Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

[SteelCrazy]

Earlier this week, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin left open the possibility of quarterback Dennis Dixon seeing spot duty even after Ben Roethlisberger returns to the starting lineup.

When asked about that chance Thursday, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said, "Absolutely zero because he's the backup, and we only have two in there."

Arians said the Steelers don't want the fleet-footed Dixon running the ball in sub packages such as the Wildcat for the same reasons he stated during training camp: it is took risky for the 6-foot-3, 209-pounder.

"He's an extremely good talent as far as speed, and when a play breaks down and he can improvise, that's when he'll be dangerous," Arians said of Dixon. "But if you start designing runs for a quarterback, especially one of his stature, he's going to get broken in half."

Dixon scored on a 24-yard run in his first NFL start last Sunday.

The fourth-quarter play, Arians said, was designed to be a pass to Mewelde Moore. Dixon kept the ball following a fake handoff to wide receiver Mike Wallace since he had a clear path to the end zone.

Arians said there were no designed runs for Dixon in the Ravens' game because of the risk of an injury, especially with Tyler Palko as the only healthy quarterback behind Dixon.

Arians said he did not limit Dixon much against the Ravens because of the faith he has in the second-year man.

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

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[SteelBucks]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

Thank God.

[SteelAbility]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

We could have probably salted that game away if we had designed even 3 plays for Dixon to run. The point is that it OPENS UP THE OFFENSE A BIT. For the cost of a small risk of injury we could have had the game. Well worth the expense if you ask me. There are more angles on this than just "we don't want to risk injury." So, now by refusing to run him you run the 100% chance of becoming easier to defend. Genius! Why didn't I think of that?

You know, I think Herm "you play to WIN the game" Edwards had some real insight that day.

[Oviedo]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

We could have probably salted that game away if we had designed even 3 plays for Dixon to run. The point is that it OPENS UP THE OFFENSE A BIT. For the cost of a small risk of injury we could have had the game. Well worth the expense if you ask me. There are more angles on this than just "we don't want to risk injury." So, now by refusing to run him you run the 100% chance of becoming easier to defend. Genius! Why didn't I think of that?

You know, I think Herm "you play to WIN the game" Edwards had some real insight that day.

Given that your back up QB had been on the team for 2 days it would not have been smart to having Dixon running against a physical defense like the Raven. Do you think they would have hesitated taking a 15 yard personal foul to knock him out of the game knowing that Palko was the only other option?

[Steeler Mafia]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

We could have probably salted that game away if we had designed even 3 plays for Dixon to run. The point is that it OPENS UP THE OFFENSE A BIT. For the cost of a small risk of injury we could have had the game. Well worth the expense if you ask me. There are more angles on this than just "we don't want to risk injury." So, now by refusing to run him you run the 100% chance of becoming easier to defend. Genius! Why didn't I think of that?

You know, I think Herm "you play to WIN the game" Edwards had some real insight that day.

Given that your back up QB had been on the team for 2 days it would not have been smart to having Dixon running against a physical defense like the Raven. Do you think they would have hesitated taking a 15 yard personal foul to knock him out of the game knowing that Palko was the only other option?

So he is going to rule it out completely in the upcoming games?!? I tell you, the man is a true genius. Not only that, but he basicallly contradicts what Tomlin said in the presser on Tuesday about using Dixon more. I mean, can we get some sort of Einstein award or Nobel prize up in here for this man? Let's let him loose in Washington so he can fix the Economy and the national unemployment rate.

BA is a complete anal spelunking a$$ clown.

[SteelAbility]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

We could have probably salted that game away if we had designed even 3 plays for Dixon to run. The point is that it OPENS UP THE OFFENSE A BIT. For the cost of a small risk of injury we could have had the game. Well worth the expense if you ask me. There are more angles on this than just "we don't want to risk injury." So, now by refusing to run him you run the 100% chance of becoming easier to defend. Genius! Why didn't I think of that?

