Canada Fired!

[Penglose]

Overthinking is a cause for inaccuracy so there’s a possibility that he was creating that with Pickett and a different voice can alleviate that issue.

You may be right. And I don't think Leftowich would be a bad choice. But whomever they chose, it needs to be soon. Otherwise they'll probably still be running the same plays in a different order. Then put in a QB who will not shit his pants every time he gets pressure.

[Dwinsgames]

You may be right. And I don't think Leftowich would be a bad choice. But whomever they chose, it needs to be soon. Otherwise they'll probably still be running the same plays in a different order. Then put in a QB who will not shit his pants every time he gets pressure.

they wont change the system this season ... they may add a few plays , they may call plays buried in the current system that have been over looked ( or avoided) and they likely call a different game based on down and distance but no new system will be installed

[EzraTank]

Never thought they’d do it…

I’m thankful for this move as an early Thanksgiving present!

Alright…now let’s get a gauge on how bad Kenny really is!!

Unfortunately, that will probably have to wait until a new full-time time OC is hired and puts a new offense in place next season.

But that said, we should at least see progress week to week.

[FordFairLane]

Q: What gives you confidence that Kenny is your quarterback continuing to go forward?

Mike Tomlin: "Because I work with him every day and I've been really transparent with you guys about him and his willingness to work. And my experience and what that tells me. This guy will do anything and everything. He works extremely hard and just saw him a few minutes ago in the building. There's a such thing as football justice, man. Those guys usually get what they're looking for. And so that's why I remain consistently optimistic about the trajectory of his growth and development."

What I am reading is if Kenny goes down then Tomlin goes down.

[JnK]

If that’s the case…definitely.

But did they fire him too early???

Last three games, Steelers put up 53 points (23, 20, 10)…in comparison, the Chiefs have put up 47 points (17,21,9).

Are you thinking a 'Hire Canada' thread needs started?

[T&B fan]

Matt Canada made history. The first Steelers coach to be let go mid-season since Ray Sherman in 1998.

1941 was the last time

[tube517]

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2109452046061439

[Steeldude]

One down. One more to go.

[DesertSteel]

Fittipaldo re Tomlin:

"He wasted the prime years of Cam Heyward, TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick with his loyalty to Canada."

- - - Updated - - -

If that’s the case…definitely.

But did they fire him too early???

Last three games, Steelers put up 53 points (23, 20, 10)…in comparison, the Chiefs have put up 47 points (17,21,9).

Right! The Chiefs haven't scored in the second half for 3 straight games. Maybe Andy should hire Canada to start calling this plays!

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

they wont change the system this season ... they may add a few plays , they may call plays buried in the current system that have been over looked ( or avoided) and they likely call a different game based on down and distance but no new system will be installed

I think they will. Why would Faulkner and Sullivan hang themselves on a system that wasnt working?

Going to likely have to keep close to the same verbiage, so as not to complicate the install of new plays, but I can see installing a few new packages of plays per week to move things over to a group of plays and personnel groupings that they think they can be successful with.

They didnt seem to have multiple plays out of similar formations, so that leads to the comments of players that the opposition defense knows what is coming when they get to the line. So if they run a 2TE formation, they need 4-6 different plays(or more) out of that so that the Defense just doesnt look at it and recognize the play from film study, which is what might have been happening.

[Dwinsgames]

I think they will. Why would Faulkner and Sullivan hang themselves on a system that wasnt working?

Going to likely have to keep close to the same verbiage, so as not to complicate the install of new plays, but I can see installing a few new packages of plays per week to move things over to a group of plays and personnel groupings that they think they can be successful with.

They didnt seem to have multiple plays out of similar formations, so that leads to the comments of players that the opposition defense knows what is coming when they get to the line. So if they run a 2TE formation, they need 4-6 different plays(or more) out of that so that the Defense just doesnt look at it and recognize the play from film study, which is what might have been happening.

that needs to happen !

[Born2Steel]

I think they will. Why would Faulkner and Sullivan hang themselves on a system that wasnt working?

Going to likely have to keep close to the same verbiage, so as not to complicate the install of new plays, but I can see installing a few new packages of plays per week to move things over to a group of plays and personnel groupings that they think they can be successful with.

They didnt seem to have multiple plays out of similar formations, so that leads to the comments of players that the opposition defense knows what is coming when they get to the line. So if they run a 2TE formation, they need 4-6 different plays(or more) out of that so that the Defense just doesnt look at it and recognize the play from film study, which is what might have been happening.

