I have so many questions about how our offense is managed

My one hope for the offense Sunday night is that the Ravens don't rush the passer nearly as well as the Browns, so maybe Rodgers can play better with more time to throw. I don't buy the nonsense that they were too worried about the sack record. That's just Garret pumping up his own ego. Seriously, what else does he have after being stupid enough to sign long-term in Cleveland? I do think the coaches and Rodgers were far too conscious of the pass rush in Cleveland. They need more time to let things develop. If they allow that and they use Freiermuth, they might score enough points to at least have a chance.

 

Yup. Repetition is a valid and useful rhetorical technique. In this case, it also forces those too stubborn to admit it to at least consider it. I don't expect everyone, or even anyone, to admit they were wrong about the Pickens trade on one of these threads, but I know at least some of y'all have to be doing it internally.

 

so you’re saying that on a competent team he should do even better…but he came here and got worse?

 

I think we do hope for defensive TDs. At least I do...when Sawyer got that INT, I said to myself that we would win if he scored (he didn't). Had a 2nd chance, but Herbig dropped it. It's so rare that our offense looks efficient that we all get ecstatic and feel like we've finally turned a corner (like against Detroit with the current crew or when Mason got on a tear with Pickens & DJ). But usually it's regression to the mean quickly.

 

To be fair, the regression came when they lost Metcalf and Washington. I think they could have kept up something similar the rest of the way with those two guys.

 

I think its more than having that viable second receiver. We were better off with a younger Qb who could buy time and take a hit (like darnold). Besides, were not even using PF and Jonnu Smith who was coming off a pro bowl year. I think our problems extend beyond not having pickens or his replacement

 

Did you watch the three-game winning streak? The offense looked really good. With Pickens, it would have been significantly better, and also able to survive losing Metcalf.

 

yeah it was good. Not great. Even with pickens though i dont think we get far in the playoffs with 42 year old Rodgers. I see him getting worn out, specially this last game, afraid to take hits, getting rid of the ball too quickly. I think the better defenses in the playoffs take advantage of that in the postseason. I dont see a deep run with a guy like this even with the receivers

Then we have three good TE’s and our OC (and Rodgers) are not properly using two of them. So our playcalling is not all that good and would consist of counting on DK and pickens to win combat catches.

 

The MOF was there for the taking. But as usual for the Steelers, they looked elsewhere the entire game until it was desperation. Muth should have been camped there all game long. Steelers gameplan sure seemed like coaching not to lose rather than coaching to win. (I will give credit for the go on 4th down, but Rodgers made a horrendous decision on that play).

 

https://thesteelersfans.com/forums/...ve-kept-george-pickens-for-this-season.34921/

Try to keep up

Reading is fundamental

 

Whaaaaaaaaaaat?

If you commit to signing Rogers: Obviously a 1-year deal, also declaring 'we are all in'
Then one would 'think' one should make sure they have ammo for that gun.

Now let me address the premise.
Pickens was a problem, that is established and no argument there.
I am not pining for his services.

Why was he disgruntled?
I think that should be obvious.
Since we drafted him, we kept an offensive coordinator that had no idea what an offense is.
We had a parade of ne'er do wells at QB.
The guy knew he was a 1400 yard receiver, he's proven it. He also made some Sportscenter Highlight reels that are still being played while he was here.
So it's a fact we fumbled the ball there... no dispute.

Rogers would probably be throwing the ball to him a lot. We'll never know.
But it is really simple to see "Roman Wilson" is not a valid option, never will be.

So, in effect, we are sending Rogers to the gunfight at OK corral with a BB gun.

You already know what I would do if in Mr Rooney's shoes....
- Throw Omar out the door by the seat of his pants.
- Have a real serious conversation with my coaching staff to figure some issue out:
1. Why can't we coach up WR's?
2. Why do we have these lack-luster performances that clearly lack effort and game planning.
3. Why do we not find ways to use our best guys?
4. Why is it that coaching cannot push GM's for actual impact players and visa-versa. (and who is actually responsible for the S-Mart blue light specials and thinks those will be a solution)

If any cannot be answer, then they hit the road too.
But then again, I'm an A-hole owner.

 

I take a stab at it.



1. The coaches call the plays, and the players execute them. There are a few audibles, but they happen in less than 10% of the plays.


2. No! The players are different. It is up to the coaching to fill the role for the team. Plays should change to suit the talents or lack thereof based on who is out there.


3. Given that AR gets rid of his passes in less than 3 seconds on average, there is really only time for two options. He needs to read the defense and where the coverge is. AR is exceptional about not throwing it to double coverage , knows where the safeties and linebackers break etc... I wish he would throw it over the middle more than he does, but I suspect he has one more game to play as a Steeler.

4. All of the above

5. We are very predictable. I can predict whether the play is run or pass 80% of the time seconds before the snap. Yes our coaches are well, not bright on offense.

6. They are called way too often. The defense is waiting for them most of the time.

7. Muth must have called Tomlin's bady ugly. He is our best receiving TE. He is a sharp guy. One of our best football IQ types. He is also active on social media, and will give a thumbs up to the fans and chat back to the few who make football sense. At least has done so with me. Tomlin is never one to give 5 + minute interviews, and frowns upon players speaking up.

8. Rodgers yells at bone headed players who don't think. Most of the time, he's right. Aaron is a strange cat & sensitive cat. A football player who is a leader should not berate players so openly. Do it in private. Players can see it on TV when they watch it , or when they are in team meetings reviewing the game film do not like to be called out on the field. AR is probably a very High IQ guy, and he carries a grudge.

