A big reason our offense has improved this year even w/o Bell

Vance McDonald taking over as TE1 from Jesse James. He is a true receiving threat with big play RAC ability.

Don't get me wrong, I still like Jesse James, but he has as much RAC threat as Big Ben, maybe less. But McDonald is trucking fools like Gronk-lite. He is a large part of why we're suddenly looking better on offense.

 

Conner has nothing to do with our offense looking better? I think that spreading the ball around (not Bell, Bell, AB, AB) is why we are looking better.

 

I think it's less bubble screens and letting Ben run the QB sneak when it's 3rd or 4th down and inches.

 

Most of Steelernation would say even 1 bubble screen is too many... stop it just stop it ..I throw things at my TV

 

I agree IZON except something very similar has produced a few touchdowns and 2 pt conversion last few games (as I recall?). It's a very situational type play and should only be run as an exception, not the rule.

 

I can't remember a time when a bubble screen gained significant yardage for the Steelers' offense. it seemed like we ran one nearly every possession when Haley was OC. They make me grit my teeth and utter nasty words.

 

Brown, Connor, McDonald, JuJu. The Offense goes through them.
They're the ones I trust to make a play.

 

Vance has been pretty amazing this year. I definitely have liked what he's been doing more than Jesse.

And Connor has been incredible. He's 3rd in most rushing yards in the NFL right now, which is amazing considering he basically started playing so much because of Bell not showing up.

 

AFC playoffs two years ago against the Dolphins, bubble screen to AB went for about 50 yards and a td.

According to Steelers Depot, it's called a Tunnel Screen, and we stole from the Patriots. And the Browns safety was real close to picking it off, so yeah, it definitely should be shelved for a few games or given a different look.

 

Thank you. And you're right, but for a gnat's eyelash, that could have been an unfortunate reenactment of #92's SB INT. Whew!

 

around the goal line ..Im cool with it..not when its 3rd and 11

 

Lots of things I think. McDonald is one (gotta love a guy who runs people over). Getting rid of Todd Haley being another big one. Ben has the experience, skill and knowledge to run the offense with the OC. Taking Haley and his frequent low percentage play calling out of the lineup has helped a ton imo......

 

And another thread with Bell in the title, For ****s sake make it stop!!

 

McDonald does make a big difference. He is able to do more than James as a receiver, especially with his ability to run after the catch. He is also a significantly better blocker. He has a full year in the system now, which also helps. The real question is exactly what it has been in the past. Can he stay healthy?

I don't think Conner is a big reason for the offense playing better because I don't think he is better than Bell. He is certainly a big part of the offense, but he's not an upgrade. Then again, that's a very high standard.

 

I have to disagree with the last paragraph. Conner has filled Bell's shoes thus far. Teams are just as concerned with him as they were Bell. Conner is also more likely to rip a big gain than Bell. Might not be an upgrade but not a drop-off either.

 

Yes read the article as well and you're right about being careful of running it from now on but the bright side is now that play can be used to set up other plays and that's what a good OC should be able to do,so let's see what variations we come up with.

 

100% on the McDonald blocking. Plus being able to have him out there consistently allows for many different looks and options. The OL definitely deserves a lot of credit for the run game. Conner is running through huge holes. The thing about Conner is his punishing style is making defenders consider a new career path. Look at the tackle attempts as the game goes on. Players are going lower and lower to try to take him down because they're getting punished. This is allowing Conner to escape a lot more tackles from. guys unwilling to commit to what it takes to get him on the ground....

 

What I'm saying is Conner isn't really a variable from last year. He is certainly a huge part of the offense, but the Steelers had great production from the guy in that role last season with Bell there. The variables are elsewhere.

I get what you are saying because my post read as if I wasn't giving Conner his due. He absolutely deserves credit for not seeing a drop-off at the running back position.

 

That certainly seemed to be the case in the fourth quarter Sunday. Watch that last drive again, especially the touchdown run. The Browns certainly seemed to be somewhat passive. The effort by Collins to attempt to tackle Conner on the touchdown was pathetic.

 

In fact one small variable that can't be overlooked is the simle QB sneak. It has allowed us to extend drives at a much higher success rate than what we normally have seen all these years leading up to this one. It's just a crying shame that no one on the coaching staff had the balls to include it in our O previously ,especially last year......oh what could of been.

 

It was certainly the case against Cincy as well. The one thing I don't get though is the narrative floating around that our slow starts are part of a plan to go with heavy packages early with the thought that it will pay dividends in the end. Of course you want to wear teams down early to reap the benefits later but I don't see how potentially basically sabotaging your own O early to get a advantage later is a smart move in anyway. The goal is to score points early and often and not hope you have afforded yourself enough wiggle room to enact that strateg in the end. To me that's playing things to close to the vest and falling behind early has proven to be our demise. You are putting too much faith in a shaky defense in a league heavily skewed toward offense to hold up the heavy end of the bargain while you slowly try to build momentum.
That philosophy has to change and quick.....

 

Yep. Also have seen a few plays we usually do not run.

 

Agree in the 4th Quarter it looked like on that touchdown run the the Browns quit playing. However going back to Bell verses Conner, we are better in all offense team stats this year because we gave Bell tooooo many touches last year. Just hope that Bell doesn't come back to screw things up. We need to have all offensive players in the game and not like last year with the crazy touches Bell had.

I know your love affair with Bell, we had this discussion before, but it shows the team is just as good or even better without Bell and his ego.

 

your last paragraph should say: I think Conner is better for the team than Bell, and that's the reason for the offense playing better.

 

I actually think Bell's crap may be a blessing in disguise. This is forcing Ben to realize there are other options to work with. JuJu was getting his own last year, but this year has been completely different... Ben is doing a terrific job spreading the love.

Also, I think Bell is a better back but Conner is better for the Steelers.