FIRE Arthur Smith!

[hawaiiansteeler]

[pczach]

He's not wrong about Freiermuth.

I can't understand it myself. The dude is open a lot. He finds space when things are breaking down better than anyone on the roster. He is productive when it's thrown to him. He scores touchdowns and is very effective in the redzone.

I like Arthur Smith and think he's a good coach, but why isn't Arthur Smith making Muth a bigger part of the offense? They clearly need him because he is their best option after Pickens.

I can't figure it out.

[Mojouw]

He's not wrong about Freiermuth.

I can't understand it myself. The dude is open a lot. He finds space when things are breaking down better than anyone on the roster. He is productive when it's thrown to him. He scores touchdowns and is very effective in the redzone.

I like Arthur Smith and think he's a good coach, but why isn't Arthur Smith making Muth a bigger part of the offense? They clearly need him because he is their best option after Pickens.

I can't figure it out.

All I have to fall back on is track record.

Smith has a track record of feeding targets to the TE.

Wilson has a track record of ignoring the TE.

I would love to see one of those QB School breakdown videos where the progression on each play gets labeled out. See what if anything is being left on the field.

Honestly, having Wilson be the issue would be the best answer. The others are more problematic.

[Born2Steel]

There is a video somewhere on this forum that does a very good job of breaking down the Arthur Smith offense and what it does well and how he schemes routes to make easy throws for the QB. Basically the routes are set so the QB can see everyone from the same platform, and to adjust from one to the other is just a simple shift of the feet. I think 'a' problem with this is that where it may be helpful for a younger QB like Fields, a veteran QB like Russ may not need nor appreciate the 'training wheels', and therefor ignore them.

Also, we saw video evidence of receivers running open during the Canada/Pickett seasons yet were not being thrown to. There has to be more to it from a 'what the defense is doing' viewpoint, than the QB is just ignoring a wide open receiver out of spite. That doesn't really make sense does it?

[Mojouw]

There is a video somewhere on this forum that does a very good job of breaking down the Arthur Smith offense and what it does well and how he schemes routes to make easy throws for the QB. Basically the routes are set so the QB can see everyone from the same platform, and to adjust from one to the other is just a simple shift of the feet. I think 'a' problem with this is that where it may be helpful for a younger QB like Fields, a veteran QB like Russ may not need nor appreciate the 'training wheels', and therefor ignore them.

Also, we saw video evidence of receivers running open during the Canada/Pickett seasons yet were not being thrown to. There has to be more to it from a 'what the defense is doing' viewpoint, than the QB is just ignoring a wide open receiver out of spite. That doesn't really make sense does it?

So what, in your opinion, is the reason for PF comically low production?

[86WARD]

All I have to fall back on is track record.

Smith has a track record of feeding targets to the TE.

Wilson has a track record of ignoring the TE.

I would love to see one of those QB School breakdown videos where the progression on each play gets labeled out. See what if anything is being left on the field.

Honestly, having Wilson be the issue would be the best answer. The others are more problematic.

About of people say things are “left on the table”. A WR running down the left side, a guy coming over the middle. What people don’t take into consideration is what the play calls for or where the defense takes the QBs eyes and progression. If an offense/defense takes the QBs eyes to the right side of the field and that’s the proper progression, a guy running down the left hand side of the field isn’t really something left on the table if that’s not where the QB is supposed to go but a lot of people will say that he had so and so wide open for a TD.

[Born2Steel]

So what, in your opinion, is the reason for PF comically low production?

This season PF has more targets, more receptions, more TDs, and 200 more yards receiving than he did last season. He's 13 reception off his best season pace, and 2TDs from his career high. After these next 2 games this could end up as the best season of his career in every statistical category. My opinion on why he's not already passed that mark is still how the defense is playing him. He's obviously been a force for the offense.

[Mojouw]

This season PF has more targets, more receptions, more TDs, and 200 more yards receiving than he did last season. He's 13 reception off his best season pace, and 2TDs from his career high. After these next 2 games this could end up as the best season of his career in every statistical category. My opinion on why he's not already passed that mark is still how the defense is playing him. He's obviously been a force for the offense.

Sure. He’s doing better than the Canada years. That’s damning with faint praise.

Maybe I’m being unreasonable. But roughly 3 catches a game when on 4 targets when there’s only one viable WR on the team, for me, is hard to just say “that’s good enough”.

[Born2Steel]

Sure. He’s doing better than the Canada years. That’s damning with faint praise.

Maybe I’m being unreasonable. But roughly 3 catches a game when on 4 targets when there’s only one viable WR on the team, for me, is hard to just say “that’s good enough”.

