Flogging the Dead Horse - Arians' play calling

[Steeltime]

Down by 7 with 1:50 to go, 2 timeouts.

Field conditions ... bad.

Weather ... terrible.

Wind ... nasty.

So what does Arians do?

That's right, throw the ball 15-20 yards in the air. That is, until 4th and 9, when he goes to the shorter stuff that was available on most of the day but that he simply refused to take.

Frustrating as hell to watch Arians continually put the ball in the air under those conditions, with passes that need to travel a long way in the air, with M. Smith being terrible in pass protection (until he was finally benched), with the Jags getting ridiculous pass pressure, and with Parker getting good gains on nearly every touch.

So Bruce Arians, please update your resume.

[SteelerFan448]

To be fair, Ben missed two guys wide open on that last drive, both were short to intermediate passes where they could have ran and picked up a first down.

[Steeltime]

To be fair, Ben missed two guys wide open on that last drive, both were short to intermediate passes where they could have ran and picked up a first down.

The pass to Ward over the middle, and to Holmes along the sideline, were in the air for at least 15 yards.

The wind conditions make accuracy on such passes damn near impossible.

[NC STEEL]

The craziest call of the day worked. Who in there right mind would have called that play for the two point conversion. That was the ball game at the time. I realize it worked....but my wife couldn't understand why I was cussing when the Steelers scored.

Why throw a tight end screen on fourth and seven....it would have been a great call on third down.

[Steeltime]

The craziest call of the day worked. Who in there right mind would have called that play for the two point conversion. That was the ball game at the time. I realize it worked....but my wife couldn't understand why I was cussing when the Steelers scored.

It sounds like you were quoting me.

What the *$@*&$#@


Why throw a tight end screen on fourth and seven....it would have been a great call on third down.

Exactly. Call the screen on 2nd or 3rd. Miller gets 6, runs out of bounds.

Now a very manageable 3rd or 4th down to convert.

[Sarge]

I don't think it's any coincidence that Willie had 100 yards on 14 carries because he wasn't being pounded between the tackles the whole game. Running him a little more to the outside was a Godsend. Sadly, they didn't do it enough. 7.1 yards a pop is good stuff.

You know maybe it's just me, but I always thought that when some thing is working that well, you do it until the defense stops it. Jax had the run game going and kept running. The Pats passed all over the field and kept passing. We run well and start throwing. And keep throwing. And take Willie out. It just makes no sense. You'd almost swear Arians is still on the Browns' payroll.

[Steeltime]

You know maybe it's just me, but I always thought that when some thing is working that well, you do it until the defense stops it. Jax had the run game going and kept running. The Pats passed all over the field and kept passing. We run well and start throwing. And keep throwing. And take Willie out. It just makes no sense.

/s 4 million Steeler fans

[sling it]

... ... ...

[Southern Steeler]

The craziest call of the day worked. Who in there right mind would have called that play for the two point conversion. That was the ball game at the time. I realize it worked....but my wife couldn't understand why I was cussing when the Steelers scored.



I agree. I was absolutely beside myself about that play call. And that reaction was even AFTER I had seen it work.

Arians has to go. Soon.

[Steelerfan81]

Arians needs to go, without a doubt. If we're in a 2nd and 13+ you might as well punt then.. cause its going to be a screen pass or a draw and we're left with 3rd and real long.. and its gonna be the opposite of what was called one 2nd.

[Sarge]

Arians needs to go, without a doubt. If we're in a 2nd and 13+ you might as well punt then.. cause its going to be a screen pass or a draw and we're left with 3rd and real long.. and its gonna be the opposite of what was called one 2nd.

Good point. What's even more amazing is how good the Steelers have been on 3rd down over the season despite being put at a disadvantage by play calling.

[steelrazor]

I agree. I was absolutely beside myself about that play call. And that reaction was even AFTER I had seen it work.

Arians has to go. Soon.

People are complaining about Arians even when plays work now...

[Southern Steeler]

People are complaining about Arians even when plays work now...


you gotta admit it was terrible. Didn't your asshole draw up when you saw it?

[Penguins Fan]

Arians needs to be sent out of town as fast as possible. He is terrible.

[Sarge]

you gotta admit it was terrible. Didn't your asshole draw up when you saw it?

I guess I'm in the minority. I was pleased some of his nonsense actually worked. The only cussing I did was to shout "Fuck yeah."

[scrapdog]

Good point. What's even more amazing is how good the Steelers have been on 3rd down over the season despite being put at a disadvantage by play calling.


True dat.

They're tied for 3rd in the league with a 48% conversion rate (95/200).


