Big Ben asked to do too much

[Steeler Mafia]

I don't mean to throw salt on this win, but I have to get this off my chest.

First off let me start by saying that we got a great win. Ben was outstanding and the stats show that. However, I think we are asking too much of our QB. Yesterdays game could have gone either way. I could not believe how we continued to abandoned the run again after the first half. Mendenhall had only 11 carries. Are you serious? 11 carries? This kid is going to be something special if we only give him a chance to carry the ball. After his running TD and they showed him with his arms up in the air, and I never realized this kid is that big. He is a beast, but we use him like a puny Reggie Bush type player. What a waste of talent. Now I know that he did have 6 cathes for 70+ yards, but that is still relying on the pass way too much. Why is it we can't get our RB a minimum of 25 carries? BA and his stubborness is going to kill this team. How many times are we going to ask Ben to throw for 500 yards? Games like that are not going to come every week. There is no balance to this team and a team with no offensive balance will almost always find themselves watching the playoffs from the couch of thier own home. I was honestly disgusted with yesterdays game, but the end result was much more enjoyable than the last 5 weeks.

Don't get me started talking about the defense yesterday. There is no faith in them anymore getting a stop when we need it. Too many big plays given up and missed tackles.

[flippy]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

He needs to do more. This offense should be putting up loads of points to take defensive deficiencies out of the equation.

He's capable and proved it against a top defense in the Packers. He needs to play even better to carry the whole team.

Convert more 3rd downs. Score TDs in the redzone. And take the game off the defense's shoulders. We need even more from Ben than we're getting.

[cruzer8]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

It was a shoot out. We had to shoot to keep up with their shooting.

[NWNewell]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

I'll agree that I hate how quickly we continue to shy away from running the ball, especially in a game like this one that was so close and we were almost always ahead.

But at the same time, when you putt up 503 yards, 3 passing TD's, and more importantly averaging over 10yds per pass play... it's yard to argue that we should run the ball more at 4 yds per rushing attempt.


Also, let me ask you this from a little different perspective... and I'll ask you to keep an opened mind.

And on the year, you look at the fact that we are averaging 7.2 net yards per pass play (including sack numbers). Running the ball we are averaging 4.2 yards per pass play. Which would you rather try to do more?

Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple. Passing has a higher standard deviation so the success is more sporadic and it is often difficult to sustain a long drive on passing due to this. Also, obviously the more you pass (or run) the more the defense will adjust.

If we assume you get 60 offensive plays per game. If you call a 50/50 split (with our numbers) we would have 30 rushing plays at 4.2 yds per game and 30 pass plays at 7.2 yards per play. That's 342 yards per game. We'll assume that the defense plays an honest balanced game due to the balanced offensive attack.

If we passed a little more, 35 pass plays and 25 run plays, that would result in 357 yards per game.... assuming that 35/25 split is still balanced enough to cause the defense to stay balanced.

There is a balance there were even if the opponents defense adjusts a little, you can probably produce more with a good passing attack than you can running more often. And you can push that edge unit the defense adjusts so much that your passing production comes way down, or until the higher standard deviation of passing causes the overall offense to be too inefficient.

Ben has proved that he can handle more than his fair share of the load. Counter to my thoughts a couple years ago, I don't think we need to run just as often as we pass. But I definitely agree that BA pushing the edge a little too far causing our offensive production to be a little too sporadic and the sometimes defenses are able to adjust a little too much.

Our offensive results are not half bad. But I do think they could be better if we would be just a hair more committed to the run... more so in specific situations than just arbitrarily across the board. If we were more committed situation ally, I think our split would be a bit more like 45-55 or 46/54 and think we would see a little more efficiency from the offense.

On the year we are at about a 43/57 run/pass split. With that we are averaging 22.5 points per game, 375 yds/g, and 33:18 TOP. Over the past 10 years we've averaged 22.1 pt/g, 328.5 yds/g, and 32:39 TOP. So this "pass happy" offense is putting up better numbers and better TOP than we have in recent history with our "Steelers Style" running offense. We are not doing much better in points per game, but that is because our Redzone efficiency is suffering this year. And I think that goes back to running situationally. I think if we did, our Redzone and 3rd down % would be better and you'd see some more points and even more production.

