Back to the Future : Should Old Time Steelers Football Return? For Real.

By now most know the Cheats just got beat two weeks in a row (at home) where they had been nearly invincible for quite some time. The Titans used Henry to ***** slap them up and down the field last night and knock them out of the playoffs. The Cheats dink and dunk Jedi Master couldn't get points on the board as in the old days and possibly ended his last game at Gillette with a P6. This made me very happy. The Rats are the most productive offense in the NFL and its the run that is making Jackson look better than if he was strickly a throwing QB. As we get into the off season and all of these threads are debating which direction should the Steelers go, there seems to differing opinions of which position has the highest priority. Some say QB, OL, RB, WR's, TE, etc. To me, it seems like the NFL is heading back to the run more than in the past. With teams going for 5'5" gnat QBs (Tua, Murray, Minefileld) who are fleet a foot, should the Steelers concentrate on getting back our running game, for real? Our OL is more of a pass blocking group and it took LB's style of running to get production on the ground. For me, the OL is key and also getting a line that can be productive on the ground and should be our #1 priority. Without a #1 pick, we may be able to get some talent in the second thru fifth rounds and begin the process. If Ben is not his self then this track seems to minimize the impact. The Pats, in a do or die game and with a good defense, could not stop the Titan running game and it cost them. What would it take for the Steelers to get back to what made up great? Defense is close but what about the Offense? Thoughts

 

With this coach? Uh uh not happening.

And I am curious to see how far the run will take the Ravens. There is such a thing as overuse.

 

Sure if we had a Derrick Henry type of RB.

 

Derrick Henry-type RB's usually aren't found in the later rounds. Just sayin...

 

They aren’t exactly dime a dozen either.

 

Thing is Jackson can throw too lol

 

Bettis good to go?

 

It sucks that other teams are playing Steelers football better than the Steelers.

 

This is a question of what do we go for first, the chicken or the egg. In this case skill players or lineman that can make the run game go and protect the QB. My point was is our line is/ has deteriorated somewhat this year for whatever reasons (Munch leaving, age, injuries, apathy, etc) and I think this is the first area of concern that needs to be addressed to get back to fundamental Steeler football. With the RBs we already have I think they are good enough to rotate in and make some noise on the ground IF we can get them blocking to establish a ball control type of offense.

 

Yes but for how long? Only takes one hit/tackle for his star to fade. He plays a very risky style of QB in the NFL.

 

Yes and I saw more stats during the games today that showed the 4 leading rushing teams are in the playoffs and the 4 leading passing teams are not. Ben had a great year throwing last year in passing yards but that stat is becoming over inflated especially when we only win 9 games and miss the playoffs.

 

Replenish the OL, a healthy Ben will make them look better, we will see less teams stacking the box. Draft 2 OL and another RB, then we should be good.

 

That's a really good point. And it helps to make your argument about getting back to a more traditional style offense.

I totally agree with you about the offensive line. The offense starts with the OL. Without it, everything breaks down and you end up playing against the defense instead of dictating to it.

We don't need a stud like Henry. We had a stud in Bell, but you see how well he did in NY without a solid line to open holes for him. We have a stable of backs, with or without JC, that can tote the rock just fine behind a competent line.

But you asked about the direction we should go...I would love for us to get back to a ball control, pound the rock type offense. Defenses are light and fast right now and can swarm to the ball carrier. Bruising backs like Henry and Chubb work well against todays' defenses. BSnell might not be in their league, but he's quite capable of hitting a hole with authority and leaning into the tackle.

So yeah, to your question, and point, I think we should try to reinvent ourselves as a running team. We are going through an identity crisis anyway, and we don't have a marquis qb to build an offense around. Probably the easiest thing to do would be to go back to basics and start putting together a tough-minded offense that focuses on doing the little things right. You can never go wrong by getting back to basics and doing the fundamental things better than your opponent.

 

Why waste a pick on a RB when we've got a capable stable of backs already? I don't get this. You aren't the only one saying it, so I'm not singling you out. BSnell can run behind a good line. Sam proved he could run behind a good line last year. Whyte is unproven, but once again, a good OL makes the skilled positions around it better.

 

Conner isn't going to play 16 games in 2020, Samuels is nothing but a receiver out of the backfield, he's not a good runner. They can get a good RB this draft ready to share the load with Snell in 2021, let Conner walk after next season, if Whyte sticks around it might be for his special teams play.

 

Conner isn't in my scenario for next season. Love the guy, but he's too fragile. And you're watching a different running back named Samuels than I am. The stable of Snell/Sam/Whyte is more than capable to carry for 1500 yards behind a solid OL and competent, healthy qb.

 

Samuels sucks as a pure runner, he had a good game against New England last year, and his wildcat vs the Bengals other than that I wouldn't waste any carries on him. Conner will be back next season, he's cheap and in the last year of his contract. Snell needs to get into better condition if he wants a bigger role next season, when Bell and Conner came into their second season in great shape they were quicker and more productive.

 

They were running behind one of the best OL's in football. No offense, but neither has proven they can run behind a bad OL.

 

The chances of getting a Henry type of RB, is slim and none. I will settle for a good solid rotation guy, we need a guy who can stay healthy first of all.

 

Pittsburgh is likely to get back to "Steelers Football" anyway as a young QBs best friend is the rushing attack. For that matter, me and @bigbenhotness discussed this in another thread; today's NFL Defenses are so much more susceptible to the run then they ever have been. As such, teams like the Titans and Ravens are taking full advantage of it; Baltimore the more notable of the two.



Players like Dexter Lawrence, Vita Vea and the upcoming Derrick Brown will be essential and will prove to be crucial in the 2020s. Three down Interior Lineman like those will be in more high demand than they ever have been. Running the ball will become more prevalent again; phenomns like Patrick Mahomes or otherwise.



Regardless of what the statistics state currently, power run teams will become a major component again within the next decade. Sure, passing will be a stable of the game but I believe this year's playoffs is setting up this decade. Not just setting it up either.



This playoffs could potentially define as to how teams now have to approach their Defensive Philosophy.

 

Two key goals for the organisation over this off season are to replenish the OLine and establish a reliable running game. Foster and Finney will be gone presumably so draft at least one interior lineman high and get another later for depth. Hopefully Chuks or Banner take a step forward in 2020.

Snell / Conner / Samuels / Whyte is ok but bolster this group with a free agent or trade a 2021 4th / 5th for somebody. I think Snell could be very productive and have regular 100 yard games in 2020 with the right infrastructure around him. If Conner stays healthy for stretches then that’s a bonus.

Derrick Henry is a generational type player, reminds me of a young Marshawn Lynch. You are not going to get a player like that without investing heavily in the draft. Perhaps in 2021 they could use their first or second pick on a running back but I don’t think they have that luxury this year. They should have tried to bag Hunt when he was available for nothing.

 

Going to need a balanced attack going forward. To have the illusion that Ben will throw 40 plus some times over and over is just a joke.

 

with those qb driven teams they also have good running games. Every one of them.

 

How are their offensive lines?