No idea how many padded practices are left. I would hate to run new plays for the first time with actual live fire during a game. Unless it’s just running power with nothing in rhythm or with timing.

[pczach]

This move was long overdue IMO.

This offensive system itself has been a disaster. The implementation of the offense in regard to play calling and scheme to generate good situations for success was nearly non-existent. Canada's situational play calling was laughable and at times destructive to the offense.

If Tomlin has been behind much of the limiting of this offense, and he continues to do the same even with Canada gone, not much will probably change. My hope is that Mr. Rooney made it clear that there needs to be a more dynamic offense and that they have to see what Pickett can do so they can better determine the path this team takes. It's time to slowly take the floaties off and let him sink or swim.

We have to hope that things will improve, but it can only improve if the new people are allowed to make some changes to the way things are done. They need to be able to pare down the playbook and keep the plays that have been more successful. They need to tailor some of the play calling to Kenny Pickett. Try to make him a part of the process of determining what works for him, what scenarios on the field favor him, and making him as comfortable as possible with what the offense is trying to achieve on those plays.

Then they need to add some new plays and tweak some other plays slowly to adjust some of the horrible route combinations by adding more crossings with picks, more slants, attack the seams more.

They need to completely change the way they use George Pickens. He needs to be moved all over the field. They need to have Pickens in motion at the snap more often so that he is moving and harder to double. He also should be utilized in the slot because it is also more difficult to double him. He is a player that the coaching staff needs to continue to find ways to get him the ball.

They need to streamline many of Pickett's first reads based on matchups. F the playbook progressions. If Pickens is in single coverage, he is the first read and throw him the F'ing ball.

The whole point of the passing game design is to confuse the coverage. Players running routes that don't interact with the other is the easiest shit in the world to cover. IMO, there needs to be more bunch formations and more routes that cross paths and create confusion to the coverage. Make teams screw up on switches as players cross paths and create easy throws more regularly.

Continue to develop the passing game. Broderick Jones being inserted into the lineup was a huge upgrade to the running game. Continue to play to the team's strengths. Knock off running slow developing handoffs to Najee Harris 6 yards deep in shotgun formation. They do not work. More Warren please.

They need to find some new personnel groups that work, and are different from what they have been doing. Add that stuff as you go.

Play action has been Pickett's strength. Keep him under center more, even on some pass plays that were in shotgun. It will make the offense more difficult to diagnose to defenses.

If they can incorporate some of this stuff into the plan, Pickett will have a chance to succeed. The explosion plays will have a chance to come via the air or yards after the catch.

The question then becomes, can Pickett make these adjustments quickly and is he capable of doing everything that is required to make that version of the offense run efficiently?

If things improve, you have something to build on and there would be some optimism.

If Kenny continues to flounder, he needs to sit at some point and then in the offseason decide if Trubisky and Rudolph are staying or getting replaced. I would only keep one of them at most, and I would bring in someone to compete with Pickett either through free agency, the draft, or both if Trubisky and Rudolph are both released.

It's a big-boy league. Time to find out who can play, who can't, and if there needs to be a new direction at QB.

I'm hoping for some growth and improvement from Pickett that elevates this offense into a respectable unit that can score enough points to scare any team with this defense. That would be something to build on.

The opportunity is here for the players and the coaches. Who is going to do something with it?

[steelreserve]

Not gonna lie, my first thought was "Who's yanking my chain? ... Wait a minute, April Fool's Day isn't for months! Could it be real?"

Very glad they finally figured out what we all knew. But on the other hand, still so frustrated it took that long.

Well, maybe this season won't be a complete waste after all, depending on what the other guys put together. Yes, it's far-fetched to expect a brand new offense overnight, but maybe it'll be the same effect as trying to drive and suddenly realizing you had the emergency brake on the whole time.

[Born2Steel]

This move was long overdue IMO.

This offensive system itself has been a disaster. The implementation of the offense in regard to play calling and scheme to generate good situations for success was nearly non-existent. Canada's situational play calling was laughable and at times destructive to the offense.

If Tomlin has been behind much of the limiting of this offense, and he continues to do the same even with Canada gone, not much will probably change. My hope is the Mr. Rooney made it clear that there needs to be a more dynamic offense and that they have to see what Pickett can do so they can better determine the path this team takes. It's time to slowly take the floaties off and let him sink or swim.

