Randy Fichtner is Awesome?

[Mojouw]

I think that lost in all of the discussion in the national media and twitterverse about Conner and Bell's production through the first X weeks or whatever, is the impact that Fichtner (sp?) seems to be having on the offense.

I always liked Haley's playbook, it was aggressive and took advantage of available playmakers, but agree with the many that questioned is playcalling and overall strategy. While I will always be partial to the deep shot on 3rd and anything, I also realize we are seeing proof of a better way in 2018.

The efficiency and purpose of the offensive design is staggering. These RZ stats are insane and surely not sustainable, but they are great! https://steelersdepot.com/2018/11/steelers-league-leading-rz-conversion-rate-through-9-games-best-since-2008/

[vasteeler]

Wait... a coordinator is awesome thread:faint:

[Mojouw]

Wait... a coordinator is awesome thread:faint:

I know, right?

[GoSlash27]

To be fair, Butler is the first guy to make me envy a defensive strategy in a single game. "They want to present a 3- headed dragon RPO offense? Well, that just means that Newton is a viable target every play."
Pretty brilliant game plan, especially for a short week. Really, *he* deserves my game ball more than anyone else.

[Mojouw]

To be fair, Butler is the first guy to make me envy a defensive strategy in a single game. "They want to present a 3- headed dragon RPO offense? Well, that just means that Newton is a viable target every play."
Pretty brilliant game plan, especially for a short week. Really, *he* deserves my game ball more than anyone else.

Good point. I also think the hit Watt laid on Newton was some pretty solid hockey tactics. Oh you have an "upper body injury"? Let's just light that shoulder up and see how you fare!

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/3q35ey/picture221401585/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1140/Cam%20Newton-Fowler.JPG

[DesertSteel]

^^^ Great picture

[polamalubeast]

Fichtner understands that you do not have to be a genius to be successful with this offense, which is very important.Haley did not understand that and he had too much of a big ego.

The only one who could stop our offense in the past was not the opposing defenses, it was Todd Haley.

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Our redzone stats may be sustainable, but the stats that can not be sustainable is our 3rd down offense in the last 5 games which is at 61% I think(41/66 to be exact).

Of course, when you're in 3rd down and shorts often it helps.

[86WARD]

Fichtner is playing the averages a lot more than Haley and Ben did. How many “long balls” have we seen this season on 3rd & short or 4th & short? Not many. We’ve seen QB sneaks, slip screens,quick slants...pretty much everything we’ve been asking for.

[Fire Goodell]

Fichtner is playing the averages a lot more than Haley and Ben did. How many “long balls” have we seen this season on 3rd & short or 4th & short? Not many. We’ve seen QB sneaks, slip screens,quick slants...pretty much everything we’ve been asking for.

Yeah the play calling seems a lot smarter, instead of trying to impose our will, we take what the defense gives us. Sure the long scores are nice, but when you're constantly taking the high percentage first down plays, that tends to demoralize a defense over time. When that happens, big plays just follow

[ALLD]

Maybe Fitz is too smart to out think himself?

[Edman]

Sometimes, the simplest thing is hardest thing to do. Sure, we could do the amazing thing and look like a genius, or we can just do what is the safe and smart thing. Many OC's in the NFL have major egos and want to show they are the next Bill Parcells or Bill Walsh. Todd Haley unfortunately, was one of them.

Failing to do the simple thing cost the Seattle Seahawks a Super Bowl repeat. It also cost the Atlanta Falcons dearly in Super Bowl LI.

Darrell Bevell and Kyle Shanahan are curse words, now.

[Steeler-in-west]

Our red zone production has been better this year. And Ben has been scrambling for first downs, which is a double edged sword.

[ETL]

He’s awesome until we lose and then he’s a bum because people have the shortest f*&king memories around here.

[HollywoodSteel]

Wow. We are 22 for 28 RZ conversions.

22 is more RZ conversions than any other COMPLETE season in Ben’s career... and I think we have more games to play. ;)

Also with 28 attempts so far we’re getting close to the most RZ attempts in Ben’s career.

So we’re getting to the red zone more than ever and converting more than ever. That is damn impressive.

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Compare that to last year: 14 for 33. That’s like 42%!

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This year we are over 76%!

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Sorry this year we are 78.6%!

[HollywoodSteel]

It also doesn’t hurt that the O-line is playing lights out this year. They have been nothing short of incredible. Even with a back up RT! No drop off at all!

So yeah, hats off to coach Randy... but coach Munch is the TRUE godsend.

