Mike Tomlin admits Steelers running game is ‘below the line’

[polamalubeast]

Mike Tomlin no longer is downplaying the problems with the Pittsburgh Steelers run game.

Two days after insinuating his undefeated team could continue to thrive despite a stagnant rush offense, Tomlin reversed course Tuesday at his weekly press conference, calling the running game “ineffective.”

“We spent a lot of time talking and thinking about that in an effort to move forward,” Tomlin said.

read more

https://triblive.com/sports/mike-tomlin-admits-steelers-running-game-is-below-the-line/

[SteelMember]

We need McDonald back... Ebron's blocking is a BIG ask if we want any consistency running.
When they put Hawkins in there on the big package, that just made it more obvious.

[Craic]

I'm not worried about it. This team has moved to a more west-coast offense. And, in that offense, those quick slant passes basically are running plays.

[cubanstogie]

I'm not worried about it. This team has moved to a more west-coast offense. And, in that offense, those quick slant passes basically are running plays.
Im not worried with stats overall, Id like to have confidence in a 3 rd or 4th and short though. Steelers had 100 yd rusher in atleast 4 games possibly 5 so the potential is there. I just think a little success helps with passing game, but hey Ben doing fine so maybe thats last generation football. Offense and passing now wins championships.

[tube517]

First team in NFL history to win 3 games in a row with under 50 yards rushing in each game.

But, Ben is holding this team back....... :rolleyes:

[Born2Steel]

We need McDonald back... Ebron's blocking is a BIG ask if we want any consistency running.
When they put Hawkins in there on the big package, that just made it more obvious.

This point is very under-valued on this board when it comes to talking about the Steelers run game. There is not a single TE that excels at blocking on this team. McDonald is the best of the group and he's barely good, which means the others are less than good. Not having a blocking TE or a FB will slow down a team's run game. It's just a fact. This stat alone is what made Bell such a great weapon. Using a jet sweep motion doesn't move the Safety/MLB out of the box on running downs, that's not his man. He has to be blocked by somebody. A 230lb Conner can meet the guy in the hole and fall forward but that is why you see a 2yd run average on the game stat sheet. Getting McDonald/Watt back and healthy will do wonders for this offense and the run game.

[BlackAndGold]

1328840769076142081

[Born2Steel]

1328840769076142081

Again...everything on offense starts with blocking. Dotson is on Covid protocol so it's a moot point. DeCastro can pass block but is a liability in run blocking, McDonald and Watt are out or recently returned. Better blocking will make for a better run game.

[Mojouw]

To my untrained eye, the line looks below the line in the run game overall but particularly guard to guard. But anyone who’s better versed then me should definitely weigh in.

[Fire Goodell]

Again...everything on offense starts with blocking. Dotson is on Covid protocol so it's a moot point. DeCastro can pass block but is a liability in run blocking, McDonald and Watt are out or recently returned. Better blocking will make for a better run game.

The interior line are finesse blockers it seems. Decastro and Pouncey imo, both athletic guys but not necessarily nasty road grader types. Most of Conner's productive runs are from the shotgun in 4-5 wide when the defense has to spread out. It seems like any time we try a power formation it never works

[polamalubeast]

The interior line are finesse blockers it seems. Decastro and Pouncey imo, both athletic guys but not necessarily nasty road grader types. Most of Conner's productive runs are from the shotgun in 4-5 wide when the defense has to spread out. It seems like any time we try a power formation it never works

Yeah,the running game should always be on shotgun for the steelers

[teegre]

It would not surprise me if DeCastro was playing through a serious injury. I expect surgery to occur the day after the season ends.

For him, standing “still” (pass blocking) seems to be okay. It’s when he has to “move” (run blocking) that he seems to have lost a step. Again, that sounds like his knee is reeeeeally bothering him.

If it were up to me, I’d start Dotson... and let DeCastro rest/heal for a month.

[86WARD]

It would not surprise me if DeCastro was playing through a serious injury. I expect surgery to occur the day after the season ends.

For him, standing “still” (pass blocking) seems to be okay. It’s when he has to “move” (run blocking) that he seems to have lost a step. Again, that sounds like his knee is reeeeeally bothering him.

If it were up to me, I’d start Dotson... and let DeCastro rest/heal for a month.

I like the idea...

[tube517]

It would not surprise me if DeCastro was playing through a serious injury. I expect surgery to occur the day after the season ends.

For him, standing “still” (pass blocking) seems to be okay. It’s when he has to “move” (run blocking) that he seems to have lost a step. Again, that sounds like his knee is reeeeeally bothering him.

If it were up to me, I’d start Dotson... and let DeCastro rest/heal for a month.

