Time for small ball?

This is my first post, but I've been following this team and the NFL for over 40 years, so bear with me.

The past couple of years the general consensus is that the Steelers have to "outscore" teams because the defense is bad. Why does that have to mean 35-34 type shootouts? It's fun to watch Ben throw for 400+ and receivers running up and down the field, but that style has never translated to playoff success for this team.

Maybe it's time to lean on Bell and Williams, sprinkle in an appropriate dose of AB, and use play action to hit Coates over the top. Shorten the game for a defense that shouldn't be on the field for more than 25 minutes and wear the other team out.

Seems like they're trying to run the same scheme they would have run were Martavis Bryant and Ladarius Green available, but they're not.

 

I agree that a healthy dose of play action should be involved considering a backfield that features Williams and/or Bell.

 

The lack of a credible run game against Philadelphia was huge. They need to balance it up, to be sure.

 

If and when they play the Eagles again or a team that plays the Wide 9 they need to attack it differently. Not having Nix hurt but they were never able to force them into backing the safeties off or back the LB's up to cover the TE and after JJ dropped one Ben lost a lot of confidence in him and just stopped looking his way.

 

whether we score 3-0 and win or we score 42-38 and win.. i dont care just win.

 

Not completely sold on small ball, but this team does seem incapable of timely adjustments. Take what the other team will give is not in the DNA. Not sure why. Fundamentals and wtf poor coaching decisions happen too often. This is a talented team, but they often underperform. The consistency is lacking. I agree with the original post regarding how long our defense should be exposed. Again, many casual observers conclude this, but the coaches appear not to.

 

100% agree! They seem to develop game plans based on what they want to do, not to take advantage of the other team's weaknesses. Ben made the comment after Philly that maybe they were trying to do too much.

Belichick will find your weak spots and pick at them like scabs.

KC has great cornerbacks but can't stop the run. The game plan should be obvious, but I fear Ben will be throwing into coverage downfield early and often.

 

Welcome new guy. Good post.

 

The thing that I don't understand from the Philly game was the lack of anything intermediate. It seemed as if most pass attempts were either within five yards or less of the LOS, or beyond 25. It seemed like an all or nothing mentality that failed miserably, especially with Ben having an off day.

 

I gotta agree with this and add that my pet peeve is the 2 yard pass on 3rd and 5 to a guy that's got a LB on top of him.

 

When #7 throws less than 40 times a game the winning percentage goes way UP.

 

you mean go deep to

DHB

there i said it

 

remember the good ol days when we won more and we won alot more when Ben threw less than 30 times
remember?
that was neat

 

I'm sure I heard the 'memberberries say that !

 

If he ain't not non past the first down marker, don't throw to him.

 

Having Bell back is going to benefit Brown. Secondary won't be able to key on Brown if Bell slices and dices them from underneath.

 

Let's throw it 39 times then

 

small ball? The NFL doesn't really like players to use steroids.