Do you trust our running game?

[SteelTorch]

I know, it's nitpicky of me to criticize anything after a rout like today (especially one where we played both against the team AND the refs :P ), but even today I saw our running game struggle yet again against a defense that was supposed to be poor at stopping the run.

Our rushing yards look good at first glance, but 55 of them came on scrambles by Big Ben. Our running backs combined had 30 rushes for just 107 yards - about 3.6 YPA. Mendenhall averaged just 2.6 YPA. Granted our OL is being plagued by injury, but these problems have been happening all season save for a couple games. And this happens even against poor run defenses. I don't know if its players, playcalling, or both.

Yes, I know we're 7-3 and just beat the snot out of the Raiders. However, we've been aided by a stout defense and the playmaking of BB these last few games. If our passing offense had a very bad day, or if our defense was having problems getting off the field, would you trust our running game to carry us to victory? I wouldn't.


PS: I'm the first to admit that passing the ball is more important these days, but an offense should be balanced to be truly effective in my eyes. Oh well, today was a great win and this is as negative as I'll get.

[Chadman]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

The Steelers are now a passing offense that can run reasonably. It would be more important- and possibly more intelligent- to find a way to include Mendy in the passing game also as he is a strong 'after the catch' runner. With a reasonably poor run blocking OL, beat up, it's safe to say the Steelers should forget 'balance' & do what works for them- throw the ball & run to burn the clock.

There is nothing wrong with being a 'passing team'.

[Sugar]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

IMO, the Raiders picked their poison. They were going to make Ben beat them and stop the run. Both happened- they stopped the run and Ben beat them.

[Steelhere10]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

Medenhall had about 60yds called back because of holding that would not have made a difference in the play, so I hope you are not judging by todays game.

[ikestops85]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

Medenhall had about 60yds called back because of holding that would not have made a difference in the play, so I hope you are not judging by todays game.

I didn't get to see the game but your comment makes me feel better about the running game.

[feltdizz]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

Medenhall had about 60yds called back because of holding that would not have made a difference in the play, so I hope you are not judging by todays game.

I didn't get to see the game but your comment makes me feel better about the running game.

Mendenhall had 2 or 3 runs called back but I have to be honest... he missed a few holes.

We need to pass to set up the run..
Redman needs more touches to soften up the D...

and we need to run left more often.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

I was alot more confident before the injuries. But I did like the insertion of Foster and the benching of Essex. I have more confidence with the starting five that took the field yesterday. Mendy did lose 40+ yards on bad holding calls but they did miss Adams holding of Wallaces run. If you watched the game, you got the sense they could run when they wanted as long as the flags got stuck in the refs pockets. This Bills game should be a good momentum game for this OL front to gel some more. It seems Scott is building some confidence on the left side and Adams just seems like he found a home. I just hope Pouncey & Kemo are ready to go against the Bills.

One thing I would like to see more is Redman at HB. It seems like he should be the "spell" guy and see more time in mop up duty. Take some shots away from Mendy because Mendy looks a step faster then the defense as the game goes on and if the OL chemistry gets better, that could be a factor in the playoffs.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

Harris: Ben, offense finally finding balance

By John Harris
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, November 23, 2010


Call me confused.

Ben Roethlisberger is back. So why were the Steelers in their must-win mode against the Oakland Raiders?

The Steelers offense faced a crossroads in Roethlisberger's sixth game, which surprised me.

When Roethlisberger replaced Charlie Batch, we were told the offense would take off. That combining Ben with a historically strong defense would automatically make the Steelers a team to be feared. And that even if the defense slacked off, Roethlisberger's big-play ability would make the difference.

If Michael Vick can elevate the quarterback position in Philadelphia while also repairing his reputation, Roethlisberger can do the same with the Steelers.

So what gives with all the teeth-gnashing following last week's loss to New England? So what if Tom Brady picked the defense apart? The Steelers have their own Brady in Roethlisberger.

Working with a private quarterback coach during his four-game suspension, Roethlisberger left nothing to chance. He was focused, in the best shape of his career and ready to put the past behind him.

That's why I'm confused. Instead of the offense taking off under Roethlisberger, it was at a standstill before Sunday's impressive 35-3 blowout win at Heinz Field.