We have to hope that things will improve, but it can only improve if the new people are allowed to make some changes to the way things are done. They need to be able to pare down the playbook and keep the plays that have been more successful. They need to tailor some of the play calling to Kenny Pickett. Try to make him a part of the process of determining what works for him, what scenarios on the field favor him, and making him as comfortable as possible with what the offense is trying to achieve on those plays.

Then they need to add some new plays and tweak some other plays slowly to adjust some of the horrible route combinations by adding more crossings with picks, more slants, attack the seams more.

They need to completely change the way they use George Pickens. He needs to be moved all over the field. They need to have Pickens in motion at the snap more often so that he is moving and harder to double. He also should be utilized in the slot because it is also more difficult to double him. He is a player that the coaching staff needs to continue to find ways to get him the ball.

They need to streamline many of Pickett's first reads based on matchups. F the playbook progressions. If Pickens is in single coverage, he is the first read and throw him the F'ing ball.

The whole point of the passing game design is to confuse the coverage. Players running routes that don't interact with the other is the easiest shit in the world to cover. IMO, there needs to be more bunch formations and more routes that cross paths and create confusion to the coverage. Make teams screw up on switches as players cross paths and create easy throws more regularly.

Continue to develop the passing game. Broderick Jones being inserted into the lineup was a huge upgrade to the running game. Continue to play to the team's strengths. Knock off running slow developing handoffs to Najee Harris 6 yards deep in shotgun formation. They do not work. More Warren please.

They need to find some new personnel groups that work, and are different from what they have been doing. Add that stuff as you go.

Play action has been Pickett's strength. Keep him under center more, even on some pass plays that were in shotgun. It will make the offense more difficult to diagnose to defenses.

If they can incorporate some of this stuff into the plan, Pickett will have a chance to succeed. The explosion plays will have a chance to come via the air or yards after the catch.

The question then becomes, can Pickett make these adjustments quickly and is he capable of doing everything that is required to make that version of the offense run efficiently?

If things improve, you have something to build on and there would be some optimism.

If Kenny continues to flounder, he needs to sit at some point and then in the offseason decide if Trubisky and Rudolph are staying or getting replaced. I would only keep one of them at most, and I would bring in someone to compete with Pickett either through free agency, the draft, or both if Trubisky and Rudolph are both released.

It's a big-boy league. Time to find out who can play, who can't, and if there needs to be a new direction at QB.

I'm hoping for some growth and improvement from Pickett that elevates this offense into a respectable unit that can score enough points to scare any team with this defense. That would be something to build on.

The opportunity is here for the players and the coaches. Who is going to do something with it?

This. And stop false starting once we get close to the redzone. There is a lot of blame to put on the situational play calling. Execution has been lacking as well. Chuks, Canada, who loses their job next?

[Mojouw]

It is still the same blocking schemes being run by Myers.
It is still the same TEs that are not able to execute what they are being asked to do. Hopefully they get asked to do different things?
Is is still the same WRs that when tasked with running a rub/pick were called for a 30 yard penalty.
It is still the same LT and C that can not block above average NFL DL consistently.

Firing Canada is a good thing. But there is only going to be so much that can be done on a moving train so to speak. This offense is almost certainly still going to be painful to watch, feature a great deal of miscommunication, and look clunky. Look at the Raiders. It looked/felt better for like a game and a half....and now it is back to bad.

Still the same players. Still the same plays. Still the same inability to teach coordination across offensive units.

[pczach]

It is still the same blocking schemes being run by Myers.
It is still the same TEs that are not able to execute what they are being asked to do. Hopefully they get asked to do different things?
Is is still the same WRs that when tasked with running a rub/pick were called for a 30 yard penalty.
It is still the same LT and C that can not block above average NFL DL consistently.

Firing Canada is a good thing. But there is only going to be so much that can be done on a moving train so to speak. This offense is almost certainly still going to be painful to watch, feature a great deal of miscommunication, and look clunky. Look at the Raiders. It looked/felt better for like a game and a half....and now it is back to bad.

Still the same players. Still the same plays. Still the same inability to teach coordination across offensive units.

OK, maybe the new blood could at least teach them how to run a screen pass. This team literally has no idea of space and timing. None. It's as if they never learned it properly and didn't practice it at all.

I want much more than that, but I would like to see them learn how to execute something high school offenses do routinely. That could be a good start.

Let's start small.

[Mojouw]

OK, maybe the new blood could at least teach them how to run a screen pass. This team literally has no idea of space and timing. None. It's as if they never learned it properly and didn't practice it at all.

I want much more than that, but I would like to see them learn how to execute something high school offenses do routinely. That could be a good start.

