Colon: Steelers lacked an identity

[fordfixer]

Colon: Steelers lacked an identity
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 23, 2010 8:52 PM ET
[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/23/colon-steelers-lacked-an-identity/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -identity/[/url]

Add another voice to the chorus singing that Pittsburgh needs to get back to "Steeler football."

Right tackle Willie Colon says he bit his tongue during the season, but made it clear he was uneasy with the direction of the team's offense.

"We haven't had an identity," Colon to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We'll throw the ball really well, and then there will be some games where we run the ball really well. Being committed to the run will help us manage the game better.''

We'd argue that late game defensive collapses and terrible special teams play were equally important factors in Pittsburgh's 9-7 record. But Colon says the Steelers didn't play to their linemen's strengths.

"We have the ability to pass block -- we have athletic guys that can get it done,'' said Colon. "[But] when you look at the mind-set of a lot of our guys, running the ball probably is our suit. We have a bunch of guys that love to get after it.''

Colon has allies in coach Mike Tomlin and team president Art Rooney II.

"I think Mike and I certainly agreed coming off the season that we need to run the ball more consistently to get to where we want to get to," Rooney said last week.

Now it's up to offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to deliver.

[msp26505]

Never going to happen...

The only people who want the Steelers to be able to run the ball well are the fans, owners, coaches, and players.

This is, after all, a passing league now.

[hawaiiansteel]

Maybe Bruce Arians can do some research on the internet and see if he can find a couple of running plays that work on 3rd and 1

[feltdizz]

We don't lack identity... We just switched our identity and the OL hasn't adjusted. I understand their big azzzez want to run more... but it would be nice if they executed on the short yardage and when we are up by 10. I'll take consistency over identity any day. Hopefully the new OL coach fixes this problem.

[papillon]

We don't lack identity... We just switched our identity and the OL hasn't adjusted. I understand their big azzzez want to run more... but it would be nice if they executed on the short yardage and when we are up by 10. I'll take consistency over identity any day. Hopefully the new OL coach fixes this problem.

Identity and consistency are pretty much the same thing. You get an identity when you're consistent on offense. The Steelers' offense was never consistent enough in either phase of offense to establish an identity.

Pappy

[Chadman]

It'll be interesting to see what this new-found desire to be a running team will mean in regards to the draft & FA.

With Parker likely gone, and no RB on the roster, there could be AT LEAST 2 new additions at RB this off season...just where will they come from?

[papillon]

It'll be interesting to see what this new-found desire to be a running team will mean in regards to the draft & FA.

With Parker likely gone, and no RB on the roster, there could be AT LEAST 2 new additions at RB this off season...just where will they come from?

Rounds 4-7 or UDFA any sooner than that and Steeler games will look like arena football. No defense and a lot of scoring.

Pappy

[hawaiiansteel]

It'll be interesting to see what this new-found desire to be a running team will mean in regards to the draft & FA.

With Parker likely gone, and no RB on the roster, there could be AT LEAST 2 new additions at RB this off season...just where will they come from?

We do have Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore, I think we may draft a RB in the later rounds to compete with Frank Summers, Isaac Redman and Justin Vincent.

Question is, will we be adding a FB or does Bruce Arians still not believe in one?

[skyhawk]

Horse crap.

I still think it's lack of conditioning on both sides of football.

They were mentally and physically tired all season.

[Chadman]

Nothing from Summers, Redman or Vincent has convinced Chadman they are viable options if Mendy gets hurt.

A FA pick-up is a good option to play #2, and Chadman likes Toby Gerhart from Stanford to play the "Mike Alstott" role- FB & Short Yardage.

If the Steelers grabbed Gerhart in, say Round 4, then Chadman would love the Steelers to use one of their 'extra' picks (compensatory- whenever they may be) on LeMarkus Coker from Hampton. Former Tenn RB that got punted for drug related issues, but turned his life around at Hampton. It's rumoured he'll run a sub 4.3 at the combine- that puts him in Chris Johnson territory.