Heretic wrote:
Al Capone wrote:
Remember when we had Bobby April as special teams coach? He would run up and down the field. That is whats missing on special teams. The players now seem its a burden rather than a pleasure to be on special teams.
I loved Bobby April as a special teams coach! He was enthusiastic and it rubbed off on the team. That's what they need to get as a replacement — a high-energy guy who's looking for a high profile stepping-stone position to a better coaching job. He'll be looking at the job he does as our ST coach as what will give him a better job and will be going all-out every day of the week. And when he moves on, find another guy in that mold.
As for the two offensive coaches, I agree wholeheartedly. The OL has gotten worse as the season's gone on. I mean, eight sacks last week? That's pitiful against ANY team, let alone the one that was considered the worst in the league by many of its own fans. And Arians isn't getting the job done, especially in the red zone. So far this year, the Steelers have been as good as anyone at moving the chains between the 30s-20s, but are distressingly poor at punching into the end zone. When you're 6-7 and all seven losses have been by 7 or fewer points, you have to be thinking that if your offense has taken advantage of one more situation or that if your special teams had not given up that TD (or near-TD, as Cleveland's win was helped by the Cribbs return inside the 10 to set up their TD that was the winning margin).
It just seems like every week, they play to the level of their opponent under the impression they'll be the team making the big play in crunch time. They've been wrong seven times. As a fan, this is the most frustrating season I've ever experienced just because of that. This team has beaten Minnesota and San Diego....while losing to KC, Oakland and Cleveland. Utterly inexplicable the way things have gone down.
Agreed totally on the ST coach. I forget what totally happened but didnt he make a lateral move to maybe NO when he left? Been so long ago I cannot remember.
After the SB season many of us were still talking about how badly we hated Arians. The team last year won by defense, the ST were solid but not spectacular, and the offense was predicated on BR making plays out of pocket with his scrambling ability.
The running game was terrible and I am not a fan of a running attack without a FB. (Ill get back to that a bit later). Not alot of the plays came out of the normal offensive set. Team couldnt run the ball and the passing game wasnt bad but was all BR scrambling around and NOT what is in the playbook. It was playground passing attack.
There have been some teams who have been successful running teh ball without a FB. Colts, Rams in the 'greatest show on turf' years to name a couple. Thing is..those teams were so feared in the passing game, and most times went with at least a 3 WR set, and at times 4. That forced the defense to play the nickel package and not crowd the line. If they did...bam....the play is changed and they get lit up. When the steelers want to run many times it has 1 or 2 TE, and without the FB to clear the way they never can consistantly run it. Now..the OL being bad is part of it too but I am not a fan of having a lead blocker. I forget what Denver used in the past...but they used a very effective zone blocking scheme that allowed pretty much anyone to rush it well.
When they played the browns on Thursday night......in the wind..in the cold...against a defense that sucked against the run..and the steelers line up in 4 wide on third and 1, and third and 2, in the first qtr in the shotgun that, to me, signed Arians walking papers.
Steelers used to be predicated on toughness. Now they are a finesse team. The running game is a nuisance to Arians. He puts token effort into it.
Yes, I know...BR is a very good QB. Some may say a great QB..and they may be right, but you can be a great QB but still play in an offense that can be punishing. The OL wasnt fixed after a terrible season last year. BR holds onto the ball at times for sacks, but ya gotta take the good with the bad. He does make alot of plays that way.
On teh defensived side they miss TP this year, big time. Also, at times Farrior has looked a step behind. Against the browns there were a few occasions he took poor angles of pursuit and the RB sped by. To me that says he just doesnt have that quickness anymore.
Timmons may be anotehr Kendrell bell. Alot of promise..but not panning out. Missing Smith has hurt as well...but he is gettin old and prolly aint gonna be around much longer. In the past backups did a great job filling in and that is why they ahve allowed top players to leave over the years...because they felt they had the depth. Maybe some good seasons and poor draft slots have caught up with the depth of the team. Entirelly possible.
On ESPN they said that some are saying a rift between Ward and BR is hurting the team..and Ward has more support. I can def see that and if I had to take sides I think Ward would be whom I would support...even tho I know BR is teh future and HW's career is over in not too distant future.
MT is facing adversity for the first time. In his first season the team faltered down the road and lost in the first playoff game to Jax. some felt the team wore out after a tough camp and season and he let up a bit in year two. This summer it was nicknamed Camp Cupcake.
The interest in this taem has waned with the losses mounted. We cannot go this weekend and our tix on ebay had a total of ONE bid..with like 2 min to go and barely got face. Typically there are tons of bids and some good $$ To be had.
The OL has been a staple of the steelers over the years. It is a weekness now as they have focused on the skill spots..and also...have overpayed for some of their own OL to stay.
I think they can win 2 of the last 3 and finish 8-8..then clean some house a little bit and start anew next year.
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