The New Steelers Offense: Motion Magic

[Steeler Nation]

Back in January, the Pittsburgh Steelers made the change we have all been waiting for; dumping Offensive Coordinator Randy Fichtner in favor of Matt Canada.

To Steelers fans this came as no surprise and a huge relief, as the Steelers’ offense was ranked 25th in total offense and last in rushing offense in 2020. To help amplify this, the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Carolina Panthers were some teams who finished higher than the Steelers in total offense in the 2020 season.

I think I speak for all of Steeler Nation when I say please help us, Coach Canada.

Canada was a collegiate offensive guru going back to his first job at Butler in 1997. Since then, he’s created an incredibly elaborate offensive scheme, involving a plethora of pre-snap motions, switches, smoke, and mirrors. We saw some shades of this in 2020. Just think, how many motion sweeps did we see with Diontae Johnson, Anthony McFarland Jr., and Chase Claypool on run and play-action calls? Well, this is just the beginning of what is to come in 2021 with Coach Canada.

How is Canada going to enhance the Steelers’ lackluster run game? According to Canada on his offense, “It’s about players, not plays”. He has explained his system is very easy to learn and he has proved this in almost every coaching job he’s held. Not only is it an easy system to learn, but he has found ways to tailor it to players’ strengths. This gives the Steelers plenty of flexibility in drafting skill players late in the coming draft, while addressing the glaring needs on the offensive line first. Canada has been able to develop NFL-caliber talent at running back (Melvin Gordon, Jaylen Samuels, James White, Derek Watt, James Conner, Leonard Fournette), wide receiver (DJ Chark, Justin Jefferson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling), and quarterback (Jacoby Brissett) with this system in the NCAA. This shows us that Canada may have what it takes to take a “low-budget offense” into the postseason.

However on the opposite side of the same coin, weren’t opposing defenses saying how easy it was to game plan for the Steelers the last third of the season?

Steelers fans are going to see a very (necessary) different looking offense in 2021, there is no denying that. But, I see some hope in what is to come. What if the 2020 offense was too “Fichtner’d” to allow Canada’s system to flourish? What if the young offense had an entire offseason to fully immerse itself in Canada’s system? Maybe a new offensive scheme, paired with a young roster, led by a hungry veteran quarterback is what is needed for the Steelers to get over the playoff hump and propelled back onto the stairway to seven in 2021.

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[FSF]

Not just 25th in offense, Randy Fichtner’s offenses have finished 31st, 29th and 32nd in rushing last 3 years.

Steelers haven’t finished last in rushing since 1968. Only one time they finished that low since was the disastrous 2003 season where finished 31st en route to 6-10.

They followed that up by finishing #1 in 2004 by changing focus and finishing 15-1.

They don’t need to go that extreme but the fact is Tampa ran the ball well this year, the Saints have for several years—dropping the pass first, pass last and pass often methodology. They achieved success (let’s be honest Saints should have been in & won Super Bowl in 2018).

note how KC ignored the run & it really made them easier to defend. It’d been happening all year, but (close) wins masked it. Russell Wilson wants to pass more, and it’s led to a massive strain — enough that he’s asking for trade

Ben is not 2014 Ben. But a good running game to control pace & they are going to be better off

 

[slashsteel]

Oh Canada oh Canada
will you be
the offenses savior?
place the running game
on an escalator?

how is your X and O's?
will you scheme to
the players strengths?
I guess we shall see
how it goes.

after what monstrosity was
recently witnessed
the thinking is almost
anything is an upgrade

perhaps enough balance
this upcoming season
that the Steelers won't fade
into the postseason.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Canada has nowhere to go but up. Fichtner all out sucked and if it wasn't for his buddy he would have been jetisoned to a galaxy far far away, many moons prior to his release.

My only fear would be CANADA being hand-cuffed.



Salute the nation

 

[BLITZ]

his mask is upside down

 

[Hypocycloids]

I dunno...I don't think Fitchner should take full blame. We still need players. Whether it's Matt Canada or Joe Mexico we still need players.