Let's start small.

I don't disagree. But the rot is likely too deep for one week of practice or even a half dozen to fix it.

I think each offensive player barely knows their assignment on a given play, much less how it articulates (if it even does in Canada's system) with the rest of the unit. There is no integration and coordination. And while they are trying to gameplan for Cincy....there will be precious little time to get that cleaned up.

All I can really hope for is that the play design stops asking players to do things they are not capable of executing. Multiple times against the Browns, Washington was tasked with stepping down towards the guard and cutting off the last down defender for the Browns. With the Browns ears as pinned back as they were, Washington just wasn't able to get over there in time with his hips and shoulders in position to make an effective block. And his man was basically unblocked more than once. We can discuss all day if Washington should or should not be able to make that block. But he can't. And why was he asked to do it repeatedly? There are other examples and I am not trying to totally single out Washington....but there is just so much stupid that needs fixing.

[Born2Steel]

OK, maybe the new blood could at least teach them how to run a screen pass. This team literally has no idea of space and timing. None. It's as if they never learned it properly and didn't practice it at all.

I want much more than that, but I would like to see them learn how to execute something high school offenses do routinely. That could be a good start.
D
Let's start small.

Like they said on the Manning-Cast last night about a dozen times. The screen is not the only answer.

[steelcityboyz]

Canada gone finally! While I don't expect big things to happen with this offense right away, I believe we will see improvment from KP and a less predictable vanilla offense.... Here's to hoping

[Born2Steel]

Canada gone finally! While I don't expect big things to happen with this offense right away, I believe we will see improvment from KP and a less predictable vanilla offense.... Here's to hoping

Here’s to hoping.

[Craic]

Now, the concern is whether his playcalling was bad or his entire system was bad. If it is the former, then we might see a fast turn-around. But if it is the latter, this offense will struggle throughout the rest of this season as they're not going to implement a new system heading into December.

[Mojouw]

Now, the concern is whether his playcalling was bad or his entire system was bad. If it is the former, then we might see a fast turn-around. But if it is the latter, this offense will struggle throughout the rest of this season as they're not going to implement a new system heading into December.

Yeah.

I predict on Monday...people are going to be even more upset when the reality of how long a road this will be to fix sets in.

I've decided to go with the early pessimism route as a way to get in on the ground floor!

[86WARD]

This move was long overdue IMO.

This offensive system itself has been a disaster. The implementation of the offense in regard to play calling and scheme to generate good situations for success was nearly non-existent. Canada's situational play calling was laughable and at times destructive to the offense.

If Tomlin has been behind much of the limiting of this offense, and he continues to do the same even with Canada gone, not much will probably change. My hope is the Mr. Rooney made it clear that there needs to be a more dynamic offense and that they have to see what Pickett can do so they can better determine the path this team takes. It's time to slowly take the floaties off and let him sink or swim.

We have to hope that things will improve, but it can only improve if the new people are allowed to make some changes to the way things are done. They need to be able to pare down the playbook and keep the plays that have been more successful. They need to tailor some of the play calling to Kenny Pickett. Try to make him a part of the process of determining what works for him, what scenarios on the field favor him, and making him as comfortable as possible with what the offense is trying to achieve on those plays.

Then they need to add some new plays and tweak some other plays slowly to adjust some of the horrible route combinations by adding more crossings with picks, more slants, attack the seams more.

They need to completely change the way they use George Pickens. He needs to be moved all over the field. They need to have Pickens in motion at the snap more often so that he is moving and harder to double. He also should be utilized in the slot because it is also more difficult to double him. He is a player that the coaching staff needs to continue to find ways to get him the ball.

They need to streamline many of Pickett's first reads based on matchups. F the playbook progressions. If Pickens is in single coverage, he is the first read and throw him the F'ing ball.

The whole point of the passing game design is to confuse the coverage. Players running routes that don't interact with the other is the easiest shit in the world to cover. IMO, there needs to be more bunch formations and more routes that cross paths and create confusion to the coverage. Make teams screw up on switches as players cross paths and create easy throws more regularly.

Continue to develop the passing game. Broderick Jones being inserted into the lineup was a huge upgrade to the running game. Continue to play to the team's strengths. Knock off running slow developing handoffs to Najee Harris 6 yards deep in shotgun formation. They do not work. More Warren please.

They need to find some new personnel groups that work, and are different from what they have been doing. Add that stuff as you go.