"Better than the Canada years".

"Comically low production".

I don't know how to make it make sense. PF is having his best season of his career statistically. If his best is still comically low, maybe it's him? I don't think that's true so I go with it directly relates to how defenses are playing him. If you think it is because Russ refuses to use his TEs, then go with that. PF is 2nd on the team in targets and receptions, and 3rd on the team in rec yards. He's 3rd in YAC only behind the 2 RBs. I feel like he is being used in this offense and is having a good season. For him at least.

[Mojouw]

"Better than the Canada years".

"Comically low production".

I don't know how to make it make sense. PF is having his best season of his career statistically. If his best is still comically low, maybe it's him? I don't think that's true so I go with it directly relates to how defenses are playing him. If you think it is because Russ refuses to use his TEs, then go with that. PF is 2nd on the team in targets and receptions, and 3rd on the team in rec yards. He's 3rd in YAC only behind the 2 RBs. I feel like he is being used in this offense and is having a good season. For him at least.

The 2024 Steelers are an awful passing team. One that struggles to move the ball through the air.

In my mind, an excellent TE would stuff the stat sheet with 6+ catches per game.

Again, I could be unreasonable. And/or not be seeing what’s happening accurately.

But even with Pickens on the field but certainly without him, PF should be a focal point and impacting the defensive game plan. He does not seem to be doing that.

I’m curious to see why.

[86WARD]

The 2024 Steelers are an awful passing team. One that struggles to move the ball through the air.

In my mind, an excellent TE would stuff the stat sheet with 6+ catches per game.

Again, I could be unreasonable. And/or not be seeing what’s happening accurately.

But even with Pickens on the field but certainly without him, PF should be a focal point and impacting the defensive game plan. He does not seem to be doing that.

I’m curious to see why.

That theory is debunked with just the Eagles alone. They have a very good tight end and are one of the worst passing teams. Everything they’ve done has been Barkley.

But you are 100% right Freiermuth AND Warshington should both be involved much much more than they are.

[Mojouw]

That theory is debunked with just the Eagles alone. They have a very good tight end and are one of the worst passing teams. Everything they’ve done has been Barkley.

But you are 100% right Freiermuth AND Warshington should both be involved much much more than they are.

Yeah.

I kinda meant that since theirs no competition for targets on the Steelers roster, how is PF not getting the ball more?

It makes zero sense to me.

Also how are you losing snaps to Van Jefferson and Skowronek, for running decoy routes and blocking on run plays? This is likely my ignorance of some fancy formation or alignment issue but based on my understanding Arthur Smoth is saying that Skowronek and Jefferson are better blockers and receivers than PF?

[Born2Steel]

Yeah.

I kinda meant that since theirs no competition for targets on the Steelers roster, how is PF not getting the ball more?

It makes zero sense to me.

Also how are you losing snaps to Van Jefferson and Skowronek, for running decoy routes and blocking on run plays? This is likely my ignorance of some fancy formation or alignment issue but based on my understanding Arthur Smoth is saying that Skowronek and Jefferson are better blockers and receivers than PF?

PF is second on the team in targets and receptions. Behind GP and ahead of CA3.

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Without GP on the field PF is the first passing target defense scheme to stop.

[Mojouw]

PF is second on the team in targets and receptions. Behind GP and ahead of CA3.

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Without GP on the field PF is the first passing target defense scheme to stop.

Is he? Then shouldn’t that be pulling Lbs and safeties to weird spots and not camped out on the RBs and deep moonshots as they seem to be.

I’m not saying I’m right or realistic but it FEELS like PF totally disappears from the games at times and defense doesn’t do anything to account for him out of the ordinary the ways they totally alter their plans to account for Pickens at times.

I looked and other than just exceptional TEs; PFs stats are in line with his peers across the league.

I guess I just FEEL like with the lack of other options/talent in the passing game, PF should be inhaling targets and sucking defenders his way. But that doesn’t make it accurate or not already happening because I don’t feel the vibe.

[86WARD]

Is he? Then shouldn’t that be pulling Lbs and safeties to weird spots and not camped out on the RBs and deep moonshots as they seem to be.

I’m not saying I’m right or realistic but it FEELS like PF totally disappears from the games at times and defense doesn’t do anything to account for him out of the ordinary the ways they totally alter their plans to account for Pickens at times.

I looked and other than just exceptional TEs; PFs stats are in line with his peers across the league.

I guess I just FEEL like with the lack of other options/talent in the passing game, PF should be inhaling targets and sucking defenders his way. But that doesn’t make it accurate or not already happening because I don’t feel the vibe.