DeCastro had a lingering injury from camp and then got an abdominal injury when he came back. I think Dotson has looked alot better than DeCastro

[Mojouw]

The interior line are finesse blockers it seems. Decastro and Pouncey imo, both athletic guys but not necessarily nasty road grader types. Most of Conner's productive runs are from the shotgun in 4-5 wide when the defense has to spread out. It seems like any time we try a power formation it never works

My new take is that Pouncey is basically cooked. I know the team can't do anything about him because the still totally great franchise QB is his best buddy...but I do not think Pouncey plays to his salary anymore. But again, I often over-react to things I think I see on TV when it comes to offensive line.

Honestly, the 2021 line might be better with the injection of Dotson and Banner (hopefully?) to the lineup. They both seem to bring some nasty to the table.

[polamalubeast]

My new take is that Pouncey is basically cooked. I know the team can't do anything about him because the still totally great franchise QB is his best buddy...but I do not think Pouncey plays to his salary anymore. But again, I often over-react to things I think I see on TV when it comes to offensive line.

Honestly, the 2021 line might be better with the injection of Dotson and Banner (hopefully?) to the lineup. They both seem to bring some nasty to the table.

I agree with you on this

[polamalubeast]

I think it will be the last year of Pouncey with us or in the NFL,no matter what.

[86WARD]

I think it will be the last year of Pouncey with us or in the NFL,no matter what.

I think he stays with Ben until Ben is done...but I would not be opposed to selecting a Center with the first pick next season.

[polamalubeast]

I think he stays with Ben until Ben is done...but I would not be opposed to selecting a Center with the first pick next season.

We'll see, but if the steelers want to clear some cap space, maybe release Pouncey would be the thing to do, especially he's not the same player as before.

[Dissolv]

What to do with the line is one of those things that I let the coaches worry about, since they see the players day in and day out, and know the inside details the way that I do not. Like, it is injury, or age? But man, they have not looked good lately. Not only is the run blocking bad, but the very rapid release Ben has been using has, I strongly suspect, been protecting the OLine as well.

My take is that they are a hurting unit right now, but I don't have insight about the keep/sell information for the individual players. As a fan I hope that they are just nursing minor injuries, and will recover as the year goes on, but that's not really how it works a lot of times. :-(

[pczach]

First team in NFL history to win 3 games in a row with under 50 yards rushing in each game.

But, Ben is holding this team back....... :rolleyes:



There are people here that said Ben's super bowl window closed 5-7 years ago......:toofunny:

Let that sink in.

[tube517]

There are people here that said Ben's super bowl window closed 5-7 years ago......:toofunny:

Let that sink in.

Remember someone said to trade Ben for Booger Butt fumble because the Steelers were wasting his talent?

[86WARD]

There are people here that said Ben's super bowl window closed 5-7 years ago......:toofunny:

Let that sink in.

I forget who it was, but someone wanted to trade Ben and sign Mark Sanchez...because the value was there.

[Craic]

It would not surprise me if DeCastro was playing through a serious injury. I expect surgery to occur the day after the season ends.

For him, standing “still” (pass blocking) seems to be okay. It’s when he has to “move” (run blocking) that he seems to have lost a step. Again, that sounds like his knee is reeeeeally bothering him.

If it were up to me, I’d start Dotson... and let DeCastro rest/heal for a month.

I would be good with that, except Dotson is currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list as of the 14th. Hopefully, he gets off that list in a day or two and can practice for the coming game. https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-roster-moves

Seem he missed last Friday's practice with an illness https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly/status/1327717393531957248

[teegre]

I would be good with that, except Dotson is currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list as of the 14th. Hopefully, he gets off that list in a day or two and can practice for the coming game. https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-roster-moves

Seem he missed last Friday's practice with an illness https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly/status/1327717393531957248

Indeed

Hopefully, Dotison comes back soon, we rest DeCastro, and voila! everything is once again copacetic.

[Six Rings]

My new take is that Pouncey is basically cooked. I know the team can't do anything about him because the still totally great franchise QB is his best buddy...but I do not think Pouncey plays to his salary anymore. But again, I often over-react to things I think I see on TV when it comes to offensive line.

Honestly, the 2021 line might be better with the injection of Dotson and Banner (hopefully?) to the lineup. They both seem to bring some nasty to the table.

Pouncey was cooked last year. His snaps are sometimes off too. If the Steelers want to juice up their running game, they move Feiler back to RT ( He's our best run blocker this year ) take Chucks out who barely moves his man, and move Dotson to guard.

