Has BA redeemed himself?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Cr*ppy O-line, no real "Thunder and Lightning" RB combo, no franchise QB for 1/4 of the season ...

AFCCG 2 years out of 3.

If no, what if he gets us to the SB?

What if we WIN the SB - is he a keeper then?

Do we really want Ben (and the whole offense) to start from scratch - new play book, new philosophy, probably a new assistant coach or two, THAT much?


I'm just askin'!!

[Crash]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

If they get to the SB IMO he has to stay.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

If they get to the SB IMO he has to stay.

and if we don't get to the SB then Arians has to go, even if it's the defenses fault...

[Crash]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

He's done what they asked him to do. His one weakness is predictability based on formation.

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

i am of the opinion that Bruce Arian's play calling ability is somewhere in the "poor to average" range. The reason our offense succeeds is because we have one of the best QB's in NFL history. Ben bails Bruce out time and time again. When Bruce's plays don't work, Ben scrambles around and turn lemons into lemonade. That's not Bruce being a good OC. That's Ben being Ben. A few years ago, Bruce sat down with Ben and went through the playbook and asked him which plays he liked best. Those are now the plays that we use. Bruce doesn't look to expose our opponents weaknesses. He just calls what Ben feels comfortable with. We are winning because of the talent of our players. Not our OC.

There is something to be said for the expression "if it ain't broke don't fix it." But there's also something to be said for the expression "if you're not getting better, you're getting worse". Our offense is not getting any better with Bruce. An OC's job is to outsmart our opponents. We need a "general". A true "field marshall" who can put our troops in a position to succeed based on what he sees in our opponents. Adjusting to their schemes and tactics. Bruce has never been able to do this and I truly believe he never will. It's like expecting Kemo to suddenly get good at pass blocking. Keeping Bruce is like keeping all of our current OL starters the same for next year. No need to upgrade them because "they ain't broke". We're winning right? I'm not buying that. We won Super Bowl XLIII in spite of our OL. And we continue to win now in spite of Bruce.

[LordVile]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

i am of the opinion that Bruce Arian's play calling ability is somewhere in the "poor to average" range. The reason our offense succeeds is because we have one of the best QB's in NFL history. Ben bails Bruce out time and time again. When Bruce's plays don't work, Ben scrambles around and turn lemons into lemonade. That's not Bruce being a good OC. That's Ben being Ben. A few years ago, Bruce sat down with Ben and went through the playbook and asked him which plays he liked best. Those are now the plays that we use. Bruce doesn't look to expose our opponents weaknesses. He just calls what Ben feels comfortable with. We are winning because of the talent of our players. Not our OC.

There is something to be said for the expression "if it ain't broke don't fix it." But there's also something to be said for the expression "if you're not getting better, you're getting worse". Our offense is not getting any better with Bruce. An OC's job is to outsmart our opponents. We need a "general". A true "field marshall" who can put our troops in a position to succeed based on what he sees in our opponents. Adjusting to their schemes and tactics. Bruce has never been able to do this and I truly believe he never will. It's like expecting Kemo to suddenly get good at pass blocking. Keeping Bruce is like keeping all of our current OL starters the same for next year. No need to upgrade them because "they ain't broke". We're winning right? I'm not buying that. We won Super Bowl XLIII in spite of our OL. And we continue to win now in spite of Bruce.

[The Sodfather]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

He's done what they asked him to do. His one weakness is predictability based on formation.

You have to admit though, that's a pretty big weakness.

BA knows the game. He's just not a great playcaller, IMO.

[Flasteel]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

He's done what they asked him to do. His one weakness is predictability based on formation.

Uhh...what about his inability to adjust to pressure?

What about attacking a defenses weakness?

Exploiting defensive tendencies?

Play calling?

His weakness as an OC goes far beyond predictability.

I agree 100% with what StarSpangledSteeler wrote. However, I think we are seeing the gradual ascension of Ben Roethlisberger as a guy who calls his own shots. Especially if we win the whole thing again, we can't blow up what's in place and start from scratch. We need to keep some measure of continuity but we have to get better offensively...our offensive talent alone demands that.

If we fail to win the Super Bowl, fire BA and promote Randy Fitchner.
If we win the Super Bowl and the offense shows signs of life, I have no problem keeping BA as OC

[Oviedo]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

Arians has probably taken the offense as far as he can. He doesn't deserve half the criticism he gets because he successfully transitioned the offense to one that can compete with elite offenses in the league and is designed to take advantage of the rules favoring a passing offense.

It is probably time for Bruce to retire. He doesn't have a contract when the season ends and I am of the opinion that they will hand over the reins to Randy Fichtner. That way there will be a fresh meat and a new target for all the hate that any OC we have will get.

[Djfan]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

i am of the opinion that Bruce Arian's play calling ability is somewhere in the "poor to average" range. The reason our offense succeeds is because we have one of the best QB's in NFL history. Ben bails Bruce out time and time again. When Bruce's plays don't work, Ben scrambles around and turn lemons into lemonade. That's not Bruce being a good OC. That's Ben being Ben. A few years ago, Bruce sat down with Ben and went through the playbook and asked him which plays he liked best. Those are now the plays that we use. Bruce doesn't look to expose our opponents weaknesses. He just calls what Ben feels comfortable with. We are winning because of the talent of our players. Not our OC.

