We need to switch to passing attack

[Sword]

We cannot run...we need to go 5 wide until we can prove to other
teams that we will just sit back and throw.
And then when we gain respect in the pass we will then be able to run more....

Let them stack the line.......

And for god sake when you need yards throw down the field not tot he dam line.....

[Eich]

We cannot run...we need to go 5 wide until we can prove to other
teams that we will just sit back and throw.
And then when we gain respect in the pass we will then be able to run more....

Let them stack the line.......

And for god sake when you need yards throw down the field not tot he dam line.....

I don't completely disagree. Put the ball in Ben's control. At the same time, if we can't give Ben more than 2 seconds before all hell is coming at him, he won't last the season. It all starts and ends with the line. If they can't find their way, we're done.

[RussianCrash]

No, it's three wide, it's moving the pocket. It's getting garbage like David Johnson and the rest of the backup TEs off the field.

Base offense: 3 wides, TE, 1 RB.

We provide no space for Ben, for the RBs, and the OL's. Too many bodies in tight to the LOS.

[papillon]

What ratio of passes to runs would be good? If you're ineffective rushing the football, how will you be effective passing the football? Ben is a good quarterback, but if a team has to only defend 1 aspect of an offense they can do that. Ben would be blitzed and harassed for an entire game if the ratio pf passes to runs is too lopsided.

The offensive line need to get their collective crap together and start hitting somebody other than their own guys.

Pappy

[Shoe]

A big part of the problem too, is that Ben has not developed as a passer in many ways. Check Andrew Luck and Indy, as an example. Indy has an equally bad O-line, yet they seem to (I don't watch them much) have a much better offense. Why?

Part of the reason is Luck's youthful exuberance, a la Ben in 2004--like a wild stallion. But over time, you hope that Ben develops more of a feel for passing (e.g. anticipation). Instead, after almost 10 years in the league, he still relies on his pump-faking defenses, his ability to shrug a guy off, and throwing to wide-open receivers in a scramble scenario.

[BlitzTo7]

A big part of the problem too, is that Ben has not developed as a passer in many ways. Check Andrew Luck and Indy, as an example. Indy has an equally bad O-line, yet they seem to (I don't watch them much) have a much better offense. Why?

Part of the reason is Luck's youthful exuberance, a la Ben in 2004--like a wild stallion. But over time, you hope that Ben develops more of a feel for passing (e.g. anticipation). Instead, after almost 10 years in the league, he still relies on his pump-faking defenses, his ability to shrug a guy off, and throwing to wide-open receivers in a scramble scenario.

Sorry, but this is just wrong. Just because Ben isn't Brady or Manning doesn't mean he's a bad passer, it just means he's a different kind of QB.

Whether we want to admit it or not, Mike Wallace's absence is felt. When he was stretching the field in 2010 and 2011, that forced defenses to back off and opened up the other WRs. Right now, the only receiver the Steelers have that could do that is Markus Wheaton, but they won't play him often because he's a rookie. Brown and Sanders aren't getting the job done in that regard. Not only will a legit deep threat open up the passing game, it will also open up the running game.

[steelz09]

A big part of the problem too, is that Ben has not developed as a passer in many ways. Check Andrew Luck and Indy, as an example. Indy has an equally bad O-line, yet they seem to (I don't watch them much) have a much better offense. Why?

Part of the reason is Luck's youthful exuberance, a la Ben in 2004--like a wild stallion. But over time, you hope that Ben develops more of a feel for passing (e.g. anticipation). Instead, after almost 10 years in the league, he still relies on his pump-faking defenses, his ability to shrug a guy off, and throwing to wide-open receivers in a scramble scenario.

I've been saying this for years but anytime you question Ben's play, the homers start calling you a "hater" because your being critical on poor Big Ben. What you said is the truth. Ben can throw a sweet ball and I don't dispute that but he doesn't read defenses particularly well and he doesn't "see the entire field" very well in a acceptable time span. I don't care if you have the best o-line in the league, I'm willing to bet they will be average at best with Ben as the QB. It's the way he plays and it's the way he will ALWAYS play.

