Pittsburgh Steelers: Todd Haley Has Already Identified Offensive Strengths

[Slapstick]

The problems with the [URL="http://bleacherreport.com/pittsburgh-steelers"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/URL] offense have been obvious for years, and it has become quite clear that the source of those problems is now gone. In just a few months on the job, Todd Haley has identified that his quarterback is very good at the play-action pass and that running the ball more effectively will help improve that facet of the offense.

Why couldn't Bruce Arians figure out in five years what Haley has begun to implement in just two OTAs? Who knows? But the important thing is that the Steelers offense now has a direction—a very good direction.

As reported in the [URL="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-offense-is-under-construction-637341/?p=0"]Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[/URL], the Steelers offense will be using a fullback in an effort to improve the effectiveness of the running game as well as use the backs more out of the backfield in the passing game.

The news that will get many fans excited is that the Steelers will now have a designated fullback on the roster.

"Yeah, there's a fullback in the offense," Redman said (via the [URL="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-offense-is-under-construction-637341/?p=0"]Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[/URL]). "They moved David Johnson over to fullback. He's not a tight end anymore, he's strictly a fullback now."

While Johnson has not been stellar at fullback, the devotion to the position will mean that he can focus his attention on perfecting his craft rather than doubling as a tight end as Redman points out.

"That's going to help develop him," Redman said (via the [URL="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-offense-is-under-construction-637341/?p=0"]Pittsburgh Post-Gazette[/URL]), "now that he's in our meeting rooms and being able to see what type of blocks that we have, and what type of blocks that we want from him. Instead of him being a tight end in the tight-end room and kind of doing fullback as a second job, he's strictly focusing on fullback. I think that will help him a lot."

Johnson will compete with Will Johnson for the starting fullback role in what should be an intriguing competition.

Not only did the Steelers identify that they want a fullback to be a part of the offense, but more importantly, it shows that they are having a philosophical change with what they plan to do under Haley, and it appears that they are committed to improving the run.

The new commitment to the ground game is what is exciting, not naming a fullback. Let's be clear, too, we are not talking about a ground-and-pound offense, but instead, one that can use the run to set up the play-action pass.

There are few quarterbacks in the league as good as Roethlisberger when it comes to the play-action passing attack, and it is hard to believe the Steelers have gone so long without it being a staple of their offense. With Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown as deep threats, the Steelers should be in store for some big plays when they catch defenses looking for the run off-guard.

A strong ground game should help draw defenders close to the line, and the offseason moves so far have shown that the Steelers are serious about improving this area of the offense.

By moving Johnson to fullback and adding David DeCastro and Mike Adams in the draft, they have significantly improved the blocking in front of Redman, who may be the most important component to an improved ground game.

Redman is a powerful runner who rarely is stopped for a loss, so in other words, the complete opposite of Rashard Mendenhall. Now, with improved blocking in front of him, he will be even tougher to stop.

An effective running attack will help draw defenders to the line, which will provide the offense with plenty of opportunities to take their shots down field to Wallace and Brown. This will be much less predictable than what we have seen over the past several seasons. More importantly, it will be a better option than letting Roethlisberger scramble all over the field trying to avoid bltizing defenders before he heaves up a bomb on an improvised play.

Roethlisberger already throws a good deep ball and will finally get a chance to go back to one of his strengths and one that does not get him sacked 50 times a season. Haley will win a lot of fans if the Steelers are able to execute this area of the offense.

Pittsburgh will also look to throw the ball to the running backs out of the backfield. Redman has surprising soft hands for a big back, and Baron Batch and Chris Rainey are both threats in this area as well. By dumping the ball off to the backs, Roethlisberger will also save some unnecessary hits while potentially creating a big play.

All too often, we have watched Roethlisberger scramble and then take a sack or take an unnecessary risk down field when a running back is standing wide open for a potential big gain. By emphasizing using the backs in the passing game, Roethlisberger will be less prone to taking unnecessary hits while improving the chance of big plays.

