Todd Haley wants to see the Steelers run the ball better in critical situations

[polamalubeast]

Todd Haley has heard plenty about needing to run the ball more since being hired as Steelers offensive coordinator six months ago.

While agreeing with the premise, Haley would rather focus on something more precise than simply needing to call more runs.

Haley is adamant the Steelers run the ball better in the most critical situations — when the opposition knows they will.

“That’s the name of the game offensively,” Haley said. “You need to be able to get the yards that you need on the ground when the defense knows you are running, wherever that falls in the game — if it is a critical short-yardage or if it is a four-minute situation.”

That’s what Haley hopes to see starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, when the Steelers open the preseason against Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Steelers weren’t able to run when they wanted last season, which led to an offense ranking in the bottom third in scoring.

It was partly because former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians fancied passing over running in third-down, short-yardage and four-minute situations. But it also was that the Steelers weren’t very good in those scenarios.

The Steelers faced third-and-2 or less 35 times last season. They ran 19 times (converting 68 percent) and passed 16 times (converting 50 percent).

When the situation was third-and-3, the Steelers threw all 19 times (converting 58 percent).


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http://triblive.com/sports/2364526-8...ituations-ball

[suitanim]

Hate to use the dreaded word, but it's entirely appropriate to in this situation: Execution.

I don't care if we run all 19 times on 3rd and 3, or if we pass every time, or we split it 10/9 either way, if the line doesn't block, or the receiver doesn't catch the pass, or someone zigs instead of zags, or the QB throws an errant pass, or the snap is bobbled, or any of the other many variables that can (and did, it seems) go wrong, the team will not be successful. It all starts with execution. If we execute as poorly as we did in general this as we did last, the offense will not be successful.

[Mach1]

Tackle Max Starks blamed the struggles on the offensive line not getting the job done and Arians’ offensive philosophy.

“At the points they called certain plays, we might not exactly have been prepared for it, or we were expecting something else to be called, or we weren’t physically ready,” Starks said.

“To be honest, we weren’t doing enough before then to make the defense respect the run. If we are passing the entire game, then when four minutes hit and we have to run it, it’s not going to happen.”

Wasn't it arians job to have them prepared? If your not prepaired it's hard to execute something that hasn't been practiced. And we all know that practice wasn't one of arians strengths.

[suitanim]

Wasn't it arians job to have them prepared? If your not prepaired it's hard to execute something that hasn't been practiced. And we all know that practice wasn't one of arians strengths.

It was Bruce Arians job to..........prepare the line to do it's job? That's a reach.

And, practice wasn't Arians strength? Where did that come from? The Colts are all reporting the EXACT opposite...

Why do all roads always lead back to Arians? The point is, even with Bill Walsh running your offense, if there are components of it that aren't functioning smoothly and efficiently (i.e. the OL last year), it's going to make execution difficult, and performance will suffer. Haley isn't talking about being LESS predictable, or being tricky...in fact, the opposite. he's talking about being efficient and executing in completely predictable situations doing predictable things. It has little to do with the OC, and much more to do with the players. I think that's rather obvious from reading the piece,as well as the other things that he's said...

[Mach1]

The o-line is part of the offense is it not? Arians was in charge of the offense was he not? So yes it was his job. Arians admittedly failed to practice for 4-3 D's = FAIL.

The colts can have his mediocrity.

[steelerdude15]

Its safe to say its half play calling and half execution. Having the right plays called in the right situation helps, but the players must also execute the plays effectively. So play calling and execution go hand in hand. I do like what we're going to see with Haley. His offenses have always been more balanced, less predictable, understand the players' strengths and weaknesses, and just being a more deadly strike. I think its going to be a fun season with Haley.

[GBMelBlount]

I am probably more excited to see how our running backs are used as things develop more than anything else I can think of.

[Devilsdancefloor]

i dnt care if your last name was walsh, but if you dont call plays that you know your O strength then there is a problem, but i agree we need to run better hell im willing to bet 99.9% of steeler nation agrees Run better in critical situations

[suitanim]

Let's try this another way. Does anyone think that it will be EASIER to run this year if Haley is running on obvious running downs out of obvious running formations or will it be HARDER to run?

