the 4000 lb Elephant in the Room

[6Lombardis]

Doesn’t Ben have a number of options on each play? No one is intentionally avoiding Claypool. He’s either not getting open (likely) or hasn’t won Ben’s confidence. He hasn’t had the most reliable hands in the last six weeks or so.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

OR....he’s not on the field. #11 needs to be on the field every play. He’s the only person we have that the defenses have to game plan for. Even if he’s a decoy pulling a safety his way.

Was AB ever taken off the field?????? Chase is the closest thing we have to an AB (someone defenses MUst Account for).

 

[Atlsteelers]

14 carries for 20 yards.....

That's the 10000 lb elephant that's going to cost them in the playoffs.

Ben chucking the ball down the field and getting PI calls isn't going to win many playoff games I am afraid.

The short slants and screens are the same thing as running the football. Everything is predicated on Ben able to hit on those long passes. If so it opens everything up and especially the run game.

 

[Cras108er]

OR....he’s not on the field. #11 needs to be on the field every play. He’s the only person we have that the team has to game plan for. Even if he’s a decoy pulling a safety his way.

Have you paid attention to his snaps? I admit I haven’t? I notice him on the field quite a bit, but could miss when he’s been out. When he’s out, whose he being replaced by?

If he’s sharing snaps with Washington I kind of understand. Washington has probably had the most dependable hands in the team.

Tomlin has limited young players’ snaps in the past based on their practice performance. That could be a factor too. I just find it hard to believe that we would intentionally limit his production without a legitimate reason. I know fans like to portray coaches as “clueless,” but I don’t buy into that narrative. There is a reason they get paid millions and most of us are doing something else for significantly less.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[ChampYINZ]

I thought this thread was about the running game

 

[Zack_of_Steel]

Have you paid attention to his snaps? I admit I haven’t? I notice him on the field quite a bit, but could miss when he’s been out. When he’s out, whose he being replaced by?

If he’s sharing snaps with Washington I kind of understand. Washington has probably had the most dependable hands in the team.

Tomlin has limited young players’ snaps in the past based on their practice performance. That could be a factor too. I just find it hard to believe that we would intentionally limit his production without a legitimate reason. I know fans like to portray coaches as “clueless,” but I don’t buy into that narrative. There is a reason they get paid millions and most of us are doing something else for significantly less.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

Claypool 64%
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClayCh01.htm

DJ
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnDi01.htm

JuJu
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJu00.htm

AB 2018
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowAn04/gamelog/2018/


AB was pretty much always on the field. As is JuJu and DJ around 83%.

 

[Cras108er]

Claypool 64%
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClayCh01.htm

DJ
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnDi01.htm

JuJu
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitJu00.htm

AB 2018
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowAn04/gamelog/2018/


AB was pretty much always on the field. As is JuJu and DJ around 83%.

If I read that correctly, his targets have actually gone UP as the season has gone on, but his catch percentage has gone down. I don’t think it is unusual for a rookie to not be on the field every play.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[slashsteel]

Have you paid attention to his snaps? I admit I haven’t? I notice him on the field quite a bit, but could miss when he’s been out. When he’s out, whose he being replaced by?

If he’s sharing snaps with Washington I kind of understand. Washington has probably had the most dependable hands in the team.

Tomlin has limited young players’ snaps in the past based on their practice performance. That could be a factor too. I just find it hard to believe that we would intentionally limit his production without a legitimate reason. I know fans like to portray coaches as “clueless,” but I don’t buy into that narrative. There is a reason they get paid millions and most of us are doing something else for significantly less.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

Washington doesn't get open like a Claypool. His reps were documented decreased . The thought was they were trying to keep Chase from hitting the rookie wall. The snap count is fact the reasoning is conjecture.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[SteelerSask2]

So even though the dude at the top is telling us what happened. The Colts were calling out the ****** plays. We are supposed to stick with Fichtner and blame Ben's inaccuracy. Tomlin will take this team down again as he always does.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Time to relieve him of the play calling.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app

Not just play calling but his whole ******* scheme. It would be easy to put variations into it with minimal verbiage. If this is true, I believe it is, RANDY FICHTNER needs to be gone or put in booth away from BEN and team. ALSO one must realize that all week long Randy / Ben / Canada / Tomlin all help prepare with certain plays they feel will work against the up coming opponent. When they go muddle huddle / no huddle, Randy is continueing talking in Ben's head set and that helps BEN figure the play and what to audible off to. I highly doubt BEN is just out there dictating play calls. It's a combination of BEN plus the others privy to headset communication.

Randy's offensive scheme is so predictable that YES, opponents can and should be able to call out the plays. Could be an easy fix but will take change to do it and scheme is part of that change.




Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

Not just play calling but his whole ******* scheme. It would be easy to put variations into it with minimal verbiage. If this is true, I believe it is, RANDY FICHTNER needs to be gone or put in booth away from BEN and team. ALSO one must realize that all week long Randy / Ben / Canada / Tomlin all help prepare with certain plays they feel will work against the up coming opponent. When they go muddle huddle / no huddle, Randy is continueing talking in Ben's head set and that helps BEN figure the play and what to audible off to. I highly doubt BEN is just out there dictating play calls. It's a combination of BEN plus the others privy to headset communication.

