Steelers OC Randy Fichtner breaks down passing game without Antonio Brown

[polamalubeast]

Our “Breakfast with Benz” podcast comes to you from Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College.

Tribune-Review Steelers beat writer Joe Rutter and I caught up with Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner.

We covered a lot of ground, including a look at the passing tree without Antonio Brown in the mix for 2019. How much of Brown’s “X-receiver” role will JuJu Smith-Schuster absorb, as opposed to working out of other positions on the field?

Then, he breaks down how all the other eligible pass-catchers will work to offset Brown’s departure.

Fichtner admits some of the new-look passing game may end up being a bit more complicated for Ben Roethlisberger, but he hopes to offset that by being more balanced in 2019. His definition of “balance,” though, may be a bit different than yours or mine.

There’s a goal in mind for catches for Steelers running backs. Based on last year’s output, it’s within reach.

Fichtner also updates us on the progress of Roethlisberger’s backup, Josh Dobbs

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If you want to listen to his interview, click at the bottom of this article

https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-oc-randy-fichtner-breaks-down-passing-game-without-antonio-brown/

One of his comments about the Run-Pass ratio...

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[Mojouw]

The Steelers internet is going to howl in protest over that quote from Fichtner. FWIW, I couldn't agree more. But something something impose your will and something something balanced offense and something something FOOTBALL!

[polamalubeast]

The Steelers internet is going to howl in protest over that quote from Fichtner. FWIW, I couldn't agree more. But something something impose your will and something something balanced offense and something something FOOTBALL!

I do not disagree too ... The run-pass ratio often depends on the score, the down and the distance ... Also, if you do not have much success in the game, the OC often trust more your franchise QB.Fitchner is not alone in that.

Sometimes, I would like the steelers to run the ball more on first and 10, second down and 3-4 yards or even in 3rd down and 2 yards (very rarely the steelers run the ball on this down and distance, unless the game is almost over) but running the ball on the second and 10 is an awful idea and it was a problem with Haley and I'm glad the steelers almost always pass in this down and distance now with Fitchner....Also, it's not always a good idea to run the ball on a wall!

Sometimes, I would like the steelers to be more balanced, but that often depends on several situations.

[polamalubeast]

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[Born2Steel]

The Steelers internet is going to howl in protest over that quote from Fichtner. FWIW, I couldn't agree more. But something something impose your will and something something balanced offense and something something FOOTBALL!

If we take what Fichtner is saying and apply that to the run/pass equation it comes out much more 'balanced' than how traditional stats read. The point is to move the ball across the opponents goal line I believe. Analytics and impose your will football working together?

[Mojouw]

If we take what Fichtner is saying and apply that to the run/pass equation it comes out much more 'balanced' than how traditional stats read. The point is to move the ball across the opponents goal line I believe. Analytics and impose your will football working together?

I hope so! Should be an interesting season for the offensive play calling.

[Edman]

As much as we can debate, It really doesn’t make a difference wether the Offense does run or pass or balance.

Any hopes of this team doing remotely anything in 2019 and beyond rides on the Defense not being crap and making plays and saving the day, not on Ben and the Offense putting up numbers. It’s been that way for years and I don’t see it changing now.

[Hawkman]

As much as we can debate, It really doesn’t make a difference wether the Offense does run or pass or balance.

Any hopes of this team doing remotely anything in 2019 and beyond rides on the Defense not being crap and making plays and saving the day, not on Ben and the Offense putting up numbers. It’s been that way for years and I don’t see it changing now.

Really not even sure what you just said there. ��

[Edman]

Really not even sure what you just said there. ��

What I’m saying is that the Steelers Offense makes minimal difference in the overall success of the team. It doesn’t matter what they do or how good they are if the Defense isn’t there. The Killer B’s Era fell short, because the Defense fell short.

[polamalubeast]

What I’m saying is that the Steelers Offense makes minimal difference in the overall success of the team. It doesn’t matter what they do or how good they are if the Defense isn’t there. The Killer B’s Era fell short, because the Defense fell short.

It takes a team effort ... As in 2008, our defense was dominant, but our offense even if they had not the best stats had a lot of game winning drive at the end of the game, including the super bowl.

2005, our 8 last games were a total team effort .. Our offense in our last 8 games has been very underrated by the media and fans.

[Hawkman]

What I’m saying is that the Steelers Offense makes minimal difference in the overall success of the team. It doesn’t matter what they do or how good they are if the Defense isn’t there. The Killer B’s Era fell short, because the Defense fell short.

Can’t that be said.....one side of the ball or the other.......for any team in the NFL?

[Mojouw]

Can’t that be said.....one side of the ball or the other.......for any team in the NFL?

Shhhh. Logic and reason have no part in this.

[Born2Steel]

One thing about Fichtner is he's good at getting the ball to playmakers and letting THEM make plays. When at Memphis, when the injury bug hit hard one season, they were out of options at QB so he puts the goto WR(Maurice Avery) in at QB. The RB at the time was DWill. Mo Avery was the chains mover WR now playing a version of the 'wildcat'. The Tigers made a bowl game that year. Almost sure it was 2005.