More stones to turn over

[WindyCitySteel]

Tomlin said a few weeks ago that they were going to turn over all stones to find solutions to their problems. It was a cool cliche and the local media probably swooned at the words, but nobody's held him to that. Nothing is happening on offense. The only personnel changes have come because of injury. No scheme or play-calling changes at all.

Here are some stones I'd turn over:

- Start Hassenauer at Center. Green is killing this team there. That's easy.

- Use a lot more 22 - two TE, FB and Najee. Commit to running the GD ball. Spell Najee and pound Ballage at times. Ben will probably complain but screw him.

- Get Ray-Ray off the field (see above). He has the 2nd lowest YPC in NFL history next to a FB. Switzer averaged more, yet he gets far to many targets. There are two 2nd round draft choices on the team - James Washington and Anthony Miller - that don't get enough PT. Miller gets none at all. I can't imagine how they could possibly be worse than Ray-Ray, who appears to be a Tomlin favorite given how MT defended him after the taunting call.

- Find a way to use Anthony McFarland's speed. It's unconscionable that they can't find a way to get him on the field.

This offense is historically bad. Like expansion team bad. That they never change anything feels like they're just giving up.

[Ernie]

It's a shame Finney isnt healthy. I would have made the move to C with him weeks ago

[Starlifter]

Tomlin said a few weeks ago that they were going to turn over all stones to find solutions to their problems. It was a cool cliche and the local media probably swooned at the words, but nobody's held him to that. Nothing is happening on offense. The only personnel changes have come because of injury. No scheme or play-calling changes at all.

Here are some stones I'd turn over:

- Start Hassenauer at Center. Green is killing this team there. That's easy.

- Use a lot more 22 - two TE, FB and Najee. Commit to running the GD ball. Spell Najee and pound Ballage at times. Ben will probably complain but screw him.

- Get Ray-Ray off the field (see above). He has the 2nd lowest YPC in NFL history next to a FB. Switzer averaged more, yet he gets far to many targets. There are two 2nd round draft choices on the team - James Washington and Anthony Miller - that don't get enough PT. Miller gets none at all. I can't imagine how they could possibly be worse than Ray-Ray, who appears to be a Tomlin favorite given how MT defended him after the taunting call.

- Find a way to use Anthony McFarland's speed. It's unconscionable that they can't find a way to get him on the field.

This offense is historically bad. Like expansion team bad. That they never change anything feels like they're just giving up.

Agreed. Hate Cleveland but respect their commitment to the run and the packages they’ve installed to make it happen. We should have been doing this all season.

[Jooser]

Resistance is futile.

[steeler_george]

It's a shame Finney isnt healthy. I would have made the move to C with him weeks ago

Finney is what killed the team.

They thought they were getting Finney pre-Cincy, pre-Seattle.

He was cooked.

They thought they had a reliable vet who would start over Green ( bring him slowly) or at least push him.

Shame there were so many good decent centers in last years FA.

[WindyCitySteel]

Bump.

Why does it take injuries/extenuating circumstances to put the best team on the field? Witherspoon only played when injuries mounted in the 2ndary, he's playing better than Sutton and Haden. Harvin was a mess all year, not just when his father was going downhill, why was that not addressed? And Hassenauer at center was an immediate and obvious upgrade over Green. If Ray Ray or Claypool got hurt and Anthony Miller was given a chance, I bet you'd see the exact same thing.

Three stones have been turned over recently only because they had no choice, and they all make the coaching staff look like they don't know what they're doing.

[WindyCitySteel]

Tomlin said in his presser today that Witherspoon didn't get a hat prior to injury because he wasn't good enough at special teams. Also said Green can play if he's healthy next week.

Unreal.

[NorthCoast]

Agreed. Hate Cleveland but respect their commitment to the run and the packages they’ve installed to make it happen. We should have been doing this all season.

You might want to revisit your post after last night...." commitment to the run"??.. Chubb wasn't even in the game for at least two possessions. And Stefanski insisted on putting the ball in Mayfield's hands even though he's demonstrated time and again he fails under pressure. Part of me thinks it was purposeful by the HC. Maybe trying to show the GM how badly they need to look for QB next season. And given Mayfield's game last night shouldn't leave a lot of questions about that.

[crushedspirit]

You might want to revisit your post after last night...." commitment to the run"??.. Chubb wasn't even in the game for at least two possessions. And Stefanski insisted on putting the ball in Mayfield's hands even though he's demonstrated time and again he fails under pressure. Part of me thinks it was purposeful by the HC. Maybe trying to show the GM how badly they need to look for QB next season. And given Mayfield's game last night shouldn't leave a lot of questions about that.

Exact same vibe I was getting while watching. Weird game plan, and overall coaching.

[Eich]

If that was Stafanski's motive, it's a bit stupid, given how injured Mayfield is and the pressure we put him under. How does a GM evaluate and somehow change his mind on Mayfield after last night's "performance"?

It felt more like Stefanski wanted to get Baker killed while protecting his franchise RB for next season.

[feltdizz]

Love the win but don’t put too much stock in the results from the Browns game.

If they were still in the hunt we would’ve faced the team that gave GB a run last week.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I will enjoy the win, especially against the stains. I won't make excuses, if they chose not to bring their A game, that is on them. I think we were just the better team last night and more motivated.

No excuses for a win. Love it!

[NJ-STEELER]

when Hassenauer played last year, he was pretty bad too.

but maybe he's improved. playing center at alabama for 4 years might be a bigger test then playing guard at illiois

[NJ-STEELER]

maybe stefanski is testing mayfield.

setting up to fail on this night to see if he cries like a bitch or his girl takes to twitter and opens her mouth again.
then he can tell the brown's FO
"look at this cocky bitch, you want to give him a long term contract"

[NorthCoast]

maybe stefanski is testing mayfield.

setting up to fail on this night to see if he cries like a bitch or his girl takes to twitter and opens her mouth.
then he can tell the brown's FO
"look at this cocky bitch, you want to give him a long term contract"

said something similar earlier today. And now see Mayfield is done for the season and will have surgery on the shoulder. Probably a few weeks too late.