View topic - More Arians talk

[NOVAStiller Profile]

Nice article from Jim Wexell... I love this guy - he's usually right on.

Arians is Steelers’ problem
BY JIM WEXELL
For The Tribune-Democrat

PITTSBURGH — Dan Dierdorf lost his Monday Night Football announcing gig because he was the master of the obvious, but last Sunday even Dierdorf was oblivious to the obvious as the Miami Dolphins were finishing off a second successful drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“What a head-scratcher this football team is,” Dierdorf said of the Steelers as the Dolphins lined up near the Pittsburgh 10-yard line. “I look back at that five-game losing streak … a loss to Kansas City, a loss to Oakland and a loss to Cleveland, hardly the upper echelon of teams in the NFL.”

Seconds later, the porous Steelers defense allowed the Dolphins their 10th point of the first quarter.

Are you WATCHING the game, Dan?

Why this Steelers team was a head-scratcher that late in the season was a head-scratcher itself.

And that this team – bereft of defensive talent and poorly coached on offense – was expected to beat those teams is another head-scratcher.

Without Aaron Smith and Troy Polamalu, the 2009 Steelers defense became the 2007 Steelers defense. It allowed

171 rushing yards to Cleveland, yet that was only the third-highest total the Browns put up in their final four games, because, while no one was watching, the Browns became a physical football team.

Even Eric Mangini is bright enough to understand that a team must be physical to win in the AFC North division. It took Marvin Lewis long enough to figure it out in Cincinnati. He now has two physical lines, a thumper of a rookie middle linebacker, a plow horse at tailback, and, get this, a fullback on his roster to go along with legitimate receivers and cornerbacks. The Ravens have all of that, except the legitimate receivers and cornerbacks, and that’s why they finished second to the Bengals this season.

The Steelers? They have the best quarterback in the division and that’s why they haven’t fallen behind the Browns … yet.

The Steelers went on to a real pretty win over the Dolphins on this day. They tried to hand them the game with another horrendous batch of play calling from Bruce Arians and the typical defensive breakdowns in the secondary.

The talent on the defensive side will certainly be addressed. Yet, it wasn’t last year. The knowledgeable Steelers fans saw that the team lacked depth at safety, that Tyrone Carter couldn’t get it done any longer, that Ryan Mundy hadn’t shown anybody anything.

Perhaps the Super Bowl clouded the minds of those making personnel decisions because they didn’t add a safety after lopping off Anthony Smith late in 2008. And wouldn’t you know: Troy Polamalu went down with an injury after playing one quarter of sensational football in 2009.

The safety position should be easily addressed in a draft that could include first-day underclassmen DeAndre McDaniel and Earl Thomas, and will include Reshad Jones. Players such as T.J. Ward and Barry Church, among others, will be available early in the second day.

Cornerback is another problem altogether, and one the Steelers may have to address in free agency. But, of course, we must wait and see how big the free-agent class will be, and that will depend on whether the CBA is renegotiated or not.

Otherwise, it could be a wish and a prayer that unknowns Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis develop more quickly at the position than expected, because, after Joe Haden, the first round of the draft lacks corners.

Middle linebacker and nose tackle are also question marks. James Farrior turns 35 today. He’s admitted to losing a step. While one week he’s in Ray Rice’s hip pocket allowing LaMarr Woodley to hit and strip Joe Flacco, the next week he’s being shredded by young tight ends such as Anthony Fasano.

Perhaps Lawrence Timmons will take on a bigger role in pass coverage next season, or perhaps Keyaron Fox can replace Farrior at the all-important buck position inside. Fox, entering the final year of a peculiar two-year deal, could be a stopgap for a future captain such as Brandon Spikes, who’d need to be drafted in the first round.

But the Steelers may need to draft a nose tackle in the first round, because franchising Casey Hampton will infuriate him, and giving him a four-year deal will infuriate Mike Tomlin, who believes Hampton plays better in salary-drive mode.

The alternative to Hampton is to start Chris Hoke, who’ll only turn 32 in April. Hoke could mentor a first-round pick such as Brian Price, since NT Terrence Cody would only give Tomlin a new weight-watching headache and NT Dan Williams is a second-rounder.