[Eich]

What ratio of passes to runs would be good? If you're ineffective rushing the football, how will you be effective passing the football? Ben is a good quarterback, but if a team has to only defend 1 aspect of an offense they can do that. Ben would be blitzed and harassed for an entire game if the ratio pf passes to runs is too lopsided.

The offensive line need to get their collective crap together and start hitting somebody other than their own guys.

Pappy

I don't see the need to aim for a ratio. I recall games by the Cheaters where they would throw 10+ times in a row until the defense adjusted to it. Do what works until the other team adjusts. The problem we have right now is that nothing is working and it all points to an inept offensive line. That's where all the attention needs to be.

Fix the line and spread teams out so that they can't crowd the LOS to stop the run at all costs.

[SteelBuckeye]

I've been saying this for years but anytime you question Ben's play, the homers start calling you a "hater" because your being critical on poor Big Ben. What you said is the truth. Ben can throw a sweet ball and I don't dispute that but he doesn't read defenses particularly well and he doesn't "see the entire field" very well in a acceptable time span. I don't care if you have the best o-line in the league, I'm willing to bet they will be average at best with Ben as the QB. It's the way he plays and it's the way he will ALWAYS play.

I don't think "The Flash" could see the entire field in the unacceptable time span our line is giving Ben. But, I agree that at this stage in his career Ben is who we thought he was and he isn't changing. So, knowing that, why change the entire offensive scheme to one that does not highlight his strengths. It makes no sense to "extend his career" if we aren't winning. Scheme to his strengths, get some Lombardis while you can and move on when his career is over, however short that may be (and with this new scheme, it may be shorter than if we had stayed with what we were doing before).

[NorthCoast]

Sorry, but this is just wrong. Just because Ben isn't Brady or Manning doesn't mean he's a bad passer, it just means he's a different kind of QB.

Whether we want to admit it or not, Mike Wallace's absence is felt. When he was stretching the field in 2010 and 2011, that forced defenses to back off and opened up the other WRs. Right now, the only receiver the Steelers have that could do that is Markus Wheaton, but they won't play him often because he's a rookie. Brown and Sanders aren't getting the job done in that regard. Not only will a legit deep threat open up the passing game, it will also open up the running game.

You're just proving Shoe's original point. Ben throws to wide open WRs. He is not known for timing passes. A QB that pump fakes as much as BR is not about timing, but about getting a wide open target.

[feltdizz]

No huddle... but not that slow no huddle that bleeds the clock.

[steelz09]

No huddle... but not that slow no huddle that bleeds the clock.

I think Chip Kelly's huddled offense moved faster than Ben's implementation of the no huddle.

[BlitzTo7]

I think Chip Kelly's huddled offense moved faster than Ben's implementation of the no huddle.

Are you referring to the game last year in Denver when even though the Steelers were in "no huddle", Ben wouldn't snap the ball until the playclock went all the way down?

Considering the Steelers love them some TOP, I don't think that was Ben's decision.

[RussianCrash]

A big part of the problem too, is that Ben has not developed as a passer in many ways. Check Andrew Luck and Indy, as an example. Indy has an equally bad O-line, yet they seem to (I don't watch them much) have a much better offense. Why?

Because THEY value their quarterback.

WE value what happened 40 years ago.

[RuthlessBurgher]

A big part of the problem too, is that Ben has not developed as a passer in many ways. Check Andrew Luck and Indy, as an example. Indy has an equally bad O-line, yet they seem to (I don't watch them much) have a much better offense. Why?

Part of the reason is Luck's youthful exuberance, a la Ben in 2004--like a wild stallion. But over time, you hope that Ben develops more of a feel for passing (e.g. anticipation). Instead, after almost 10 years in the league, he still relies on his pump-faking defenses, his ability to shrug a guy off, and throwing to wide-open receivers in a scramble scenario.