The improved athleticism on the offensive line should be able to get out in front and block for the running backs looking to make plays in the passing game. Who knows, maybe the Steelers will even look to develop screen passes to the running backs.

As it stands now, the offense is perfectly set up for a play-action style of play, and it just took a coordinator change to finally realize this. As simple as it seems, Haley is designing an offense to his team's strengths, and that should reflect in the overall production of the offense in 2012.

The days of exploiting their own weaknesses is gone for the Steelers offense. With the new system in place, they have a chance to be one of the top offenses in the league, and this will carry them a long way this season.

Emphasis is mine...

Thoughts?

[grotonsteel]

Passing offense should set up Running game. We don't have a CJ or AP as a RB. Mendy dances too much for my liking. Redman is okay. I won't give more touches to the RBs.

Full Back who can't catch sucks. You are telling your opponents that it will be run more often than not. I want best Offensive personel on the ground all the time. Remove FB position and i want to see more 3-WR /4-WR set in this new offense.

No way DJ should see the field over Manny or Cotchery.

I want Ben to scramble. I want some plays designed accordingly. I want offense who will move the pocket. I prefer Ben taking a sack while scrambling than dumping a 3 yard toss on 3rd and 10. The only RBs i am interested on 3rd down are Chris Rainey and Baron Batch.

I want Todd Haley to design plays specifically for Chris Rainey and BB to catch the ball in open.

Biggest problem last season for offense apart from injuries was Marty ball. Run-Run-Pass once Steelers had the lead. Screw that. If Defense can't get enough rest tough luck.

[steelnavy]

Thank gawd!!!!!!!

[Slapstick]

Full Back who can't catch sucks. You are telling your opponents that it will be run more often than not. I want best Offensive personel on the ground all the time. Remove FB position and i want to see more 3-WR /4-WR set in this new offense.

The whole point of play-action passing is for the defense to think that it is a run play...

[Crash]

Using the run to set up the pass is ground and pound. Period.

What made 2004-2011 the 2nd best era in Steelers football HISTORY, was using the pass to set up the run.

Yeah Haley's a friggin genius, creating a starting job for David Johnson is a sure sign of sheer brilliance.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!

[grotonsteel]

The whole point of play-action passing is for the defense to think that it is a run play...

Well in theory it sounds good but how many teams are going to respect Issac Redman and DJ. I doubt anyone will make Dick Lebeau blunder with DJ on the field.

[Pops8]

"An effective running attack will help draw defenders to the line, which will provide the offense with plenty of opportunities to take their shots down field to Wallace and Brown. "

Given Ben's ability to extend plays, my feeling is defense should and would be more inclined to stay back for fear of Brown or Wallace getting deep. I would expect the defensive line to move to a contain the QB type attack. This is when the running lanes should be open up. Play action works well here but in reverse. Use the fake handoff a few times to freeze the db's into pass and the front seven to contain Ben. When they do, go ahead and hand the ball.

(or, in short, pass to set up run).

[Slapstick]

Using the run to set up the pass is ground and pound. Period.

Except that it isn't...

BTW, are you telling me that in 2004 and 2005, the Steelers used the pass to set up the run?

Really?

[grotonsteel]

Using the run to set up the pass is ground and pound. Period.

What made 2004-2011 the 2nd best era in Steelers football HISTORY, was using the pass to set up the run.

Yeah Haley's a friggin genius, creating a starting job for David Johnson is a sure sign of sheer brilliance.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!

DJ should never i repeat never see the field over Manny or Cotchery. Enough of this stupid run-run-pass offense. Todd Haley was hired for this caveman offense???

Bengals, Raven don't give a damn about Steelers Running Game.

Mike Tomlin against raven in 2012..we are going to tun the ball down the Ravens throat no matter what. Issac Redman stats (17 carries -34 yards)

PS board in meltdown. People cursing offense for the loss. Ben sucks thread all over the place.