I hope we pay him head coach money to stay right where he is. There’s no salary cap for coaches, and every penny we pay him is money well spent.

[polamalubeast]

1060731935138418688

[SteelMember]

Fitchner is calling Ben's plays... :chuckle:

joking aside, there is probably some truth to it. They seem to have a much better relationship and give and take than the stubborn ego that previously ran the show. Tequila Cowboy had his moments, and did help Ben not take as many hits from the slow developing deeps routes Arians loved, but the honeymoon was over... and it wasn't difficult to see.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

He’s awesome until we lose and then he’s a bum because people have the shortest f*&king memories around here. So true!

People used to bitch about Bubble Screens being thrown and now they are praising them. People used to whine about Haley's "dink and dunk offense", but now love slants, screens and crossing routes. Steeler fans love winning and think losing is the end of the world.

Just wait, Randy's time to become the villain will come soon enough.

[86WARD]

Fitchner is calling Ben's plays... :chuckle:

joking aside, there is probably some truth to it. They seem to have a much better relationship and give and take than the stubborn ego that previously ran the show. Tequila Cowboy had his moments, and did help Ben not take as many hits from the slow developing deeps routes Arians loved, but the honeymoon was over... and it wasn't difficult to see.

I wouldn’t be so fast to lift blame from Ben. Some of those deep passes in the past on third and short were Ben’s calls at the line when he saw the matchups...I’d be willing to bet that Fichtner reigned some of that in.

[86WARD]

So true!

People used to bitch about Bubble Screens being thrown and now they are praising them. People used to whine about Haley's "dink and dunk offense", but now love slants, screens and crossing routes. Steeler fans love winning and think losing is the end of the world.

Just wait, Randy's time to become the villain will come soon enough.

Who is praising bubble screens? Problem with Haley’s offense is he didn’t run enough of the quick slants. Especially in short yardage situations...lol.

[SteelMember]

I wouldn’t be so fast to lift blame from Ben. Some of those deep passes in the past on third and short were Ben’s calls at the line when he saw the matchups...I’d be willing to bet that Fichtner reigned some of that in.

No blame in there... just a toxic relationship. Besides, Ben has to throw somewhere when it's first, second or third and short, and the formation is 5 wide empty set without even a shift to the backfield... Please, those were obvious Haley calls. :wink02:

[tube517]

So true!

People used to bitch about Bubble Screens being thrown and now they are praising them. People used to whine about Haley's "dink and dunk offense", but now love slants, screens and crossing routes. Steeler fans love winning and think losing is the end of the world.

Just wait, Randy's time to become the villain will come soon enough.

I was going to start the Fire Randy thread after the 1st play of preseason just to get that out of the way. :coffee: :chuckle:

[Istina]

I have a feeling that Fitchner is holding the 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1 long ball until the time comes to win a playoff game or even the Super Bowl. He's going to put QB sneaks, quick hitters, James Conner and other chain moving plays on tape and then, with a big game on the line, he's going to go for the 9 route, deep post, etc. He will actually catch a team off-guard because he hadn't put it on film all year.

[fansince'76]

I always liked Haley's playbook, it was aggressive and took advantage of available playmakers, but agree with the many that questioned is playcalling and overall strategy.

Same here - it was the "WTF?" play calling that I took issue with.

[Fire Goodell]

Yeah the bombs on 3rd and inches were drive killers and they happened so often it started to become predictable. I can agree with it, say if there's a tendency for a certain team to bite hard on the play-action that makes them susceptible to it, but it was like clockwork he'd do that twice or so every game. If it worked out, awesome, if it didn't, they were wasted possessions.

Haley was like going to vegas and putting the house on red or black. Could pay off, but if it doesn't, well then it's a waste. Maddening how that guy never seemed to be willing to go with a high percentage play in those situations.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Who is praising bubble screens? Problem with Haley’s offense is he didn’t run enough of the quick slants. Especially in short yardage situations...lol.

Apologies, the Slip Screen must be a much better option than the Bubble Screen for a playcaller.

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I was going to start the Fire Randy thread after the 1st play of preseason just to get that out of the way. :coffee: :chuckle:

Man you are the "Russian Judge". No time for Randy to at least have a honeymoon huh? I think he gets a big pass from fans this season, but if they don't win a Lombardi he is on the block early and often next season.