For what it's worth, Andrew Luck was sacked 41 times last season (4th most in the league), while Ben was sacked 30 times last season (tied for 14th in the league).

Of course, Luck was subjected to a season's worth of Bruce Arians 7 step drops too, so that could have something to do with it.

[RussianCrash]

Luck's team also made the playoffs.

WE sat at home.

[feltdizz]

A big part of the problem too, is that Ben has not developed as a passer in many ways. Check Andrew Luck and Indy, as an example. Indy has an equally bad O-line, yet they seem to (I don't watch them much) have a much better offense. Why?

Part of the reason is Luck's youthful exuberance, a la Ben in 2004--like a wild stallion. But over time, you hope that Ben develops more of a feel for passing (e.g. anticipation). Instead, after almost 10 years in the league, he still relies on his pump-faking defenses, his ability to shrug a guy off, and throwing to wide-open receivers in a scramble scenario.

nah... everyone said BA killed Luck last year.. killed him into the playoffs.

I will keep repeating this.. I'll take 4 more years of Ben getting killed into the playoffs and SB over 8 more years of less hits and subpar seasons.

For the life of me I can't fathom why we fixed what wasn't broken. Sure the O didn't win stat trophies like RZ efficiency and total points but we WON GAMES and ALWAYS had a chance for a deep playoff run.

But no..... everyone hated winning that way. Ben is broken now... he looks defeated. He knows we are wasting his time right now.

[BlitzTo7]

nah... everyone said BA killed Luck last year.. killed him into the playoffs.

I will keep repeating this.. I'll take 4 more years of Ben getting killed into the playoffs and SB over 8 more years of less hits and subpar seasons.

For the life of me I can't fathom why we fixed what wasn't broken. Sure the O didn't win stat trophies like RZ efficiency and total points but we WON GAMES and ALWAYS had a chance for a deep playoff run.

But no..... everyone hated winning that way. Ben is broken now... he looks defeated. He knows we are wasting his time right now.

Truth be told, if the Arians offense would have been better in the redzone I don't think Art II could have fired him. Instead of changing everything, the offense should have just worked on its redzone play.

[Sword]

We cannot run...we need to go 5 wide until we can prove to other
teams that we will just sit back and throw.
And then when we gain respect in the pass we will then be able to run more....

Let them stack the line.......

And for god sake when you need yards throw down the field not tot he dam line.....

I agree go with 3 wide, 1 TE and RB but still go pass heavy....

I don't see our receivers coming back for the ball when Ben is under pressure!!

I say use more of our receivers like Derek Moye ....Big target for 10-15 yard passes
He was great in preseason...

[Vader]

nah... everyone said BA killed Luck last year.. killed him into the playoffs.

I will keep repeating this.. I'll take 4 more years of Ben getting killed into the playoffs and SB over 8 more years of less hits and subpar seasons.

For the life of me I can't fathom why we fixed what wasn't broken. Sure the O didn't win stat trophies like RZ efficiency and total points but we WON GAMES and ALWAYS had a chance for a deep playoff run.

But no..... everyone hated winning that way. Ben is broken now... he looks defeated. He knows we are wasting his time right now.

They didn't win because of the offense. Ben and BA threw 40 times in the GB SB. Ben had 2 picks and one for a pick six. The stupid offense lost the game. BTW they don't sniff the SB if not for beating the Jets because of Gay picking up a fumble and getting a TD. Ben sucked by throwing 2 picks in just 19 passes. They didn't score a point in the second half. WAIT they actually did score by giving the Jets a safety (Ben fumbled the ball). That's BA ****ing offense. No points and pray the defense scores... just like the SB with AZ. They lose that game if not for Harrison.