Randy's offensive scheme is so predictable that YES, opponents can and should be able to call out the plays. Could be an easy fix but will take change to do it and scheme is part of that change.




Salute the nation

Thing is at this teams best is with an up-tempo offense. The defense feeds off the offense. So if they are rink a dinking it out of the gates with predictable **** and dig yourself a hole in the playoffs, you will find your self on the short end of the stick more often than not.

No they have to take an aggressive approach similar to that Colts/Bettis run to greatness. I don't know how you do that signing off on Randy's crap.


I have been quiet on Tomlin this year for the most part. But this is why he gets paid the big bucks. If this team wants a run a significant chance sign off on Ben and his decision making.

If they don't? You will see a Bills game time of outcome.

 

[Big Ben Rules]

Somebody is lying. Ben said he ran the plays in the 2nd half, that Randy sent in. so who knows

 

[slashsteel]

Somebody is lying. Ben said he ran the plays in the 2nd half, that Randy sent in. so who knows

Jujuj said they went no huddle. I don't believe Randy is no huddle not even for a NY second, that is Ben making his reads.

 

[Cras108er]

Thing is at this teams best is with an up-tempo offense. The defense feeds off the offense. So if they are rink a dinking it out of the gates with predictable **** and dig yourself a hole in the playoffs, you will find your self on the short end of the stick more often than not.

No they have to take an aggressive approach similar to that Colts/Bettis run to greatness. I don't know how you do that signing off on Randy's crap.


I have been quiet on Tomlin this year for the most part. But this is why he gets paid the big bucks. If this team wants a run a significant chance sign off on Ben and his decision making.

If they don't? You will see a Bills game time of outcome.

What’s the old statement, figures lie and liars figure. You can make stats say whatever you want. You have to look at the whole picture though.

Through the first six weeks of the season, Claypool averaged just over four targets a game. That included his eleven target game in Philly. The key though was that he was catching nearly everything in sight. I still remember his circus catch against the Giants in week #1. That’s when the Mapletron name first started.

Over the next 5 games (weeks 7-11) his targets went up significantly (nearly 10 targets each game), but his production went down quite a bit. He was catching less than 50% of those targets.

Over the last four games (weeks 12-16) his targets were slightly less (six per game) but he was still only catching 50% of the balls thrown his way

Looking at the whole season, the most targets he had in a single game was 13 against Dallas and the least (since those early games was four). His median number of targets per game was SIX. That’s nothing to sneeze at.

So, if you’re telling me that we should be throwing it his way ten times every game, you’re right. His targets have gone down. However, if you’re saying you hardly see him making splash plays, I’d remind you that he’s being targeted six times a game, Maybe the answer is that he’s not taking advantage of the opportunities he’s being given - or maybe he’s hitting the rookie wall.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[slashsteel]

What’s the old statement, figures lie and liars figure. You can make stats say whatever you want. You have to look at the whole picture though.

Through the first six weeks of the season, Claypool averaged just over four targets a game. That included his eleven target game in Philly. The key though was that he was catching nearly everything in sight. I still remember his circus catch against the Giants in week #1. That’s when the Mapletron name first started.

Over the next 5 games (weeks 7-11) his targets went up significantly (nearly 10 targets each game), but his production went down quite a bit. He was catching less than 50% of those targets.

Over the last four games (weeks 12-16) his targets were slightly less (six per game) but he was still only catching 50% of the balls thrown his way

Looking at the whole season, the most targets he had in a single game was 13 against Dallas and the least (since those early games was four). His median number of targets per game was SIX. That’s nothing to sneeze at.

So, if you’re telling me that we should be throwing it his way ten times every game, you’re right. His targets have gone down. However, if you’re saying you hardly see him making splash plays, I’d remind you that he’s being targeted six times a game, Maybe the answer is that he’s not taking advantage of the opportunities he’s being given - or maybe he’s hitting the rookie wall.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

His snaps decreased. I am not really saying anything. Could it be to hitting the rookie wall? sure. Could it be a preventive measure? sure.

I have seen him open where he wasn't targeted. So I am sure that is in the equation too with a deep ball WR on a team that they are force feeding 1 to 5 yard passes. So Randy's play calling and Ben's supposed injury could factor in too.

A lot of scenarios ... probably a mix of everything mentioned.

But moving forward into the playoffs you want this guy to get the snaps. As the talent level dictates playing time even if he is used as a decoy at times..................

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Shades says there's a fine line between stomping grapes and drinking wine.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Shades says there's a fine line between stomping grapes and drinking wine.

This was gold. Fine line between drinking wine and stomping grapes. And if my aunt had nuts she'd be my uncle. He us one loquacious man. Sometimes I wonder if he even knows what he is saying. But as hard as it is for me to admit some of his shtick has bled into my own coach talk. I use above the line and below the line a lot. I also talk about splash plays a ton. I've even used back to the lab and hand in the pile a few times.