I'd like to see about 27 runs and 33 passes on average. We are not fare from it. there are typically a few plays here or there throughout the game on 3rd and short or in the redzone where I would like to see more running plays being called. But unfortunately, in today's game where the rules and officiating favor the passing attack, any team that as s reasonable passing game is going is better served to be a little unbalanced towards the pass.

Wow... that was long winded....

[msp26505]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

I want to see more of a commitment to the run NEXT year.

This year, we have to go for the jugular whenever possible. Apparently, we need to outscore opponents rather than keep them from scoring.

I hate the Arians philosophy, if it can even be called a philosophy. Most of the time, it looks like it's simply poor game planning. Ben can also create his magic with the threat of a run from time to time, and we appear to have a stud RB in Mendy.

I am still more comfortable with getting an early lead, keeping the other offense on the sideline and running clock.

[NWNewell]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

I want to see more of a commitment to the run NEXT year.

This year, we have to go for the jugular whenever possible. Apparently, we need to outscore opponents rather than keep them from scoring.

I hate the Arians philosophy, if it can even be called a philosophy. Most of the time, it looks like it's simply poor game planning. Ben can also create his magic with the threat of a run from time to time, and we appear to have a stud RB in Mendy.

Totally agree.... while I'll say that today's game favors an unbalanced passing attack from good passing games, I do not like the way BA calls plays for the most part and think that he pushes the unbalanced attack a little too far.

Though I'll give him credit... the play action on the first play of the game was genius. We run the first two plays of every half almost as routinely as old faithful.

It might be that BA is great as game planning and scripting at the beginning of games, then just can't think on his feet for the rest of the game. I know there have been a ton of games where it seems like they come out clicking with some great calls... be it WR screens, or something else that gets the offense moving.... then come the middle of the 2nd quarter or the 2nd half, it seems like it's back to the same old BA, lets go to 5 step drop and look for people 15-20 yards down field....

[skyhawk]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

I am tired seeing Willie and Mewelde in the game in the 2nd Q when Mendenhall is starting to try to get his groove and a feel for the game. He then goes to the bench for a while.

Is he out of shape or something? What am I missing?

[RKSteel]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

On the year we are at about a 43/57 run/pass split. With that we are averaging 22.5 points per game, 375 yds/g, and 33:18 TOP. Over the past 10 years we've averaged 22.1 pt/g, 328.5 yds/g, and 32:39 TOP. So this "pass happy" offense is putting up better numbers and better TOP than we have in recent history with our "Steelers Style" running offense. We are not doing much better in points per game, but that is because our Redzone efficiency is suffering this year. And I think that goes back to running situationally. I think if we did, our Redzone and 3rd down % would be better and you'd see some more points and even more production.

What I would like to see is the Steelers TOP during the 4th qtr when they were a run first offense. I miss those 7-9 min drives to close out a game. I think with Mendenhall, the Steelers have that ability again.

[skyhawk]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

On the year we are at about a 43/57 run/pass split. With that we are averaging 22.5 points per game, 375 yds/g, and 33:18 TOP. Over the past 10 years we've averaged 22.1 pt/g, 328.5 yds/g, and 32:39 TOP. So this "pass happy" offense is putting up better numbers and better TOP than we have in recent history with our "Steelers Style" running offense. We are not doing much better in points per game, but that is because our Redzone efficiency is suffering this year. And I think that goes back to running situationally. I think if we did, our Redzone and 3rd down % would be better and you'd see some more points and even more production.

What I would like to see is the Steelers TOP during the 4th qtr when they were a run first offense. I miss those 7-9 min drives to close out a game. I think with Mendenhall, the Steelers have that ability again.

With Mendenhall they do. With this OL they do not.

