• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

What is wrong with the run game?

Now you guys are being very one demential in the success of this offensive line. The Run blocking is the issue right now. The Pass blocking is not. In fact, this may be the best pass blocking line in history. Teams should be able to tear holes in any offensive line, when the run can't be established, yet week after week, we are seeing these 5 guys stand up to any 4, 5, or 6 rushers that are thrown at them. Why is that? Because our pass blocking is the best in the league.

If you're going to give Munch all the credit for run blocking, you have to give Sweet Feet all the credit for this pass blocking.
 
Cope said:
Now you guys are being very one demential in the success of this offensive line. The Run blocking is the issue right now. The Pass blocking is not. In fact, this may be the best pass blocking line in history. Teams should be able to tear holes in any offensive line, when the run can't be established, yet week after week, we are seeing these 5 guys stand up to any 4, 5, or 6 rushers that are thrown at them. Why is that? Because our pass blocking is the best in the league.

If you're going to give Munch all the credit for run blocking, you have to give Sweet Feet all the credit for this pass blocking.
Click to expand...

Ben is also releasing the ball faster than any other QB in the league. His release time is ridiculous considering how long he used to hold onto the ball and make the Ben being Ben plays. We are seeing much less of that than we ever did. Ben is dropping and hitting his man. When he needs to buy time he isn't rolling left like he once used to. He's dancing in the pocket and making a throw.
 
Cope said:
Now you guys are being very one demential in the success of this offensive line. The Run blocking is the issue right now. The Pass blocking is not. In fact, this may be the best pass blocking line in history. Teams should be able to tear holes in any offensive line, when the run can't be established, yet week after week, we are seeing these 5 guys stand up to any 4, 5, or 6 rushers that are thrown at them. Why is that? Because our pass blocking is the best in the league.

If you're going to give Munch all the credit for run blocking, you have to give Sweet Feet all the credit for this pass blocking.
Click to expand...

History is a pretty big thing. From what I can tell the advantage is that the Steelers have so many passing weapons that when they go 5R it is very difficult to blitz. Especially when they stack and you cannot press. The threat is the Hitch with the big receiver blockers. I'm not downplaying what they are doing with the pass game, but they do need to create a run game. Winning a championship without one would be pretty unprecedented.
 
I think a lot of our issues are just tendencies and stale plays... those first few weeks teams were thrown off by the Steelers using the short pass game and a bevy of sweeps... they were geared for a deep pass assault like the old days and now they are more prepared for the offense...

I just think fitchner sucks at playcalling... i am with Cope, run a kgun or run and shoot offense... use the fullback package in the red zone and short yardage exclsively
 
bigben said:
Bell was the better back when he was in Pittsburgh.
In fact he had the most yards from scrimmage per game for any RB in the history of the NFL.

He was Far Better than James everyone but you knows it. You do too, you can't be that stupid, just to proud to admit you were wrong.
Click to expand...

Well hell, let's just get Franco out of retirement if we're getting our pick of any back in their prime. Fact is that Bell has not been good over the last 2 years. While we might not like where Conner is trending, he's (one of) the back(s) we have available. Bell isn't here and won't ever be again .... So, figure out a fix with what we have.

Folks want to move Feiler to RT and throw Dotson in at LG. Seems to me the run game was working just swell when the line was Villanueva - Feiler - Pouncey - Dotson - Okorafor. Sad as it is to say, the problems started when the line became Villanueva - Feiler - Pouncey - DeCastro - Okorafor. So, why move Feiler AND sit Chuks to correct an issue that has occurred starting with the return DeCastro. Also, it may just be me, but I don't think DeCastro has been pulling much since he got back. And when he has, it hasn't been as effective as we're used to seeing. Maybe his knee isn't as up to par as they would have you believe. Whatever it is, maybe it's time to move DeCastro and let Dotson have another shot at RG.
 
Last edited:
Talked about this after the game yesterday. JC running east and west is just ridiculous. He excels at draw plays.

Miami just released Jordan Howard...
 
Sarge said:
I think it is play calling compounded by a lack of execution. Those wide runs with Conner are stupid. The line obviously can't block those plays, so it only makes the play call even more stupid. Also, it doesn't seem like the line is doing much pulling in the run game. Looks like straight up run blocking the guy in front of you and it's not working. They certainly have their work cut out for them to try and fix it.
Click to expand...