[86WARD]

No blame in there... just a toxic relationship. Besides, Ben has to throw somewhere when it's first, second or third and short, and the formation is 5 wide empty set without even a shift to the backfield... Please, those were obvious Haley calls. :wink02:

There were quite a few occasions where Ben said he made he call and you can’t blame him when you see the WR/CB matchup in big favor of Martavis Bryant.

[86WARD]

Same here - it was the "WTF?" play calling that I took issue with.

Same. The WHat the F and Where the F and Whynot the F!

[Mojouw]

Same here - it was the "WTF?" play calling that I took issue with.

Haley would better served to draw up the playbook and have someone else call the game.


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[86WARD]

Haley would better served to draw up the playbook and have someone else call the game.


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There’s an idea for a job. Maybe he can go on Etsy and design custom playbooks...

[GoSlash27]

He’s awesome until we lose and then he’s a bum because people have the shortest f*&king memories.

FTFY :D

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

1st and Goal from the 2 yard line, with one Timeout remaining and................3 straight pass play calls????

[pczach]

1st and Goal from the 2 yard line, with one Timeout remaining and................3 straight pass play calls????


I still can't believe they had the ball at the 2 yard line with a timeout and they let the clock wind down and then clocked it! WTF?

Run the ball and if you don't make it, use the timeout.

It all worked out in the end, but....man.

[Shoes]

1st and Goal from the 2 yard line, with one Timeout remaining and................3 straight pass play calls????

These are things you hope the coaching staff will take note of and not just blow it off as we won.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I still can't believe they had the ball at the 2 yard line with a timeout and they let the clock wind down and then clocked it! WTF?

Run the ball and if you don't make it, use the timeout.

It all worked out in the end, but....man.

That is the difference. If the ref misses that facemask on Switzer...……….this entire board is wondering why the Steelers didn't run the football to James Conner. Really bad playcalling. Its just the same as the Seahawks not handing off to Lynch, but throwing on the goal line instead. :frusty:

[Mojouw]

That is the difference. If the ref misses that facemask on Switzer...……….this entire board is wondering why the Steelers didn't run the football to James Conner. Really bad playcalling. Its just the same as the Seahawks not handing off to Lynch, but throwing on the goal line instead. :frusty:

I agree...unless this didn’t come from the sidelines and Ben is just out there running the 2 minute and calling his own shots. If that was the “plan” then I can see how they go so pass wacky.

On the other hand, then the sidelines should force a timeout and get things reset.

[pczach]

I agree...unless this didn’t come from the sidelines and Ben is just out there running the 2 minute and calling his own shots. If that was the “plan” then I can see how they go so pass wacky.

On the other hand, then the sidelines should force a timeout and get things reset.



Yeah, I'm not blaming anyone. I have no idea who is responsible for spiking the ball instead or running in that situation. It might be Ben. I also thought I saw Ben look toward the sideline, so I don't know.

All I do know is they wasted a down to spike the ball when they could have run a play.

It's one of those things that happens with a clock running down and 11 men are scrambling to get the play call and get in position.

[86WARD]

I agree...unless this didn’t come from the sidelines and Ben is just out there running the 2 minute and calling his own shots. If that was the “plan” then I can see how they go so pass wacky.

On the other hand, then the sidelines should force a timeout and get things reset.

They only had one timeout left so that wouldn’t have helped run the ball. At that stage, if they call TO, get Ben in check and then run the ball and fail, the game is over with no FG attempt.

The Jags don’t get that INT without the face mask penalty. But yes...this place would’ve erupted in anger had the officials missed that...wondering why Conner wasn’t handed the ball.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I dont care about the spike of the ball, as much as they passed the football 3 times in a row from the 2 yard line when they had lots of time, one timeout and James Conner and an O line that consists of 3 Pro Bowl players. Run the football one time at least, then call your TO and run a pass play if you havent already scored the TD from the 2 yard line.

But to throw it 3 times in a row, against a fast defense with talented secondary in a confined space like the end zone is just dumb playcalling. Fichtner abandoned the run game too early and almost lost the game by not calling a single run when he had opportunities to from the 2 and 1 yard line.

[steelerdude15]

I'm wondering if they decided to throw the ball instead of running it because of how well Jacksonville's run defense was.

[polamalubeast]

With the way the Jaguars defense were positioned in the goal line, I do not think Conner would have had a TD in this situation.

[Shoes]

I dont care about the spike of the ball, as much as they passed the football 3 times in a row from the 2 yard line when they had lots of time, one timeout and James Conner and an O line that consists of 3 Pro Bowl players. Run the football one time at least, then call your TO and run a pass play if you havent already scored the TD from the 2 yard line.