It was good to see. But why did it take so long?

It shouldn't have taken six weeks for the offense to dominate while finally blending the pass and run. And not so fast. Even after passing for 275 yards, rushing for 55 more and totaling four touchdowns with no interceptions against the Raiders, Roethlisberger said he wasn't impressed with the effort.

"It's funny, because if you ask me, I felt like we didn't have a good offensive performance," Roethlisberger said. "I felt that we were OK."

Uh-oh. Here we go again.

There's always something with this offense. Either injuries or penalties or flat-out confusion about whether the Steelers are a passing team or a running team.

Compared with the defense, the offense needs a hug from Dr. Phil.

Love it or hate it, you know what you're getting from Dick LeBeau's defense. They're going to play a 3-4, no matter what. They're going to stop the run first and take their chances against the pass. Even when they're missing injured starting defensive ends Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel, they can suck it up and limit Oakland to no touchdowns and 182 total yards.

The Steelers offense has a split personality. Running back Rashard Mendenhall was featured heavily through the first four games. As a result, Mendenhall responded with two 100-yard rushing performances and ranked among the league leaders.

The offense ran to set up the pass the way it did under former coach Bill Cowher. Everyone knew their role.

When Roethlisberger returned, roles changed.

Mendenhall's role was diminished. He hasn't rushed for 100 yards in the past six games.

Clearly, the offense is built around Roethlisberger. The Steelers aren't paying him all that money to hand off to Mendenhall.

Sunday's game was a good start. It was an opportunity to fulfill the lofty expectations set for Roethlisberger -- something to build on for the remainder of the season.

Roethlisberger said last week that he and veteran wide receiver Hines Ward decided to become more vocal leaders. That surprised me. I naively assumed that Roethlisberger's two Super Bowl victories and $102 million contract validated his leadership status. Even though he wasn't voted a team captain this season, money talks.

Mike Tomlin was quick to discuss Roethlisberger's leadership role for one of the few times in his coaching tenure following the Oakland win. Roethlisberger seconded Tomlin's words.

"That's what we need from guys that have been here before," Roethlisberger said about becoming a more vocal leader. "When guys do that, you see the younger guys start to go with it."

The Steelers don't have their full complement of offensive linemen, so that probably means Roethlisberger will have to watch his back when dropping back to pass. He displayed his full arsenal of accurate throws and timely scrambles against the Raiders. It was good to see. The Steelers will need to see even more from their franchise quarterback to be all they can be.

John Harris can be reached at [email="jharris@tribweb.com"]jharris@tribweb.com[/email] or 412-481-5432.

[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/print_710543.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 10543.html[/url]

[Oviedo]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

Since it isn't 1975, I'm far more interested in the efficiency of our passing game. We left too many pass plays on the field Sunday and we need to improve that to continue to be successful.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

Since it isn't 1975, I'm far more interested in the efficiency of our passing game. We left too many pass plays on the field Sunday and we need to improve that to continue to be successful.

we won the Super Bowl in 1975...

[feltdizz]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

the only ratio I care about is success.

[Oviedo]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

Since it isn't 1975, I'm far more interested in the efficiency of our passing game. We left too many pass plays on the field Sunday and we need to improve that to continue to be successful.

we won the Super Bowl in 1975...

There also wasn't any "Mel Blount rule" in 1975 giving significant advantages to passing the football. There is now plus about a dozen other initiatives benefiting a passing attack.

It is easier to shut down a running game than a passing game in 2010.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Re: Do you trust our running game?

Since it isn't 1975, I'm far more interested in the efficiency of our passing game. We left too many pass plays on the field Sunday and we need to improve that to continue to be successful.

we won the Super Bowl in 1975...

There also wasn't any "Mel Blount rule" in 1975 giving significant advantages to passing the football. There is now plus about a dozen other initiatives benefiting a passing attack.

It is easier to shut down a running game than a passing game in 2010.

Yep. One reason I wasn't all that impressed when folks were crowing about Steelers allowing such few rushing yards. Teams don't have to run to beat LeBeau's defense.

On offense, the Steelers need to do whatever gives them the best opportunity to win any given game. Forget about trying to run 50% of the time, or 40, or even 30...UNLESS that is the best way to beat a given team.