A Smith is Canada-esque

[NorthCoast]

The first pass on first down came with 1 minute left in the 2nd quarter. A 3 yd pass to Muth that was incomplete. That was followed by two more pass attempts on 1st down before the end of the half. Second was incomplete, third was a sack on Wilson.

• 1st down rushes = 14
• 1st down passes* = 11

*8 of those passes were in the 4th qtr trying to play catchup

And it's not like the 1st down rushes were working. Harris averaged 2.8 yds/att on 1st downs. JV.
(Warren of course only got 3 touches on first down, but averaged 5.7 yds/att.)

I think they have lost confidence in Wilson not to make a mistake early in the game. And for all that is holy in this world, please Mr. Smith, stop putting Patterson on the field in random situations just to keep your DEI offense happy. Terrible situational football as Tomlin likes to say.

[Ghost]

Steelers receivers combined for 43 yards on 4 catches. That’s pee-wee league level numbers.

[NorthCoast]

Steelers receivers combined for 43 yards on 4 catches. That’s pee-wee league level numbers.

In fairness, of the few TV shots with EZ views on plays, it sure looked like receivers were clearing in the MOF. But either Wilson bailed, didn't seem them, or refused to let it go. DCs have found something out about Wilson, and it's showing up in every game now. Maybe that is what Payton saw in Denver??

[Ghost]

17 points or less in these last 4 games. Beyond terrible. And this actually goes back to Fichtner. Maybe Tomlin is calling the plays.

[Northern_Blitz]

The first pass on first down came with 1 minute left in the 2nd quarter. A 3 yd pass to Muth that was incomplete. That was followed by two more pass attempts on 1st down before the end of the half. Second was incomplete, third was a sack on Wilson.

• 1st down rushes = 14
• 1st down passes* = 11

*8 of those passes were in the 4th qtr trying to play catchup

And it's not like the 1st down rushes were working. Harris averaged 2.8 yds/att on 1st downs. JV.
(Warren of course only got 3 touches on first down, but averaged 5.7 yds/att.)

I think they have lost confidence in Wilson not to make a mistake early in the game. And for all that is holy in this world, please Mr. Smith, stop putting Patterson on the field in random situations just to keep your DEI offense happy. Terrible situational football as Tomlin likes to say.

I think it would be interesting to know our pass% when we were behind schedule.

Seems to me that last night we almost always ran unless we had one (or two) unsuccessful plays. Only pass in 2nd 6+. Or 3rd and 4+.

Good news for passing enthusiasts is that we get behind schedule most of the time (as you point our re: Najee running).

I suppose the other side of that coin is that we (1) suck and pass pro and (2) no one could catch the ball yesterday.

+1 on Patterson. Tomlin has to scratch him because Smith can't help himself.

[Northern_Blitz]

In fairness, of the few TV shots with EZ views on plays, it sure looked like receivers were clearing in the MOF. But either Wilson bailed, didn't seem them, or refused to let it go. DCs have found something out about Wilson, and it's showing up in every game now. Maybe that is what Payton saw in Denver??

I was hoping that we'd give Fields a couple of series.

It will be very hard to do that in the playoffs now.

I think I'm out on wanting to resign Russ. Can't throw intermediate. Makes too many silly decisions (like deciding to run for 3 yards instead of throwing it away when under a minute with no time outs).

[WindyCitySteel]

QBs and coordinators change, offense stays the same. Nothing deep middle, short throws, runs, combat catches on the sideline.

The overarching goal of the offense is to not make mistakes.

Nothing changes until Tomlin is gone.

[Prowler]

Smith is Canada because he is running Mike Tomlin's offense and his gameplan.

[NorthCoast]

Smith is Canada because he is running Mike Tomlin's offense and his gameplan.

It doesn't explain the offensive burst when Wilson first took over as starter. Did Tomlin tell Smith to dial it down after that? The offense is just running the same stuff over and over. The tape on the O hasn't changed. That's on Smith.

[WindyCitySteel]

It doesn't explain the offensive burst when Wilson first took over as starter. Did Tomlin tell Smith to dial it down after that? The offense is just running the same stuff over and over. The tape on the O hasn't changed. That's on Smith.

They played crappy teams. < 20 PPG 5 of last 7.

[LPMAN]

QBs and coordinators change, offense stays the same. Nothing deep middle, short throws, runs, combat catches on the sideline.

The overarching goal of the offense is to not make mistakes.

Nothing changes until Tomlin is gone.

AGREED. Tomlin plays in his fears. Thinks we can win every ugly game late.

And we never replaced Diontae Johnson. I said when season started having Jefferson as your #2 was a huge problem.

[T.Ferguson]

AGREED. Tomlin plays in his fears. Thinks we can win every ugly game late.

And we never replaced Diontae Johnson. I said when season started having Jefferson as your #2 was a huge problem.

I think Tomlin winning a SB in only his second season may have had negative repercussions on his growth as a HC and the team as well. He sees Troy and Ben and Hines and Harrison making incredible plays, the coordinators are from the Cowher era, hey, he figures as HC I just sort of sit back and "we do what we do." He's just waiting for the planets to align again while never changing or evolving as a coach.

[WindyCitySteel]

I think Tomlin winning a SB in only his second season may have had negative repercussions on his growth as a HC and the team as well. He sees Troy and Ben and Hines and Harrison making incredible plays, the coordinators are from the Cowher era, hey, he figures as HC I just sort of sit back and "we do what we do." He's just waiting for the planets to align again while never changing or evolving as a coach.

Took the words out of my fingers. No need for elaborate schemes, just keep it close and let your stars make big plays.

If Brady (and Chris Johnson) doesn’t go down that year we’re stuck on 5.

[LPMAN]

I think Tomlin winning a SB in only his second season may have had negative repercussions on his growth as a HC and the team as well. He sees Troy and Ben and Hines and Harrison making incredible plays, the coordinators are from the Cowher era, hey, he figures as HC I just sort of sit back and "we do what we do." He's just waiting for the planets to align again while never changing or evolving as a coach.

I actually originally thought those early years with Ben would make an impression on how important it is on Tomlin to throw the ball like Ben did with Hines, Holmes, & AB......But i think you might be on to something.

[Northern_Blitz]

AGREED. Tomlin plays in his fears. Thinks we can win every ugly game late.

And we never replaced Diontae Johnson. I said when season started having Jefferson as your #2 was a huge problem.

I agree that he doesn't trust the offense to do anything and wants to win ugly.

Agree re: Johnson. I think we thought we'd be able to bring in someone as WR2 or that the other R Wilson could maybe develop into a 3+ by the end of the year.

Part of it is also just being stubborn about imposing our will too. But it seems like our will isn't all that strong. Especially when everyone knows that we're going to run on 1st down. So it seems like we're always behind schedule on 2nd.