Offensively, the problems aren’t as serious. Oh, sure, the Steelers blatantly ignored a raging problem with their short-yardage running game. They only drafted a fifth-rounder to improve that problem, and did not even add a fullback to the roster. They ended up using a seventh-round tight end as their fullback, and he regressed as the season unfolded.

Not that Arians cares a whit about short-yardage or red-zone problems. His sequence of playcalling in the second quarter Sunday showed his mettle, and showed why the Rooneys want Tomlin to find a new offensive coordinator.

With a four-point lead in the second quarter, Rashard Mendenhall rumbled 26 yards with a screen pass to the Miami 6. It appeared that “Spindenhall,” who’d used spin moves on 6 of his final 8 carries in the previous game, had received a proper scolding prior to the Miami game. He wasn’t spinning; he was finally running behind his pads and looking like the power back he’s destined to become. But Mendenhall was pulled from the game on first-and-goal after the screen pass. Miami even called timeout, and came out of it to see Willie Parker still in the Steelers’ backfield. Mendenhall did not need a rest here; the coach needed to be a coach and make a move for a move’s sake.

So Parker was stuffed, and he stayed in the game for second down, even though his footwear had malfunctioned. The second-down pass was nearly intercepted by Jason Taylor, and the third-down pass intended for none other than Mewelde Moore, well short of the goal line, was broken up.

Classic Arians.

The Steelers settled for a field goal but got the ball back almost immediately on a turnover. And then, at the Miami 41, they threw a ridiculous first-down double pass on which Santonio Holmes was intercepted.

Instead of going for the kill, this offense thought it best to be cute.

Classic Arians.

But the Steelers did win the game. Miami rallied, of course, but refused to take a hand-delivered win when it threw an interception from the 13 while in tying field goal range in the final minutes.

Arians’ offense put up great numbers … in the sunshine of Miami. But back in Cleveland, where the season was lost, Arians had called 42 pass plays and only 20 runs in zero-degree weather with 30-35 mph winds gusting over 40 mph. The protective Pittsburgh media blasted the effort of the Steelers instead of Arians’ ridiculous game plan as the season died on the vine.

The Steelers still need a fullback and an interior lineman or two, but those have always been easy positions to fill, nothing like the FS-CB-MLB-NT quartet of needs on defense. The other position to fill should be offensive coordinator.

Does Tomlin have the courage to fire a man with whom he’s won a ring? Or does he stand up to the pressures of the front office and retain Arians?

Tomlin could take the easy way out and listen to the Pittsburgh media and look at the stats, and the wins in the final three games, and the fourth-quarter playcalling that was fortunate enough to have survived the atrocious second-quarter playcalling. It’s up to him.

If it were up to me, I’d say unleash hell, and Arians.

[Steelhope Profile]

thanks for the post NOVA.....good article

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

'nough said!

If Ben saved Ass Arians' job, he'll have to live with it. Hope word that confirms this comes. He'd better eat his Wheaties in off-season to make good. Fault MT for giving in.

Why,...WHY do we have to have HIM? Of all the OC's and OC wannabe's in this world, we truly have the one who's most "offensive.

[SoCal Stiller Profile]

This article is absolutely right on!

[CityofCHAMPS412 Profile]

Well written analysis for sure.

My main observation of football is the short quick patterns mainly win-win situational passing ala New England style of offense. I hate the guys but their offense is potent (for years) and I feel we have WAY more weapons to our deployment.

We have Wallace that spreads the field. Two very capable running backs. A very good Tight End. Ward a position receiver with great capabilities of finding the open zones, and a big threat option in Holmes.

Now comparable to New England we have Logan. Why can't we implement hi more into the short passing game like Welker. I know Logan is new to receiving but come on its not that hard especially when most teams play off the receivers. He should be able to run 5- 8 yard patterns a long with a lot of bubble screens. There is no doubt in my mind he would have a lot of YAC yards.

Hopefully over the offseason he is worked out more for this role. He is shifty and fast enough to take it to the house, every other offense finds way to get it to their playmakers no matter what.

Slot receiver and maybe run some two back sets. Obviously we became this passing team you might as well try to make the defense think and be accountable for more options. Just my two cents.

[mckeesrockstheburg Profile]

CofChamps, have you seen the piece by Jimmy Johnson. Read my post on "Arians' drivel". We have more weapons and arguably, better ones, than NE. You have to give it to them. Everyone KNOWS Welker is getting the rock yet he STILL gets it. Then, when they key on him, Faulk (it would take him a month of Sundays to run 100 yds) slips thru on a draw for 10 or 12 then they hit deep to Moss. NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. Like Jimmy J says, keeps defense from stacking the box and OPENS UP THE DAMN RUNNING GAME!