He's clearly stating that the team will need to improve it's execution in order to be able to impose its will on the opposition when everyone in the stadium knows what's coming next. That is not being more tricksy or sleight-of-hand, that is being even more predictable. Ergo, he's talking about execution exclusively. That's why this has little to do with Arians. 3rd and 3 is a running down, and the Steelers passed on 3rd and 3 last year, which, apparently, fans hated, even though it's unpredictable to do so, because 3rd and 3 is a running situation. So, according to what I'm hearing, even though Arians was hated for being predictable, he was obviously NOT that predictable, but Haley is going to get credit for being less predictable while he's already planning on being MORE predictable.

That's why it really won't ever matter who's running the offense. They will always be second-guessed, accused of being stupid and predictable, and roundly hated by Steelers fans.

[Butch]

Arians was Boneheaded. I distinctly remember the game against Cleaveland (who at the time had the worst rushing D in the league) and what was our game plan??? That's right the unpredictable pass the ball. Passing into a strong head wind none the less and in short yardage situation. We lost that game in Cleaveland and went on to lose a few other head scratchers on our way to playing ourselves right outta the playoffs. I won't blame all the losses on B.A. but that one I put squarely on his game planning or should I say his lack there of.

I also remember him once saying when asked about targetting a player who is filling in for an injured player something to the effect that we do not target players. Why the hell not??? It may not be the weakness that we perceive but let's at least see what we can do.

I don't know if things will be better under Haley or not but I'm sure up to see how things are gonna shake out. Hopefully Haley will at least put in a game plan with more common sence than the one I have pointed out.

[Butch]

The o-line is part of the offense is it not? Arians was in charge of the offense was he not? So yes it was his job. Arians admittedly failed to practice for 4-3 D's = FAIL.

The colts can have his mediocrity.

AMEN!!!

[suitanim]

You'll be one of the first to turn on Haley, I'm guessing...

[Butch]

You'll be one of the first to turn on Haley, I'm guessing...

Guess when the game plan is as clear as that it's hard to refute.

Since I haven't seen his game plans in action I am still on the fence, but I am a little bit opptomistic that he will at the very least be better at game planning than what B.A. did in Cleaveland. I also think that Haley will be smart enough to try to test a backup if a starter goes down.

As I said in my post I don't know how things will shake out with Haley but I'm sure up to see how things are gonna shake out. Hopefully Haley will at least put in a game plan with more common sence than the examples I have pointed out.

[Edman]

That's why it really won't ever matter who's running the offense. They will always be second-guessed, accused of being stupid and predictable, and roundly hated by Steelers fans.

All OC's get their share of criticism when something goes down. I seems to remember Ron Erhardt, Chan Gailey, and Ken Whisenhunt being decently well-received as OC's in Pittsburgh.

Don't do overly stupid **** with the offense (like throwing in bad Cleveland weather), and the fans won't rag on you.

For a coach that supposedly loves practice, his offenses sure didn't show it much.

[Count Steeler]

I will defer to the comment Joe Greene made on Thursday or Friday of last week. To paraphrase: If you want to run the ball, you have to practice running the ball.

[XxKnightxX]

It was Bruce Arians job to..........prepare the line to do it's job? That's a reach.

And, practice wasn't Arians strength? Where did that come from? The Colts are all reporting the EXACT opposite...

Why do all roads always lead back to Arians? The point is, even with Bill Walsh running your offense, if there are components of it that aren't functioning smoothly and efficiently (i.e. the OL last year), it's going to make execution difficult, and performance will suffer. Haley isn't talking about being LESS predictable, or being tricky...in fact, the opposite. he's talking about being efficient and executing in completely predictable situations doing predictable things. It has little to do with the OC, and much more to do with the players. I think that's rather obvious from reading the piece,as well as the other things that he's said...

Because holding an upper level position in any organization in football is all about consistent results. He failed to deliver it according to management and ownership, the guy who writes their checks. Arians approach may be the same or different with the Colts, as far as i can care I can give 2 shits of what people over at Indy think of him. What matters is that his results as the coordinator of the offense didnt satisfy the fans, management or ownership. Its as simple as that. I for one dont care about Arians anymore, hes not with us, he can do whatever he wants, I feel like hes more butt hurt than we are, so some of the people still bashing him need to move on. But at the same time the lack of the consistent running game leads to Arians lack of committing to the run game.

Just watch the 02 divisional playoff game against the Browns. Browns explosive in the beginning, running on all cylinders in the first half. Couldnt seal the deal, couldnt run the ball. gave the other team an opportunity. Lost the game. Guess who was the OC? yep

[polamalubeast]

Because holding an upper level position in any organization in football is all about consistent results. He failed to deliver it according to management and ownership, the guy who writes their checks. Arians approach may be the same or different with the Colts, as far as i can care I can give 2 shits of what people over at Indy think of him. What matters is that his results as the coordinator of the offense didnt satisfy the fans, management or ownership. Its as simple as that. I for one dont care about Arians anymore, hes not with us, he can do whatever he wants, I feel like hes more butt hurt than we are, so some of the people still bashing him need to move on. But at the same time the lack of the consistent running game leads to Arians lack of committing to the run game.

Just watch the 02 divisional playoff game against the Browns. Browns explosive in the beginning, running on all cylinders in the first half. Couldnt seal the deal, couldnt run the ball. gave the other team an opportunity. Lost the game. Guess who was the OC? yep

I have no problem that you criticize Arians, but for the loss of the Browns against the Steelers in 2002 is not the fault of Arians! The Browns scored 33 points in this game and their scrub QB has made ​​over 400 yards passing!!!!

[suitanim]

Arians is gone. Whatever...

But the Haley hate will get here soon. It's hard to see the big picture, difficult to think about multifaceted subjects. People like simple monolithic things...it's easy to digest, the path of least resistance.

Thinking too much is hard. It's hard work to analyze things in depth. Better to find a scapegoat and just lump the blame. Kids do it. Our President is fond of doing it. Steelers fans love it. The buck seems to stop at..................the offensive coordinator. It'll happen again. Maybe as soon as tonight.

Then what? Once the intellectually lazy take the easy way out again, then what? Seriously...what next?

[fansince'76]

But at the same time the lack of the consistent running game leads to Arians lack of committing to the run game.

And that had absolutely nothing to with the giant pile of shit that the Steelers have fielded and called an OL for the last 6 years? The '08 Steelers won the SB with the WORST OL in SB history, by far, and that OL almost cost us the game (looking at you, Hartwig). Not to mention the loss to the Colts earlier that season where our running game got completely stoned by the then 25-ranked run defense in the league - everyone else ran at will on the Colts that year, but we sure as hell couldn't. It can also reasonably be argued that it had a very large hand in us losing SB 45 (way to get owned and help cause a pick-six, Kemo!). There's a reason the Steelers have gone OL heavy early the last 3 drafts.

[Butch]

Arians is gone. Whatever...

But the Haley hate will get here soon. It's hard to see the big picture, difficult to think about multifaceted subjects. People like simple monolithic things...it's easy to digest, the path of least resistance.

Thinking too much is hard. It's hard work to analyze things in depth. Better to find a scapegoat and just lump the blame. Kids do it. Our President is fond of doing it. Steelers fans love it. The buck seems to stop at..................the offensive coordinator. It'll happen again. Maybe as soon as tonight.

Then what? Once the intellectually lazy take the easy way out again, then what? Seriously...what next?

Is it not the fault of the O.C. who comes into a game with heavy winds and calls pass play after pass play while going into the heavy winds? This is his call on short yardage plays on both 3rd and 4th down time and time again. No in game adjustment just passing the ball and pissing away the game. Is that really execution? Is it to much to ask for a little common sense? Go after an inexperienced player a little until he proves himself.

What will you say if everything comes up roses for Haley and we are all singing his praises on high? As I said I may not like this guy either but I'm ready for change, and just as I may be the 1st to say hang him I may also be the 1st to put his statue in the Great Hall.

[polamalubeast]

And that had absolutely nothing to with the giant pile of shit that the Steelers have fielded and called an OL for the last 6 years? The '08 Steelers won the SB with the WORST OL in SB history, by far, and that OL almost cost us the game (looking at you, Hartwig). Not to mention the loss to the Colts earlier that season where our running game got completely stoned by the then 25-ranked run defense in the league - everyone else ran at will on the Colts that year, but we sure as hell couldn't. It can also reasonably be argued that it had a very large hand in us losing SB 45 (way to get owned and help cause a pick-six, Kemo!). There's a reason the Steelers have gone OL heavy early the last 3 drafts.

And we must not forget the dreadful game of the o-line against the Eagles in 2008

[fansince'76]

And we must not forget the dreadful game of the o-line against the Eagles in 2008

I truly hope DD and Adams are the real deal.

[SteelMayhem72]

anybody have a feed of the game tonight?? sorry that question is not appropriate for this thread

[Steeldude]

With Arians gone it should improve. The problem wasn't always execution. The problem was also Arians sending WRs out on long, slow developing routes on 3rd and short.