 

[Cras108er]

Sounds like folks want to lay the blame at Fichtner’s feet (and he certainly deserves some of the blame), but I’m not buying that he is the sole reason for our ills. I watched the Ravens, Bengals, Bills, and first half of the Colts games and saw Ben struggle mightily to make throws that he normally makes.

BTW, Ben also got away with a couple passes yesterday that should have been intercepted,,including a pic six. Ben’s not the sole problem, but I’m also not buying the narrative that this is all in Fichtner and we just need to let Ben make the calls.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[6Lombardis]

His snaps decreased. I am not really saying anything. Could it be to hitting the rookie wall? sure. Could it be a preventive measure? sure.

I have seen him open where he wasn't targeted. So I am sure that is in the equation too with a deep ball WR on a team that they are force feeding 1 to 5 yard passes. So Randy's play calling and Ben's supposed injury could factor in too.

A lot of scenarios ... probably a mix of everything mentioned.

But moving forward into the playoffs you want this guy to get the snaps. As the talent level dictates playing time even if he is used as a decoy at times..................

This^^^^ And this is my point, too. The threat of Claypool is what is important. They have to account for him. Keep him in as much as possible. Also, when it comes to targets, we’d have to see them to know if they are quality opportunities for success, drops, underthrows, overthrows, good defensive plays. I know for years teams had to account for AB. It’s what put Ju Ju on the map. I would make teams account for this guy as much as possible. Rookie walls notwithstanding, it’s time to let it rip. I want to see deep shots right away from here on out. I’d rather see us go deep 3 times to start the game than the dinks. If they all 3 miss, we at least have them thinking about this part of the scheme and next possession show the same look. What have we got to lose? Even a long interception is better than a short one. Also, it’s hard to bat these long passes down. They have to threaten this type of play often to keep the small plays viable throughout. We all saw this in the second half Sunday. Everything started working except goal line running.

 

[6Lombardis]

I thought this thread was about the running game

It’s about running in that the long play threat and using Claypool is how the running gets opened up. We will run IMO (between the 20s at least) as long as we loosen up the middle with this long threat. The short passing does not open up the running game, it’s is in the same vein, so it’s like running and our passing are the same thing over and over and over. Teams were just clogging up the middle of the field and close to the line.

 

[bermudasteel]

Wow...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">if you want to know why the Steelers offense looked better in the 2nd half, it’s because in the 1st half, pre-snap the Colts were calling out OC Randy Fichtner’s terrible, predictable plays...<br><br>so Ben called his own plays that were not part of Fichtner’s game plan in the 2nd half <a href="https://t.co/QEEwGIC5Bb">pic.twitter.com/QEEwGIC5Bb</a></p>— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/1343657475803930625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Proof that it's time to fire the OC...

 

[slashsteel]

Sounds like folks want to lay the blame at Fichtner’s feet (and he certainly deserves some of the blame), but I’m not buying that he is the sole reason for our ills. I watched the Ravens, Bengals, Bills, and first half of the Colts games and saw Ben struggle mightily to make throws that he normally makes.

BTW, Ben also got away with a couple passes yesterday that should have been intercepted,,including a pic six. Ben’s not the sole problem, but I’m also not buying the narrative that this is all in Fichtner and we just need to let Ben make the calls.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app

Sure Ben takes a share of the blame. But if you are designing a scheme that doesn't suit him well and allows defenders to crowd the box your chance for success decreases.

In the second half they opened it up and it was like a light switch came on.

You want to pendulum swing blame it starts and ends with Randy. Ben is the sprinkles on the ice cream. You can't succeed if your scheme doesn't put your offense in the best position to win,

I see nothing from Randy to make me think he can accomplish this.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Proof that it's time to fire the OC...

Well Hell! What are we supposed to believe? JuJu says they were running plays that they hadn't practiced. But Ebron says (via DKPS) that all the plays called in the second half were plays they've run in practice. Maybe JuJu was off dancing while they practiced those plays?

 

[43Hitman]

Well Hell! What are we supposed to believe? JuJu says they were running plays that they hadn't practiced. But Ebron says (via DKPS) that all the plays called in the second half were plays they've run in practice. Maybe JuJu was off dancing while they practiced those plays?

Sounds like a dis-information campaign to me.

 

[stillwright]

Well Hell! What are we supposed to believe? JuJu says they were running plays that they hadn't practiced. But Ebron says (via DKPS) that all the plays called in the second half were plays they've run in practice. Maybe JuJu was off dancing while they practiced those plays?

And Tomlin stated they made zero game adjustments at halftime. That they just started to execute the plays. Blah blah blah. Everyone deserves blame. Ben. Tomlin. Fichtner. Wrs. OL. Defense at times. Bulter. Rooney's....etc.

 

[topseed]

Shades says there's a fine line between stomping grapes and drinking wine.

ESPN ran a pregame feature on Tomlin the wordsmith, so maybe he felt inspired to add this to his greatest hits list. Sounds familiar, though...I seem to remember "stomping grapes" from a few years back.