Ben: "We'll Be Running The Ball A Lot More, So Fans Should Be Happy"

[Mister Pittsburgh]

What was your first meeting with Todd Haley like?:

“You know what, it was so long ago, I don’t even remember anymore. But that got blown way out of proportion. There’s so many rules that we can’t talk and he was moving. There was so much going on that people decided to make a big deal out of, really, nothing.”

Ben is the one that was crying that he hadn't met with Haley yet. And where is he getting the information the 'fans' want to run the ball more? Ben is a toolbag. He doesn't want to run a pitch and catch offense like the Pats so he will yammer, even though the best offensive output we had last year was the two games we deployed this offensive strategy. I hope Haley puts him in his place.

[Crash]

Um, no. Ben just said Haley was busy and they hadn't spoken yet. Ben also made it a point to mention that they couldn't talk football because of the CBA.

The post gazette, were the ones who were trying to fuel this "issue" from the start.

Yeah, the golf coach is going to put the HOF QB in his place....LOL

[Sugar]

Um, no. Ben just said Haley was busy and they hadn't spoken yet. Ben also made it a point to mention that they couldn't talk football because of the CBA.

The post gazette, were the ones who were trying to fuel this "issue" from the start.

Yeah, the golf coach is going to put the HOF QB in his place....LOL

Agreed. People are making so much out of nothing here. There really doesn't seem to be anything here. You take some quotes, mix in some commentary by the writer and there's your story. Most of it is really about the writers interpretation of what Ben says than what Ben actually says. When you actually see/hear the interviews, they unremarkable insofar as any big news goes.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Um, no. Ben just said Haley was busy and they hadn't spoken yet. Ben also made it a point to mention that they couldn't talk football because of the CBA.

The post gazette, were the ones who were trying to fuel this "issue" from the start.

Yeah, the golf coach is going to put the HOF QB in his place....LOL

hahaha....the golf coach....yeah...i am sure Tomlin brought him here to teach him a chip shot. Either Tomlin or Rooney felt Ben and Bruce were too chummy and broke up the party. I doubt they brought Haley here to wear kid gloves and not have his back.

[Ghost]

I guess you are in minority.

Steelers Nation love their running game even if its not working and bitch about their QB/Offense. They were nasty to TB and doing the same to Ben.

I'm not so sure about this. I think it's one of those things that the national media continues to say so it's a self-perpetuating myth. I think most fans are sick of the abysmal red zone scoring and not being able to run it in from inside the 5. By the end of last year I was praying they'd score on long plays to not have to watch the misery of needing just a few yards for a TD.

If Haley is the least bit creative, not predictable, and scores, you'll never hear a word about whether or not they need to return to a traditional running game. I'm excited and I honestly believe he brings hope that we'll see this O use it's many talents.

[Slapstick]

The point is, and always was, that fans, and ownership want a commitment to the run game. My facts prove, that forcing the run game because Franco and Jerome did it, does not work.

Facts?!?

You have posted no facts that support your argument...you have posted 1st down data that, in a vacuum, would support your argument...the fact is that you ignore 2nd and 3rd down data that does not support your argument...

All you've offered is cherry picked data and a whole lot of conjecture...

[Oviedo]

Ovi i hope you are right. I hope Todd Haley design offense to take advantage of todays NFL rules.

But i got a feeling its going to be Run-Run-Pass Marty Ball. AFC North 3rd place here we come.

I really doubt that because everyone involved should be able to see we don't have that kind of talent at RB.

I think we will see an offense that exploits what the opponents weaknesses are and what is working. I really DO NOT think we will see a vertical mindset like Arians had. Short and mid-range passes will be more the norm which ultimately will play to Ben's strengths even if it take awhile for him to see that.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

I really doubt that because everyone involved should be able to see we don't have that kind of talent at RB.