[Steeler Mafia]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

Granted, what Ben did yesterday was incredible, and yes, I am a firm believer of the "if they can't stop it, run it until they do" philosophy. However, I don't believe you can abandon the run so quickly as Arians does game after game. I think we would put up monster points if we were to keep the defense guessing and run the ball more rather than passing all the time. I wanted to throw up after I saw the empty set on 4 straight downs just before Skippy kicked that last field goal. Why??? I mean, wouldn't it be a good idea to run the ball to get a 2nd and 6 or a 3rd and short? We can't expect Ben to put up these kind of numbers game in and game out. We may have won the game, but this offensive mindset is not going to get us anywhere in the future.

[NWNewell]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

I wanted to throw up after I saw the empty set on 4 straight downs just before Skippy kicked that last field goal. Why???

I hate that as well. That's why I say that I don't mind as much as we throw the ball as I do "how" we throw the ball.

I would like to see some more runs worked in there in certain situations. But not as much as I would like to see better play calling and formations. I hate the empty set. Last year, I hated the single back set... now I'm begging for it. At least keep a one back there to give a little bit of a threat of the run.

[NorthCoast]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

I don't mean to throw salt on this win, but I have to get this off my chest.

First off let me start by saying that we got a great win. Ben was outstanding and the stats show that. However, I think we are asking too much of our QB. Yesterdays game could have gone either way. I could not believe how we continued to abandoned the run again after the first half. Mendenhall had only 11 carries. Are you serious? 11 carries? This kid is going to be something special if we only give him a chance to carry the ball. After his running TD and they showed him with his arms up in the air, and I never realized this kid is that big. He is a beast, but we use him like a puny Reggie Bush type player. What a waste of talent. Now I know that he did have 6 cathes for 70+ yards, but that is still relying on the pass way too much. Why is it we can't get our RB a minimum of 25 carries? BA and his stubborness is going to kill this team. How many times are we going to ask Ben to throw for 500 yards? Games like that are not going to come every week. There is no balance to this team and a team with no offensive balance will almost always find themselves watching the playoffs from the couch of thier own home. I was honestly disgusted with yesterdays game, but the end result was much more enjoyable than the last 5 weeks.

Don't get me started talking about the defense yesterday. There is no faith in them anymore getting a stop when we need it. Too many big plays given up and missed tackles.

OK, yeah. Another case of "imposing our will" against the No. 2 rushing defense. Why should we beat our heads against a wall with running, when Ben pretty much had his way with this defense? I'm all for balance, but not just for balance sake. You go with what is working and passing was working yesterday.

[stlrz d]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

Something I didn't fully realize until I saw it posted by a Packers fan on the CHFF forum. The Packers #2, #4 and #5 corners are on IR...and #7 is nicked up.

We exploited the hell out of #7 and #8. Take what they give you...especially when they are so willing to give it!

[feltdizz]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

I understand the concern and I agree. It looked like the 2002 Tommy Gun Steelers. You have to wonder if we are in a shootout if we run the ball more.... and the crazy thing is when we did it was with FWP? There was a time we were up by 10... and Arians was still passing like we were down.
That doesn't burn clock if it's an incompletion.

503 yards and a last second miracle for a win? I know the D is terrible but I think If we ran more or
had some balance GB wouldn't have had the possessions to get back in it.

I also understand this late season calls for unbalanced play selection and onside kicks. This is a brand new Steeler style of football.

[NWNewell]

Re: Big Ben asked to do too much

503 yards and a last second miracle for a win? I know the D is terrible but I think If we ran more or
had some balance GB wouldn't have had the possessions to get back in it.

Really? How much do you really think they possessed the ball??

You realize we had the ball for 35 minutes and GB only ran 61 plays (they average 65), right? Time of possession because of incomplete passes was not the problem.

Even though the defense was fresh and only on the field for 25 minutes, they gave up a 62% 3rd down conversion and were just as bad at redzone defense. That was the problem.