Take the 49ers. You would think with all the backs out and Aiyuk out and Jennings in and out that Deebo Samuel would be lighting the world on fire. He’s having maybe his worst season ever. It’s not always the case…maybe these coaches overthink things and decide to go away from the obvious? I don’t know…

[Born2Steel]

You can look through the team's passing stats here:
https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/pittsb...sortOrder=desc

PF's individual career stats here:
https://www.pro-football-reference.c...F/FreiPa00.htm


I don't know what 'weird spots' you mean. The defense has their assignments. GP gets the double, or the false double. You really can't let any of our guys just run open or it's gonna be a completed pass. Now that DJ is gone that is. GP gets the most targets, PF gets the 2nd most, and CA3 gets the third most. Obviously with GP out that changes everything.

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Take the 49ers. You would think with all the backs out and Aiyuk out and Jennings in and out that Deebo Samuel would be lighting the world on fire. He’s having maybe his worst season ever. It’s not always the case…maybe these coaches overthink things and decide to go away from the obvious? I don’t know…

You want to take away what an offense does best and make them uncomfortable. With all the missing weapons in SF it's easier to focus on Samuel and take him out of the game. I think with GP out the Ravens decided to focus on PF and CA3 had the better game, stats-wise.

[pczach]

Is he? Then shouldn’t that be pulling Lbs and safeties to weird spots and not camped out on the RBs and deep moonshots as they seem to be.

I’m not saying I’m right or realistic but it FEELS like PF totally disappears from the games at times and defense doesn’t do anything to account for him out of the ordinary the ways they totally alter their plans to account for Pickens at times.

I looked and other than just exceptional TEs; PFs stats are in line with his peers across the league.

I guess I just FEEL like with the lack of other options/talent in the passing game, PF should be inhaling targets and sucking defenders his way. But that doesn’t make it accurate or not already happening because I don’t feel the vibe.

No TE calls plays to get themselves targets and catches.

No TE designs plays making them the primary target and first read.

No player has ever been able to force the quarterback to throw them the ball.

No TE has ever been able to force the OC to feature them in the offense. The OC and the QB have to identify who the best targets are on the team and figure out ways to get them the ball.

Freiermuth is the best and most consistent target in the passing game on the field when Pickens isn't on it.

Arthur Smith is saying that Russ is choosing not to throw his way for whatever reason. Pickens and Freiermuth together should be giving defenses fits.

They need to figure this out.

[Mojouw]

No TE calls plays to get themselves targets and catches.

No TE designs plays making them the primary target and first read.

No player has ever been able to force the quarterback to throw them the ball.

No TE has ever been able to force the OC to feature them in the offense. The OC and the QB have to identify who the best targets are on the team and figure out ways to get them the ball.

Freiermuth is the best and most consistent target in the passing game on the field when Pickens isn't on it.

Arthur Smith is saying that Russ is choosing not to throw his way for whatever reason. Pickens and Freiermuth together should be giving defenses fits.

They need to figure this out.

All good points that I do not dispute.

I saw Smith’s comments about the matter after I posted.

That makes it seem like this is a Wilson and Smith issue to hash out.

[DesertSteel]

Smitty needs to finish strong to get a passing grade. He has Pickens back so there's no excuses.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Today's game was the 5th time this season the Steelers have scored 7 points or less at halftime.

FIRE Arthur Smith!!!!!

[ncgjka]

How on earth can you not see what is working and what is not.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

[pczach]

The white flag has been waved.

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Have a great holiday everyone.

[hawaiiansteeler]

[Dwinsgames]

as a twitter friend stated ( and he isnt wrong ) We're gonna finish the regular season with at best 1 more win than we did last year with Kenny and Mason..........they aren't here and Matt Canada is gone and this is what we do.

[Mojouw]

as a twitter friend stated ( and he isnt wrong ) We're gonna finish the regular season with at best 1 more win than we did last year with Kenny and Mason..........they aren't here and Matt Canada is gone and this is what we do.

Might be that a lot of folks grossly overestimate Wilson?

[Dwinsgames]

Might be that a lot of folks grossly overestimate Wilson?

Perhaps but that would be proclaiming he is the only issue and personally I am not willing to go that far ....

Mike Williams is a legit #2 some may say he is more , yet he barely gets to see the field and doesn't get many targets when he does ... that to me is a coaching issue / play calling issue if Williams gets 7-8 targets a game that changes the way teams cover Pickens too and certainly opens up opportunities for CA3 but instead they would rather give snaps to blocking WR's even when they intend to throw .. thats an issue IMO

The def is the highest paid def in the league yet has given up 90 points in the last 3 games ....

special teams coverage unit have also been lack luster .... but all in all still the most solid part of the team thanks to Boswell

[86WARD]

Might be that a lot of folks grossly overestimate Wilson?