I have been saying those wide run by Conner are stupid for weeks. I'm glad someone else sees it.


Look Conner is limited in terms of where he runs well. If you want a better ground game, move Matt Feiler back to Tight Tackle, and insert Dotson at guard. Chucks #76 gets a limited push.


If Randy wants to get creative and match his players' talents, DeCastro, and perhaps Pouncey, can pull well for outside runs, combined with McFarland running wide, and you've got something.


The Steelers sure can play Conner and McFarland in the same backfield at times. Suddenly where we run the ball will be debatable. I recommend keeping Ju -Ju and Claypool as the WR's with a 2 back set. Each can block a ton.


With Conner alone its pretty obvious via formation. The DC is likely tipping the likely call to the player wearing the green dot.


We are being out coached!
 
Last edited:
The Steelers are going to have to run the ball to have success down the stretch. This reminds me of two years ago when Ben had to throw every play because the ground game wasn't working. It seems to be a combination of poor run blocking and bad scheme. The running backs are getting swarmed before they can even get back to the line of scrimmage.
 
Apparently, HCVMTL uttered the words "back to basics" this week when questioned about our anemic run game.

Put a ******* hand in the ground and blow off the ball ffs. So much amazing pass blocking but not enough grit of late.
 
Cope said:
Now you guys are being very one demential in the success of this offensive line. The Run blocking is the issue right now. The Pass blocking is not. In fact, this may be the best pass blocking line in history. Teams should be able to tear holes in any offensive line, when the run can't be established, yet week after week, we are seeing these 5 guys stand up to any 4, 5, or 6 rushers that are thrown at them. Why is that? Because our pass blocking is the best in the league.

If you're going to give Munch all the credit for run blocking, you have to give Sweet Feet all the credit for this pass blocking.
Click to expand...

Munch is gone. Even if he was here he probably couldn't do much more than what is being done in our running game. Father time has shown his ugly head finally. Talent is lower also. As far as the best in the history. I disagree. Ben is getting rid of the ball at 1.2 seconds or whatever it is......it is why our OL looks good. Just my take anyways.
 
L O L @ replacing Chuks with Feiler

how many sacks has he given up?
 
Coach said:
I have been saying those wide run by Conner are stupid for weeks. I'm glad someone else sees it.


Look Conner is limited in terms of where he runs well. If you want a better ground game, move Matt Feiler back to Tight Tackle, and insert Dotson at guard. Chucks #76 gets a limited push.


If Randy wants to get creative and match his players' talents, DeCastro, and perhaps Pouncey, can pull well for outside runs, combined with McFarland running wide, and you've got something.


The Steelers sure can play Conner and McFarland in the same backfield at times. Suddenly where we run the ball will be debatable. I recommend keeping Ju -Ju and Claypool as the WR's with a 2 back set. Each can block a ton.


With Conner alone its pretty obvious via formation. The DC is likely tipping the likely call to the player wearing the green dot.


We are being out coached!
Click to expand...
Dumb... but you knew that when you posted it.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
stillwright said:
Munch is gone. Even if he was here he probably couldn't do much more than what is being done in our running game. Father time has shown his ugly head finally. Talent is lower also. As far as the best in the history. I disagree. Ben is getting rid of the ball at 1.2 seconds or whatever it is......it is why our OL looks good. Just my take anyways.
Click to expand...

The youth looks promising. Haus, Banner, Chukes, Dot have been very good when they played this year. I'm also still a fan of Gray. He hasn't gotten a chance yet though.
 
SteelerSask said:
History is a pretty big thing. From what I can tell the advantage is that the Steelers have so many passing weapons that when they go 5R it is very difficult to blitz. Especially when they stack and you cannot press. The threat is the Hitch with the big receiver blockers. I'm not downplaying what they are doing with the pass game, but they do need to create a run game. Winning a championship without one would be pretty unprecedented.
Click to expand...

