An interesting offensive change

Over the last two weeks we seem to have largely switched to a gap/power blocking scheme. I wonder if it has more to do with who we played the last two weeks or self reflection for lack of a better term. Kind of a okay our lineman still aren’t getting the zone thing so let’s get back to basics

 

I would assume it's going to be permanent but will see.

 

i think because it's hard to run an outside zone scheme with 6 o-linemen and a TE or 2. 7-8 players being used to make the run game go. which is fine but it limits players in pass patterns with play action. more TE usage though. which is working.

 

Personally I hope it’s a permanent change, but that’s pretty much 100% just my personal preference.

 

4-3 teams?

 

I know they’ve mentioned using an extra offensive line,en against 4-3 defenses. Now is the switch from zone to gap/power because of the extra moving parts or just self reflection remains to be seen. The bengals base d is a 4-3, but they do play some 3-4 as well. Since their defense isn’t exactly a strong unit this week might be telling. If we’re still running gap/power, but aren’t trotting out Anderson for 25% of the snaps that would indicate a change by smith

 

Maybe we just concluded that our OL is better in the gap/power. The RB's are good in either scheme, but the OL seems to be responding to whatever we've done the last two games. The Browns have a really good run defense (and we didn't run a crazy amount) but we averaged as a team 4.0 YPC (4.7 by our starter) if you take out the 3 kneel downs by Rudolph. We clearly didn't dominate them in the manner we did against the Vikings, but we opened good holes for our backs and made it a lot easier on ourselves in PA and down/distance etc.

The Bengals are bottom 5 in yards allowed rushing (4.4 YPC) so I expect that we should lean on that on Thursday. They're also second worst in yards allowed passing, so if the run game is working it should open up the pass. No excuse to not have a decent bit of offensive success against the Bengals.

 

Maybe the OC is just doing something that we've all wanted him to do but claim he never does....gameplanning for the opponent.

 

I agree. The Rhino offense as madden called it is working.

 

THANKS TOMLIN!!!!

 

Don’t be coming around here with that common sense crap

We will have none of that

 

I truly believe it is about personnel matchups regarding who we are playing vs. trying to work out what Arthur Smith wants to do. Something I have noticed that hasn't been talked about yet is how Arthur Smith has pivoted from doing what he wants to doing what is necessary. Compare that to his time at Atlanta.


Arthur Smith has definitely come around. That said, I was a fan of the hire (for the most part) back in 2024. He just needed to get the right pieces on Offense to make his Offense work. There is still some missing but much of the foundation for 2025 is set.

 

I said as much in the game thread. Smith (and/or Rodgers) playcalling has been top shelf stuff the last two weeks. Rodgers' ability in PA is clearly a difference maker. The roll right with a pass to DK striding across the field for a nice gain was textbook.

 

I've was thinking it was a game to game thing, per opponent, but I guess we will see throughout the year.

 

Speak for yourself please

 

They made a similar switch after firing Canada.

 

They make the switch about this time every dang year it seems. They come out trying to run zone something or other and then they just end up switching to maul the guy in front of you. If Smith really wants to get folks excited, he will start pulling guards.

 

Come on. I said maybe.

 

Brandon Thorn has been repeating this since he first started Trench Warfare a while back. Teams shouldn't Pidgeon Hole their Offensive Lines into one particular style of blocking. There should be a multi array of blocking schemes that are designed to maximize your Offenses chances of success.


Given how Zone Block Heavy Arthur Smith was prior to coming to Pittsburgh, to say he himself has evolved not only as a Play Caller but as a Coach speaks volumes. Definitely one of the most unheralded Coaches on the Steelers Roster right now.

 

You should probably watch the games.

 

I never liked zone in anything, defense, or blocking, got to have your communications down completely, too easy to make a mistake, specially for a younger less experienced crew.

 

I am going with what another poster said in another thread, I think
AR is making alot of suggestions. And Arthur Smith is listening.

 

things are working so it definitely has nothing to do with Tomlin.

if things stop working, then it definitely has something to do with Tomlin.