I'm not sure a lot of people loved the Wilson signing. I mean the QB room is way better than it was and the offense looks like a legit NFL offense at times, however, it looks like a legit NFL offense from 5-8 years ago. It's outdated. The QB is playing scared and lacking confidence. You can see it in WIlson's mannerisms. He's not stepping up in the pocket, he stutters around and then tries to escape the pocket. He's doing what Pickett was doing last season...but doing a tad better than Pickett did it. lol. The number of plays per game are right there at the top of the league but the quality of the plays are not good. Today we saw Wilson including TEs. I saw plays where Freiermuth was running wide open...more than once. Something about Wilson's reads are taking his eyes away from the reads that are open. That's broken...that's a broken and poorly prepared QB. You get what you pay for. He's an old QB. He's washed and that's fine, but move on.

The personnel that they are putting in the game at times is not the best personnel they can field and makes ZERO sense. This isn't Pop-Warner where everyone needs to play at least 5 plays per half. AT NO POINT should Cordarelle Patterson be running the ball. He is fat, he is slow, he should NOT be on an NFL roster. When Warren is carrying the ball 7.8 ypc, that's a guy that should continue carrying the ball until that 7.8 ypc falls below 4. Harris running tosses to the outside...not the correct back for that. Do it with Warren...hell, do it with Austin. Not Harris and NO WAY IN HELL with Patterson.

George Pickens, Mike Williams, Pat Freiermuth should be in the game on every play. AT NO POINT should Van Jefferson and Darnell Washington be in the game together with Conner Heyward. Not ever.

[Steeler-in-west]

Im having the feeling wed have the same record with Pickett as the starter.

doesnt matter whos back there, an over the hill 5-11 former star who sometimes cant see the middle of the field because of his height or a guy on his rookie contract trying to unlearn the bad habits from the canada years. And our LT is supbar, which makes matters worse

[Mojouw]

I'm not sure a lot of people loved the Wilson signing. I mean the QB room is way better than it was and the offense looks like a legit NFL offense at times, however, it looks like a legit NFL offense from 5-8 years ago. It's outdated. The QB is playing scared and lacking confidence. You can see it in WIlson's mannerisms. He's not stepping up in the pocket, he stutters around and then tries to escape the pocket. He's doing what Pickett was doing last season...but doing a tad better than Pickett did it. lol. The number of plays per game are right there at the top of the league but the quality of the plays are not good. Today we saw Wilson including TEs. I saw plays where Freiermuth was running wide open...more than once. Something about Wilson's reads are taking his eyes away from the reads that are open. That's broken...that's a broken and poorly prepared QB. You get what you pay for. He's an old QB. He's washed and that's fine, but move on.

The personnel that they are putting in the game at times is not the best personnel they can field and makes ZERO sense. This isn't Pop-Warner where everyone needs to play at least 5 plays per half. AT NO POINT should Cordarelle Patterson be running the ball. He is fat, he is slow, he should NOT be on an NFL roster. When Warren is carrying the ball 7.8 ypc, that's a guy that should continue carrying the ball until that 7.8 ypc falls below 4. Harris running tosses to the outside...not the correct back for that. Do it with Warren...hell, do it with Austin. Not Harris and NO WAY IN HELL with Patterson.

George Pickens, Mike Williams, Pat Freiermuth should be in the game on every play. AT NO POINT should Van Jefferson and Darnell Washington be in the game together with Conner Heyward. Not ever.

Can you get this to the team? No notes. Just agreed.

[Mojouw]

Perhaps but that would be proclaiming he is the only issue and personally I am not willing to go that far ....

Mike Williams is a legit #2 some may say he is more , yet he barely gets to see the field and doesn't get many targets when he does ... that to me is a coaching issue / play calling issue if Williams gets 7-8 targets a game that changes the way teams cover Pickens too and certainly opens up opportunities for CA3 but instead they would rather give snaps to blocking WR's even when they intend to throw .. thats an issue IMO

The def is the highest paid def in the league yet has given up 90 points in the last 3 games ....

special teams coverage unit have also been lack luster .... but all in all still the most solid part of the team thanks to Boswell

He’s far from the only issue but if you don’t have the QB sorted, you can’t sit at the table with the Ravens, Eagles, Chiefs, Bills, etc and expect to win. It is table stakes. Steelers have the worst QB in the AFC playoff field.

And lo and behold, their seeding may reflect that.

Mike Williams is no longer a #2 WR. He runs one route. And the next time he runs by someone, might be the first this season.