Dulac: Steelers have no plans to replace Matt Canada, will return in 2023

[hawaiiansteel]

Ben Roethlisberger not surprised Steelers decided to stick with OC Matt Canada

JOE RUTTER | Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023

https://triblive.com/sports/ben-roethlisberger-not-surprised-steelers-decided-to-stick-with-oc-matt-canada/

[feltdizz]

I would not hire THE BEST MAN FROM MY WEDDING to fix my car if he is a trash mechanic.

The idea that Tomlin would stake HIS CAREER on some dude he KNOWS is incapable because he merely signed his kid is beyond ludicrous.

Nobody is THAT greatful for something so minor.

They don’t know anything about what Maryland was going through at the time.

They act like Maryland is Clemso or Bama. Maryland had a player die during spring football and fired their head coach.

Why the hell would Tomlin gift Canada the gig?

Most of these folks don’t even know Canada was the OC at Pitt when they beat Clemson in 2016.

[Captain Lemming]

My point is that there had to be reasons why the management team decided to keep Canada. The narrative 'because he's Tomlin's buddy' is nonsense. They very well could have looked at some of the things I listed and decided Canada made enough progress to keep him around.

I would not hire THE BEST MAN FROM MY WEDDING to fix my car if he is a trash mechanic.

The idea that Tomlin would stake HIS CAREER on some dude he KNOWS is incapable because he merely signed his kid is beyond ludicrous.

Nobody is THAT greatful for something so minor.

[feltdizz]

My point is that there had to be reasons why the management team decided to keep Canada. The narrative 'because he's Tomlin's buddy' is nonsense. They very well could have looked at some of the things I listed and decided Canada made enough progress to keep him around.

I’m sure the FO didn’t say “we lost to Philly and Buffalo and Cincy so who cares how the season ended..” lol.

[NorthCoast]

My point is that there had to be reasons why the management team decided to keep Canada. The narrative 'because he's Tomlin's buddy' is nonsense. They very well could have looked at some of the things I listed and decided Canada made enough progress to keep him around.

[feltdizz]

I keep hearing this "learning a new system in his second year" warning. I don't get that. He barely learned this system, as he was QB3 in camp. Then was thrust into game action after bad games by Mitch. By all accounts, the offense was JV, not an Andy Reid special. Is it really that hard to move to a new system now?

I agree there were positive trends with the offense. But I think they had very little to do with Canada. The OL figured out how to block. The RBs figured out how to run. KP8 became very conservative and avoided turnovers.

If ever there was a time to install a new system for KP, it's now. He's young, hungry, learns fast and has never had a full offseason as QB1 in the NFL. I feel like we're wasting first round talent at QB. I hope I'm wrong and Canada comes out this fall and KP blows us away with an efficient passing game. We're not winning anything but a .500-ish record by playing conservative for 3.75 quarters and asking Kenny to win every game in the final minutes.

Wasting time? Kenny just got here. Its been 12 starts and he has gone 6-1 in the last 7 full games he played.

I think you answered your own question on why we are keeping Canada.

Kenny barely knew the system and the more he played in it the better he became at commanding the offense. We didn’t score a ton but we didn’t need to most games.

Why would the FO want to move on from Canada when he has 1 year left and has yet to have a camp as the starter?

I’m sure the FO is also hoping to see the offense improve next year for obvious reasons.

You would think this was Kenny and Canada’s 3rd year together the way people talk about their lack of development.

“we saw the same thing with a HOF QB and Mitch” but did we? It sure seems like I’m seeing longer drives, more first downs and a better rhythm with KP in this offense.

Now, if we don’t see any growth or its minimal then yes, Canada will be let go.

[Eich]

I agree with you. Canada may not be the best OC in the NFL, but the trends seem to be moving in the right direction. Not sure forcing KP to learn a new system in his second year would be a smart move.

I keep hearing this "learning a new system in his second year" warning. I don't get that. He barely learned this system, as he was QB3 in camp. Then was thrust into game action after bad games by Mitch. By all accounts, the offense was JV, not an Andy Reid special. Is it really that hard to move to a new system now?

I agree there were positive trends with the offense. But I think they had very little to do with Canada. The OL figured out how to block. The RBs figured out how to run. KP8 became very conservative and avoided turnovers.

If ever there was a time to install a new system for KP, it's now. He's young, hungry, learns fast and has never had a full offseason as QB1 in the NFL. I feel like we're wasting first round talent at QB. I hope I'm wrong and Canada comes out this fall and KP blows us away with an efficient passing game. We're not winning anything but a .500-ish record by playing conservative for 3.75 quarters and asking Kenny to win every game in the final minutes.

[Oviedo]

Thanks NC.

It really felt like KP took us from the 3-and-out machine Mitch was driving to something that would at least move the ball and reduce the number of stops the D had to make. But it's nice to see some numbers that show it.

