By: Brandon J. Wallace
SteelerNation.com
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, Randy Fichtner has been under a lot of scrutiny in 2020 regarding the play of the offense. Whether it's been the non-existent run game, the "predictable" short passing game, or the overall total points scored, the Steelers have struggled to score during their current two-game losing streak. Steeler Nation will be the fist to tell you that these issues were happening long before these last two games, but were covered up a bit better because the team was winning. Now, with the regular season winding down and the team fighting for playoff position, the boys in black and gold will look to get back on track, and that starts with Fichtner.
Fichtner took to the media on Thursday and was asked a barrage of questions we're ALL wondering at the moment -- starting with if defenses have figured out the short passing game:
"If you're going to throw the football, you got to catch the football," Fichtner said. "We talk about running the ball and efficient runs are 4+. If we're going to throw short with the opportunity to run long, the short aspect of that has to be caught. Whatever we get after that is bonus." "I wouldn't said it's a matter of they've caught onto it. We've got to make our plays."
On why the Steelers haven't tried more intermediate to deep passing plays, Fichtner gave his opinion on that as well:
"Maybe because there hasn't been as many allocated to it [practice time]. You know I think whatever you miss in that three week time of walk through, playing/not playing, games being moved, I think back to repetition of just throwing and catching for our guys. That's not an excuse, but if there would've been one area you would've backed off of, it would've been potentially throwing deep balls." Fichtner continued. "Having this week we're there's a resemblance of getting back to a 'real' week, we worked on that yesterday, we'll continue today. ...it'll be an area of emphasis."
Fichtner has expressed his confidence in quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger's ability to throw the ball downfield, and in the receivers to make big plays. He says he's excited about practice this week and that's he's "not afraid to throw the ball downfield."
The Steelers are set to take on the division rival, Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football at 8:15 pm ET. Does the offense finally get back on track? Sound off in the comment section below!
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