View topic - Arians says only 19 sacks were the o-line's fault

[No l Gravity l Profile]

Most Steeler fans at some point or another in the 2008 season wanted offensive coordinator Bruce Arians’ head on a platter for something. Bad play calling, lack of imagination in the offense, not staying committed to the run - you name it.

Arians though may have to come under some more fire for a recent report on NFL Fanhouse, in which he stated that out of the club’s 46 sacks last season, the O-line was only to blame for 19 of them. So does that leave Ben Roethlisberger to blame for 27 of them? Not really according to Arians. Here’s the report:

When asked about the Steelers’ pass protection problems by a reporter for the Cumberland County Sentinel, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians seemed to indicate that he blamed the wide receivers and Ben Roethlisberger as much as he did the linemen. “They only gave up 19 sacks last year of the 46,” the offensive coordinator said.

“Running backs, tight ends, receivers and quarterbacks gave up most of the rest. Those guys, every time there’s a sack it has to be the offensive linemen but a lot of times it was a receiver missing the hot read, the quarterback getting himself sacked a few times, because he likes to run around. We’re not going to change that.” The biggest problem for the Steelers’ offensive line last year wasn’t pass protection (although that was a problem), it was the inability to create holes in the running game–Pittsburgh ranked 29th in the league in yards per carry.

Arians has the game films in front of him to show how many sacks the O-line gave up, but truth be told I’d be surprised if it was only 19. The O-line had some pretty bad games last season, and to a man they would admit that they had some pretty down moments.

It remains to be seen if Arians tweaks this number at all, but maybe the bigger key is if the O-line, and the rest of protection for Ben gets better in 2009.

http://steelersmill.com/2009/06/21/aria ... t-in-2008/

[UKBlackNGold Profile]

What Airhaed fails to realize is, is that the vast majority of the sacks were his damn fault!

What with his slow developing plays, an unwillingness to roll-out Ben and the lack of an outlet
back in the flat, is it any wonder he's trying to lay the blame elsewhere!!!

Tosser!!!

[deltadweller Profile]

Always a good idea to blame the 100 mil dollar face of your franchise. We all get that Ben holds the ball trying to make plays. He takes the balme on himself. Really no need to blame someone that is already so willing to take or share the blame. All in all this could be a positive though as Ben might be less likely to back the Air head i ans.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

I don't care who's fault they were.
It is the O-lineman's job to protect Ben.
If Ben puts himself in danger to make a play, the o-lineman need to make a play too by finding a way to keep him upright.
and the dumb fuck Bruce Arians needs to design schemes to do it.
and Colbert and the front office needs to draft linemen who are athletic enough to make some plays/blocks when Ben is keeping plays alive - cause that is what Ben does best.

[toomuchmerrilhoge Profile]

"What with his slow developing plays, an unwillingness to roll-out Ben and the lack of an outlet
back in the flat, is it any wonder he's trying to lay the blame elsewhere!"

indeed UK!! The Eagles game last year was a prime example of his bone-headed foolishness. No matter how many times Ben got sacked into oblivion, I saw no hot reads to the WRs, no draw plays, no bootlegs. Just more 5 step drops, sack, 5 step drops, sack. Ben was lucky to survive that game. A QB of lesser physical attributes could have easily been killed. As far as I'm concerned, if Ben wants to live to see 30, he should tell BA to piss off and call his own plays in the huddle or at the line.

and yes, BA is quite the 'tosser'.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

Only 19 sacks the fault of O-line!
Yessiree,... the rest were HIS!

I hope MT puts a weight limit on Coaches.