[grotonsteel]

"An effective running attack will help draw defenders to the line, which will provide the offense with plenty of opportunities to take their shots down field to Wallace and Brown. "

Given Ben's ability to extend plays, my feeling is defense should and would be more inclined to stay back for fear of Brown or Wallace getting deep. I would expect the defensive line to move to a contain the QB type attack. This is when the running lanes should be open up. Play action works well here but in reverse. Use the fake handoff a few times to freeze the db's into pass and the front seven to contain Ben. When they do, go ahead and hand the ball.

(or, in short, pass to set up run).

+1

Pass should be used to set up the run. Not other way round. I am pretty sure Mendy or Redman will run better without DJ as a FB.

[Slapstick]

I'm confused, where did it say that DJ would start and play most of the offensive snaps?

[Crash]

Except that it isn't...

BTW, are you telling me that in 2004 and 2005, the Steelers used the pass to set up the run?

Really?

Absolutely. When Tony Dungy claimed he was shocked that we came out throwing? I laughed at him. Because we did that for two years.

But all people look at, is the attempts that Ben had but not realizing that A) They didn't throw much in the second half after they got leads, and B) When you average almost 9 YARDS per ATTEMPT? You don't dink and dunk the ball down the field.

Ben threw 15 TD passes as a starter in 2004. 11 of them were in the first half. The most passes he threw in any quarter was the 2nd, despite the fact that he only started 13 regular season games that year.

Ben threw 17 TD passes in 12 games in 2005, 11 of them in the first half and had 9.5 YPA. Again, just because he doesn't dink and dunk shouldn't take away the fact that they come throwing.

[Crash]

I'm confused, where did it say that DJ would start and play most of the offensive snaps?

I would bet that since DJ is now a FB full time? And he is no longer a TE? He will see the field just as much, if not slightly more, under Haley as he did with Arians.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

We have seen the Ravens 2-3 times a year & they use that formula. The Ravens average out 11-5 over the last 4 years & have always been in the hunt. They don't have nearly the weapons we do in the passing game either. So we know we can get in shoot outs if need be. I guess you could be optimistic that style could get you to the dance with a solid defense "IF" you have the ability to flick that switch & open it up. I think the Steelers have the ability to be very explosive in either mode if things come together.

[steelz09]

Passing offense should set up Running game. We don't have a CJ or AP as a RB. Mendy dances too much for my liking. Redman is okay. I won't give more touches to the RBs.

Full Back who can't catch sucks. You are telling your opponents that it will be run more often than not. I want best Offensive personel on the ground all the time. Remove FB position and i want to see more 3-WR /4-WR set in this new offense.

No way DJ should see the field over Manny or Cotchery.

I want Ben to scramble. I want some plays designed accordingly. I want offense who will move the pocket. I prefer Ben taking a sack while scrambling than dumping a 3 yard toss on 3rd and 10. The only RBs i am interested on 3rd down are Chris Rainey and Baron Batch.

I want Todd Haley to design plays specifically for Chris Rainey and BB to catch the ball in open.

Biggest problem last season for offense apart from injuries was Marty ball. Run-Run-Pass once Steelers had the lead. Screw that. If Defense can't get enough rest tough luck.

First of all, CJ wouldn't have done anything behind our o-line of previous years. AP ... well, maybe. You can't have everything. Everyone would like to have AP but that is not realistic for us. If our o-line is significantly improved which is should, Redman will put up very good stats along w/ our other backs.

As far as Ben scrambliing. Scrambling will get Ben hurt again and our SB chances are basically gone. Scrambling needs to be cut back but not eliminated. Some improvising is good. But I don't want Ben running around on 2&8 like a chicken w/ his head cutoff for 2 reasons. Number 1, he'll get hurt. Number 2, it will be 3rd and 18 and we'll likely have to punt. BB needs to get rid of the ball faster so he stays healthy and getting the ball to RBs that are WIDE OPEN is a good choice.