I don't think Canada is a good OC. But it's nice to see that there are at least some reasons to not be super-pessimistic about next year.

I agree with you. Canada may not be the best OC in the NFL, but the trends seem to be moving in the right direction. Not sure forcing KP to learn a new system in his second year would be a smart move.

[Northern_Blitz]

Wanted to add a few more;

• The Steelers offense climbed to #1 in the NFL in Plays/Dr (6.71) and #2 in Time of Poss/Dr. Keep in mind this was after the horrendous start to the season with 3 and outs. Who can forget the 21 play drive against CAR that took over 11 minutes off the clock?
• The Steelers offense was also top 5 in fewest turnovers per drive. An indication of the low risk scheme.
• The Steelers offense was #3 in FG/drive. They were also #18 in Pts/RZ, so room for improvement. But if KP and Canada can come up with a RZ scheme to score TDs it's possible those FGs turn into a lot more points.

So the offense was basically playing keep-away from the opponents, keeping the defense off the field, and the opponent from racking up points. When you have long drives in a game you naturally end up with fewer points.

So it's not like there were no positives from the offense this year. There are signs it could be a very good one in the future.

Thanks NC.

It really felt like KP took us from the 3-and-out machine Mitch was driving to something that would at least move the ball and reduce the number of stops the D had to make. But it's nice to see some numbers that show it.

I don't think Canada is a good OC. But it's nice to see that there are at least some reasons to not be super-pessimistic about next year.

[NorthCoast]

I get the frustration with the decision to bring back Canada. But here's a few things to consider on the pro side of things;

• There are currently no less than ten teams looking for OCs right now. The Steelers would be competing with all of them, and if it's true they don't pay top salaries, that is a handicap that is hard to overcome.
• The Steelers started the season with the 24th ranked rush offense. That was improved to 15th in 2022. This has been Rooney's directive for several seasons. 9 out of the last 10 games produced 100+ yds rushing. Under Fichtner it was the exact opposite; 1 out of 10 games had 100+ yds rushing.
• They didn't dislike Canada to the point of feeling they needed to fire him mid-contract ala Kevin Gilbride.
• They defeated two division rivals in back to back games to end the season
• They were 7-1 in games where they scored the first points. And they were dead last in 2021 in 1st qtr points, improving that to 23rd this season.

I think people have forgotten how dismal the offense was prior to this season. There are signs that changes were happening. Maybe not the leaps and bounds everyone wants but they are doing it with an OL that could use an upgrade or two, and a rookie QB learning on the fly.

Wanted to add a few more;

• The Steelers offense climbed to #1 in the NFL in Plays/Dr (6.71) and #2 in Time of Poss/Dr. Keep in mind this was after the horrendous start to the season with 3 and outs. Who can forget the 21 play drive against CAR that took over 11 minutes off the clock?
• The Steelers offense was also top 5 in fewest turnovers per drive. An indication of the low risk scheme.
• The Steelers offense was #3 in FG/drive. They were also #18 in Pts/RZ, so room for improvement. But if KP and Canada can come up with a RZ scheme to score TDs it's possible those FGs turn into a lot more points.

So the offense was basically playing keep-away from the opponents, keeping the defense off the field, and the opponent from racking up points. When you have long drives in a game you naturally end up with fewer points.

So it's not like there were no positives from the offense this year. There are signs it could be a very good one in the future.

[Captain Lemming]

I"m confused.

When I pointed out a few years ago that real coaches like Noll, Walsh, Lombardi, Parcells, Gibbs , all had control over their coordinators,... you , Captain Lemmings and Feltdizz argued fiercely that Tomlin was in control of his staffs hiring/firing. Now your saying that isn't so?

I missed the links Maniac.

Oh wait you are blocking people THEN lie about them by name?

Hide so you can pretend you saw nothing when people tell you to prove it?

Everyone can see what a wuss move that is.

[Steel Maniac]

In his defense it has to be tough creating an offense with a QB who is limited in the passing game.

Bingo. Bingo. The league caught up to LJ. Same as it did Vince Young after his first year. And Michael Vick.

[Steel Maniac]

That organization is now 1-4 in the playoffs since drafting lamaaaaar

hahahahahahahahaha. Exactly. He's wasting away that team. Just as I said he would. If only he could stay another 5 years. To keep that franchise in turmoil.

[hawaiiansteel]

In his defense it has to be tough creating an offense with a QB who is limited in the passing game.

Ravens traded away Hollywood Brown, then Bateman and Duvernay both got hurt.

they need to invest more in the WR position to have a more balanced offense.

[T.Ferguson]

I see on social media the raven fans are happy.

roman catered that offense to Jackson’s strengths.
I wonder if who ever they bring in will do the same.

In his defense it has to be tough creating an offense with a QB who is limited in the passing game.