 

One small aspect of coaching and talent acquisition using WR as an example.
- The successful WR's can beat their man on the first move off the line and puts coverage on their heels - good CB's can recover quick.
- For a short "extended hand-off" game plan, your guys have to beat the coverage early.
- Coaching should identify this as a requirement and the acquisition team should find players to fit that need. Also coaching should identify those who don't fit.
- Coaching is also supposed to find strengths of players and finds ways to use those skills, not suppress them.

I'd also say that if we want to be a pass first type of offense, then you must man it with the best receivers you can.
You also need to run enough to force coverage to at least respect it.
So in my opinion, Arthur Smith came from the Joe Gibbs offenses, he likes play-action and he kind of likes the modified West Coast Offense (quick hitters).
By design, they throw mostly to the sidelines as that is safer. (they do throw to the middle, but probably less than some or maybe most)

I think they need to find a Chuck Muncie, Eric Dickerson, Adrian Peterson type RB. A big guy that can punish DB's and force the defense to respect the run.
Of course, that's probably impossible.
This is no knock on Gainwell or Warren. I like both but I'm not sure they can take the pounding of 20-30 carries a game (depending on success rate) for 17-games.
I was hoping Kaleb would fill that spot.

Lastly, it is not in question that Rogers isn't the same Rogers of 10 or 15 years ago. But to say his output is worse than his time with the Jets is just foolish.
He is 'operating' our offenses. He brings so much value with his knowledge and experience that all the players have benefitted.
I would agree 100% that Rogers should be handed the 2-minute offense. Smith should have that kind of trust in him as well as Tomlin. They have the headset to input on.
That hurry up before the half was vintage Rogers though there were a couple things that could have gone better.

 

There is no doubt we would be in a better place with a QB like Bo Nix, Drake Maye, Jayen Daniels, etc.... (if it were actually possible) than a string of washed up (ex-Chicago castoffs) and we didn't even try with the rookie. So, enter Rogers.
Rogers is 42 and there is no expectations of him extending those plays that went to commercial break and came back as he was throwing a 65-yard TD that he used to do.

The real scary thought is what happens next?

 

Pickens is doing the same crap with Prescott as his qb. My main problem with signing Rodgers was we would be in the exact same position heading into 2026.

 

Playing the Ravens who has a weak pass rush should get Gainwell more involved in the passing game, he had to stay in and help chip on Garrett a lot.

 

Just because his personal stats are down from the Jets doesn't mean he got worse, he has team in position to win their division .

 

And Pickens wouldn't come close to being a 1400 yard receiver if he was still on the Steelers, and Pickens would've continued to be a terrible teammate playing second fiddle to Metcalf. I doubt Pickens and Rodgers would've meshed on the field with him running his routes half assed sometimes.

 

Arthur Smith is the one who sends in the TE packages

 

Well, if you wanna use that as a argument, it's fine since even the other way is invalid also. "What Coudla, what shouda's"
I'm ok... but the stats prove he is capable.
And again, I don't pine for him. but facts are indeed facts.

About disagreeing.
I'm not wrong... the guy can catch.
and my angle is NOT to pine over him.

 

Ditto.... agree.
People get all wound up/triggered with the mention of Pickens.
As I said, facts are facts, undeniable... The guy can catch passes.
Think of Terrell Owens and the records he could have held... a lot.

I don't disagree these guys are headcases.
But if you can find a way to work with them, they get 1400 yards.

 

We have been arguing this all season it has been reported many times his teammates and the organization wanted Pickens gone.

 

It is a trigger, I can see that. But that is not the point.
The point is "How did it get there?" and "Why?"

Not many, and especially me are, key word being "pining," over him. Good riddance is my thought.

What I dislike is the fact that our folks were so stupid and neglectful that:
1. During the drafting process they failed. Bottom line, no other excuses, they failed to screen him.
2. Our staff couldn't even find a QB....
3. Our staff decided to keep Matt friggin Canada around.
4. Our staff managed to get 2 out 3 season close to 1,000 yards from him and 1 season over 1,000... sounds good but was it?
5. We replaced him basically with "Roman Wilson" as the original plan. (3WR)

That's 5 fails.
On the plus side, we did get a couple picks.... maybe we should have gotten better ones, but I can't debate that one.

Speculation about Rogers throwing to him is just that... but I could imagine DK having an easier time getting open.
Ok, I'll even spot you the fact that those 2 are both nut bags. (you might have not noticed I said I would cut Metcalf after the season)
Metcalf really put the screws to us.

My entire point was the fact we brought in Rogers who is obviously a 1-time shot and we sent him to the OK corral with a BB gun.
"insiders" around the league have panned our management for this. You just gotta wade through the PC things they say - they like to go unnamed.

I really think we are on the same page in the long haul. "Just catch the friggin ball"
To be honest, I would cut all our WR's with the exception of Austin after the season.
Rogers will retire, and I have no clue what plan they have nor any confidence that they even have one.

 

Your fifth point is the one that bugs me the most about the Browns game, in particular, but at other points in the season, too. Pittsburgh called 23 runs (not counting the scramble by Rodgers) and threw the ball 39 times Sunday in what was virtually a one-possession game throughout. We averaged 5.4 yards a carry rushing the ball (slightly more if you count the scramble), which doesn't surprise me because Cleveland has had trouble stopping the run lately and their best linebacker was playing on one drumstick. The Steelers passing game gave us 18 incompletions and 4.3 yards per attempt.

It's like the coaching staff was trying to let the Browns best players (Garrett and Ward) impact the game. Was that a result of hubris or stupidity? Had the run/pass ratio been reversed, I believe the Steelers would have won that game and had a week to get players healthy for the playoffs. They may still get in, but they will definitely need to devise a better game plan than whatever the hell that was on Sunday.