US? We run into a phonebooth that's already crowded by the time our back hits the LOS. Can't blame the OL all the time - geez, they are constantly outnumbered since we broadcast what we are going to do. 6 guys to block 8 - 10? Who are you kidding? Ben doesn't audible out of this idiocy (why????) and NO FB to help out.

That this nonsense is going to be replayed next year sickens me. Pathetic that it is accepted just becasue we put up some numbers. Who's moving on and who went home, numbers be damned? Said before many times, Arians has ZERO interest in moving the chains or challenging a "D". "Go deep, young man, go deep."
"But Bruce, we're in the redzone!" " I don't give a *&^%! I said GO DEEP and bring me a hot dog on your way back!"

[BGSUsteelers Profile]

You guys are acting like Arians prevents the team from being competitive. Yes he is not that good of an OC, but they did win a SB with him calling the plays all year. A lot of you guys seem to forget that.

[Steelhope Profile]

You guys are acting like Arians prevents the team from being competitive. Yes he is not that good of an OC, but they did win a SB with him calling the plays all year. A lot of you guys seem to forget that.

we won it "in spite of him" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BGSUsteelers Profile]

You guys are acting like Arians prevents the team from being competitive. Yes he is not that good of an OC, but they did win a SB with him calling the plays all year. A lot of you guys seem to forget that.

we won it "in spite of him" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prove it. Lets say the Steelers had Charlie Weis that season, and every single game he calls mostly a great game (a lot better than Arians at least). Then lets say they get to the Super Bowl and Weis makes that one bad call, there is a turnover, and the Steelers lose the Super Bowl. It could have very well happened, because a different coach would have meant a different outcome. So you guys tell me what you would rather a have... a great OC with no SB win, or an average OC with a SB win? There is no question that the outcome of that season would have been different with a different coach. Can't argue with the result of what happened. I'll take a win in spite of someone over a loss because of someone anyday.

[Steelhope Profile]

You guys are acting like Arians prevents the team from being competitive. Yes he is not that good of an OC, but they did win a SB with him calling the plays all year. A lot of you guys seem to forget that.

we won it "in spite of him" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prove it. Lets say the Steelers had Charlie Weis that season, and every single game he calls mostly a great game (a lot better than Arians at least). Then lets say they get to the Super Bowl and Weis makes that one bad call, there is a turnover, and the Steelers lose the Super Bowl. It could have very well happened, because a different coach would have meant a different outcome. So you guys tell me what you would rather a have... a great OC with no SB win, or an average OC with a SB win? There is no question that the outcome of that season would have been different with a different coach. Can't argue with the result of what happened. I'll take a win in spite of someone over a loss because of someone anyday.

aaah....what ??????

[BGSUsteelers Profile]

we won it "in spite of him" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]

Prove it. Lets say the Steelers had Charlie Weis that season, and every single game he calls mostly a great game (a lot better than Arians at least). Then lets say they get to the Super Bowl and Weis makes that one bad call, there is a turnover, and the Steelers lose the Super Bowl. It could have very well happened, because a different coach would have meant a different outcome. So you guys tell me what you would rather a have... a great OC with no SB win, or an average OC with a SB win? There is no question that the outcome of that season would have been different with a different coach. Can't argue with the result of what happened. I'll take a win in spite of someone over a loss because of someone anyday.[/quote]

aaah....what ??????[/quote]

I know it's probably hard for you guys to understand what someone is saying when they aren't using words such as "Dillweed, dog vomit, Dumblisburger, dumbassed, weak-assed, and assaholic" among others. So let me try and shorten the main point for you.
While it might be true that the Steelers won the SB in spite of Arians, they still won it. While there are many better options at OC than Arians, the fact remains that had someone else been the OC, the playcalling would have been different, thus the outcomes would have been different in not only the SB, but all of the games. Had someone else been making calls, there is the strong possibility that they would have lost. So like I said before, I would rather win in spite of someone, rather than lose because of someone.

[steelcitymetal Profile]

we won it "in spite of him" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and we can do it again

with a better defense.