It's amazing with all these decent stats (D - #1, TOP - #1, etc.), they still get their asses handed to them as they did yesterday.

As someone already stated today, stats mean squat when it comes down to overall performance. I too put the majority of the blame on Arians' poor play calling.

[Southern Steeler]

I guess I'm in the minority. I was pleased some of his nonsense actually worked. The only cussing I did was to shout "Fuck yeah."

I equate it to the WR end around on 4th and goal from the 1. Utterly ridiculous, IMO.

[Sarge]

I equate it to the WR end around on 4th and goal from the 1. Utterly ridiculous, IMO.

The only thing that stopped that play was Hines running into the back of Willie Colon. If Willie had gotten any kind of push it's an easy TD. Not so much a bad call as poor execution by getting hammered at the point of attack.

Had Ced kept moving to his right, he was meat. But he avoided the tackler and made a play. It's what we ask our guys to do. I think it was the right call at that time. Jax obviously never expected that. Execution made it a success.

[Penguins Fan]

I equate it to the WR end around on 4th and goal from the 1. Utterly ridiculous, IMO.

The other play call that was just as stupid was the pass play on third and two from midfield against the Jets when the Steelers needed one first down to keep the ball and run out the clock.

Bruce Arians sucks. No slants, no three step drops, and he dismissed Dan Kreider - with an offensive line that may be worse than the injury-plagued 2003 OL and maybe worse than any Steeler OL since the Bill Austin era.

The Steelers have lots of big play guys - Big Ben, Willie Parker, Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, Heath Miller, and Ike & Troy on defense - but the OL and DL are lousy and the LBs play like they are stuck in ankle deep mud.
Smith and Faneca have had it. Mahan stinks. Colon is mediocre at best.

What has Kiesel done all year? Farrior? Haggans?

[GoSteelers]

maybe he needs glasses to read the play chart.
he may think he's being clever like whiz, and all his gadget plays that he would throw in during a game. only bruce isn't whiz and has no clue.

[Southern Steeler]

Most of what I hate about his job performance is the unwillingness to adjust the playcalling to offset our obvious weaknesses. If pass protection is a problem, then call shorter, quicker pass routes. If we're not running the ball well, go to a short passing game. If we are running the ball well, then continue to do it while mixing in some stretch-the-field type bombs to Santonio.

This really isn't brain surgery is it?

[SteelerFan448]

Had Ced kept moving to his right, he was meat. But he avoided the tackler and made a play. It's what we ask our guys to do. I think it was the right call at that time. Jax obviously never expected that. Execution made it a success.

And thanks to a nice block by Roethlisberger.

[Ghost of Frenchy Fuqua]

...Had Ced kept moving to his right, he was meat. But he avoided the tackler and made a play...

Wilson to me is a bit of an enigma.

He isn't more than a so-so receiver, yet he seems to be pretty athletic.

Maybe it would be wise to use some of those skills more often from the backfield, a la Randle El.

(Although I almost needed to get a pacemaker after that 2-point conversion.)

[Sarge]

Most of what I hate about his job performance is the unwillingness to adjust the playcalling to offset our obvious weaknesses. If pass protection is a problem, then call shorter, quicker pass routes. If we're not running the ball well, go to a short passing game. If we are running the ball well, then continue to do it while mixing in some stretch-the-field type bombs to Santonio.

This really isn't brain surgery is it?

You won't get an argument out me here. No way. The slow developing pass routes are a big reason for the number of sacks and hits Ben has taken this year. Yet we continue to do it. Just like those dumbass draw plays on 3rd and a mile. I think that's why everyone thinks the 2 pt conversion play was a dumb call that just happened to work. Maybe it was. But maybe it was something that Jax didn't expect, our team executed it, and boom, tie game. It's ok to say it was a good call. Last year, it wouldn't have surprised anyone because we saw gadgets regularly. Might be wishful thinking, but maybe Arians is learning a little. A gadget play and running Willie outside instead of trying to pound him between the tackles all game in the same game. He just needs to fix the passing game, more specifically, the 5 and 7 step drops and slow developing routes. No one would expect 3 step drops and quick slants. If he adjusts and does what he hasn't done all year, the Steelers will smoke the Rams. Wishful thinking? Perhaps. But he made two adjustments this week that we hadn't seen much all season. There's enough talent on this offense that if Arians would remove his head from his ass, some of the problems would be alot less glaring. Here's hoping Tomlin finally puts his foot in Bruce's ass.

[StillerinGA]

I don't know what everybody is complaining about, according to this Arians is one of the hot assistants in the league. Please let Arthur Blank hire him.


