LLT
09-02-2012, 03:41 AM
By Alan Robinson
Tribune-Review Sports
Published: Sunday, September 2, 2012,
Admit it. A week away from the first real game of the Steelers season, and you’re still waiting for The Blowup.
You’re certain it’s going to happen, perhaps the very first time Ben Roethlisberger discards a play call to improvise, but his wide receivers are blanketed and he takes one more sack to add to the body-punishing 261 he’s had the last half-dozen seasons.
As soon as it happens, offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s face turns an Arizona Cardinals shade of crimson, and you just know he’ll start screaming. This isn’t Bruce Arians’ offense, and there’s no more pampering Big Ben. Roethlisberger isn’t 23 any longer; he’s 30, and he needs to understand that extending his career is more important than extending a few plays.
But has anyone considered this possibility: Haley, the same coach who brought out the best in Kurt Warner, Keyshawn Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, just might enhance Roethlisberger’s career, and without the anticipated tumult and the shouting?
“Nobody on that ship is bigger than the Steelers’ brand,” said Jamie Dukes, the longtime offensive lineman and NFL Network analyst. “Not to get too philosophical, but the volatility from Haley is a nonfactor. This is something that is much bigger than he is.”
Dukes also doesn’t buy into the prevailing theory that Haley was hired to keep the Steelers from becoming another one of those throw-it-whenever-possible teams and transform them back into a more conservative, run-oriented team like they were in the Jerome Bettis days.
Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/2483787-85/haley-steelers-game-roethlisberger-run-ball-offense-coach-offensive-quarterback#ixzz25If2WTWl
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook
Tribune-Review Sports
Published: Sunday, September 2, 2012,
Admit it. A week away from the first real game of the Steelers season, and you’re still waiting for The Blowup.
You’re certain it’s going to happen, perhaps the very first time Ben Roethlisberger discards a play call to improvise, but his wide receivers are blanketed and he takes one more sack to add to the body-punishing 261 he’s had the last half-dozen seasons.
As soon as it happens, offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s face turns an Arizona Cardinals shade of crimson, and you just know he’ll start screaming. This isn’t Bruce Arians’ offense, and there’s no more pampering Big Ben. Roethlisberger isn’t 23 any longer; he’s 30, and he needs to understand that extending his career is more important than extending a few plays.
But has anyone considered this possibility: Haley, the same coach who brought out the best in Kurt Warner, Keyshawn Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, just might enhance Roethlisberger’s career, and without the anticipated tumult and the shouting?
“Nobody on that ship is bigger than the Steelers’ brand,” said Jamie Dukes, the longtime offensive lineman and NFL Network analyst. “Not to get too philosophical, but the volatility from Haley is a nonfactor. This is something that is much bigger than he is.”
Dukes also doesn’t buy into the prevailing theory that Haley was hired to keep the Steelers from becoming another one of those throw-it-whenever-possible teams and transform them back into a more conservative, run-oriented team like they were in the Jerome Bettis days.
Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/2483787-85/haley-steelers-game-roethlisberger-run-ball-offense-coach-offensive-quarterback#ixzz25If2WTWl
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook