Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt changed offensive philosophy for Steelers

[stillers4me]

It all started on the second play of the game, second-and-10 at their 16, RCA Dome in Indianapolis, 2005 AFC divisional playoff.

That was the moment it all changed, the day the identity of the Steelers shifted for the next decade.

The Steelers lined in "35 Base," a common play for an offense that relied on a two-headed running game featuring the speed of Willie Parker and the power of Jerome Bettis. The formation included two tight ends -- rookie Heath Miller and Jerame Tuman -- and fullback Dan Kreider.

This time, though, there was a slight change. The night before the game, offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt decided it was time to take the gloves off his second-year quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, and let him come out swinging. So, instead of a run from that formation, he was going to attack.............

read more @ http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201411170083

[fansince'76]

No, because after blowing the Broncos' doors off in the AFCCG the following week, they went right back to turtleball in SB XL. IMO, Cowher had Roethlisberger so afraid of screwing up in that game and losing it singlehandedly like O'Donnell did in XXX that it almost became a self-fulfilling prophecy. The offensive philosophy didn't truly start to change until Cowher left. Period.

It also hasn't helped matters much that the team president has shown resistance to it at various times. A part of me honestly thinks ARII wasn't overly enamored with the "wild west shootouts" against the Colts and Ravens (even though it resulted in a convincing win each time and were BY FAR the best games this team has played all season), which might very well be why we saw a return to the "8,000 screens for negative yardage" garbage against the Jets, despite the fact that was playing right into the Jets' strength on defense and also ignoring the fact that they were down to a rookie and a guy that was washing cars up until early September as their CBs. After all, it wouldn't be the first time he gave the order to "rein Ben in," would it?

Note to ARII: It's 2014, not 1972. Just so ya know. We have a top-5 QB and a top-3 WR. Use them.

[Count Steeler]

12 rushes in a row anyone?

Hope Ben's earphones break in his helmet. Or Haley gets abducted by aliens.

[fansince'76]

12 rushes in a row anyone?

(Looks up at scoreboard)

Oh, shit! We're down 21-3 to the Browns! OK Ben, save us! Oh, and never mind the hostile crowd noise and the pretty good defense that will be pinning their ears back and coming after you on every play now...

[Moose]

Or miss the plane ! ( that little beiber faggot isn't around ... is he ? )