Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

[feltdizz]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

Not this 50/50 plan each game.

The first column are Mendenhall's carries in each game. The second column in our QB's passes (Dixon/Batch/Roethlisberger) in each game.

22, 23, 19, 25, 27, 15, 15, 22, 11, 23, 36

26, 17, 17, 21, 27, 27, 28, 27, 49, 29, 33

In the first month without our starting QB, we ran more than we passed in 3 out of those 4 games. This strategy made sense with Dixon and Batch in there.

Then in Ben's first game back, it was a 50-50 run-pass ratio. No problem with that in 28-10 win.

Since then, though, Ben has thrown the ball significantly more than Mendenhall has run it, except for this past week (when he happened to be facing off against the worst rush defense in the league, so the decision to run more this past week made sense).

Ben threw the ball 12 times more than Mendy ran it against Miami, 13 times more against New Orleans, 5 more against Cincinnati, 38 more against New England, and 6 more against Oakland, before Mendy finally had 3 more rushes than Ben had passes against Buffalo. That's hardly a 50-50 plan every week.

Survey says...Madden is just attempting to forward his own agenda as usual.

Stats.

Wrong approach.

Game plan for the opponent of the week. Not 50/50 stuff, unless it fits that opponent.

I think he is pointing out the obvious.. the whole running more than passing with Ben isn't true. People just like to blame everyone but the players on the field.

[Shawn]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

Hate to play devil's advocate, but I agree with most of what he says.

Our offense has too many problems to be counted on against the best teams. As for our running game, far too many want to see us run the ball just to run it, because they think it will magically make us better. No. We need to run the ball effectively, and when it will help us win. Not just because the old timers want to see us go smashmouth.

I agree. I see zero problems with anything he said. The fact is that OL is bad no matter how you slice it. It's bad in pass protection. It's bad in run blocking. I give Ben a greater chance of being able to play without any help from his OL than I do Mendenhall. Running against the Ravens with this OL? Silliness.

[feltdizz]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

Hate to play devil's advocate, but I agree with most of what he says.

Our offense has too many problems to be counted on against the best teams. As for our running game, far too many want to see us run the ball just to run it, because they think it will magically make us better. No. We need to run the ball effectively, and when it will help us win. Not just because the old timers want to see us go smashmouth.

I agree. I see zero problems with anything he said. The fact is that OL is bad no matter how you slice it. It's bad in pass protection. It's bad in run blocking. I give Ben a greater chance of being able to play without any help from his OL than I do Mendenhall. Running against the Ravens with this OL? Silliness.

we should actually watch the game play out before talking like it has...

[ikestops85]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

I think we should go out and attack the Ravens just like the *'s attack us. Spread the field and dink and dunk with a few draws thrown in for good measure. Then when their safeties get tired of that and move up we hit Miller deep down the middle.

[Shawn]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

Hate to play devil's advocate, but I agree with most of what he says.

Our offense has too many problems to be counted on against the best teams. As for our running game, far too many want to see us run the ball just to run it, because they think it will magically make us better. No. We need to run the ball effectively, and when it will help us win. Not just because the old timers want to see us go smashmouth.

I agree. I see zero problems with anything he said. The fact is that OL is bad no matter how you slice it. It's bad in pass protection. It's bad in run blocking. I give Ben a greater chance of being able to play without any help from his OL than I do Mendenhall. Running against the Ravens with this OL? Silliness.

we should actually watch the game play out before talking like it has...

Talking like what? That our OL is bad? We already know that. That we can't run on the Ravens well even with a healthy OL...we already know that as well.

[Shawn]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

I think we should go out and attack the Ravens just like the *'s attack us. Spread the field and dink and dunk with a few draws thrown in for good measure. Then when their safeties get tired of that and move up we hit Miller deep down the middle.

Yup.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

Pittsburgh Steelers: Gameplan for Baltimore Depends on QB Health, Mike Wallace

By Nick DeWitt (Steelers Featured Columnist) on November 30, 2010



Rick Stewart/Getty Images

After surviving a tougher-than-expected test in windy, freezing Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Baltimore for a season-defining game with the rival Ravens.

The formula is simple: win at Baltimore and likely win the AFC North. Cleveland and Cincinnati are out of the race and, barring a falloff by either team, the winner of this Sunday night's contest will take home the division crown and a chance at a first round bye in the playoffs.

The loser is still very much alive for a wild card spot, but Pittsburgh would undoubtedly like to be home in the postseason.

Here's a look at the best game plan for Bruce Arians to use as the Steelers try to lock up their division in Baltimore.