[BlitzTo7]

They didn't win because of the offense. Ben and BA threw 40 times in the GB SB. Ben had 2 picks and one for a pick six. The stupid offense lost the game. BTW they don't sniff the SB if not for beating the Jets because of Gay picking up a fumble and getting a TD. Ben sucked by throwing 2 picks in just 19 passes. They didn't score a point in the second half. WAIT they actually did score by giving the Jets a safety (Ben fumbled the ball). That's BA ****ing offense. No points and pray the defense scores... just like the SB with AZ. They lose that game if not for Harrison.

Still better than the Haley offense.

And if you want to say "they don't win without Harrison's pick-six", then does Drew Brees with without Tracy Porter's pick-six? Does Flacco win without Jacoby Jones 108-yard kickoff return? Does Peyton Manning win his only Lombardi without a pick-six as the Colts final score in that game?

[feltdizz]

For what it's worth, Andrew Luck was sacked 41 times last season (4th most in the league), while Ben was sacked 30 times last season (tied for 14th in the league).

Of course, Luck was subjected to a season's worth of Bruce Arians 7 step drops too, so that could have something to do with it.

7 steps into to playoffs... and BA won coach of the year.

Ben is a big boy.. not sure why fans keep crying about him taking hits... they happen regardless so might as well go down field.

[feltdizz]

They didn't win because of the offense. Ben and BA threw 40 times in the GB SB. Ben had 2 picks and one for a pick six. The stupid offense lost the game. BTW they don't sniff the SB if not for beating the Jets because of Gay picking up a fumble and getting a TD. Ben sucked by throwing 2 picks in just 19 passes. They didn't score a point in the second half. WAIT they actually did score by giving the Jets a safety (Ben fumbled the ball). That's BA ****ing offense. No points and pray the defense scores... just like the SB with AZ. They lose that game if not for Harrison.

The D should play big since we gave them all the money...

No one can every say the D doesn't carry this team but it's all about complimenting the D and BA's offense and Ben's arm and feet complimented our D better than this O.

[feltdizz]

Still better than the Haley offense.

And if you want to say "they don't win without Harrison's pick-six", then does Drew Brees with without Tracy Porter's pick-six? Does Flacco win without Jacoby Jones 108-yard kickoff return? Does Peyton Manning win his only Lombardi without a pick-six as the Colts final score in that game?

that's the problem with some fans... they want us to win because of our O. I think all 3 phases are needed and its no surprise that a D that is paid top dollar, along with a HC is was a defensive coach is getting the glory most games.

[RussianCrash]

BTW they don't sniff the SB if not for beating the Jets because of Gay picking up a fumble and getting a TD. Ben sucked by throwing 2 picks in just 19 passes.

The first pick went through Mendy's hands against the Jets, but YOU are going to be taken to Context School. Pull up your desk and say "Hi" to Slap and Lemming, they are sitting right next to you.

Ben Roethlisberger scores a TD to give the Steelers a 17-0 lead in the Jets AFC title game.

Then, Willie Gay scoops up a fumble. It's 24-0, start playing Renegade, wave those Terrible Towels, right?

WRONG!

Why? Because after Gay's fumble return, the Steelers defense gave up a field goal.

Then, to start the 2nd half, the defense gave up a touchdown to Santonio Holmes.

So that's 10 straight points for the Jets, and the 17 point lead that Ben's offense gave the defense was cut to 14 points.

And Ben wasn't on the field for a half an hour.

Class dismissed.

[BlitzTo7]

that's the problem with some fans... they want us to win because of our O. I think all 3 phases are needed and its no surprise that a D that is paid top dollar, along with a HC is was a defensive coach is getting the glory most games.

And considering the Steelers spend most of their money on defense (one reason why they've been in cap hell), why should anyone expect the offense to be better? The Steelers are getting what they paid for.

In this current era where offenses have the advantage, that has to change.

[GermanCrash]

No, the problem is some fans only care about where this team ranks on D without looking at context.

