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

[feltdizz]

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.

It's one year...

Next year if 4 of the top 5 rushing teams make the playoff everyone will talk about needing a ground game.

The Ravens were 3 yards from beating the Pats and the 49ers lost on a muffed punt.

..and who won the SB last year? The pass happy team or the team with more balance and traditional play calling?

[costanza2k1]

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.

They can continue to obsess about it, we need balance not a 1 trick offense...passing only isn't a solution nor is running...if you're O is going again a defense that only allows 1 yard/game (just an example) then you probably shouldn't try to shove it down their throat. I'm with everyone else I want a healthy Ben at the end of the season so he can get us another ring! He's a diva just as he's expected to be. I didn't like Hines off the field nor do I like him. In fact I can't really say I like anyone off the field since I don't know them personally...I do however LOVE my Steelers!

[costanza2k1]

It's one year...

Next year if 4 of the top 5 rushing teams make the playoff everyone will talk about needing a ground game.

The Ravens were 3 yards from beating the Pats and the 49ers lost on a muffed punt.

..and who won the SB last year? The pass happy team or the team with more balance and traditional play calling?

In a few years the cycle will change, as more teams acquire cover corners and smaller LBs and smaller DL players to help cover the TEs and WRs someone is going to go old school and pound it down their throats...time will tell

[Crash]

They can continue to obsess about it, we need balance not a 1 trick offense.

Then what is running the ball on 58% on first down and 65% on first down in the redzone? That's not balance, is it?

But no one complains about that, because it features the beloved running game.

I've said it all off season. You want balance? Start with more balance on first down.

The rest takes care of itself.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Then what is running the ball on 58% on first down and 65% on first down in the redzone? That's not balance, is it?

But no one complains about that, because it features the beloved running game.

[/COLOR]

That's Bruce Arians' offense, and I complained about it plenty. I think you'll see some changes under Haley--especially with red-zone calls.

[Crash]

That's Bruce Arians' offense, and I complained about it plenty. I think you'll see some changes under Haley--especially with red-zone calls.

But that's what ownership wanted though, a commitment to the run game.

He gave it to them.

[Crash]

It's one year

1992-2001 of Bill Cowher Football.

9 times in 10 seasons: The Steelers had a top 10 rushing team, and NON top 10 passing team.

The ONE YEAR, in 10, that the passing game was IN the top 10, and the running game was not?

1995.

How far did that team go compared to the other nine?

[costanza2k1]

Then what is running the ball on 58% on first down and 65% on first down in the redzone? That's not balance, is it?

But no one complains about that, because it features the beloved running game.

I've said it all off season. You want balance? Start with more balance on first down.

The rest takes care of itself. [/COLOR]

Agreed...I think it's awesome that we'll be contending for a SB again this year with the team we have yet we can still find flaws...I've come a long way from just hoping a praying Malone could complete a pass lol

[Slapstick]

But that's what ownership wanted though, a commitment to the run game.

He gave it to them.

No, he didn't...

The Steelers passed 56% of the time last year...that's not a commitment to the run game...

Here is a quote from AR II about Ben "tweaking" his game:

"I don't think we should want or expect a dramatic change in Ben. 'A little bit' is probably the key phrase," said Rooney. "He has been pretty darn successful in a lot of what he does. He's different from other quarterbacks. We don't want or expect dramatic changes in Ben. We need him to be healthy. We need him to continue to be healthy. He is turning 30. Taking fewer sacks, fewer risks here and there is something he needs to think about. But not a dramatic change."

Does that sound like "ramming the run game down our throats"? No...

[Eich]

But that's what ownership wanted though, a commitment to the run game.

He gave it to them.

NO

Commitment to making the run game more effective doesn't mean run 58% on first down and 65% on first down in the redzone.

Bruce Arians didn't give crap to them. Bruce Arians FAILED and he was asked to leave.

The offense is expected to run more effectively. Having a commitment to THAT is a good thing and is one of the tasks Haley has in front of him.

[grotonsteel]

..and who won the SB last year? The pass happy team or the team with more balance and traditional play calling?

Giants were ranked 32nd in rushing or maybe 31st in rushing. They were 9-7 in regular season. I am pretty sure that Offense would have sucked in those 7 games they lost in regular season.

[Crash]

The Giants were ranked last in the NFL in rushing but 5th in passing.

That's not balance. And yet they won the Super Bowl.

They were much more balanced in 2010: 10th in rushing and 6th in passing: They missed the playoffs.

In 2007 when Eli won his first ring? 21st in rushing 4th in passing. Where's the balance?

[Slapstick]

The Giants were ranked last in the NFL in rushing but 5th in passing.

That's not balance. And yet they won the Super Bowl.

They were much more balanced in 2010: 10th in rushing and 6th in passing: They missed the playoffs.

In 2007 when Eli won his first ring? 21st in rushing 4th in passing. Where's the balance?

People like you who look at stats lack football logic...

Try watching the games...

[feltdizz]

Giants were ranked 32nd in rushing or maybe 31st in rushing. They were 9-7 in regular season. I am pretty sure that Offense would have sucked in those 7 games they lost in regular season.

Their RB's were injured for the bulk of the regular season.... they didn't rally have a choice. In the playoffs there was more balance outside of the SF game but the 49ers rund D is so good it makes sense to abandon the run in that game.

What's odd is the "expect a lot of no huddle" quote by Ben followed by "tons of runs" a week later. Maybe he is just blowing smoke.

[DukieBoy]

Game Trax for the Superbowl show Giants with 19 rushes for 78 yards, and 30 of 40 passes for 296 yds.
Patriots are shown with 9 rushes for 39 yards,and 27 of 41 passing for 276 yards.
Both teams were heavier on passing. The team that won had a bit more balance.
Interpret it or weight it as you will. I think the Giants won at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and it was a huge factor in that game, both in their passing game and running game.

I'd liike to see the Steelers dominate the LOS again on both sides of the ball. Obviously, it will sure benefit both the passing game and the run game.