[NOVAStiller Profile]

I know it's probably hard for you guys to understand what someone is saying when they aren't using words such as "Dillweed, dog vomit, Dumblisburger, dumbassed, weak-assed, and assaholic" among others. So let me try and shorten the main point for you.
While it might be true that the Steelers won the SB in spite of Arians, they still won it. While there are many better options at OC than Arians, the fact remains that had someone else been the OC, the playcalling would have been different, thus the outcomes would have been different in not only the SB, but all of the games. Had someone else been making calls, there is the strong possibility that they would have lost. So like I said before, I would rather win in spite of someone, rather than lose because of someone.

Listen BMOC -

With the weapons the Stillers have on offense, they should be scoring 40+ points per game...

As far as the Super Bowl goes, there were plenty of assinine calls by Arians that were all but forgotten because of Santonio and Ben's great toss and catch game down the field on the last drive (as an example, remember the first drive of the 3rd qtr where they had to settle for a Reed FG after getting a fresh set of downs inside the 10 due to a Cardinals penalty on a previous Reed FG? - that was 8 plays to get it in and they couldn't do it because of Airhead's poor playcalling and misuse of talent!).

They do win in spite of him!

[steelcitymetal Profile]

we also won in spite of our terrible rushing game

[BGSUsteelers Profile]

I know it's probably hard for you guys to understand what someone is saying when they aren't using words such as "Dillweed, dog vomit, Dumblisburger, dumbassed, weak-assed, and assaholic" among others. So let me try and shorten the main point for you.
While it might be true that the Steelers won the SB in spite of Arians, they still won it. While there are many better options at OC than Arians, the fact remains that had someone else been the OC, the playcalling would have been different, thus the outcomes would have been different in not only the SB, but all of the games. Had someone else been making calls, there is the strong possibility that they would have lost. So like I said before, I would rather win in spite of someone, rather than lose because of someone.

Listen BMOC -

With the weapons the Stillers have on offense, they should be scoring 40+ points per game...

As far as the Super Bowl goes, there were plenty of assinine calls by Arians that were all but forgotten because of Santonio and Ben's great toss and catch game down the field on the last drive (as an example, remember the first drive of the 3rd qtr where they had to settle for a Reed FG after getting a fresh set of downs inside the 10 due to a Cardinals penalty on a previous Reed FG? - that was 8 plays to get it in and they couldn't do it because of Airhead's poor playcalling and misuse of talent!).

They do win in spite of him!

40+ a game? That's a nice dream. I realize you were exaggerating, but for them to even put up 30+ a game is a dream. No, they don't have the talent to score that much. Not to mention, the stadium they play in, and the division they play in doesn't allow for those types of points to be scored come November and December. Roethlisberger biggest weakness is making pre-snap reads. Couple that with the fact that they already have a suspect OL and he holds the ball at times, and you will have sacks. He takes as many sacks out of the 5 wide sets as he does 3 wide sets. Not to mention they have a group of WRs who fail to get open with much ease. Could they run the ball more when they pass? Of course. Could they give different looks to the opposing D in certain situations? Of course. But at the end of the day, this team has scored and moved the ball overall pretty well under Arians. Now I'm not saying I was happy to keep him around either, but you can't fire the entire coaching staff after one bad year. And out of all of the coaches on the team, Arians probably did his job the best.
By the way, that word I bolded at the end of your post is the only thing that matters. Doesn't matter how they did it, or why they did. Just as long as it happens. In spite or because of someone. A win is a win.

[steelcitymetal Profile]

our defense allowed 11.5 points per game in 2008.

20.25 in 2009.

[NOVAStiller Profile]

By the way, that word I bolded at the end of your post is the only thing that matters. Doesn't matter how they did it, or why they did. Just as long as it happens. In spite or because of someone. A win is a win.

Actually, it does matter... and that's why they didn't have enough of them (wins) this year.

Better playcalling in the RZ would have meant more TD's and more of a deficit for the Oak, Cle, KC's of the league to overcome no matter how bad the defense played (hence, the 40+ points). Look back at what the Cheatriots offense did just a few years ago.

Our seasoned offense had another year together to perfect their plays and march down the field each time with the precision and determination of the Joe Montana led 49ers. Instead, each drive was a display of grab bag play calling resulting in Ben usually running for his life. And we fans have to hold our breath, cross our fingers and hang on the edge of our seats waiting for some miracle play just to score a TD. It doesn't have to be this way!