Lemming here praises the 2011 defense. But ignores the garbage QBs that team faced for most of the year.

That season, for any realistic fan should be remembered for 2 things: Joe Flacco going 90 yards win the division, and Tim Circus Act smoking that defense.

The defense has injuries? They get absolved of blame.

Arians offense has injuries? Doesn't matter.

And you can't read this and tell me I'm wrong.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

...That season ... should be remembered for 2 things: Joe Flacco going 90 yards win the division, and Tim Circus Act smoking that defense....

I'm geographically overwhelmed, feeling blitzkrieged, so I can't remember if I at the core of things agree with UNCrash or not. But I do think I agree with the above statement. The #1 defense and 50c would have bought us a quarter Venti from Starb*cks that year.

[steelz09]

Are you referring to the game last year in Denver when even though the Steelers were in "no huddle", Ben wouldn't snap the ball until the playclock went all the way down?

Considering the Steelers love them some TOP, I don't think that was Ben's decision.

No. I'm referring to the unexplainable poorly executed 2 minute drill of last week.

I don't know what was worse....

Ben's execution near the end zone which in which he continuously used up to much time and was throwing short of the endzone
..or..
Tomlin's timeout with 2:02 on the clock.

[BlitzTo7]

No. I'm referring to the unexplainable poorly executed 2 minute drill of last week.

I don't know what was worse....

Ben's execution near the end zone which in which he continuously used up to much time and was throwing short of the endzone
..or..
Tomlin's timeout with 2:02 on the clock.

That was the best drive of the game. And don't tell me it was Ben's choice not to throw in the endzone, everyone knows that isn't true. Everyone knows ever since Haley came here this offense has started to play scared.

[steelz09]

Just because 1 PLAYER has a route that is short of the endzone doesn't mean Ben has to throw it to that guy. Then again, Ben doesn't strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed.

[ikestops85]

The first pick went through Mendy's hands against the Jets, but YOU are going to be taken to Context School. Pull up your desk and say "Hi" to Slap and Lemming, they are sitting right next to you.

Ben Roethlisberger scores a TD to give the Steelers a 17-0 lead in the Jets AFC title game.

Then, Willie Gay scoops up a fumble. It's 24-0, start playing Renegade, wave those Terrible Towels, right?

WRONG!

Why? Because after Gay's fumble return, the Steelers defense gave up a field goal.

Then, to start the 2nd half, the defense gave up a touchdown to Santonio Holmes.

So that's 10 straight points for the Jets, and the 17 point lead that Ben's offense gave the defense was cut to 14 points.

And Ben wasn't on the field for a half an hour.

Class dismissed.

... and we don't care that the offense took the entire 2nd half of the game off. :nono

School's out

[GermanCrash]

... and we don't care that the offense took the entire 2nd half of the game off. :nono

School's out

You guys can't have it both ways. You can't demand defense and running with leads and then complain when they don't score.

Tomlin admitted they played "not to lose" in the second half.

But that's what you people want. Protect the defense, chew clock.

[birtikidis]

Still better than the Haley offense.

And if you want to say "they don't win without Harrison's pick-six", then does Drew Brees with without Tracy Porter's pick-six? Does Flacco win without Jacoby Jones 108-yard kickoff return? Does Peyton Manning win his only Lombardi without a pick-six as the Colts final score in that game?
Haleys offense was on pace to make Big Ben the MVP of the NFL until he got hurt.

[Slapstick]

You guys can't have it both ways. You can't demand defense and running with leads and then complain when they don't score.

Tomlin admitted they played "not to lose" in the second half.

But that's what you people want. Protect the defense, chew clock.

And score TDs, not FGs...

[Vader]

The first pick went through Mendy's hands against the Jets, but YOU are going to be taken to Context School. Pull up your desk and say "Hi" to Slap and Lemming, they are sitting right next to you.

Ben Roethlisberger scores a TD to give the Steelers a 17-0 lead in the Jets AFC title game.

