of or in spite of Barry Switzer?

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jan 8, 2008 11:49 AM EST reply actions

conflicted

Blitz, you have summarized the situation regarding Arians very well. There's no question Arians deserves some credit for helping Ben have a very good year. The question is how much. It's not as if he was given chicken feathers and asked to make chicken cordon bleu out of it.

I would be against keeping Arians. His job is to produce a good offensive system, not produce a great quarterback. Obviously they should go hand in hand, but if that's the case you could make an argument that our offense significantly underperformed given the play of our QB and the talent at other skill positions.

I am not a huge fan of Football Outsiders' ranking system but at least they make an effort to look at things beyond mere statistical totals. Their final regular season ranking of the Steeler offense was No. 12, which represents a drop from No. 11 the previous year. On pure numbers, this year we ranked No. 9 in points scored, No. 17 in YPG and No. 17 in first downs. While there is no statistical ranking for the times a QB makes a great play while running for his life, I would bet we ranked in the top three if not No. 1 by a wide margin. Overall, I don't see a lot of evidence to suggest we had anything more than a slightly above average offense despite having a way above average QB, a way above average running back and a very solid receiving corps.

It's the OC's job to devise a system and call plays that best use the players' talent while best hiding their weaknesses. I don't think that system is in place. You can argue that OL problems compromised play execution, but you could also argue that Arians failed to react to those weaknesses in his play selection. Like you, I was heartened by the first drive vs. Jax because it looked like Arians would be aggressive and had finally integrated bootlegs and play action into plays that allowed Ben to be under control outside the pocket. Then they disappeared.

Play selection will always be a controversial topic. I won't beat a dead horse by dwelling on the final crucial offensive drive, but it's baffling to me that, on second and five with the season on the line, we would not give Ben two opportunities to make a six-yard pass rather than run two plays behind a third-string OT. It's an indication to me that Arians has more faith in his X's and O's than the players those X's and O's represent. There have been plenty of other examples this year but that was the killer.

I have little to no confidence in Arians doing a better job next year. He's not a young coach. He's been around the league. He was promoted from within and should know the talent on our team. He was more or less forced on Tomlin because of the timing of Tomlin's hiring. Tomlin has had a year to figure out if he can win a championship with this guy, not just have a well-liked offensive caretaker for another year or two.

Tomlin should not worry one bit about the players ability to adapt to change in the staff or the playbook. That's what players are paid to do. The only criteria is whether Tomlin feels he can go to war with this guy and win. If he feels he can, then keep him. But at the very least Tomlin should take a good long look at who else is available.

by steeler lifer on Jan 8, 2008 1:12 PM EST reply actions

OC Arians

I love to talk to fellow beloved Steeler fans...but only when they are rational, knowlegable, and truly understand the game...otherwise innane comments just sound like base-less whinning!

For instance, fire OC Arians? Oh yeah...take a coach who YOUR FRANCHISE QB loves and credits for his record breaking season and has a great working relationship with and fire him??? real smart... and we won't even get in the discussion of who you would hire to replace him...Arians, in my view, will be around a long time as Steelers OC, because he is not quite head coach material but a dam good OC (similar to Peyton's guy in Indy)

Now, with that being said, lets talk about the second to last offensive series...horrible, horrible play calling....3 runs are you kidding me?...they should have passed all 3 downs and stayed aggressive...if they had played like they were down 1 point and not ahead 1 point they would have won! BTW, the only thing that could have burned them on that series is if Ben was picked (and then at least you made their defense earn it...just tip your hat at that point) because we could not run the clock out...incompletions would not have been a big deal...we needed yardage and first downs not worried about the clock.

I would love to know how much influence, if any, coach Tomlin (as an aside...we have a GREAT coach in the making steeler fans!!!!) had on those calls. It surprises me b/c I would think both of those guys would love to play aggressive in that situation. BTW, I saw Arians comments from today and he said "probably should have let Ben throw on 3rd down" yes, and 1st and 2nd!!! Lets hope Coach T, and coach Arians learned from this game!!

Lets be objective (for a moment), J'ville is the better team...we were beat up. banged up, tired, fatigued, and limping into the playoffs (and we still should have won!!!)..but it would have been UGLY in NE.

I look forward to off season chats with knowledable fans who love their steelers!!!

by SteelerMike on Jan 9, 2008 9:41 PM EST reply actions

Who Is Not Knowledgable?