[BGSUsteelers Profile]

By the way, that word I bolded at the end of your post is the only thing that matters. Doesn't matter how they did it, or why they did. Just as long as it happens. In spite or because of someone. A win is a win.

Actually, it does matter... and that's why they didn't have enough of them (wins) this year.

Better playcalling in the RZ would have meant more TD's and more of a deficit for the Oak, Cle, KC's of the league to overcome no matter how bad the defense played (hence, the 40+ points). Look back at what the Cheatriots offense did just a few years ago.

Our seasoned offense had another year together to perfect their plays and march down the field each time with the precision and determination of the Joe Montana led 49ers. Instead, each drive was a display of grab bag play calling resulting in Ben usually running for his life. And we fans have to hold our breath, cross our fingers and hang on the edge of our seats waiting for some miracle play just to score a TD. It doesn't have to be this way!

Actually, as someone pointed out a couple of posts ago, the Steelers lost because of their defense, not their offense. The reason they aren't in the playoffs this year, is because the D allowed almost double the points this year compared to last year. They aren't in t he playoffs this year, because the Steelers had the lead going into the 4th quarter in 6 out of the 7 games they lost, and the D couldn't hold it for them. In at least 3 or 4 of those losses, the D couldn't hold them more than once.
No team has won the SB by winning shootouts every game, or scoring 35-40 points per game. Just ask the Patriots in 2007, and ask the Saints in a few weeks. I would much rather win 20-14 instead of 35-31 every game. And no, it doesn't matter how you win the game. "You play to win the game." You don't play to score 40 points and gain 500 yards. Like I said before, between all of the coaches on this team, Arians did his job the best, and you can't fire everyone at once.

[NOVAStiller Profile]

Actually, as someone pointed out a couple of posts ago, the Steelers lost because of their defense, not their offense. The reason they aren't in the playoffs this year, is because the D allowed almost double the points this year compared to last year. They aren't in t he playoffs this year, because the Steelers had the lead going into the 4th quarter in 6 out of the 7 games they lost, and the D couldn't hold it for them. In at least 3 or 4 of those losses, the D couldn't hold them more than once.
No team has won the SB by winning shootouts every game, or scoring 35-40 points per game. Just ask the Patriots in 2007, and ask the Saints in a few weeks. I would much rather win 20-14 instead of 35-31 every game. And no, it doesn't matter how you win the game. "You play to win the game." You don't play to score 40 points and gain 500 yards. Like I said before, between all of the coaches on this team, Arians did his job the best, and you can't fire everyone at once.

Yes, the defense did only allow 20 pts per game this year. 3 TD's beats that. They only scored 6 against the Brownies because of Airhead's asinine playcalling! Btw, Airhead's playcalling also contributed to the defense being more winded than they should have been late in games. This pass happy, grab bag playcaller has put the entire team at risk!

[BGSUsteelers Profile]

Actually, as someone pointed out a couple of posts ago, the Steelers lost because of their defense, not their offense. The reason they aren't in the playoffs this year, is because the D allowed almost double the points this year compared to last year. They aren't in t he playoffs this year, because the Steelers had the lead going into the 4th quarter in 6 out of the 7 games they lost, and the D couldn't hold it for them. In at least 3 or 4 of those losses, the D couldn't hold them more than once.
No team has won the SB by winning shootouts every game, or scoring 35-40 points per game. Just ask the Patriots in 2007, and ask the Saints in a few weeks. I would much rather win 20-14 instead of 35-31 every game. And no, it doesn't matter how you win the game. "You play to win the game." You don't play to score 40 points and gain 500 yards. Like I said before, between all of the coaches on this team, Arians did his job the best, and you can't fire everyone at once.

Yes, the defense did only allow 20 pts per game this year. 3 TD's beats that. They only scored 6 against the Brownies because of Airhead's asinine playcalling! Btw, Airhead's playcalling also contributed to the defense being more winded than they should have been late in games. This pass happy, grab bag playcaller has put the entire team at risk!

Making excuses for the D, eh? Giving blame to someone for something they have no control over, eh? In 16 games this season, the Steelers offense had a total of 523:04 or 33:09 per game in TOP. Opposing teams had a total of 450:18 or 28:14 against us in TOP. Care to try again?