Then, Willie Gay scoops up a fumble. It's 24-0, start playing Renegade, wave those Terrible Towels, right?

WRONG!

Why? Because after Gay's fumble return, the Steelers defense gave up a field goal.

Then, to start the 2nd half, the defense gave up a touchdown to Santonio Holmes.

So that's 10 straight points for the Jets, and the 17 point lead that Ben's offense gave the defense was cut to 14 points.

And Ben wasn't on the field for a half an hour.

Class dismissed.

The only class you'd be in charge of is the short bus class... now time to learn you a few things:

Do you really expect to shut out a team in today's NFL? You're a ****ing moron if you think the D was just going to shut them out. WOW they scored a FG after the D just got off the field by scoring a TD by themselves? WOW what brilliant insight. The defense shut them out in the first half except for a FG. The offense was staying on the field and then in the second half they do this:

3rd qtr- Interception
3rd qtr- 13 yards and a punt
4th qtr- -1 yards and a safety (yea, blame the D here *******)
4th qtr- ran out the game

3 drives in the 2nd half with a pick, punt, and a safety. The offense didn't play to win. They didn't score a ****ing point the entire 2nd half. The defense didn't give up a huge lead on it's own. They got 2 pts from Ben then got a TD because they kicked it off and the Jets had great field position at their own 42 yard line.

BTW you can't say the Jets dominated the TOP in the 2nd half so the Steelers couldn't get the ball. Ben has over a 4 minute drive going and then throws a pick to kill the drive. So anybody that think the offense won that game is ****ing nuts. The defense scored 7 points while the offense scored 17 points and gave up 2 pts. They didn't do **** in the 2nd half.... spin it all you want. The defense scored 7 points and held the Jets to 17 which is a 10 pts spread.

Class is indeed dismissed.

[skyhawk]

Mmmm, this popcorn is good....:evil:

:bungalssuck

[BlitzTo7]

Haleys offense was on pace to make Big Ben the MVP of the NFL until he got hurt.

Wrong. Ben was on pace for an MVP season because he was bailing out the offense on third & long all of the time, mostly because of atrocious play-calling on the first two downs.


Just because 1 PLAYER has a route that is short of the endzone doesn't mean Ben has to throw it to that guy. Then again, Ben doesn't strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed.

We get it. You think the rest of the team is perfect and Ben is the only thing wrong with it. Ben is not the problem, no matter how badly you want him to be.

[birtikidis]

Wrong. Ben was on pace for an MVP season because he was bailing out the offense on third & long all of the time, mostly because of atrocious play-calling on the first two downs.



We get it. You think the rest of the team is perfect and Ben is the only thing wrong with it. Ben is not the problem, no matter how badly you want him to be.
Oh i forgot we kept calling the run backwards and fall down play over and over again on 1st and 2nd down and then said bail us out Ben.
:Blah

[BlitzTo7]

Oh i forgot we kept calling the run backwards and fall down play over and over again on 1st and 2nd down and then said bail us out Ben.
:Blah

Pretty much. Don't forget the bubble screens that went nowhere.

[NorthCoast]

Wrong. Ben was on pace for an MVP season because he was bailing out the offense on third & long all of the time, mostly because of atrocious play-calling on the first two downs.



We get it. You think the rest of the team is perfect and Ben is the only thing wrong with it. Ben is not the problem, no matter how badly you want him to be.

And so what happened to the 3rd down magic this season?? In the second half of the game, the Steelers averaged 3 yds to go on seven 3rd downs. The offense got how many first downs?? Zero!... Ben couldn't manage a single throw for a first down. That's the difference.

[birtikidis]

God i hate that bubble screen

[ikestops85]

God i hate that bubble screen

Me too ... I was hoping that play went away with Arians. :HeadBanger

[Töm87]

Maybe we should at least play an offensive sheme that suits our quaterback. Spread offece out of the shotgun, that's how most snaps should look like.