You know, I think Herm "you play to WIN the game" Edwards had some real insight that day.

Given that your back up QB had been on the team for 2 days it would not have been smart to having Dixon running against a physical defense like the Raven. Do you think they would have hesitated taking a 15 yard personal foul to knock him out of the game knowing that Palko was the only other option?

There are all kinds of ways to mitigate that problem, especially when your QB is cat-quick. THREE plays. Think about it. It's very low risk. But not running him is like using a BB gun instead of a rifle.

[MeetJoeGreene]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

We could have probably salted that game away if we had designed even 3 plays for Dixon to run. The point is that it OPENS UP THE OFFENSE A BIT. For the cost of a small risk of injury we could have had the game. Well worth the expense if you ask me. There are more angles on this than just "we don't want to risk injury." So, now by refusing to run him you run the 100% chance of becoming easier to defend. Genius! Why didn't I think of that?

You know, I think Herm "you play to WIN the game" Edwards had some real insight that day.

Given that your back up QB had been on the team for 2 days it would not have been smart to having Dixon running against a physical defense like the Raven. Do you think they would have hesitated taking a 15 yard personal foul to knock him out of the game knowing that Palko was the only other option?

So he is going to rule it out completely in the upcoming games?!? I tell you, the man is a true genius. Not only that, but he basicallly contradicts what Tomlin said in the presser on Tuesday about using Dixon more. I mean, can we get some sort of Einstein award or Nobel prize up in here for this man? Let's let him loose in Washington so he can fix the Economy and the national unemployment rate.

BA is a complete anal spelunking a$$ clown.

I hope its a smokescreen by BA. But I doubt it. He just doesn't get it sometimes. We are at the point in the season where it is do or die. We need to take risks. Plain and simple.

[SteelAbility]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

We could have probably salted that game away if we had designed even 3 plays for Dixon to run. The point is that it OPENS UP THE OFFENSE A BIT. For the cost of a small risk of injury we could have had the game. Well worth the expense if you ask me. There are more angles on this than just "we don't want to risk injury." So, now by refusing to run him you run the 100% chance of becoming easier to defend. Genius! Why didn't I think of that?

You know, I think Herm "you play to WIN the game" Edwards had some real insight that day.

Given that your back up QB had been on the team for 2 days it would not have been smart to having Dixon running against a physical defense like the Raven. Do you think they would have hesitated taking a 15 yard personal foul to knock him out of the game knowing that Palko was the only other option?

So he is going to rule it out completely in the upcoming games?!? I tell you, the man is a true genius. Not only that, but he basicallly contradicts what Tomlin said in the presser on Tuesday about using Dixon more. I mean, can we get some sort of Einstein award or Nobel prize up in here for this man? Let's let him loose in Washington so he can fix the Economy and the national unemployment rate.

BA is a complete anal spelunking a$$ clown.

I hope its a smokescreen by BA. But I doubt it. He just doesn't get it sometimes. We are at the point in the season where it is do or die. We need to take risks. Plain and simple.

$$$$$$$$

I actually thought we were at that point in the Ravens game, but even more so now.

[phillyesq]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

Given that your back up QB had been on the team for 2 days it would not have been smart to having Dixon running against a physical defense like the Raven. Do you think they would have hesitated taking a 15 yard personal foul to knock him out of the game knowing that Palko was the only other option?

In regulation, I agree with you on protecting Dixon. Once the game got to OT, I think that mindset changes. Dixon was clearly struggling with the zone defense. BA should have done something imaginative to use his talents, similar to the play with Wallace earlier on. Even if not designed runs, a bootleg on play action, something like that. Even a quick WR screen.

Instead, he had Dixon throw a traditional pass on 3rd and 6. The Ravens already knew he wouldn't through outside, because he nearly had a few of those picked-off earlier. So he threw a predictable pass with no imagination, and we all saw what happened.