[suitanim]

Is it not the fault of the O.C. who comes into a game with heavy winds and calls pass play after pass play while going into the heavy winds? This is his call on short yardage plays on both 3rd and 4th down time and time again. No in game adjustment just passing the ball and pissing away the game. Is that really execution? Is it to much to ask for a little common sense? Go after an inexperienced player a little until he proves himself.

What will you say if everything comes up roses for Haley and we are all singing his praises on high? As I said I may not like this guy either but I'm ready for change, and just as I may be the 1st to say hang him I may also be the 1st to put his statue in the Great Hall.

That's one game.

ONE GAME.

And I was there.

Coaches gameplan to expose weaknesses they see all the time. Regardless of whether it's a perceived strength of the defense.

Want SEVERAL examples from the opposite standpoint? How about Kelly Holcombe lighting up the Steelers secondary for 429 yards and 3 TD's in the playoffs. Attacking the Steelers secondary was a stroke of genius by.....................................Bruce Arians!

How about Bruce Gradkowski smoking the Steelers secondary for 309 and 3 TD's in 2009?

Christ, how about the worst QB in history Tim Tebow throwing for 316 and 2 TD's against the Steelers?

All those Steelers teams had either number 1 or top 5 defenses against the pass.

If you decide that you'll only run against defenses that are weak against the run, and you do that over and over again, you'll lose.

[Butch]

That's one game.

ONE GAME.

And I was there.

Coaches gameplan to expose weaknesses they see all the time. Regardless of whether it's a perceived strength of the defense.

Want SEVERAL examples from the opposite standpoint? How about Kelly Holcombe lighting up the Steelers secondary for 429 yards and 3 TD's in the playoffs. Attacking the Steelers secondary was a stroke of genius by.....................................Bruce Arians!

How about Bruce Gradkowski smoking the Steelers secondary for 309 and 3 TD's in 2009?

Christ, how about the worst QB in history Tim Tebow throwing for 316 and 2 TD's against the Steelers?

All those Steelers teams had either number 1 or top 5 defenses against the pass.

If you decide that you'll only run against defenses that are weak against the run, and you do that over and over again, you'll lose.

It was a glaring example of someone who had a shitty game plan for a game with high winds facing a team that had the worst rush D in the league. I'm sorry to hear you were there you shoulda got your money back.

Ok since you want to change topics here's a little somethin' for ya'. In that game where the Super Genius lit up the Steelers secondary who won the game??? Once again I refer to my favorite quote from Chuck "Stats are for losers". Bruce had a 17 point lead and couldn't maintain it long enough to get the win. His offenses have a tendency to stall and it lets other teams get back into games.

[suitanim]

It was a glaring example of someone who had a shitty game plan for a game with high winds facing a team that had the worst rush D in the league. I'm sorry to hear you were there you shoulda got your money back.

Ok since you want to change topics here's a little somethin' for ya'. In that game where the Super Genius lit up the Steelers secondary who won the game??? Once again I refer to my favorite quote from Chuck "Stats are for losers". Bruce had a 17 point lead and couldn't maintain it long enough to get the win. His offenses have a tendency to stall and it lets other teams get back into games.

Of course you're right and I'm wrong. Because Bruce Arians couldn't hold the lead. Because he is also in charge of the defense, too...

(sigh)

Whatever...you'll still be one of the first bashing Haley. It's not your fault, it's just your simple nature...

[suitanim]

How dare Todd Haley BLOW this 13 point lead tonight!

[Butch]

Of course you're right and I'm wrong. Because Bruce Arians couldn't hold the lead. Because he is also in charge of the defense, too...

(sigh)

Whatever...you'll still be one of the first bashing Haley. It's not your fault, it's just your simple nature...

AWW are you pouting???

Are you saying he helped his team or is it squarely on the fault of the Defense. It was late in the 3rd quarter and they were up by 17. If he even gets a F.G. the game is tied by the late Field goal. I mean they were lighting up the secondary how come they let us back into the game. Yes a part of it was we were able to attack the D but what happened to the Super Genius??? How come he couldn't keep the pressure on the secondary???

I may very well be the 1st to bash Haley never said I wouldn't but I'm willing to give him a chance.

[Butch]

How dare Todd Haley BLOW this 13 point lead tonight!

There ya' go Suit show us all what ya got, compairing a pre-season game to a playoff game.

Guess when it comes to bashing you beat me to it. Nice job

Damn now I can't be 1st maybe I'll be 2nd. LOL