We need to switch to passing attack

[pfelix73]

"3rd down magic this season?" You make it sound like we're in week 14. We're only in week #1! Guys- lets give it a few more weeks before ya'll start jumping OFF the bandwagon.....

[phillyesq]

Maybe we should at least play an offensive sheme that suits our quaterback. Spread offece out of the shotgun, that's how most snaps should look like.

That may suit the QB, but not the WRs or the offensive line. Ben had little time, but couldn't get the ball out quickly. The Titans didn't particularly respect the WRs and the WRs did not make them pay. They need more separation more quickly.

[Chadman]

While the OL looked poor against the Titans, they looked no worse than last year or any of the previous 3-4 years. (Chadman secretly suspects that these guys might still turn out to be better than we expect). And the RB's were poor, no doubting that- but they were poor last year as well. They clearly miss a RB that can reliably hold the ball & get 3-4 yards most attempts. Maybe Bell is that guy? But for Chadman, the biggest deficiency in the Todd Haley offense/ Steelers roster combination is that they don't have a go-to WR. If you are going to play a dink-dunk, catch & run, short route, quick (quickish maybe) passing attack- you need a big, safe hands type WR that can get the ball in traffic, who isn't afraid to cross the middle, or get deep. They need a Larry Fitzgerald, or Dwayne Bowe... Plaxico Burress type WR. A guy Ben can do what Ben has always done- throw into coverage- and still be a strong chance of coming down with the ball. Antonio Brown is an overpaid slot WR, Sanders is yet to prove he's more than a back-up, Cotchery is a possession WR & Wheaton needs time, but looks to be a potential deep threat. Ben was always at his best (and sometimes worst) when he could lob it up & have a Burress, Ward or Wallace pluck it out of coverage & make a play. The current group don't offer him that luxury. The current group take 'the gambler' out of Ben. And then Ben holds the ball longer...waiting for WR's to get open...with an average at best OL...

[Keyplay1]

Truth be told, if the Arians offense would have been better in the redzone I don't think Art II could have fired him. Instead of changing everything, the offense should have just worked on its redzone play.

I am not so sure about that. Since 1992 TS have had 8 OC's. That is about a 2 1/2 yrs avg per OC. It was simply time for BA to go. The handling of it was not good [butchered] however. BA was here longer than any other OC [97-2011] since who knows when.

It seems folks are confusing TS presumed patience with HC's with all position coaches. That is not the case. Incidentally, TS had 4 different HC's in the 1960's.

[steelblood]

Yeah, Ben is awesome. One of the greatest Steelers of all time. But, he is not a master technician, and he is not a classic pocket passer. He doesn't always trust his first read. He likes to hold the ball and extend plays. It is what it is.

[Keyplay1]

Haleys offense was on pace to make Big Ben the MVP of the NFL until he got hurt.

Do you really believe that?

There have been 4 or 5 threads since that totally debunked that perception. Some said there 5 or 6 players way ahead at that time.

But yes, it did seem like things were going good early last year but really were they? It was just a matter of time before any Defense would easily slam shut the door on that closet type O TS were running.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Just because 1 PLAYER has a route that is short of the endzone doesn't mean Ben has to throw it to that guy. Then again, Ben doesn't strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed.

then, why run an offense that requires him to be that? an offense with quick-hitters means you have to be smart enough to know all the pre-snap reads, understand what the defense is doing, and get out a timing route. we all know who our QB is and who he isn't... well, all of us except the OC

[phillyesq]

While the OL looked poor against the Titans, they looked no worse than last year or any of the previous 3-4 years. (Chadman secretly suspects that these guys might still turn out to be better than we expect). And the RB's were poor, no doubting that- but they were poor last year as well. They clearly miss a RB that can reliably hold the ball & get 3-4 yards most attempts. Maybe Bell is that guy? But for Chadman, the biggest deficiency in the Todd Haley offense/ Steelers roster combination is that they don't have a go-to WR. If you are going to play a dink-dunk, catch & run, short route, quick (quickish maybe) passing attack- you need a big, safe hands type WR that can get the ball in traffic, who isn't afraid to cross the middle, or get deep. They need a Larry Fitzgerald, or Dwayne Bowe... Plaxico Burress type WR. A guy Ben can do what Ben has always done- throw into coverage- and still be a strong chance of coming down with the ball. Antonio Brown is an overpaid slot WR, Sanders is yet to prove he's more than a back-up, Cotchery is a possession WR & Wheaton needs time, but looks to be a potential deep threat. Ben was always at his best (and sometimes worst) when he could lob it up & have a Burress, Ward or Wallace pluck it out of coverage & make a play. The current group don't offer him that luxury. The current group take 'the gambler' out of Ben. And then Ben holds the ball longer...waiting for WR's to get open...with an average at best OL...

The lack of offensive weapons is a problem. Brown is best as a #2, Sanders a #3, Cothery a #4 who can move the chains. Wheaton is young and learning, but has a similar profile to Brown and Sanders.

[flippy]

we all know who our QB is and who he isn't... well, all of us except the OC

there it is. truth!!!

[feltdizz]

And so what happened to the 3rd down magic this season?? In the second half of the game, the Steelers averaged 3 yds to go on seven 3rd downs. The offense got how many first downs?? Zero!... Ben couldn't manage a single throw for a first down. That's the difference.

1st game... but I expected a little

[feltdizz]

I am not so sure about that. Since 1992 TS have had 8 OC's. That is about a 2 1/2 yrs avg per OC. It was simply time for BA to go. The handling of it was not good [butchered] however. BA was here longer than any other OC [97-2011] since who knows when.

It seems folks are confusing TS presumed patience with HC's with all position coaches. That is not the case. Incidentally, TS had 4 different HC's in the 1960's.

It was time to go because we didn't go to 4 SB's in his 4 or 5 years? smh... yeah, it was time... because winning a ton of games most years wasn't enough for the fans. We needed more. 2 SB's in one year. This sounds as crazy as those who blamed BA for our D stinking it up.

2 SB appearances in 4 years and he was the WR coach for another SB appearance...

Everyone on our offense loved the guy.. now look at us?

[BlitzTo7]

Do you really believe that?

There have been 4 or 5 threads since that totally debunked that perception. Some said there 5 or 6 players way ahead at that time.

But yes, it did seem like things were going good early last year but really were they? It was just a matter of time before any Defense would easily slam shut the door on that closet type O TS were running.

Pretty much this. Hoping your QB can bail you out on third & longs after failed runs up the middle or bubble screens is not a sustainable offense. You need to be able to stretch the field in today's NFL. Dink-and-dunk, screen passes, and check-downs can't replace that.

[feltdizz]

Do you really believe that?

There have been 4 or 5 threads since that totally debunked that perception. Some said there 5 or 6 players way ahead at that time.

But yes, it did seem like things were going good early last year but really were they? It was just a matter of time before any Defense would easily slam shut the door on that closet type O TS were running.

MVP at week 8 is all they have... sure he was hot early on but we played no one and as soon as teams figured us out it was all downhill. How does an MVP offense look like that in it's second year with fresh players..at home... vs Tennessee?

[Slapstick]

This sounds as crazy as those who blamed BA for our D stinking it up.

Almost as bad as blaming the D when the offense sucks...

[feltdizz]

Almost as bad as blaming the D when the offense sucks...

lol... good one.