[Big Ben's Gray]

No run game is going to kill us in the post season, is it our backs just not good enough or our offense just can't run block well or a combination of both? Guess it's not fixable this season, same thing every game.

[Fire Goodell]

No run game is going to kill us in the post season, is it our backs just not good enough or our offense just can't run block well or a combination of both? Guess it's not fixable this season, same thing every game.

I think it's the line, they're a finesse group. Great pass blockers, but as run blockers, not so much. They seem to have the most success running from the shotgun in 4WR 1RB, where the defense has to account for the possibility of a pass

[DesertSteel]

Cold weather is coming...... we need a running attack!

[lipps83]

The running game is so far below the line, the line is a dot to Mike Tomlin.

[katmandu]

Anyone have Ramone's # handy ? While you're looking for it, find The Bus's # as well !

[Born2Steel]

Is the run game struggling because Ben throws 50 times per game or does Ben throw 50 times per game because of the struggles of the run game? Maybe a little column A, a little column B? Against the Ravens JuJu and Claypool were matched up against Humphries or Peters every play. As depleted as the Ravens' defense was their secondary was still a strength. And Ben threw 51 times against that secondary. There were only 19 rush attempts against the ravens' heavily depleted DL. 19 rushes for 69 yards, JuJu and Claypool had 14 receptions for 89 yards. It's not the numbers that mean the most but the situational play calling obviously. I just think this offense has struggled mostly due to it is predictable. Still 28.8 points per game is pretty exceptional.

This is an interesting stat, IMO. The Steelers rank 5th in number of pass attempts in the league and 19th in rush attempts. But in yards gained those rankings are 16th passing and 25th rushing. This offense ranks 6th in points scored but 22nd in yards gained.

[Six Rings]

My new take is that Pouncey is basically cooked. I know the team can't do anything about him because the still totally great franchise QB is his best buddy...but I do not think Pouncey plays to his salary anymore. But again, I often over-react to things I think I see on TV when it comes to offensive line.

Honestly, the 2021 line might be better with the injection of Dotson and Banner (hopefully?) to the lineup. They both seem to bring some nasty to the table.

Pouncey was cooked last year. He seldom pulls the way he used to is often over power at the point of attack. He gets by on smarts and technique. When he has been hurt in the past, a guy nobody has heard of replaced him and did just fine.

If the Steelers really want to juice up there running game they would sit Chucks at Right Tackle as he get hardly any push in the ground game, move Feiler to Right Tackle, and insert Dotson at Guard where Feiler was.

[pczach]

Pouncey was cooked last year. He seldom pulls the way he used to is often over power at the point of attack. He gets by on smarts and technique. When he has been hurt in the past, a guy nobody has heard of replaced him and did just fine.

If the Steelers really want to juice up there running game they would sit Chucks at Right Tackle as he get hardly any push in the ground game, move Feiler to Right Tackle, and insert Dotson at Guard where Feiler was.


The problem is that Feiler hasn't held up in pass protection at RT when called upon. You can't just run block at the tackle position or your quarterback won't last long. IMO, Feiler isn't a quality tackle. He's a guard. Maybe he can get better, but I just don't think he has the athleticism and feet to consistently stop good pass rushers.

You are correct about Pouncey. He isn't the same player he was, and certainly doesn't have much left in the tank. He has been declining for a few years. He also struggles with bad snaps as well. They need an upgrade at center as Pouncey is about done.

[Born2Steel]

Part of the OL problem can be simply aging, yes. I think it has more to do with experience and time playing together. Example, in the Ravens game I watched a Raven's rusher come straight up the middle while Feiler and Hassenauer looked at each other, expecting the other one to take him or something. The result was an off target throw and Ben took a big hit. That was a missed assignment and just not smart football. Our zone blocking scheme depends on players knowing their assignment and playing smart football. I think Conner has improved as a runner and had he been playing our run game would have been better overall. But up front only AV and Feiler are where they started the season. Hassenauer in for Pouncey, DeCastro started on the IR and may very possibly be nursing a serious injury still, Chuks started as the swing tackle/backup. Dotson has looked good when in there but, rookie. AND what happened with Wiz? HE was supposed to be the veteran depth.

Excuses? Maybe. I have been saying over a couple drafts now we need to address OL early. I think Dotson was a great pick from what he has shown so far. I don't think Hassenauer is going to be the next great Steeler's Center and this position needs to be addressed soon. I haven't seen enough to be fully sold on Banner but I do not believe Chuks is a long-term starting OT but more likely quality depth. So, I do agree OL talent needs to be brought in and upgraded, but the importance of time playing together cannot be over-stressed either. Young OLs struggle, patchwork OLs struggle.