BA's game plan protecting Dixon early was great. But late in the game, he failed to take advantage of his strengths, failed to show any imagination, and the Steelers lost.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

Arians is a tool. How bout you get a little creative Bruce and plug Dixon in on a 4 wide package where he lines up at WR and can be the WR around. He could come around and either get the ball and run with it just like Mike Wallace, he could throw it since he has a better arm than Ben, or you could totally fake the handoff to him to draw the defense to his side.

This would be too much for Bruce to handle. He likes the more elementary offense.

And what is this about not handcuffing Dixon cause you have faith in him? Arians is full of it.

Not designing any plays at all on offense for an athlete like Dixon is just one more example of Bruce Arians not getting the most out of the athletes he has at his disposal. I also think Spaeth, Sweed, Mcdonald, and Logan could easily be utilized more. Especially Sweed & Spaeth in the redzone.

[LasVegasGuy]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

Earlier this week, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin left open the possibility of quarterback Dennis Dixon seeing spot duty even after Ben Roethlisberger returns to the starting lineup.

When asked about that chance Thursday, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said, "Absolutely zero because he's the backup, and we only have two in there."

Arians said the Steelers don't want the fleet-footed Dixon running the ball in sub packages such as the Wildcat for the same reasons he stated during training camp: it is took risky for the 6-foot-3, 209-pounder.

"He's an extremely good talent as far as speed, and when a play breaks down and he can improvise, that's when he'll be dangerous," Arians said of Dixon. "But if you start designing runs for a quarterback, especially one of his stature, he's going to get broken in half."

Dixon scored on a 24-yard run in his first NFL start last Sunday.

The fourth-quarter play, Arians said, was designed to be a pass to Mewelde Moore. Dixon kept the ball following a fake handoff to wide receiver Mike Wallace since he had a clear path to the end zone.

Arians said there were no designed runs for Dixon in the Ravens' game because of the risk of an injury, especially with Tyler Palko as the only healthy quarterback behind Dixon.

Arians said he did not limit Dixon much against the Ravens because of the faith he has in the second-year man.

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_656124.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 56124.html[/url]

We should have beat the Bears, we should have beat the Bengals twice, we should have beat the Chiefs and we should have beat the Ravens too. We should be 11-0 but in reality we are 6-5 chasing teams to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl.

Maybe in a few weeks Arians will be saying "I felt extremely confident we were going to make the playoffs and we should have."

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

Earlier this week, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin left open the possibility of quarterback Dennis Dixon seeing spot duty even after Ben Roethlisberger returns to the starting lineup.

When asked about that chance Thursday, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said, "Absolutely zero because he's the backup, and we only have two in there."

Arians said the Steelers don't want the fleet-footed Dixon running the ball in sub packages such as the Wildcat for the same reasons he stated during training camp: it is took risky for the 6-foot-3, 209-pounder.

"He's an extremely good talent as far as speed, and when a play breaks down and he can improvise, that's when he'll be dangerous," Arians said of Dixon. "But if you start designing runs for a quarterback, especially one of his stature, he's going to get broken in half."

Dixon scored on a 24-yard run in his first NFL start last Sunday.

The fourth-quarter play, Arians said, was designed to be a pass to Mewelde Moore. Dixon kept the ball following a fake handoff to wide receiver Mike Wallace since he had a clear path to the end zone.

Arians said there were no designed runs for Dixon in the Ravens' game because of the risk of an injury, especially with Tyler Palko as the only healthy quarterback behind Dixon.

Arians said he did not limit Dixon much against the Ravens because of the faith he has in the second-year man.

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_656124.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 56124.html[/url]

We should have beat the Bears, we should have beat the Bengals twice, we should have beat the Chiefs and we should have beat the Ravens too. We should be 11-0 but in reality we are 6-5 chasing teams to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl.

Maybe in a few weeks Arians will be saying "I felt extremely confident we were going to make the playoffs and we should have."