[BlitzTo7]

And so what happened to the 3rd down magic this season?? In the second half of the game, the Steelers averaged 3 yds to go on seven 3rd downs. The offense got how many first downs?? Zero!... Ben couldn't manage a single throw for a first down. That's the difference.

Because no offense can live off its QB pulling a miracle out of his butt on every third & long.

[pfelix73]

"3rd down magic this season?" You make it sound like we're in week 14. We're only in week #1! Guys- lets give it a few more weeks before ya'll start jumping OFF the bandwagon.....

[phillyesq]

Maybe we should at least play an offensive sheme that suits our quaterback. Spread offece out of the shotgun, that's how most snaps should look like.

That may suit the QB, but not the WRs or the offensive line. Ben had little time, but couldn't get the ball out quickly. The Titans didn't particularly respect the WRs and the WRs did not make them pay. They need more separation more quickly.

[Chadman]

While the OL looked poor against the Titans, they looked no worse than last year or any of the previous 3-4 years. (Chadman secretly suspects that these guys might still turn out to be better than we expect). And the RB's were poor, no doubting that- but they were poor last year as well. They clearly miss a RB that can reliably hold the ball & get 3-4 yards most attempts. Maybe Bell is that guy? But for Chadman, the biggest deficiency in the Todd Haley offense/ Steelers roster combination is that they don't have a go-to WR. If you are going to play a dink-dunk, catch & run, short route, quick (quickish maybe) passing attack- you need a big, safe hands type WR that can get the ball in traffic, who isn't afraid to cross the middle, or get deep. They need a Larry Fitzgerald, or Dwayne Bowe... Plaxico Burress type WR. A guy Ben can do what Ben has always done- throw into coverage- and still be a strong chance of coming down with the ball. Antonio Brown is an overpaid slot WR, Sanders is yet to prove he's more than a back-up, Cotchery is a possession WR & Wheaton needs time, but looks to be a potential deep threat. Ben was always at his best (and sometimes worst) when he could lob it up & have a Burress, Ward or Wallace pluck it out of coverage & make a play. The current group don't offer him that luxury. The current group take 'the gambler' out of Ben. And then Ben holds the ball longer...waiting for WR's to get open...with an average at best OL...

[Keyplay1]

Truth be told, if the Arians offense would have been better in the redzone I don't think Art II could have fired him. Instead of changing everything, the offense should have just worked on its redzone play.

I am not so sure about that. Since 1992 TS have had 8 OC's. That is about a 2 1/2 yrs avg per OC. It was simply time for BA to go. The handling of it was not good [butchered] however. BA was here longer than any other OC [97-2011] since who knows when.

It seems folks are confusing TS presumed patience with HC's with all position coaches. That is not the case. Incidentally, TS had 4 different HC's in the 1960's.

[steelblood]

Yeah, Ben is awesome. One of the greatest Steelers of all time. But, he is not a master technician, and he is not a classic pocket passer. He doesn't always trust his first read. He likes to hold the ball and extend plays. It is what it is.

[Keyplay1]

Haleys offense was on pace to make Big Ben the MVP of the NFL until he got hurt.

Do you really believe that?

There have been 4 or 5 threads since that totally debunked that perception. Some said there 5 or 6 players way ahead at that time.