[Mojouw]

Dotson for Feiler and an upgrade at C would greatly improve things in my opinion. I also think a healthy Banner would've been a monster to run behind. Imagine Feiler or Dotson pulling to Banner's side with Watt and McDonald leading Conner behind a mountain of a RT?

I really think the best 2021 line is Chuks/Dotson/Draft Pick/DeCastro/Banner with Hawkins and Gray battling it out to be the swing tackle.

[teegre]

Part of the OL problem can be simply aging, yes. I think it has more to do with experience and time playing together. Example, in the Ravens game I watched a Raven's rusher come straight up the middle while Feiler and Hassenauer looked at each other, expecting the other one to take him or something. The result was an off target throw and Ben took a big hit. That was a missed assignment and just not smart football. Our zone blocking scheme depends on players knowing their assignment and playing smart football.

Yep :nod:

I mentioned this in the game ball thread... that after that hit, Ben seemed to be a bit rattled and started ignoring the middle of the field/started looking outside as quick as possible (which might explain why he missed seeing a wide open Derek Watt a few plays later).

[tube517]

Dotson for Feiler and an upgrade at C would greatly improve things in my opinion. I also think a healthy Banner would've been a monster to run behind. Imagine Feiler or Dotson pulling to Banner's side with Watt and McDonald leading Conner behind a mountain of a RT?

I really think the best 2021 line is Chuks/Dotson/Draft Pick/DeCastro/Banner with Hawkins and Gray battling it out to be the swing tackle.

When Chukks went out, they put Feiler at RT and put Dotson at LG. I don't know how long because Chukks came back in later. But, at least they were ready to put Dotson in, when possible.

[86WARD]

When Chukks went out, they put Feiler at RT and put Dotson at LG. I don't know how long because Chukks came back in later. But, at least they were ready to put Dotson in, when possible.

I think it was only one play before Chukks returned.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Wolfley: One move that could mean so much to Steelers' run game

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/Article/Former-Steelers-guard-sees-a-move-on-the-offensive-line-that-could-mean-just-as-much-as-the-return-of-Maurkice-Pouncey-and-James-Conner-156467398/

[teegre]

Wolfley: One move that could mean so much to Steelers' run game

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/Article/Former-Steelers-guard-sees-a-move-on-the-offensive-line-that-could-mean-just-as-much-as-the-return-of-Maurkice-Pouncey-and-James-Conner-156467398/

I was discussing this with a friend this morning.

:director: Get Dotson on the field!!!

Feiler may not be as good at RT as he is at LG, but Feiler appears to (currently) be a better RT than Okorafor. Plus, IMO, Dotson is possible our best O-lineman (because, DeCastro appears to be playing injured).

AV - Dotson - Pouncey - DeCastro - Feiler

[Six Rings]

The problem is that Feiler hasn't held up in pass protection at RT when called upon. You can't just run block at the tackle position or your quarterback won't last long. IMO, Feiler isn't a quality tackle. He's a guard. Maybe he can get better, but I just don't think he has the athleticism and feet to consistently stop good pass rushers.

You are correct about Pouncey. He isn't the same player he was, and certainly doesn't have much left in the tank. He has been declining for a few years. He also struggles with bad snaps as well. They need an upgrade at center as Pouncey is about done.

I think Filer can hold up / pass block for these 2-3 second passes we are throwing this season.

- - - Updated - - -


I was discussing this with a friend this morning.

:director: Get Dotson on the field!!!

Feiler may not be as good at RT as he is at LG, but Feiler appears to (currently) be a better RT than Okorafor. Plus, IMO, Dotson is possible our best O-lineman (because, DeCastro appears to be playing injured).

AV - Dotson - Pouncey - DeCastro - Feiler

I agree with this. Next year is the OL must be addresses. Big Al and Feiler are both free agents. Pouncey is in decline and expensive on the cap. Two of our first 4 draft picks should go to the OL.

DeCastro doens't have the leg drive he used to. Not sure why, could be a lower back injury.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I agree with this. Next year is the OL must be addresses. Big Al and Feiler are both free agents. Pouncey is in decline and expensive on the cap. Two of our first 4 draft picks should go to the OL.

DeCastro doens't have the leg drive he used to. Not sure why, could be a lower back injury.

Something tells me that they work out something like a 3 year deal with AV, but if they dont, then I think the plan is something like this from Left to Rt.

Okorafor, Dotson, Pouncey, DeCastro, Banner. With a draft pick at C/G and maybe one at OT. I think Derwin Gray can become the reserve OT and it depends what Jarron Jones develops like in another year at OT. I believe that Okorafor and Dotson are core young guys on the line going forward.