Play Selection



Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Run the Ball

Rashard Mendenhall had a great day against the Buffalo Bills, carrying 36 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. Mendenhall found holes all day against a suspect Buffalo front seven, but did have a worrisome fumble in the second half that could have cost the Steelers a needed victory.

Against Baltimore, the Steelers would be wise to lean heavy on their star back. Pittsburgh dominated in the first half against the Bills by keeping Buffalo's dangerous offense off the field. Mendenhall and his backups were a big part of that.

There's also the injury to Ben Roethlisberger to consider. Ben will be limited this week in practice and is rumored to be in a walking boot. If he can't play up to his usual elusiveness on Sunday, the Steelers will need to be even more run-oriented to limit the hits to Roethlisberger.

Deep Passes

Absent against Buffalo, the Steelers need to loosen up the Baltimore defense and test the team's secondary with some deep shots to Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders. Wallace had a pedestrian day on Sunday, but should be more effective against the Baltimore corners, who haven't covered consistently all year and don't have the speed to break deep with Wallace.

A few deep passes will also set up the running game and some short play action and help to neutralize the vicious Baltimore blitz scheme.

Some Passing Thoughts



Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Ben Roethlisberger was efficient against Buffalo, standing tall against a vicious pass rush and recovering from several blown plays with effective scrambles. It will likely get tougher in Baltimore, where the Ravens are much better at blitzing.

With Roethlisberger injured as well, the best scenario for the Steelers will be to run early and then use play action. It would be hard to imagine Ben scrambling a great deal, so the receivers will have to be precise and elusive.

Short slants have been effective for the Steelers and should be useful again in Baltimore. Working tight end Heath Miller into the game will be essential as well. Sending Mike Wallace deep regularly could open up the field for Miller and Emmanuel Sanders.

Hines Ward had a big game against the Bills and will be needed again in Baltimore. His ability to find holes in the short middle will be important as Roethlisberger will need to unload quickly and avoid too many hits.

Perhaps the biggest key to the passing game will be using play action to get Baltimore off balance. The Steelers often seem to ignore this tool, but if Rashard Mendenhall gets loose, they'll have no reason to do so on Sunday night.

Tricky Plays



Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Here are a few trick play ideas for Bruce Arians to try as the Steelers pull out all the stops to win this division contest with their fiercest rivals.

Halfback Pass

It's been missing since Jerome Bettis retired and Ken Whisenhunt moved on to Arizona's heat, but it's possibly time to bring it back to the forefront. Rashard Mendenhall has never attempted a pass in his NFL career. Time to see what he's got. If the Steelers need a play call deep in enemy territory, there's no need to look further than this play. I'd target Heath Miller on the pass. He's likely to be open if Baltimore reads run.


The Randle El Special

It's becoming a weekly feature and still surprises teams. The reason is because Mike Wallace is so effective and fast that teams have to protect against a reverse. Baltimore is crafty, so the best idea would be to run an actual reverse and then set up the same play later but send Randle El out for a pass attempt. Another idea would be to allow Ben Roethlisberger to keep the ball and throw deep himself. Since Wallace is the decoy, targeting Hines Ward or Emmanuel Sanders would be best.

Lateral Pass

The play that beat Cincinnati in the 2005 NFL Playoffs needs to be dusted off one more time. With the amount of speed Pittsburgh has, there's no reason to not use it against a suspect set of corners. Sending Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders deep from the outside receiver positions and then using some trickery to cut them loose from coverage would be a perfect way to set up a quick (possibly early) score.

In any of the above cases, I would use these ideas early in the game or at the beginning of the second half to generate some momentum and/or put Baltimore away.

The X Factors



Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Every game has players besides the stars who need to step up big for their team to claim victory. Here are the potential players who need to step up this week:

Emmanuel Sanders, WR

Sanders had a big drop in the Buffalo game on a play that could have put the Steelers up big and put Buffalo away for the afternoon. Instead, the Steelers had to suffer through a long overtime period and a tense contest. Sanders needs to continue to disrupt the middle of the field and help in the deep passing game with his speed and usually-good hands.

The Offensive Line

Is there ever a game when the five guys up front are not essential? The Steelers' line is even more important in this game. They need to protect Ben Roethlisberger, who's got a sprained foot. If they can't and he gets more seriously injured, the Steelers' season could be in jeopardy. This is the time for the maligned and banged up line to put together an inspired effort.