There is something to be said for the expression "if it ain't broke don't fix it." But there's also something to be said for the expression "if you're not getting better, you're getting worse". Our offense is not getting any better with Bruce. An OC's job is to outsmart our opponents. We need a "general". A true "field marshall" who can put our troops in a position to succeed based on what he sees in our opponents. Adjusting to their schemes and tactics. Bruce has never been able to do this and I truly believe he never will. It's like expecting Kemo to suddenly get good at pass blocking. Keeping Bruce is like keeping all of our current OL starters the same for next year. No need to upgrade them because "they ain't broke". We're winning right? I'm not buying that. We won Super Bowl XLIII in spite of our OL. And we continue to win now in spite of Bruce.

X2

[feltdizz]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

i am of the opinion that Bruce Arian's play calling ability is somewhere in the "poor to average" range. The reason our offense succeeds is because we have one of the best QB's in NFL history. Ben bails Bruce out time and time again. When Bruce's plays don't work, Ben scrambles around and turn lemons into lemonade. That's not Bruce being a good OC. That's Ben being Ben. A few years ago, Bruce sat down with Ben and went through the playbook and asked him which plays he liked best. Those are now the plays that we use. Bruce doesn't look to expose our opponents weaknesses. He just calls what Ben feels comfortable with. We are winning because of the talent of our players. Not our OC.

There is something to be said for the expression "if it ain't broke don't fix it." But there's also something to be said for the expression "if you're not getting better, you're getting worse". Our offense is not getting any better with Bruce. An OC's job is to outsmart our opponents. We need a "general". A true "field marshall" who can put our troops in a position to succeed based on what he sees in our opponents. Adjusting to their schemes and tactics. Bruce has never been able to do this and I truly believe he never will. It's like expecting Kemo to suddenly get good at pass blocking. Keeping Bruce is like keeping all of our current OL starters the same for next year. No need to upgrade them because "they ain't broke". We're winning right? I'm not buying that. We won Super Bowl XLIII in spite of our OL. And we continue to win now in spite of Bruce.

I don't know about you but I like winning SB's and being in AFCCG's in spite of our OC.

Regardless of the OC Ben will pump, break the pocket and make things happen. Look how great Whiz's offense is in AZ without Warner.

The biggest problem I have with Arians is the lack of runs on the edge... but who knows how many of those plays are blown up due to the OL.

[Oviedo]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

i am of the opinion that Bruce Arian's play calling ability is somewhere in the "poor to average" range. The reason our offense succeeds is because we have one of the best QB's in NFL history. Ben bails Bruce out time and time again. When Bruce's plays don't work, Ben scrambles around and turn lemons into lemonade. That's not Bruce being a good OC. That's Ben being Ben. A few years ago, Bruce sat down with Ben and went through the playbook and asked him which plays he liked best. Those are now the plays that we use. Bruce doesn't look to expose our opponents weaknesses. He just calls what Ben feels comfortable with. We are winning because of the talent of our players. Not our OC.

There is something to be said for the expression "if it ain't broke don't fix it." But there's also something to be said for the expression "if you're not getting better, you're getting worse". Our offense is not getting any better with Bruce. An OC's job is to outsmart our opponents. We need a "general". A true "field marshall" who can put our troops in a position to succeed based on what he sees in our opponents. Adjusting to their schemes and tactics. Bruce has never been able to do this and I truly believe he never will. It's like expecting Kemo to suddenly get good at pass blocking. Keeping Bruce is like keeping all of our current OL starters the same for next year. No need to upgrade them because "they ain't broke". We're winning right? I'm not buying that. We won Super Bowl XLIII in spite of our OL. And we continue to win now in spite of Bruce.

I don't know about you but I like winning SB's and being in AFCCG's in spite of our OC.

Regardless of the OC Ben will pump, break the pocket and make things happen. Look how great Whiz's offense is in AZ without Warner.

The biggest problem I have with Arians is the lack of runs on the edge... but who knows how many of those plays are blown up due to the OL.

You hit the key issue about Arians on the head. Who really knows how good his offensive design is with the OL we have?

[AngryAsian]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

I'm one of the biggest BA detractors... but if he helps gets us another ring, then I think he keeps his job. Does that mean he's my first choice as OC... still a resounding "no".

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

i am of the opinion that Bruce Arian's play calling ability is somewhere in the "poor to average" range. The reason our offense succeeds is because we have one of the best QB's in NFL history. Ben bails Bruce out time and time again. When Bruce's plays don't work, Ben scrambles around and turn lemons into lemonade. That's not Bruce being a good OC. That's Ben being Ben. A few years ago, Bruce sat down with Ben and went through the playbook and asked him which plays he liked best. Those are now the plays that we use. Bruce doesn't look to expose our opponents weaknesses. He just calls what Ben feels comfortable with. We are winning because of the talent of our players. Not our OC.

The Steelers were 3-1 without one of the best QB's in Super Bowl history. Just sayin. Now, i know that our defense played a HUGE role in those wins, but we are getting to the point with BA that unless we win a super bowl, and only win a super bowl, he should be fired? Really? AFC title game again isn't enough?

[costanza2k1]

Re: Has BA redeemed himself?

Let's go get Cam Cameron! He seems to do an great job with loads of talent and adjusts well against any team he plays! He's a guru!



All propaganda, Ben likes him and Ben is boss. His 2 SB rings say so.