But to throw it 3 times in a row, against a fast defense with talented secondary in a confined space like the end zone is just dumb playcalling. Fichtner abandoned the run game too early and almost lost the game by not calling a single run when he had opportunities to from the 2 and 1 yard line.

thank God for that face mask on Switz

[polamalubeast]

1065969845819371520

[Edman]

After these past two weeks, I would have to say Randy Fichtner isn't awesome. Good, but not awesome. The Steelers have effectively abandoned the run game the past weeks, when they had no reason to, and its been costing them.

When Conner was getting touches, he was dominating and the team was rolling, now he's disappeared from the Offense, and the team (and Ben) is off-kilter and inconsistent. Now Conner is hurt and will be out for a while.

Abandoning what worked in make yourself seem smart is exactly what we bashed and hated Arians and Haley for. That makes Fichtner not awesome by default.

[st33lersguy]

Dude is not Haley bad but he's been bad these past 2 weeks

[Edman]

Dude is not Haley bad but he's been bad these past 2 weeks

James Conner has been missing from the offensive playcalling since Carolina. The Steelers have effectively abandoned the run game since. Even Samuels isn't getting any touches.

Is it really any shock that now that Conner isn't getting the ball as much as he used to, and the run game has been abandoned, the team has gone into a sudden tailspin?

As much as we hate to say it, Ben is not the engine that drives the offense. The more Ben throws, the more he forces to AB, the more chances he takes, and the more stupid interceptions keep piling up.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

James Conner has been missing from the offensive playcalling since Carolina. The Steelers have effectively abandoned the run game since. Even Samuels isn't getting any touches.

Is it really any shock that now that Conner isn't getting the ball as much as he used to, and the run game has been abandoned, the team has gone into a sudden tailspin?

As much as we hate to say it, Ben is not the engine that drives the offense. The more Ben throws, the more he forces to AB, the more chances he takes, and the more stupid interceptions keep piling up.

:applaudit: Well said. Its not just the past 2 weeks that Fichtner has abandoned the run and sucked. James Conner only had 9 carries against the Jags and that game was mostly a 6 point deficit. Lots of time to run the football and instead he chooses to roll the dice with Ben that lead to turnovers or mostly 3rd and long situations.

[86WARD]

James Conner has been missing from the offensive playcalling since Carolina. The Steelers have effectively abandoned the run game since. Even Samuels isn't getting any touches.

Is it really any shock that now that Conner isn't getting the ball as much as he used to, and the run game has been abandoned, the team has gone into a sudden tailspin?

As much as we hate to say it, Ben is not the engine that drives the offense. The more Ben throws, the more he forces to AB, the more chances he takes, and the more stupid interceptions keep piling up.

He's been far less effective when hes gotten the ball. He's not running like the early season Conner was running.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

He's been far less effective when hes gotten the ball. He's not running like the early season Conner was running.

4.0YPC and 2TD last night. Those are pretty good numbers but he was only given 15 carries in the game.

In the win over the Ravens this year he was given the ball for 24 carries and 107 yards. Seems like similar effectiveness, but more touches resulted in a 100 yard game and a win.

[DesertSteel]

4.0YPC and 2TD last night. Those are pretty good numbers but he was only given 15 carries in the game.

In the win over the Ravens this year he was given the ball for 24 carries and 107 yards. Seems like similar effectiveness, but more touches resulted in a 100 yard game and a win.
I'm thinking Fichtner must have Ben as his fantasy QB. I just don't get the plan to put up gaudy passing stats and neglect the running game when you built your 6-game winning streak on the legs of Conner.

[Shoes]

I don’t know who is calling the plays but my confidence in Ben is about 50/50. When he throws a pass you feel it could be a TD or a pick. In the 4th they take a cold DHB (who can’t catch) off the bench and have him run deep in the EZ, double covered mind you and still force the ball to him. There is just too much pull it out of you’re ass play on this team...and they bench Washington.

[Edman]

I don’t know who is calling the plays but my confidence in Ben is about 50/50. When he throws a pass you feel it could be a TD or a pick. In the 4th they take a cold DHB (who can’t catch) off the bench and have him run deep in the EZ, double covered mind you and still force the ball to him. There is just too much pull it out of you’re ass play on this team.

They went back to the failed losing formula that created the 1-2-1 start in September and not the formula that won them six straight games. Fichtner caught Todd Haley disease, and it has cost the Steelers the 2nd seed. Fichtner better pull his head out of his ass soon or this team will be out of the playoffs entirely.