Isaac Redman, RB

Redman has been quite effective this season, but it's time for him to raise his game as a blocker. In an offense without a prototypical fullback, Redman does most of the blocking along with David Johnson, a tight end. Redman plays more often in passing situations, so I'd expect to see him a lot as a pass blocker. As with the line, he needs to be good. Baltimore sends a lot of blitzes off the edges and his presence and game will help the Steelers' tackles.

[url="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/530407-pittsburgh-steelers-gameplan-for-baltimore-depends-on-qb-health-mike-wallace"]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/5304 ... ke-wallace[/url]

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

I think we should go out and attack the Ravens just like the *'s attack us. Spread the field and dink and dunk with a few draws thrown in for good measure. Then when their safeties get tired of that and move up we hit Miller deep down the middle.

Dink and dunk will need Ben to read the defense quickly and make quick decisions. Can he execute that style of offense consistently?

[ikestops85]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

I think we should go out and attack the Ravens just like the *'s attack us. Spread the field and dink and dunk with a few draws thrown in for good measure. Then when their safeties get tired of that and move up we hit Miller deep down the middle.

Dink and dunk will need Ben to read the defense quickly and make quick decisions. Can he execute that style of offense consistently?

I think he can. I know Ben likes to look for the big play but he has shown more patience lately and done a good job checking down to the backs/TEs. He is also excellent at not staring down receivers and moving the safety away from where he is throwing. Ben can do this but Arians has to call those types of plays.

[Oviedo]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

I think we should go out and attack the Ravens just like the *'s attack us. Spread the field and dink and dunk with a few draws thrown in for good measure. Then when their safeties get tired of that and move up we hit Miller deep down the middle.

Dink and dunk will need Ben to read the defense quickly and make quick decisions. Can he execute that style of offense consistently?

The reality is that Byron Leftwich actually does the quick decision and throw better than Ben. So IMO it is win-win if Ben can't go on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, I want Ben out there but Ben is going to have to play out of character against the defense of the Ravens. If his foot is really hurt as bad as indicated his escapability will be severely limited so he won't be able to extend plays.

I agree with previous comments. Do to the Ravens exactly what the Saints and Pats did to us. Like us, their secondary is the Achilles Heel of their defense.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

If we head into this game trying to do what that guy says, that would be absolutley stupid.

[feltdizz]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

I think we should go out and attack the Ravens just like the *'s attack us. Spread the field and dink and dunk with a few draws thrown in for good measure. Then when their safeties get tired of that and move up we hit Miller deep down the middle.

Dink and dunk will need Ben to read the defense quickly and make quick decisions. Can he execute that style of offense consistently?

The reality is that Byron Leftwich actually does the quick decision and throw better than Ben. So IMO it is win-win if Ben can't go on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, I want Ben out there but Ben is going to have to play out of character against the defense of the Ravens. If his foot is really hurt as bad as indicated his escapability will be severely limited so he won't be able to extend plays.

I agree with previous comments. Do to the Ravens exactly what the Saints and Pats did to us. Like us, their secondary is the Achilles Heel of their defense.

Is the Ravens secondary weak at covering deep or underneath? With the rush they get I'm sure they press and play closer to the LOS than we do... I don't think dink and dunk is the way to beat the Ravens. It's usually RUTFM and play action over to top that beats them.

We can't dink and dunk if they aren't giving 10 yard cushions... they aren't playing our scheme at CB.

[ikestops85]

Re: Monday Madden: Steelers needn't seek offensive balance

I think we should go out and attack the Ravens just like the *'s attack us. Spread the field and dink and dunk with a few draws thrown in for good measure. Then when their safeties get tired of that and move up we hit Miller deep down the middle.

Dink and dunk will need Ben to read the defense quickly and make quick decisions. Can he execute that style of offense consistently?

The reality is that Byron Leftwich actually does the quick decision and throw better than Ben. So IMO it is win-win if Ben can't go on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, I want Ben out there but Ben is going to have to play out of character against the defense of the Ravens. If his foot is really hurt as bad as indicated his escapability will be severely limited so he won't be able to extend plays.

I agree with previous comments. Do to the Ravens exactly what the Saints and Pats did to us. Like us, their secondary is the Achilles Heel of their defense.

Is the Ravens secondary weak at covering deep or underneath? With the rush they get I'm sure they press and play closer to the LOS than we do... I don't think dink and dunk is the way to beat the Ravens. It's usually RUTFM and play action over to top that beats them.

We can't dink and dunk if they aren't giving 10 yard cushions... they aren't playing our scheme at CB.

I think they do play a scheme similar to ours. Their corners aren't that good in press coverage.