Play action has been Pickett's strength. Keep him under center more, even on some pass plays that were in shotgun. It will make the offense more difficult to diagnose to defenses.

If they can incorporate some of this stuff into the plan, Pickett will have a chance to succeed. The explosion plays will have a chance to come via the air or yards after the catch.

The question then becomes, can Pickett make these adjustments quickly and is he capable of doing everything that is required to make that version of the offense run efficiently?

If things improve, you have something to build on and there would be some optimism.

If Kenny continues to flounder, he needs to sit at some point and then in the offseason decide if Trubisky and Rudolph are staying or getting replaced. I would only keep one of them at most, and I would bring in someone to compete with Pickett either through free agency, the draft, or both if Trubisky and Rudolph are both released.

It's a big-boy league. Time to find out who can play, who can't, and if there needs to be a new direction at QB.

I'm hoping for some growth and improvement from Pickett that elevates this offense into a respectable unit that can score enough points to scare any team with this defense. That would be something to build on.

The opportunity is here for the players and the coaches. Who is going to do something with it?

I agree with everything you say here. This is all stuff they haven't done.

Simply watch when Harris is in on a run play. EVERYONE knows the play. You know what starts to fix that?? It's a very simple start...play action pass. Passing in the middle of the field, a drag route from DJ, a route down the seem to Freiermuth...those simple things out of the same formation they use to run Harris all would open up this offense.

They should print PZACH's post out and slide it under the door...

I'm just excited that they've taken the step to see if Pickett sucks or can hang...

[86WARD]

It is still the same blocking schemes being run by Myers.
It is still the same TEs that are not able to execute what they are being asked to do. Hopefully they get asked to do different things?
Is is still the same WRs that when tasked with running a rub/pick were called for a 30 yard penalty.
It is still the same LT and C that can not block above average NFL DL consistently.

Firing Canada is a good thing. But there is only going to be so much that can be done on a moving train so to speak. This offense is almost certainly still going to be painful to watch, feature a great deal of miscommunication, and look clunky. Look at the Raiders. It looked/felt better for like a game and a half....and now it is back to bad.

Still the same players. Still the same plays. Still the same inability to teach coordination across offensive units.

Blocking scheme is not necessarily true. They've changed that once this season and it worked.

The plays could be totally different according to some in the know. Will they be? Probably not but it's not impossible at all to switch up the offense and the play calls and also design new things off of current formations. It doesn't have to be a totally new system to be different...it just needs to be variations off of certain things and less predictability.

[tube517]

[BlackAndGold]

Hahaha.

[Penglose]

they wont change the system this season ... they may add a few plays , they may call plays buried in the current system that have been over looked ( or avoided) and they likely call a different game based on down and distance but no new system will be installed

For the most part, I agree with that 100%. Especially with the hire from inside. In this case, I don't expect any major improvement. I'd start calling some plays over the middle early next week, and if he can't throw them or want to throw them, I'd give Mason a try. It's laughable how Trubisky edged ahead of him and has only been slightly better than PIckett. This will either be Mason's farewell tour, or possibly the start of something big. If he learns like everyone is expecting Pickett to. I really didn't remember seeing Mason look so helpless in there like Pickett. And Trubisky has just been below average himself. I liken him to a riverboat gambler with the coverages he throws passes into. Trubisky that is.

Lastly, instead of seeing improvement in "Big Ken", remember that? He seems to be regressing badly. Between inaccuracy and gun shy in the pocket, I don't really see a future for him. I don't thing it's fundamentals in the way most people mean, but it is fundamental for a QB to understand the pocket. Canada is partially responsible, but so is Kenny. That three and out after they tied the game was unforgivable. Using only 12 seconds. Someone should have been fired on the field that very minute.

[hawaiiansteeler]

this is hilarious:

[pczach]

Like they said on the Manning-Cast last night about a dozen times. The screen is not the only answer.

I didn't watch it, but that's funny!

- - - Updated - - -

I agree with everything you say here. This is all stuff they haven't done.

Simply watch when Harris is in on a run play. EVERYONE knows the play. You know what starts to fix that?? It's a very simple start...play action pass. Passing in the middle of the field, a drag route from DJ, a route down the seem to Freiermuth...those simple things out of the same formation they use to run Harris all would open up this offense.

They should print PZACH's post out and slide it under the door...

I'm just excited that they've taken the step to see if Pickett sucks or can hang...

Thank you, that's very nice. But I think the team would be in serious trouble(like about to hit the iceberg trouble) if they started actually listening to me.