I think we will see an offense that exploits what the opponents weaknesses are and what is working. I really DO NOT think we will see a vertical mindset like Arians had. Short and mid-range passes will be more the norm which ultimately will play to Ben's strengths even if it take awhile for him to see that.

Wait, wait, wait.....you mean we will actually GAMEPLAN for each team? Maybe even adjust if said gameplan is not working MID GAME?......I didn't know that was allowed.

[Shawn]

I don't concern myself with it. It's amazing to me how this fan base wept for 20 years for the next Bradshaw, and then once they get him (and the success that goes with it) ever since he got here anything Ben does on the field or says off of it isn't good enough or gets twisted.

Just once, I'd like Ben to do an entire interview with just yes or no 1 word answers. Then maybe the media will quit trying to fish for angles that aren't even there.

I like Ben as much as anyone as a player. But, it's clear from his comments he isn't happy about the changes. He has been verbal about being unhappy with the changes. And many of us including myself want him to keep his yap shut. It's really that simple.

[feltdizz]

If he did that, then everyone would complain that he's being truculent with the press and that he's a jackwagon. He can't win for losing.

I saw nothing that he said here as problematic. Especially since we're in May/June. He's trying to learn and he says he's taking the bull by the horns. He give the worst case and that is that if he doesn't know the plays it would be like his rookie year, and that wasn't such a bad thing.

What, exactly, is the problem here?

That's like telling your wife the reason you never bring her flowers or candy is because she wouldn't appreciate it. Ben has nothing to lose by saying something positive about Haley or being professional in an interview.

[Crash]

hahaha....the golf coach....yeah...i am sure Tomlin brought him here to teach him a chip shot. Either Tomlin or Rooney felt Ben and Bruce were too chummy and broke up the party. I doubt they brought Haley here to wear kid gloves and not have his back.

They fired Arians be because LeBeau is off limits. Only on Pittsburgh can a defense give up 316 yards to a joke like Tim Tebow and 90 yards to a joke like Joe Flacco only to see the OFFENSE get scrapped.

They both should have been fired.

[Crash]

Facts?!?

You have posted no facts that support your argument...you have posted 1st down data that, in a vacuum, would support your argument...the fact is that you ignore 2nd and 3rd down data that does not support your argument...

All you've offered is cherry picked data and a whole lot of conjecture...

24 red zone plays in three Super Bowls.

8 passes.

Why pay him? Either the offensive mindset has to change, or the QB's role in the offense does.

You decide.

[steelz09]

If Ben really thinks the Steelers fans want to go back to a running offense especially w/ our weapons then he must be dumber than I thought.

I think fans do want a bit more quick passes and an unpredictable play calling strategy that leverages our playmakers. Has it ever occurred to Ben that the reason the fans want quicker passes and runs is so he is healthy towards the end of the year?!?! All fans know we have no chance at a SB without a healthy Ben. If he continues with the same old Ben, he will be injured again and it will get worse with age.

[Crash]

If Ben really thinks the Steelers fans want to go back to a running offense especially w/ our weapons then he must be dumber than I thought.

I think fans do want a bit more quick passes and an unpredictable play calling strategy that leverages our playmakers. Has it ever occurred to Ben that the reason the fans want quicker passes and runs is so he is healthy towards the end of the year?!?! All fans know we have no chance at a SB without a healthy Ben. If he continues with the same old Ben, he will be injured again and it will get worse with age.

And the minute they throw the ball 35 times and lose with Haley? People will start bitching about not running enough.

He's absolutely right, there are TONS of Steelers fans, and Steleers media, who OBSESS with running the ball.

[Oviedo]

And the minute they throw the ball 35 times and lose with Haley? People will start bitching about not running enough.

He's absolutely right, there are TONS of Steelers fans, and Steleers media, who OBSESS with running the ball.

Western Pa HS heroes who think that is what playing "tough guy" football is about. maybe they should take note that four of the Top 5 rushing teams from last year didn't make the play-offs. That's not a coincidence.