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So the hot take by a couple *** media guys in Pittsburgh is,

Ben sucks.
 
Would much rather see Smallwood come up than see Samuels get more time. He lacks explosion and drops a lot of passes for a so called “pass catching back”. I have a hard time believing Smallwood is worse


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Yep again..

I've been clamoring for him since mid-season..or maybe earlier..
 
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I've been laughing...

It's getting cold, therefore a combination of things that may happen is we could get snow. To some posters here..."We are going to get a blizzard!!!"

This is what it is like to have the audacity to suggest that Ben may be partly responsible for the running game looking like it is. The response..."Ben sucks!!!" or 'It's all Ben's fault!!!"

Nobody is saying that.
 
I've been laughing...

It's getting cold, therefore a combination of things that may happen is we could get snow. To some posters here..."We are going to get a blizzard!!!"

This is what it is like to have the audacity to suggest that Ben may be partly responsible for the running game looking like it is. The response..."Ben sucks!!!" or 'It's all Ben's fault!!!"

Nobody is saying that.

I started the topic and the guys I referenced who are on talk radio in Pittsburgh are saying it's all Ben's fault. I never said or no other posted said anyone here is blaming only Ben.
 
Tom Brady averages one attempt less per game than Ben, but Tampa averages 4.3 ypc
Mahomes averages two attempts less per game than Ben, but KC averages 4.5 ypc


Funny those guys throw nearly as much as Ben, but that doesn't effect their run game, I guess Ben is the only QB that has those magical powers to make his OL and RB's suck.
 
Well, like a lot guys on talk radio, they are idiots.

To me there just seems like a lack of commitment to it. I don't think the OL, that keeps Ben upright all the time, so they have talent, can't run block. I'm not buying that this OL can't block for the run game. I tend to lean more toward the running backs being the issue. McFarland...oh, boy. That kid may be good down the line, but it's too big for him right now.

Still, I think a lack of commitment is still it. And I think that is from the coaches on down. The coaches are going to do what the franchise guy likes. And like I keep saying, who is to say that is wrong at 11-1?
 
Well, like a lot guys on talk radio, they are idiots.

To me there just seems like a lack of commitment to it. I don't think the OL, that keeps Ben upright all the time, so they have talent, can't run block. I'm not buying that this OL can't block for the run game. I tend to lean more toward the running backs being the issue. McFarland...oh, boy. That kid may be good down the line, but it's too big for him right now.

Still, I think a lack of commitment is still it. And I think that is from the coaches on down. The coaches are going to do what the franchise guy likes. And like I keep saying, who is to say that is wrong at 11-1?

That happens in every sport, for sure. Brady and Mahommes are throwing pretty much just as much as Ben, but their running game isn't suffering, so to me it's more the fact our OL and/or RB's suck, plain in simple. We tried to pull Feiler last game, and DeCastro got shoved 2 yards backwards right into Feilers path, just killing the play. McFarland had a run where he had a ton of room outside, a blocker out in front and he cut it right back inside to the pursuit. Ben lead the NFL in passing in 2018 and we averaged nearly 4.3 ypc, Conner averaged 4.5 ypc. This isn't anything new here.

The OL is old and not good anymore. Even pass blocking is iffy, if Ben doesn't throw it in under 3 seconds, he's under pressure, part of the reason we don't throw downfield a ton, because he's going to get hit.
 
I think there are issues with predictability, too. It almost seems like other teams know what is coming. The little creativity from earlier in the year seems to be gone.
 
One thing that needs to be utilized more is the middle of the field. Earlier in the year, we were using that more and now I only see short crossers over the middle for 5 yards. JW had the one seam route in the last game for a nice gain, we need more of that.

I just don't see any new play concepts being drawn up from Randy or Canada. It's the same thing every week or it's just up to Ben to do it all in game. We need better route concepts and design, get ******* creative. Randy is way over his head IMO.
 
Unless Ben is calling the running plays, its not his fault.

We run the exact same running plays over and over. We don't mix things up. if I can see this, I am sure Def. coordinator's and players can pick up on this.
 