Two winnable games against two highly beatable teams, and Fichtner decides to get cute.

[Shoes]

They went back to the failed losing formula that created the 1-2-1 start in September and not the formula that won them six straight games. Fichtner caught Todd Haley disease, and it has cost the Steelers the 2nd seed. Fichtner better pull his head out of his ass soon or this team will be out of the playoffs entirely.

Two winnable games against two highly beatable teams, and Fichtner decides to get cute.

I don't think it's all Fich, Ben seems to go into these twilight zone moods more and more often and he probably has more freedom on the field now that Haley's gone.

[86WARD]

I don't think it's all Fich, Ben seems to go into these twilight zone moods more and more often and he probably has more freedom on the field now that Haley's gone.

He had plenty of freedom when Haley was here. There's a lot of the same happening.

[Mojouw]

Lack of a deep threat compressing the field on 3rd downs is a real problem. It is why they can bracket AB, help on JUJU and still have someone draped all over Mcdonald


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[Shoes]

Lack of a deep threat compressing the field on 3rd downs is a real problem. It is why they can bracket AB, help on JUJU and still have someone draped all over Mcdonald


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Do the Pats have a deep threat?

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He had plenty of freedom when Haley was here. There's a lot of the same happening.


Yes, for years and years which points to coaching/drafting imo.

[86WARD]

AB himself could be considered a deep threat. Unless your just talking a straight line speed guy and then you have DHB...lol.

[Mojouw]

Do the Pats have a deep threat?

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Yes, for years and years which points to coaching/drafting imo.

Gronkowski. Maybe Gordon. Pats consistently struggle on 3rd downs when Gronk is hurt and not pulling multiple defenders downfield.


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[Mojouw]

AB himself could be considered a deep threat. Unless your just talking a straight line speed guy and then you have DHB...lol.

It’s about roles, not physical attributes. You’re not running go routes with AB all day to draw safeties out of the middle of the field. Right now all of the Steelers best recieving options do their best work between the hashes. They need a guy who can threaten defenses vertically along the boundary.


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[86WARD]

It’s about roles, not physical attributes. You’re not running go routes with AB all day to draw safeties out of the middle of the field. Right now all of the Steelers best recieving options do their best work between the hashes. They need a guy who can threaten defenses vertically along the boundary.


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They have that in Hunter, DHB and Washington. They just never throw it there and in the few times that they do, they aren’t completed...but you still have to at least threaten it...which they don’t.

[Shoes]

Gronkowski. Maybe Gordon. Pats consistently struggle on 3rd downs when Gronk is hurt and not pulling multiple defenders downfield.


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You sure make excuses for the offense. The Pats for years have plugged in no-name players that perform at a high level, every year and they normally end up as the #1 seed. The Ravens John Brown is their deep threat and they are only 1/2 behind us. This team has boasted of its offensive power for years and continues to come up short. I know there are issues on defense but the offense is a crime scene imo.

[Mojouw]

You sure make excuses for the offense. The Pats for years have plugged in no-name players that perform at a high level, every year and they normally end up as the #1 seed. The Ravens John Brown is their deep threat and they are only 1/2 behind us. This team has boasted of its offensive power for years and continues to come up short. I know there are issues on defense but the offense is a crime scene imo.

It’s not an excuse. It’s an explanation of what I see actually happening during the games. Which is more than several of the rants around here offer.

Offering explanations for why things take place is not excusing them.

Also the offense scored 30 points.

[Mojouw]

Forgot to add that you don’t need to have some star player in every role. Just someone who performs when called upon.


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[Shoes]

It’s not an excuse. It’s an explanation of what I see actually happening during the games. Which is more than several of the rants around here offer.

Offering explanations for why things take place is not excusing them.

Also the offense scored 30 points.

This team shit the bed in the 2nd half, they can't put together 60 minutes of football.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/columnists/full/fowler_jeremy.png&w=160&h=160&scale=crop
Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer
Chargers a good example of what can happen when sticking with the run. Steelers stuffed them for 2 yards on nine first half carries, they came back with 83 on their next 13. LAC attempted five more rushes on four less plays than PIT.

[86WARD]

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/columnists/full/fowler_jeremy.png&w=160&h=160&scale=crop
Jeremy Fowler ESPN Staff Writer
Chargers a good example of what can happen when sticking with the run. Steelers stuffed them for 2 yards on nine first half carries, they came back with 83 on their next 13. LAC attempted five more rushes on four less plays than PIT.