SteelerMike;
Thanks for the condescending opinion. It is only a knowledgable and rational fan such as yourself that would label a dissenting opinion as base-less whining.
The last series of the Jax game was not the only place that the O lacked continuity during the year. In the first half John Madden even commented that "The Steelers seem to have no plan on offense." Did you watch the game? The play calling in the NE game was to your liking? Especially at the goal line? Throwing against the worst run defenses in the league? (Denver & NYJ) I could go on and on.
While I don't agree that Arians is a capable O coordinator after watching him with the Steelers 1 year and 4 years with the Browns I would not label others that disagee with me on this post as whining, irrational idiots. Their opinion is just different from mine. In fact they may be right and I may be wrong. Your statements really limit the amount of people you will converse with on the site and your ability to garner new information and have a truly educated opinion.
PS Learn to use your spell check.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Jan 10, 2008 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

response to 5020

Ok 5020, lets clarify
1. I never called anyone an idiot...your word not mine
2. I welcome and am eager to hear other fans opinions that are well thought out and rational EVEN if I don't agree...but firing the OC ,who btw the PLAYERS credit for revitalzing the offense, after an emotional playoff loss comes off as knee-jerk and irrational
3. You don't like Arians...you reference "lack of continunity" and specific examples during the season (some I also agree with)... fine...then tell me who would be better...thats why these discussions are great...maybe you know of someone I don't who is better qualified...but remember new OC means new offense, new plays, terminology etc...too big a risk (Imo)
4. Were all frustrated by the loss and end of the season...I still can't believe we ran 3 straight running plays with a playoff victory in sight...I just think firing Arians would be a step back (again unless someone knows of someone better)

Looking forward to discussing our off-season...draft, O-line issues etc with fellow steeler fans...even with you 5020...

by SteelerMike on Jan 10, 2008 5:51 PM EST up reply actions

response to SteelerMike

It's all good Mike. It's all a moot point anyway. As I said in most musings about Arians, the Rooney's are loyal and would not fire him after a year. They didn't fire anyone including the Special Teams Coach Bob Ligashesky. I wonder how you feel about him? Did you follow the botched extra points and kick and punt return TD's against his Special Teams in his years at Pitt?
This IS a discussion page not a love everything about the Steelers or you are irrational, inane, whiners that don't truly understand the game page. The for instance you gave included a position I and others have taken on this site. If you have looked over some of my words I have listed game day decision's and other specific examples. I think they are well thought out, sensible and certainly rational. Others are even more in depth than mine and were posted on the main page. You list no examples just throw out accusations.

You are right. You didn't call anyone an idiot. I am sorry. Your word was inane (lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly)
Many of the players that you have spoken with who credit Arians for "revitalizing" the offense didn't want the Rooney's to hire Mike Tomlin. Many wanted Whisenhut (an OC I have credited) or Grimm. I do not think discussing making a coaching change is a knee jerk (unthinking) reaction. Bill Cowher made many coaching changes during his tenure. Even at Offensive Coordinator. Ron Ehrhardt, Chan Gaily etc. So will Mike Tomlin as time goes by.
You are right in that it is difficult to find a good Offensive Coordinator. But you also seem to infer that virtually no one but Arians could do the job he did last year and in his years at Cleveland. Many names have been bantered about on this site already. Cam Cameron, Hudson Hauk and Mike Martz were recent names I saw bantered about. What about Steve Sarkasian (USC)? New England has a young guy named Josh McDaniel. I never heard of him before he went to NE. They found him. The Steelers found Willie Parker Mike! He never even played in college. He rode the bench. The point is there are plenty of guys out there that could take a Ben Roethlisberger led offense and win 10 games with our 2007 schedule.
I am not really frustrated with the loss as I really think the Steelers have some holes (Special Teams, Offensive Line, Pass Rush and late game D) and while the Steelers played a valiant second half, Jacksonville was a better team in January 2008. But, I LOVE THE STEELERS. And I think I'm knowledgable even though I have a different opinion than yours.

Again SteelerMike, it's all good. I harbor no ill will. But when you come into 50's world slinging those words you better be prepared to defend them. I hope to discuss other issues with you during the off season and find common ground. You feel free to discuss back but only if you WANT to. I don't want you to feel you need to discuss with everyone EVEN me. Go Steelers! Draft A Couple Linemen!

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Jan 10, 2008 9:35 PM EST up reply actions