Why is the pitch out to Najee still in the playbook?

It never works. I think the entire Steeler Nation groans as soon as we see it happening. Why do we keep trying it? He does not have the vision for that play. He'll make the most out of an obvious hole, but he's not making magic happen otherwise.

You can chuck the Najee off-tackle on first down while you're at it, too.

 

All he had to do was secure the ball that was a perfect pitch to him. The Steelers lost all momentum on that fumble and then the defense was an embarrassment the rest of the way.

 

I kept saying that Warren must have been nursing an injury or something---we kept feeding the ball to Najee on 1st / 2nd down early in the game and getting stuffed. Too much Patterson later, too. He looks like a TE trying to run the ball--kind of like when we tried Heyward at FB. Give it to Warren more--especially on tosses--and/or throw more on early downs. Ugh.

 

Smith was playing the wheel of Pitch Outs. Pathetic play calling.

 

We love doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result

 

We have been saying the same thing most of the year. I think we all seen enough of the Harris pitch. What gets me is the Arthur keeps calling it and dose not recognize that Harris is too slow for that type of play. Please, please throw that play away and get Muth and Warren more involved.

 

it's Tomlin, some of you WILL NEVER GET IT

 

Smith is Mini-Tomlin, that is WHY MIKE liked him.....

 

I appreciate Harris when he's punishing the D, breaking tackles and dragging guys down the field. I love physical football.
But I'm just not a fan. He's not a playmaker at all. Hopefully we can replace him in the off season with someone better

 

Harris is not fast or actually not quick either. You have to at least be quick in the NFL. Even the Bus was quick on his feet, and Bell was quick in making a few cuts even though he was not fast at all. Najee is all power with not much in the way of making quick cuts, not quick in changing direction. And he needs alot of help from the line. So yeah the pitch out is probably not the best way to use him,

 

And yet the front office apparently doesn’t see what we as fans see. Recipe for disaster.

 

Ageed, coaches and MT have no imagination whatsoever.

 

Man... hopefully this doesn't happen against Baltimore. Last time this happened... Baltimore's speed was too much.

 

Most teams stack the box on 1st and 2nd down of us because we are too predicable and run Harris up the middle . We are not a very creative offense. Our play calling and personnel players of Patterson, Pruit and Heyward getting to many targets and taking away from Warren, Muth and Washington.

 

the pitch is the new sideways screen pass we did at the end of Ben's career.

 

in the past 3 games Washington has had 2 targets.

 

nice work Smith

 

Everytime there is a play from the new OC that people don't like, and that some people think, somehow Tomlin is involved. If Tomlin was involved.....the play would be the same, but people that Don't really think about things don't realize this.
For example:
Haley had the Wr screen.
Canada had the jet sweep
Now Smith with the pitch out.
None of these plays are bad, and all of these plays have other plays built off of them, and have been run all year, but many don't see it, and if You just use a certain player for a certain play....people that actually pay attention....like DCs notice this.
Also enough of the Warren against Najee bull$hit. I seen neither do really anything in this game.

 

Maybe there's a bright side to the fumble if it keeps them from ever running the plat again.

who am I kidding? It will be the 1st play on the script Saturday.

 

At this point in looks like a contractual obligation in Smith's contract.

Had enough of Harris tbh, he looks great when the game is won against a poor opponent trampling over defenders. but his play never actually wins games, too slow, can't make anything happen it's like night and day when Warren is healthy and in the game.

 

Thanks for posting this. I was hoping someone would break this down. It definitely confirms what I was seeing. Does it mean a pitch/toss play can’t work and should never be called? No, but it certainly illustrates how poorly we’ve been at executing it. So either coach them up (seems unlikely at this point in the season) or ditch that play…. Maybe once or twice a game, but there is no justifying calling it several times…. It’s killing the offense.

 

And none of those plays are good.

 

Arthur Smith was hired very quick. He is a conservative play caller who had his best success with a stud running back and solid tight ends.

This lined up perfect with Tomlin who wants a conservative style offense. Tomlin likes to keep the score low, play close to the vest and have his defense control the tempo. He said that himself being a defensive mind. A dinosaur mentality but here we are.

Run, Run and pass. This predictable state will not have you go far heading into the playoffs.

Smith best get Wilson some first down throws in there, up tempo, quick throws utilizing Warren more as well as Freiermuth and Williams and Austin III who has been coming on. You have a Wilt Chamberlin sized tight end. How about some mismatches utilizing his ginormous size?

Van down by the river Jefferson should be on the sidelines. He is Brutal.

Harris being a seasoned vet in his 4th season and instead of making sure he secures the ball is looking up field

Smith needs to stop this pitch out nonsense. If utilized it should be going to Warren.

Can Smith get more imaginative? He better...

 

he was hired as a 'safe' pick. did anyone HERE expect Tomlin to step out of his comfort zone? No. No one did. He would never dare bring someone bright in here, to 'show him up.' His ego is way too fragile.

it is.....what it is.

I doubt Smith can change any more than we can expect different things from Tomlin.


it is a dull predictable for the most part offense, always has been with Smith. I read a Philly report that they 'knew what we were going to run on offense'. the flea flicker play was shocking - loved it , but shocking. Like i have said, Najee handoffs on first down, 2nd and long almost every 2nd down.....

it gets old w Steelers football.