The Chargers put the better runner in the game in the second half. That’s why they rushed for more yards...lol.

[st33lersguy]

Randy Fichtner looking more and more like Arians and Haley with stupid playcalling, doing what isn't working, not exploiting a team's weakness

[lipps83]

Randy Fichtner looking more and more like Arians and Haley with stupid playcalling, doing what isn't working, not exploiting a team's weakness

I still can't believe they didn't run right at the Bronco's at the end of last weeks game. Sure enough, they do it against the Chargers to start the game and two TD's. Get away from the run game and yet another loss.

They have no identity because they can't be what they think they are. They want to be Drew Brees and the Saints but can't so they always come up short. Yards don't equal points.

Square peg, round hole.

[st33lersguy]

I still can't believe they didn't run right at the Bronco's at the end of last weeks game. Sure enough, they do it against the Chargers to start the game and two TD's. Get away from the run game and yet another loss.

They have no identity because they can't be what they think they are. They want to be Drew Brees and the Saints but can't so they always come up short. Yards don't equal points.

Square peg, round hole.

It would be nice to have an OC that didn't have repeated brain farts in the play-calling department

[DesertSteel]

It's easy to see why Ben and Fichtner get along so well. They have the same mentality about ball security and the running game. Both are optional to them.

It's 2nd and 6. We might get 4 yards on a run. Yeah but we might get 30 yards if I force it into coverage! Awesome!!

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

The Chargers put the better runner in the game in the second half. That’s why they rushed for more yards...lol.

Ekeler had 5 carries for 20 yards in the 2nd half (4.0YPC). He had 8 carries in the first half and all of them were for 1 yard or less.

Jackson averaged 7.9YPC and Ekeler 4.0YPC in the 2nd half. The Chargers stayed committed to the run and that is why they rushed for more yards... lol

[Edman]

It's easy to see why Ben and Fichtner get along so well. They have the same mentality about ball security and the running game. Both are optional to them.

It's 2nd and 6. We might get 4 yards on a run. Yeah but we might get 30 yards if I force it into coverage! Awesome!!

Except this isn't 2008 and the Steelers don't have Ben's improvisation and a playmaking Defense with a Troy Polamalu to get the ball back to cover for Ben's gambling and turnovers. This is 38-year old Ben and a Defense that does its job, but lacks playmakers. This is who the Steelers are. They're trying to be something they aren't. Ben makes too many boneheaded errors to have him sling it 40-50 times every game.


Lack of a deep threat compressing the field on 3rd downs is a real problem.

There's goes the "lack of a deep threat" excuse again. It's right up there with lack of tall receiver and lack of a redzone target.

Ben has the best receiver duo in the game, a solid running game, the best offensive line in the league, yet he's second in the league in interceptions.

The excuses being made for this offense falling short are a mile long.

[Steeldude]

The problem with the team is coaching. Is there really any coach on the team worth keeping other than Munchak?

[teegre]

I still can't believe they didn't run right at the Bronco's at the end of last weeks game. Sure enough, they do it against the Chargers to start the game and two TD's. Get away from the run game and yet another loss.

They have no identity because they can't be what they think they are. They want to be Drew Brees and the Saints but can't so they always come up short. Yards don't equal points.

Square peg, round hole.

Technically, the Saints are now “run first.” They use Kamara & Ingram to set up the pass. Breesus is just so good that he STILL puts up ridiculous numbers (in a run-oriented offense).

[AtlantaDan]

It's easy to see why Ben and Fichtner get along so well. They have the same mentality about ball security and the running game. Both are optional to them.

It's 2nd and 6. We might get 4 yards on a run. Yeah but we might get 30 yards if I force it into coverage! Awesome!!

Fichtner knows who got him hired as the replacement for Haley and he is not going to contradict how that person wants the offense to roll

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding”

[86WARD]

Ekeler had 5 carries for 20 yards in the 2nd half (4.0YPC). He had 8 carries in the first half and all of them were for 1 yard or less.

Jackson averaged 7.9YPC and Ekeler 4.0YPC in the 2nd half. The Chargers stayed committed to the run and that is why they rushed for more yards... lol

Jackson is by far a better runner than Ekeler. He’s faster and just a better runner. Him entering the game sparked the run game. Ekeler shouldn’t have started the game. If Justin Jackson starts that game, the Steelers lose by two scores.

[86WARD]

The problem with the team is coaching. Is there really any coach on the team worth keeping other than Munchak?

Not really. Maybe Bradley.