Getting the ball quickly, does help the line, but Ben isn't getting it out lighting fast on every play. Now we did win the 08 SB with a terrible pass blocking OL, who's to say we can't win a SB with a bad run blocking OL? Use the pass to set up the run. Spread them out and gash them.
 
slashsteel said:
Reading up In 2017 he was number one rushing................attempts.
now he is attempting to hold down a job.

:th_balls:
Click to expand...

68acd202-a3a4-4048-896f-5ee04bd8b5fe
 
Last edited:
Not only Ben getting rid of the ball but these young players are hungry and make the best of each ball thrown in their direction including the TE
 
If they would just block as well as for McFarland and Snell as they do for Conner we would be way better off.
 
SteelerSask said:
First off this is not a ***** whine thread. Steelers played great yesterday. Other than this aspect possibly their most complete game in a so far undefeated season. That said, I think we all know that they have to be able to run the ball. They lengthened the game substantially if they have to close out like they did yesterday. Also, if you come up against someone who can at least deal with the pass, you have a problem. My opinion is that it is blocking scheme not Conner, though at this point I would consider other options at Running back. The things that seem to be working are some draws, some of the jet sweep motions are holding linebackers and allowing for quick hitters. At the beginning of the year they were running what seemed to be very slow developing zones and traps. That **** is just getting blown up right now. Part of me feels like the lack of a blocking TE is the issue. When Vance comes back, I would be tempted to put Vance and Watt out there with Watt in search and see if they can get this moving. The problem with trying to win by formation and personnel is it invited the defense to pack the box. I think you have to have Claypool and Juju as legit passing threats one on one.
Click to expand...

I put an article on the main site from formation to execution. Over the last 3 games, we've had some major offensive line breakdowns and included a frames of why it failed to convert vs. Ravens, Cowboys and Bengals.
 
FSF said:
I put an article on the main site from formation to execution. Over the last 3 games, we've had some major offensive line breakdowns and included a frames of why it failed to convert vs. Ravens, Cowboys and Bengals.
Click to expand...

Interesting write up - thanks.
Any chance if you do similar things in the future articles you could either blow the pics up a little bit. would make it easier to see.

Thanks.
 
Cope said:
Now you guys are being very one demential in the success of this offensive line. The Run blocking is the issue right now. The Pass blocking is not. In fact, this may be the best pass blocking line in history. Teams should be able to tear holes in any offensive line, when the run can't be established, yet week after week, we are seeing these 5 guys stand up to any 4, 5, or 6 rushers that are thrown at them. Why is that? Because our pass blocking is the best in the league.

If you're going to give Munch all the credit for run blocking, you have to give Sweet Feet all the credit for this pass blocking.
Click to expand...

I don't know if I'd call them the best pass-blocking line in history, but Ben has only been sacked a grand total of 10 times in 9 games. That's pretty good. And the Steelers are utilizing the short passing game as an equivalent to running the ball, which is fine with me...they've had the most success moving the chains and scoring touchdowns without even having a running back on the field. The Rams beat the Titans in SB XXXIV while rushing for 29 yards -- it can be done.
 
topseed said:
I don't know if I'd call them the best pass-blocking line in history, but Ben has only been sacked a grand total of 10 times in 9 games. That's pretty good. And the Steelers are utilizing the short passing game as an equivalent to running the ball, which is fine with me...they've had the most success moving the chains and scoring touchdowns without even having a running back on the field. The Rams beat the Titans in SB XXXIV while rushing for 29 yards -- it can be done.
Click to expand...
When you present a strength and that can't be stopped it is possible. I think if you are going to be one dimensional on offense you better have an opportunistic defense that can get you a ball back in a possible shootout. Luckily the Steelers have that and a solid run D that can render teams one dimensional. Sprinkle in a pass rush that can get you when you go down that path. All the pieces are in place for a SB run. Only thing that can stop the Steelers is the Steelers.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Last edited:
Listening to Hodge this morning. His take is that Conner is outrunning his blocks on edge runs. Not being patient and allowing the blocks to materialize.
 
SteelerSask said:
Listening to Hodge this morning. His take is that Conner is outrunning his blocks on edge runs. Not being patient and allowing the blocks to materialize.
Click to expand...

How does that explain the plays when the defenders are already in the backfield when he’s just getting the ball?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top