Falcons' search could take a while

Team can't have talks with current coaches for at least three weeks

Published on Saturday, Dec 15, 2007


Associated Press

Less than a year ago, the Atlanta Falcons needed less than a week to hire Bobby Petrino to replace Jim Mora as the team's coach.

For a number of reasons, including the fact Petrino was, by his admission, a bad fit for the NFL, the Falcons' latest coaching search is expected to take much longer.

Another reason the search could take a long time is that Petrino's sudden resignation Tuesday to take the head coaching job at the University of Arkansas came with three games left in the NFL regular season. The Falcons must wait at least three weeks to speak with current NFL coaches and assistants.

Petrino's ugly exit would seem to decrease the chances Falcons owner Arthur Blank and General Manager Rich McKay will hire another college coach. Petrino had been an NFL assistant for three years but was a college coach at the University of Louisville before he moved to Atlanta in January. He told Blank and McKay he wasn't comfortable working with pro players.

It would seem unlikely McKay would set himself up for another college coach to make the same discovery. Butch Davis, Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban are other recent examples of coaches who returned from the NFL to college jobs. Spurrier and Saban each lasted only two years in the NFL.

''You eliminate no one,'' McKay said Wednesday when asked if he'd consider another college coach. But then McKay quickly added, ''Secondly, you pay attention to history.''

The history lessons left by Petrino will be difficult to ignore.

The Falcons, who play at Tampa Bay on Sunday, made veteran secondary coach Emmitt Thomas the interim head coach.

The Falcons must wait to interview current NFL coaches, though teams may request permission to interview candidates during the playoffs.

There are some notable former NFL coaches who do not have jobs, including former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher and former San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Blank and McKay may seek interviews with NFL assistants they spoke with before hiring Petrino, including San Francisco linebackers coach and assistant head coach Mike Singletary and San Diego linebackers coach Ron Rivera.

Other hot NFL assistants include Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.

[Sarge]

They can have him. Take him, please.

[CAH]

In the 4th qtr, I saw our O get that determined look on their faces and they scored 2 tds, 1 and 2 pointers to tie the game. Then our D played with no determination and let the Jags own the field.

This team generally lacks motivation. We all see that. Maybe Tomlin isn't doing his job of getting a fire lit under the team. When we won the super bowl, no one can doubt the motivation of the team. It just isn't there now.

[steelrazor]

you gotta admit it was terrible. Didn't your asshole draw up when you saw it?

Oh it did... But you got to admit that it was a good call. it provided the desired result..and thats all that matters at the end of the day.

[jasen@cardiostack]

In the 4th qtr, I saw our O get that determined look on their faces and they scored 2 tds, 1 and 2 pointers to tie the game. Then our D played with no determination and let the Jags own the field.

This team generally lacks motivation. We all see that. Maybe Tomlin isn't doing his job of getting a fire lit under the team. When we won the super bowl, no one can doubt the motivation of the team. It just isn't there now.

ive been saying for a long time that tomlin flat out sucks as a coach. i wanted him over the other guys and like everything he says but i cant remember a steeler team that comes out flatter week after week. and that is on the coach. this is one of the worst prepared teams in the league and that falls on the hc. this team got lucky playing a really weak schedule and were able to overcome early game woes but lost to opponents that a decent team should not lose to. i as a steeler fan would go back begging cowher on my hands and knees. and dont give me it's tomlins first year, remember cowhers first year. tomlin cares more about how he looks in his sunglasses then watching film of the pats throwing the fucking football all over every fucking opponent.

[Vindrow]

They can have him. Take him, please.


Hell, we'll even pay Atlanta to take him....unfortunatly that may be the only way we can get rid of him...I have a feeling that if we make the playoffs they will keep him as the OC....So, heres hoping the Atlanta takes him off our hands.

[thatrain]

I did not like that 2pt call. Trick plays should be smooth and, well, tricky. That was a jerky and ugly. However, Ben showed that he's the best blocker in our backfield.

[markymarc]

I would love to see some more trick plays with Cedrick Wilson. It is very frustrating that Arians does not seem to adjust his play calling throughout the game. When Ben is getting hit please for the love of god call short and underneath passes. Ben definitely missed a couple of throws on the last drive, but the TE pass on 4th down was stupid.

[Lunar7]

arians is probably putting triple reverses in the playbook for 3rd and 1 as we speak.

[Steelersrule]

arians is probably putting triple reverses in the playbook for 3rd and 1 as we speak.

I for one would like to see Chan Gailey back as OC

[tooz]

Do you ever wonder if he's still on the Stains payroll?????