I think there are issues with predictability, too. It almost seems like other teams know what is coming. The little creativity from earlier in the year seems to be gone.

I totally agree, I think teams know we are looking to get the ball out so they are just sitting on the routes and jamming the WR's in man coverage and flooding the short zones in zone coverage.

I also dont think it's a coincidence the two games we've looked the worst have been without Pouncey and Conner. Pouncey is not what he once was, but he's still able to help change protections and Conner is pretty good at blitz pick up.
 
Yep...exactly why I started a thread suggesting that JuJU gets more of Ebron's snaps/plays which will also allow for another receiver to see the field...i.e. number 13
This. Since Ebron cannot block, or catch with regularity, put JuJu or Washington in his spot. For sure, this is not helpful in the running game.

But it means one more sure handed receiver is available to Ben, with an ability to chip and then break free on seam routes, in the flat, etc.....just like Heath used to. Both JuJu and Washington make catches on short passes, over the middle, in the area you might expect the TE to excel at....


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This. Since Ebron cannot block, or catch with regularity, put JuJu or Washington in his spot. For sure, this is not helpful in the running game.

But it means one more sure handed receiver is available to Ben, with an ability to chip and then break free on seam routes, in the flat, etc.....just like Heath used to. Both JuJu and Washington make catches on short passes, over the middle, in the area you might expect the TE to excel at....


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The TE on the practice squad, Rader, is he a blocker? Heck, I'd rather see what you suggest, bring Radr up for blocking, if he can, and sit Ebron.
 
The TE on the practice squad, Rader, is he a blocker? Heck, I'd rather see what you suggest, bring Radr up for blocking, if he can, and sit Ebron.

I hear ya...but that doesn't get Washington on the field more.

Plus...who in Sam's Hill is Kevin Radar?!?
 
Shoot...He isn't on the practice squad anymore. I'm getting old.
 
Yeah he is...WTH? He is on the roster, I think. Can someone say if Kevin Rader is on this team? I'm confusing myself.

And, if he is, can the kid block anybody?
 
Yeah he is...WTH? He is on the roster, I think. Can someone say if Kevin Rader is on this team? I'm confusing myself.

And, if he is, can the kid block anybody?

Best blocking TE on the team.
 
The Steelers don't NEED to run the ball more. There's nothing statistically that has explained this slump over the past couple of games besides dropped passes. If the Steelers catch the ball, they are fine throwing it 40+ times a game. They need better situational running. When they run the ball, they need more than 0-2 yards.
 
The Steelers don't NEED to run the ball more. There's nothing statistically that has explained this slump over the past couple of games besides dropped passes. If the Steelers catch the ball, they are fine throwing it 40+ times a game. They need better situational running. When they run the ball, they need more than 0-2 yards.

Yes, they don't need to run more, just be better at it when they do run.
 
Everything is linked.

With the short passing game, all the play is right at the line of scrimmage. That puts lots and lots of defenders right at the point of attack regardless whether you call a run or a pass. The moment they start throwing more 10 and 15 yard passes than 2 and 3 yard passes, the defense will have no choice but to put the linebackers a yard back. Just that one yard helps a RB get a crack that he can at least pick up one more yard, and if things break right, he can break a decent run.

However, as long as 70% of all the passes are either screens, flat routes or crosses/drags/curls basically at the line of scrimmage, there simply won't be a running game.
 
Personally, I think they are a better team when they run the ball more and with more success obviously..

But they are who they are, and I guess we have to settle for "situational" running, which is just another name for "our run game sucks"..
 
I've been laughing...

It's getting cold, therefore a combination of things that may happen is we could get snow. To some posters here..."We are going to get a blizzard!!!"

This is what it is like to have the audacity to suggest that Ben may be partly responsible for the running game looking like it is. The response..."Ben sucks!!!" or 'It's all Ben's fault!!!"

Nobody is saying that.

I was being facetious, guy. I don't think you or anyone else truly thinks Ben sucks, and if they happen to actually feel that way, they're a cretin.
 
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