You are precisely right. I feel 100% the same way. With the personel we have we should be undefeated. Sure, the defense gave up the winning drive in the 4th qtr a couple games. Too bad we should have been up by 2 TD's on some of those teams like the Bears and KC. People want to throw around our offensive ranking based on yards this season, but exactly how many teams have we blown out this year? I mean even the Browns were within striking distance to beat us.

[BDESteel]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

Too bad the NFL isn't a democracy like our government. There's been many reasons why we lost our games this year, but the one constant has been the elephant named Bruce in the middle of the room.

I can't recall one person who's ever stuck up for him or said he's even adequate at his job. If there is, please correct me now.

We don't need to run the wildcat but there are many other formations we could use Dixon in to be effective. And as far as keeping him safe. It's football dammit! It's an oxymoron.

Now that been is back, Dixon should be brought in to help out our struggling third down offense, at least.

[LasVegasGuy]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

Earlier this week, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin left open the possibility of quarterback Dennis Dixon seeing spot duty even after Ben Roethlisberger returns to the starting lineup.

When asked about that chance Thursday, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said, "Absolutely zero because he's the backup, and we only have two in there."

Arians said the Steelers don't want the fleet-footed Dixon running the ball in sub packages such as the Wildcat for the same reasons he stated during training camp: it is took risky for the 6-foot-3, 209-pounder.

"He's an extremely good talent as far as speed, and when a play breaks down and he can improvise, that's when he'll be dangerous," Arians said of Dixon. "But if you start designing runs for a quarterback, especially one of his stature, he's going to get broken in half."

Dixon scored on a 24-yard run in his first NFL start last Sunday.

The fourth-quarter play, Arians said, was designed to be a pass to Mewelde Moore. Dixon kept the ball following a fake handoff to wide receiver Mike Wallace since he had a clear path to the end zone.

Arians said there were no designed runs for Dixon in the Ravens' game because of the risk of an injury, especially with Tyler Palko as the only healthy quarterback behind Dixon.

Arians said he did not limit Dixon much against the Ravens because of the faith he has in the second-year man.

"I felt extremely confident that we were going to win that ballgame the other night with Dennis, and we should have," Arians said.

[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_656124.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 56124.html[/url]

We should have beat the Bears, we should have beat the Bengals twice, we should have beat the Chiefs and we should have beat the Ravens too. We should be 11-0 but in reality we are 6-5 chasing teams to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl.

Maybe in a few weeks Arians will be saying "I felt extremely confident we were going to make the playoffs and we should have."

You are precisely right. I feel 100% the same way. With the personel we have we should be undefeated. Sure, the defense gave up the winning drive in the 4th qtr a couple games. Too bad we should have been up by 2 TD's on some of those teams like the Bears and KC. People want to throw around our offensive ranking based on yards this season, but exactly how many teams have we blown out this year? I mean even the Browns were within striking distance to beat us.

The Lions were in striking difference too. Maybe if we jumped on teams like we are capable off we wouldn't be asking our defense to try and stop a team that has all the momentum of beating the Steelers. Since Tomlin has been around this team doesn't have any killer instinct. We accept winning ugly with no style points and because of it we allow bad teams to hang around gathering momentum by the minute.

[LasVegasGuy]

Re: Arians, Steelers will pass on Wildcat offense

Too bad the NFL isn't a democracy like our government. There's been many reasons why we lost our games this year, but the one constant has been the elephant named Bruce in the middle of the room.

I can't recall one person who's ever stuck up for him or said he's even adequate at his job. If there is, please correct me now.

We don't need to run the wildcat but there are many other formations we could use Dixon in to be effective. And as far as keeping him safe. It's football dammit! It's an oxymoron.

Now that been is back, Dixon should be brought in to help out our struggling third down offense, at least.

Ben has been defending Arians for over a year now and Tomlin doesn't have the sack to go up against Ben.