But yes, it did seem like things were going good early last year but really were they? It was just a matter of time before any Defense would easily slam shut the door on that closet type O TS were running.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Just because 1 PLAYER has a route that is short of the endzone doesn't mean Ben has to throw it to that guy. Then again, Ben doesn't strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed.
then, why run an offense that requires him to be that? an offense with quick-hitters means you have to be smart enough to know all the pre-snap reads, understand what the defense is doing, and get out a timing route. we all know who our QB is and who he isn't... well, all of us except the OC

[phillyesq]

While the OL looked poor against the Titans, they looked no worse than last year or any of the previous 3-4 years. (Chadman secretly suspects that these guys might still turn out to be better than we expect). And the RB's were poor, no doubting that- but they were poor last year as well. They clearly miss a RB that can reliably hold the ball & get 3-4 yards most attempts. Maybe Bell is that guy? But for Chadman, the biggest deficiency in the Todd Haley offense/ Steelers roster combination is that they don't have a go-to WR. If you are going to play a dink-dunk, catch & run, short route, quick (quickish maybe) passing attack- you need a big, safe hands type WR that can get the ball in traffic, who isn't afraid to cross the middle, or get deep. They need a Larry Fitzgerald, or Dwayne Bowe... Plaxico Burress type WR. A guy Ben can do what Ben has always done- throw into coverage- and still be a strong chance of coming down with the ball. Antonio Brown is an overpaid slot WR, Sanders is yet to prove he's more than a back-up, Cotchery is a possession WR & Wheaton needs time, but looks to be a potential deep threat. Ben was always at his best (and sometimes worst) when he could lob it up & have a Burress, Ward or Wallace pluck it out of coverage & make a play. The current group don't offer him that luxury. The current group take 'the gambler' out of Ben. And then Ben holds the ball longer...waiting for WR's to get open...with an average at best OL...

The lack of offensive weapons is a problem. Brown is best as a #2, Sanders a #3, Cothery a #4 who can move the chains. Wheaton is young and learning, but has a similar profile to Brown and Sanders.

[flippy]

we all know who our QB is and who he isn't... well, all of us except the OC

there it is. truth!!!

[feltdizz]

And so what happened to the 3rd down magic this season?? In the second half of the game, the Steelers averaged 3 yds to go on seven 3rd downs. The offense got how many first downs?? Zero!... Ben couldn't manage a single throw for a first down. That's the difference.

1st game... but I expected a little

[feltdizz]

I am not so sure about that. Since 1992 TS have had 8 OC's. That is about a 2 1/2 yrs avg per OC. It was simply time for BA to go. The handling of it was not good [butchered] however. BA was here longer than any other OC [97-2011] since who knows when.

It seems folks are confusing TS presumed patience with HC's with all position coaches. That is not the case. Incidentally, TS had 4 different HC's in the 1960's.

It was time to go because we didn't go to 4 SB's in his 4 or 5 years? smh... yeah, it was time... because winning a ton of games most years wasn't enough for the fans. We needed more. 2 SB's in one year. This sounds as crazy as those who blamed BA for our D stinking it up.

2 SB appearances in 4 years and he was the WR coach for another SB appearance...

Everyone on our offense loved the guy.. now look at us?

[BlitzTo7]

Do you really believe that?

There have been 4 or 5 threads since that totally debunked that perception. Some said there 5 or 6 players way ahead at that time.

But yes, it did seem like things were going good early last year but really were they? It was just a matter of time before any Defense would easily slam shut the door on that closet type O TS were running.

Pretty much this. Hoping your QB can bail you out on third & longs after failed runs up the middle or bubble screens is not a sustainable offense. You need to be able to stretch the field in today's NFL. Dink-and-dunk, screen passes, and check-downs can't replace that.

[feltdizz]

Do you really believe that?

There have been 4 or 5 threads since that totally debunked that perception. Some said there 5 or 6 players way ahead at that time.

But yes, it did seem like things were going good early last year but really were they? It was just a matter of time before any Defense would easily slam shut the door on that closet type O TS were running.

MVP at week 8 is all they have... sure he was hot early on but we played no one and as soon as teams figured us out it was all downhill. How does an MVP offense look like that in it's second year with fresh players..at home... vs Tennessee?

[Slapstick]

This sounds as crazy as those who blamed BA for our D stinking it up.



Almost as bad as blaming the D when the offense sucks...

[feltdizz]

Almost as bad as blaming the D when the offense sucks...

lol... good one.