they fired Arians too late

Arians had Heath. So tell me why did Arians not use Heath in red zone offense such as Haley has done successfully?

Bman

 

So you don't want anyone to consider the facts (stats) of this season even though you think they're an important factor prior to making a conclusion about Haley versus Arians?

 

That's a good point you make about the scoring defenses we faced in 2011. I'm sure that factored into our lack of scoring production.

As far as personnel goes, though, is this year really better than last year's? Our offensive line still doesn't look like they get any push. It is nice that Redman has had more opportunity this year, and it's also nice that we have Batch and Rainey...but they haven't seemed to perform any better than Mendy did last year (red zone or otherwise), at least as far as I can tell. The strength of our offense is our passing game by anyone's standards, and yet I'm not sure if there's anything really different about our passing personnel over last year's either...but maybe I'm missing something.

Though I liked Arians (and was nervous about letting him go initially), after thinking about the number of years he'd been around and the offensive talent that the team possessed (which I think is significant minus the offensive line), I felt that the offense under-achieved, specifically in the scoring category. Now, in fairness, we did win a Super Bowl with an Arian's lead offense, and I think Arian's scheme had something to do with that. But in the end, and looking at a combined 7(?) years, it just seemed that we should have produced more offensively given the personnel we had.

It's all just conjecture on my part though. And it's not my opinion that Arians is a bad OC. It just came to the point that I liked the idea of making a change, believing that we could do more as an offensive unit.

 

When it comes to the Steelers' opponents, the most important factor is to look at how those opponents' opponents fared.

The 2011 Steelers averaged 20.31 points per game
Their opponents gave up an average of 19.93 points per game in their other games.

I wish I had the time to dig into the ppg and see how many of these points were actually scored by the defense or special teans. But this probably all evens out. So the Steelers were just .38 pts better. They were basically "average" against these 16 opponents. My guess is that Feel the Steel will point out that all things considered--oline problems and Ben's injured ankle late in the season--that this isn't too bad. It's a valid argument. But I look at the talent on offense, and being sorta "average," to me, isn't good enough.

Now, so far this season, the Steelers are averaging 25.67 ppg.
Their opponents have given up 27.17 ppg in their other games.
Again, I don't know about defensive or special teams TDs, and this is such a small sample that I don't know why I'm discusing it. But I thought I'd throw it out there.

 

All this bickering, back n forth, and name calling and choosing sides. I yie yie yie...grow up.

And all of these stats. Here's mine:

77.3% of all MB stats are made up and the remaining 42.6% completely false.

 

I have been very encouraged by the offense so far this season under Haley.

Some of the complaints about Arians:

1. All yards, no points.

We are up in points per possession a LOT. We are a ridiculous 2.69 points per possession through 3 games (4th in the league). Our drive success rate (% of getting a 1st down or touchdown on every set of downs) is also a ridiculous 76.2% (3rd in the league). Previous Roethlisberger/Arians highs in those categories was 2.15 ppp (in 2007) and 72.2% (2011). Points per possession is a BIG improvement so far this year as opposed to 2011 when we averaged only 1.86 points per possession.

2. Red Zone Production

Last year the team had 16 out of 53 trips into the red zone result in ZERO points (we had 27 TD's and 10 FG's). This year we have 7 TD's, 3 FG's and 1 Zero Points out of our 11 trips into the red zone. That is a SIGNIFICANT improvement from last year. Basically last year, we scored 219 points out of a maximum 371 points in red zone trips (59% efficiency if we scored 7 points each trip). This year we are clicking at 75.3% efficiency (scoring 58 points out of a maximum 77).

3. Situational play-calling.

This is obviously an eye-of-the-beholder thing, but I think Haley has done a much better job of play calling DURING games and adjusting game plans in the 2nd half. He has tried to get all players touches (Ben has passed the ball to 10 different receivers the last 2 games).

4. Run both directions.

Arians' offense was notoriously "right-handed". Haley has improved that tremendously running equally left and right so far this season. I understand the run game production and efficiency have been terrible, but I think the run game will improve with time.


Lastly, this is still EARLY in the Haley/Roethlisberger marriage. There is no apples to apples comparison because we are comparing Roethlisberger and the offense with new concepts and ideas vs. Roethlisberger and the offense in a 6-year established system prior to these three games.

Honestly, I don't know how anyone can be watching the games and not think the offense is producing better than it ever has. We are scoring a lot. We are converting on 3rd downs and we are having unprecedented success in the red zone. And time of possession is off the charts.

I personally thought we wouldn't see the best of this offense until AFTER the bye week. I thought the first three games the offense would struggle (still thought we'd be 2-1 at least) but the defense has be god-awful in the 2nd half of games instead.

So far I am 100% glad Bruce Arians is gone from here once and for all. And I like Haley's offense so far a lot.

 

Thats Del. Like having you back every now and again to put some numbers to our analysis. Additionally your avatar keeps me going. Thanks haha

Bman

 

Although I strongly disagree with you on BA, I'm with you on the fact that this board can be pretty petty when you go against the grain. I've been absolutely blasted because I don't happen to care much for Ben. I've also been blasted because I defend Goodell or other hated people/players when irrational statements are made against those people. I actually don't care too much, but how boring would this site be if everyone agreed. Debate, and even trash each other a little bit in good fun, but some people on here absolutely can't stand people who disagree with them on anything steelers related.

 

it would be very boring if we all agreed.

as far as not being a big fan of Ben goes, hey lots of Steeler fans hated Bradshaw and all he did was win 4 super bowls. Ben has 2 ans still has plenty of time to get more. i personally think Ben is one of the top qb's in the league and to me its hard to see why anyone could feel different.

hey some guys dont like big boobs. go figure.

 

Never said he wasn't a good QB, just can't stand the guy.

 

im sure there are a ton of guys on the Steelers and that have played for the Steelers that are bad guys or are guys that you wouldnt like to hang around with, but im a fan of the name on the front of the jersey and i like the guys that i think can help the team.

once a guy leaves the Steelers i pretty much dont care what he does.