So who really calls the plays?

How much leeway does Ben have for calling the plays? I know Haley probably sends in some options, but coming up to the line it seems Ben has lots of decisions to make after reading the defensive set. And while I admire his ability to scramble, his frequency of scrambling implies (a) the line did not give him time for the play as called (was it the wrong blocking scheme?), (2) the receivers didn't get open on the route as designed, (iii) Ben couldn't see that the receivers were open enough, and relies on scrambling to wait for the coverage to break down, (d) it was the wrong play to be used and the D just sniffed out what they were going to do. The lack of any blowout victories suggests with all the offensive firepower we are supposed to have, something ain't workin'. It is probably a combination of all of the above.

I think our offensive consistency is a complex problem with no simple solution. I hope they are good enough the next two weeks, and maybe longer.

 

What plays??? paper, scissors, rock....ok this will work!!!!!

 

I have noticed that we aren't too successful when Ben checks off the play at the line of scrimmage.
Whenever he sees a defense he doesn't like and changes the play to a run, we never gain more than one yard.
When he changes to a pass, it is usually to a bubble screen or quick slant that gains 5 yards or less.
He seems to be better when we go no-huddle and he doesn't have much time to think about things.

 

Yea, it is puzzling. Ben's apparent success in the no huddle (todays' game notwithstanding), goes against his apparent weakness in audibling plays, but maybe the no huddle doesn't allow the defense to give Ben such complicated looks and packages. And that raises a technical question for me - does the OC still have time to send in plays in a no huddle offense? I am not sure what the rule is on that. I thought the radio had to be shut off at a particular time of the playclock, but I am not sure.

 

Yeah...I think Ben runs the show when we go no-huddle. Sure, we have "ready-made" packages that he runs during this time, but you are right...the defense is stuck with their personnal and can only do so much. It also plays right into his "schoolyard" football skills.

 

So if it plays to his strengths, why not use it more. Tomlin kept saying when Ben was hurt that they would tailor th e game plan to the QB's strengths - do we do that with Ben? If schoolyard ball is his strength, why not go with it?

 

Good question...maybe that just makes too much sense?!?! Probably for the same reason they still keep calling those slow-developing run plays that barely make the line of scrimmage.
I will say that we were real close to doing some good things on several occasions. A missed block here, dropped pass there, errant throw. We're close, we just have absolutely NO confidence.

 

Seems to me that's pretty much what BA did and he got fired for it.

 

Because schoolyard ball will only carry us so far. Schoolyard ball is far too inconsistent. What we need is for Ben to drop back and quickly go through his reads, then throw an accurate pass to the receiver, all within 3 seconds. We also need him to change the protection when warranted, but that's a different topic.

 

Arians got fired because his situational playcalling was atrocious and he was too predictable to defenses.

The problem with the Steelers offense is it is too complex for Ben to figure out especially when it comes to quick reads.

 

I'm in no position to either agree or disagree as I really don't know if there's any truth to what you said, but if that is the case that Ben can't run a typical NFL offence and he's only good at sandlot football, then it's time to start the process of replacing him with a QB that can run our offence. As Ben ages, his backyard style football will become less and less successful, and in fact, it already has. Ben used to be the master at game winning drives, that's not the case anymore. Ben used to be far more mobile and athletic than he is now. He's getting up there in age, and the only way to fight father time is to stand in the pocket and make accurate throws. Any other style of play will not bode well for a QB that's on the wrong side of 30.

 

Did you forget the "add sarcasm" comment?