[Ghost of Frenchy Fuqua]

...maybe worse than any Steeler OL since the Bill Austin era...

Wow - a Bill Austin reference!

That has to be worth some points, or cash, or something.

(For the those on the board under about 45, he was coach before the Chuckster.)

[FAB802]

Jasen, with all due respect last year the team was as unmotivated as I've ever seen a Steeler team.

[JEFFRO]

Game plans and play calling seem to go against convenional wisdom.

If the defense is bad against the run, we pass the ball.

If the defense is bad against the pass, we run the ball.

We STILL do not throw the ball consistently to our TE's.
Jeez, it worked great early in the season. Our TE's had consistently caught the ball over the middle, led the team in TD's and then it became an afterthought.

I like Tomlin, but Arians needs to go.

[Ghost of Frenchy Fuqua]

On the Tribune-Review website, there's a headline (dated Wednesday) titled "Steelers' Arians rethinks calls against Patriots."

But when you click on the link, there's no story.

Somehow that's fitting...

[Jer]

It's hard to watch this level of inadequate play calling. I find myself saying sarcastic and bitter comments like..."it's third and 20 Ariens...CALL A QB Sneak you fucking prick!!...you know you want to!!"

It's just not healthy.

Even my son is getting in on the action. " Hey Dad? Maybe Ariens needs new glasses?"

"no son, he needs to go back to coach the Browns"
"but, we hate the Browns Dad"
"Exactly buddy"

[bearcatsno69]

I agree with Arians going. I finally made it to a game at Heinz Field, so I know first hand how bad the conditions were. What I couldn't believe was when Willie got the corner, he got huge gains. Why not swing it out to him more and get him in the open field quicker for the one on one matchups with a LB. Both QBs were having trouble with the deep ball. Alot of passes were sailing. I was surprised that there were not more picks.

[Dixon Hand]

You have to believe that both Arians and Lebeau are merely "transistional" coaches. A feeble attempt by the Rooney's to allow Tomlin to acclimate himself slowly. That being said, Lebeau has also shown some chinks in his armor lately. But more than his coaching you have to throw some blame on the defense. Jagoffville didn't suprise anyone. They said they would run and they did! I give kudos to Jagoffsville in that they really did a good job of throwing a pass at the right time - something Arians lacks! They stacked 8 in the box and the Jagoffs STILL ran over them. That's players NOT coaches. As for Arians, he sucked in Cleveland and has done nothing to show he has changed his ways.

Suck it up for this year and see who comes to the table next year.

Did I mention that they should fire Arians NOW?

[MattArndt]

Bruce Arians sucks. No slants, no three step drops, and he dismissed Dan Kreider - with an offensive line that may be worse than the injury-plagued 2003 OL and maybe worse than any Steeler OL since the Bill Austin era.

In 2003, everyone said our coaches became "enamored" with the passing game of Tommy Maddox. I say, we couldn't run the ball, so we didn't run the ball. This year isn't much different, but the OL hasn't had the injuries. We can't run the ball inside consistently because the OL is being pushed around, even against 6 or 7 man fronts.

Arians is a buffoon. We all saw what he did in Cleveland. I don't see how that record prompted his promotion to OC, other than keeping the job in house and familiar to the organization and players.

[OFTT]

I agree with Arians going. I finally made it to a game at Heinz Field, so I know first hand how bad the conditions were. What I couldn't believe was when Willie got the corner, he got huge gains. Why not swing it out to him more and get him in the open field quicker for the one on one matchups with a LB. Both QBs were having trouble with the deep ball. Alot of passes were sailing. I was surprised that there were not more picks.

Me and the wife went also - damn that wind was brutal !!!

What really sticks with me from Sunday is seeing our receivers consistently get pretty good seperation and not capitalizing on it - for two main reasons ... Ben was sailing alot of his early mid to deep throws like bearcat alluded to above, and him just not having any reasonable pass protection ...

I agree wholeheartedly, why the fuck we dont have more swing passes to Parker in the playbook (or called) is unforgivable, especially considering how easily the protection collapses ... even though it was a broken play, the desperation dump to Parker was a huge play and showcases why having actual drawn up dumps/swings to him in the flat needs to be in the gameplan ... scrap that pathetic WR bubble screen bullshit that averages about 2 yards per screen the way we run it and replace that POS with getting Parker the ball in the flats - that bubble screen is really frying my nuts this year.

Screens/dumps would probably take some of the edge off the pass rush since because Einstein Arians has scrapped virtually all 2-3 step drops, pass rushers get to go all out balls to the wall when rushing against this pass offense instead of having to worry about Parker chipping and getting loose in the flat with any kind of regularity.