What's wrong with our running game?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

The other guys are in our backfield way too often on our running plays.

Are they stacking the box, daring Ben to throw?

Is our OL just not that good in run protection (I"ve read that before, that they are more of a finesse pass pro line than a brute force run pro one)?

Would some more play action help take the pressure off our running plays?

I'm clueless, all I know is that Bell is getting hammered right at the line (or behind it) way too often it seems. And it's not just, or maybe even not mainly, from AV's side, it seems to come up the middle and from the right as often as not ...

[SidSmythe]

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we have no deep threat in the passing game.

[squidkid]

we should pay them more

[SteelCrazy]

It was Bell. Conner got 1 run and gained 11. Sometimes the hesitation doesn't work on a disciplined team.

[Mr.wizard]

Nothing is wrong with our running game, Bell has 840yds rushing through 9 games.

[Ernie]

Actually, when you look at team rushing stats...the Steelers are ranked tied for 20th. Not very impressive when you consider that we are the #1 seed in the AFC, and our passing offense is struggling as well. Bell is having a solid year, but he's also getting 98% of the work load.

[Mr.wizard]

Bell is leading the league in rushing yards we are doing just fine with our rushing attack. He just gets a lot of carries so it effects his yards per carry average.

[Ernie]

Bell is leading the league in rushing yards we are doing just fine with our rushing attack. He just gets a lot of carries so it effects his yards per carry average.

Again... the Steelers are ranked 20th in terms of team rushing stats... which is the only stat that matters.

The coaching staff, for whatever reason, have decided to give Bell all the carries...while almost every other team in the league has chosen to share the work load.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Again... the Steelers are ranked 20th in terms of team rushing stats... which is the only stat that matters.

The coaching staff, for whatever reason, have decided to give Bell all the carries...while almost every other team in the league has chosen to share the work load.

The Steelers are 7-2 with their approach so far. They can do better or worse. I guess they have reasons for their choices.

I am not sure there is anything wrong with the running game. Somtimes teams have good weeks running the ball and sometimes they dont. Thats life in the NFL.

Maybe fan expectations are the real problem?? Its like if the Steelers dont do everything well every week then its a problem.

[williar]

The offense is so predictable and unimaginative! It's like the Steelers are running an offense from the 70's. Bell is the "bell-cow" of the offense and basically, if you key your defense around stopping him, the Steelers have no other answers. It seems like the last thing they want to do is put the ball in Ben's hands for obvious reasons.

[Slapstick]

The offense is so predictable and unimaginative! It's like the Steelers are running an offense from the 70's. Bell is the "bell-cow" of the offense and basically, if you key your defense around stopping him, the Steelers have no other answers. It seems like the last thing they want to do is put the ball in Ben's hands for obvious reasons.

But they did put the ball in his hands during the second half and scored 17 unanswered points...we just need Ben to play like he did in the second half...if that can happen, teams won't be able to key on the run and still stop us...

[Steel Maniac]

The other guys are in our backfield way too often on our running plays.

Are they stacking the box, daring Ben to throw?

Is our OL just not that good in run protection (I"ve read that before, that they are more of a finesse pass pro line than a brute force run pro one)?

Would some more play action help take the pressure off our running plays?

I'm clueless, all I know is that Bell is getting hammered right at the line (or behind it) way too often it seems. And it's not just, or maybe even not mainly, from AV's side, it seems to come up the middle and from the right as often as not ...

Ben isn't the guy he was a year and a half ago. Teams have figured that out and are now crowding the box. It's up to Ben to do something about that or that will be the case in every team we play.

[Steelhere10]

The OC is not helping with his stale play calling, there's nothing wrong with passing to set up the run. In fact he does the opposite. He beats a dead horse and if the run is not working early the whole offense get shut down.

[williar]

But they did put the ball in his hands during the second half and scored 17 unanswered points...we just need Ben to play like he did in the second half...if that can happen, teams won't be able to key on the run and still stop us...

Well let's get her cranked up then!!! With all that has been said, I think most of us are bright enough to know that if Ben doesn't step up his game then this season is a wrap....He has more of a smugged look on his face than anybody I have ever seen-playing like crap! I know he sure-better have some magic left up his sleeve. I firmly believe his legacy is riding on how he performs against NE. If he loses to NE again once , when it really matters or both times - I think he can kiss the HOF goodbye!

[BURGH86STEEL]

The offense is so predictable and unimaginative! It's like the Steelers are running an offense from the 70's. Bell is the "bell-cow" of the offense and basically, if you key your defense around stopping him, the Steelers have no other answers. It seems like the last thing they want to do is put the ball in Ben's hands for obvious reasons.

For me it boils down to execution. Always has and always will.

So if the Steelers can't count on Ben than where should they turn? The only options would be Jones or Dobbs with Bell as the focal point. The strategy is that Ben still has enough "good game" left to help this team win a SB.