Arthur Smith and the failure to use talent

[NorthCoast]

I think Smith is doing a pretty good job with what he has. It wasn't his fault Tolmin benched Pickens vs Dallas which ended up being a defeat for us.

We still could use some help at WR, but I feel the media has overblown it. On Smith, remember to judge him Russ at QB!

Besides using 'Muth and Warren a bit more than we have, there is not much to nit pick.

Well, there is one poster that says the benching of Pickens was needed. Who cares if it means a loss.

[feltdizz]

Well, there is one poster that says the benching of Pickens was needed. Who cares if it means a loss.

Some fans have suggested TRADING Pickens.

Who cares if it means a bad season. Just show them who’s boss and risk losing your job.. lol.

[Captain Lemming]

There's another thread talking about Winston praying that he doesn't throw any more picks.

How many prayers went up asking that we have an average (to above average) scoring offense.

It's amazing what competent QB play can do (especially when paired with firing an inept OC)!

To your point if you just look at just Russ games our average is higher than any Steeler team EVER including the heyday of Ben, Bell, and Brown.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Well, there is one poster that says the benching of Pickens was needed. Who cares if it means a loss.

I think if we look back to where we were with Pickens, and his contributions vs. distractions at that moment, he is a much different player today than he was two months ago. I am perfectly fine with the consequences of sitting your most explosive player if it's going to lead to better results in the long run. I don't know if that's the reason his game has picked up, or if it can be explained strictly by the QB change, or a combination of factors, but I'm much happier with his production now than I was then.

[LPMAN]

I think if we look back to where we were with Pickens, and his contributions vs. distractions at that moment, he is a much different player today than he was two months ago. I am perfectly fine with the consequences of sitting your most explosive player if it's going to lead to better results in the long run. I don't know if that's the reason his game has picked up, or if it can be explained strictly by the QB change, or a combination of factors, but I'm much happier with his production now than I was then.

You don't know why Pickens production has picked up???? SERIOUSLY??? He has a QB that can throw the football now accurately.

[hawaiiansteel]

DK's Daily Shot of Steelers: Liking Arthur Smith yet?

[hawaiiansteel]

Arthur Smith, What Are You Doing? Breaking Down His Bad Plan Vs Eagles

Alex Kozora

[NorthCoast]

Arthur Smith, What Are You Doing? Breaking Down His Bad Plan Vs Eagles

Alex Kozora

I watched this. Reality is that some of the plays would have been successful except for one guy blowing his blocking assignment. And it was a different guy each time.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

In my opinion the issue is not the talent we are putting on the field but the scheme, especially in the run game. In my opinion a lot of our concepts are to complex with too many moving parts that is why you see the volatility. You have a combination of Te's, Wrs, and pulling guards having to make blocking decisions and find their assignments amongst the chaos in the trenches, this isn't a problem if the defense lines up just like you practiced. These types of schemes can work if everyone does their job but it's our first year in the offense with a young line. I said at the beginning of the year we seem to really struggle when we bring our heavy package onto the field with multiple TE's, it causes too many defenders around the line of scrimmage and makes it hard to figure out who to block. That is just my opinion and I think that's why you see longer runs this year, because when it works right it's really effective.

Maybe Smith needs a whale of a blocker at FB, and a back who takes a hole for big plays like Warren can. We waste plays pitching it outside to Harris.

Now Washington blocks well. Jones needs to work on his hands and get serious with his body. He is not in ideal shape.

Good post.

[WindyCitySteel]

I watched this. Reality is that some of the plays would have been successful except for one guy blowing his blocking assignment. And it was a different guy each time.

Funny, Alex usually blames execution in losses to bad team, against a top 3 team he pins it on the OC?

[Eich]

I watched this. Reality is that some of the plays would have been successful except for one guy blowing his blocking assignment. And it was a different guy each time.

I recall making much the same post, earlier in the season. Why is the OL not figuring out their blocking assignments by now?

[Northern_Blitz]

Funny, Alex usually blames execution in losses to bad team, against a top 3 team he pins it on the OC?

I think Alex blames playcalling a reasonable amount of time.

Before the game he basically said "you can't come out against the Eagles and do X because you're going to lose". And the Steelers came out and did X and lost.

Pretty easy content for him to make here.

[Mr.wizard]

Maybe Smith needs a whale of a blocker at FB, and a back who takes a hole for big plays like Warren can. We waste plays pitching it outside to Harris.

Now Washington blocks well. Jones needs to work on his hands and get serious with his body. He is not in ideal shape.

Good post.

It's not a running back problem, the problem when you run multiple TE's and motion, there is too many moving parts and you need guys to be perfect. It's not a bad scheme but we have young guys and it's out first year in the system. Your Schick with Harris is tired, our running game was at its best when Patterson and Warren where injured. This is because Harris was able to get all the different runs in different situations, once Warren and Patterson came back our running game became very pedestrian. This isn't because one back is the difference, it's because defenses can't key on the run due to the personnel and situation.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

It's not a running back problem, the problem when you run multiple TE's and motion, there is too many moving parts and you need guys to be perfect. It's not a bad scheme but we have young guys and it's out first year in the system. Your Schick with Harris is tired, our running game was at its best when Patterson and Warren where injured. This is because Harris was able to get all the different runs in different situations, once Warren and Patterson came back our running game became very pedestrian. This isn't because one back is the difference, it's because defenses can't key on the run due to the personnel and situation.

BS. Give us a dynamic back with speed and agility ( things Harris lacks ). Then you'll see. Harris is sub par and limited on where he can be effective. Warren, who should be starting, is a bit better thoguh he goes down too easily.

[Mr.wizard]

BS. Give us a dynamic back with speed and agility ( things Harris lacks ). Then you'll see. Harris is sub par and limited on where he can be effective. Warren, who should be starting, is a bit better thoguh he goes down too easily.

You keep saying that about Warren but the Steelers already demonstrated that they don't think he is suited for the full role. The game where Najee was injured for a few series, Patterson was put into the main role instead of Warren, even with Najee completely out of the picture they still kept Warren in his minimized role.