On further review . . .is it philosophical?

The Steelers have been puzzling me for a few years, and it looks like this year is starting off the same. The defense seems to have adopted the philosophy of preventing the other team from making big plays - a noble effort, which they often have success at (one or two plays a game notwithstanding). However, this also seems to prevent the Steelers defense from making the big plays. Last year's turnover drought is an example, and the inability to pressure the QB almost seems by design sometimes. I long for the days of Blitzburgh and the Steel Curtain when they seemed to play a riskier defense that created big plays rather than preventing them.

And now the offense seems to be veering toward a possession game - more emphasis on running, short passes, approaching the dink and dunk we all hate. We have speed at receiver - where are the long plays, the bombs? Once or twice a game to hope Wallace runs under one is not much of a strategy. The only real excitement any more is watching Troy mess with QB's heads, or use a judo move to tackle a receiver, and Ben's scrambling to save a busted play by the OL. Again, not much of a strategy.

I hope the upcoming weeks prove me wrong (after all, it has only been one game, and not a dreadful one), but the Steelers approach to football seems to be moving away from creating big splash plays and drifting toward a possession game. Maybe it is a good thing. I don't know. But it seems to be a change in philosophy.

 

Isn't that what we wanted? What you are describing as your preferred philosophy sounds pretty much like Arien's philosophy and if I remember correctly, he wasn't the most loved person in Pittsburgh for that.

Our defense was ranked #1 last year and even though they didn't have their best game against the Broncos, we were still in the game 2 minutes before the end. The one big play of the Broncos was just the perfect offensive play versus our defensive play. Without it Manning's stats wouldn't be that great. I think that we only need a little bit more luck on the few key plays during the game (like the deflected pass to Heath that prevented an easy touchdown) and don't let the opponents score TDs (that's the only complaint I have with the defense - bend not break).

 

Tomlin throws the challenge flag again

 

We need to play a possession style game. Our Oline isn't good enough to let Ben stand back there and throw deep. Our defence isn't good enough to stop the pass, so we need to just keep them off the field as much as possible. I also don't think Ben is good enough to make accurate deep throws like Rodgers and Brees do. That's just not his strength. Ben has the power to get it down field, but not the accuracy. We need to focus on short passes as that is what will make us successful.

It's no secret that Brady has a top offence every year due to his short passing game. It's effective.

 

we kept the ball all but two plays in the 3rd qtr. and they still scored on us. controlling the clock is one thing but you have to score TD's. this offensive scheme has us in to many 3rd and longs, which let's the defense know what we have to do. i didn't dislike BA's playbook as much as his playcalling. what i've seen so far from haley is an offense that ties our hands alot. i'd really like to see one in between the two. it's early yet for haley,but that's all i have to go on.

 

To be fair...several of those 3rd and longs came from false starts or holding calls. Although it still falls under Haley it doesn't fall under his offensive scheme.

 

I know were off the subject here but don't even get me started on the Challenge flag subject. Nevertheless, even I have to admit that I yelled for the ill-advised red flag that Tomlin threw, then I wanted to criticize him for it (but couldn't for obvious reasons)

 

Acorn... I think you hit the nail on the head. Whether this change in philosophy will produce better results is the question.
On D, I doubt it... I like to attack, it`s just what I was raised on...
And on offense?... Well... the way the game is changing, seems to say we should be more of a passing team...
But, God forbid, we don`t pound the other team into submission with our running game in PITTSBURGH!!!
Outta the 2 changes we are witnessing, I am happier with the change from going for broke every play down field, on offense, back to some semblence, of ball control,. whether it`s thru dump-off passes, screens, slants, or whatever, and only taking shots deep ONCE in a WHILE, like we used to do with TERRY and the boys, than turning into a "prevent" type Defense, that would have left Lambert and the boys ready to puke, or start a mutiny, over having their hands tied...
At the same time, I don`t think Lambert would have lasted 2 games in Goodell`s game... It`s not LeBeau`s fault, that the rules have changed...
Our D is doing the best they can to adapt to the "climate of the day"...
Hard to be "intimidators", when you get flagged for "landing with your full body weight on the quarterback"... BLEEEAACCKKK... Excuse me while I puke!!!
Or, when you try your best to follow the rules, as Ryan Clark did, while dislodging the ball from a receiver, so well, that his Head Coach, showed the play to his defense, as an example of the "proper" way to hit a recvr nowadays... And he gets fined 40grand for it!!!!
Not ALL the changes in "philosophy" are ours... or, at least, not "our" choice...

 

I really didn't mind Ariens' philosophy - it was his boneheaded play calling and play design that annoyed me. Using the speedy talent to go downfield is a fine idea.

The defense is more puzzling. Being the #1 ranked defense sounds impressive, but they often did not look impressive. I think they are effective in this current scheme, but the scheme does not appear to be threatening or dominating. We'll see if it is different with Harrison and Clark back this week. I'd love to see multiple sacks of Sanchez and Tebow tackled behind the line on the wildcat.

 

Maybe we don't like change. A pound 'em running game and a few bombs, and a stifling aggressive defense is what we old Steelers fans were raised on, and this new stuff just doesn't sit right. I do like winning, though, and we still seem to be good at that the majority of the time.