Anthony McFarland

I like his potential, but he shouldn't be getting those carries in the first half, and they're in short yardage. I thought Conner was hurt or something, I was like why is he in the game. If they have a big lead, and they want to get him some snaps then fine, but if the team is trailing use Conner and Snell.

 

IMHO he’s too little to run up the middle
One hit and he goes down.

 

Conner looked pissed all game. Very strange game plan running the ball. I don’t think Fitchner has a clue and the only time our O looks good is when Ben is playing hurry up 5 wide calling the plays.

 

I do not mind him in a scheme for certain scripted plays at any point in the game, but 3rd and 1 from a shot gun formation is not one of those times.

 

Mike Tomlin's Maryland boy. Look for him be more involved every week.

 

Yeah those have a tendency to show their hand. If it is Conner it would make a defense play a little bit more honest or even the dual back look with Samuels. The weirdest formation is having Ebron line up at FB then go in motion to outside the tackle. No one is going to buy him as a lead blocker so why try to sell it.

 

I wouldn't mind Ebron at Fullback. He has the size. Honestly, I just would love to see one play with a fullback. Hell, put Cam Heyward in there and crush a hole.

 

Conner had 9 attempts this game, I realize they fell behind, nothing was working so they went to Ben's arm. I know we are 8-0, but we are going to need a more consistent running game as the season progresses. No one is unbeatable for this team, as I type this Carolina lost to KC by only 2 points and the Saints are up on TB 31-0, Buffalo beat Seattle...any given Sunday. I still think this team is ascending and can and will get better, but so frustrating at times.

 

It’s pretty obvious Steelers thought that this was Preseason game 3 on Offense.

They disrespected the Cowboys and almost paid the price.

 

in my opinion with mcfarland. stupid ass fichtner has to call plays to antmac's best qualities. get him in open space. but the offense game plan this idiots puts out works to no ones best qualities...its a fail system until ben calls backyard playcalls.

 

I'd use Vanimal. He's got more of a blocker attitude.

 

If Ben isn't checking out of Futchners plays, the O is terrible!

After a couple of horrendous three and outs, we finally start moving the ball with quick-hitting passes..........and then we run the ball three times in a row for a total of one yard and a turnover on downs.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

 

It didn't matter who was running the ball for us, their front 7 owned us, period. Seemed their LBs were running wild and free up and down the line.

 

This is not something new with Fitchner, been saying for a couple of weeks now. Just horrible play calling and wrong personnel at wrong time. I might also add he maybe the worst OC in the AFC north. It's a good thing he has Ben to fix his mistakes. He dosen't go with the flow of the game and what's working.

 

Agree 100%, why would you run your smallest back up the middle in short yardage.? I also thought Conner was hurt. I'm starting to think Fitchner has no idea how to get a guy like Mcfarland in the open and to the outside to use his speed and quickness.

 

i missed a lot of the build up to this game as I was traveling, but was Derek Watt inactive? Could have used a FB on a lot of those plays.

I think Conner turned upfield too early on that failed 4th down attempt late in the game as Vanimal and the o-line seemed like they were trying to stretch it out. I thought Conner should have kept trying to get the edge there imo.

Back to McFarland, he had more opportunities than Snell this game and I'm wondering if it was due to the offensive line playing absolutely horrible. Maybe they thought McFarland could get out of traffic quicker.

Either way, the o-line had a pretty bad game and that trickles down to rushing and passing.

 

I think Watt was inactive, Dallas has been terrible against the run this season, I don't know why the Steelers couldn't run against them .

 

Vander Esch

 

I could be wrong, but I thought Dallas got a few players back from injury. Also, they schemed well against the Steelers' run. We've seen the Eagles and Patriots do similar approaches, in that they have 8 or 9 in the box. Usually, Ben, against most of the league, can beat that with his arm. It's just the way the game played out. Several off target throws and several drops contributed to a lack of sync by the offense. Complete a few of those plays and they may have had more opportunities to run the ball more.

The first half against the Titans was very telling. They use Ben spreading the ball around on one drive. Then follow up by mostly running the ball. They were able to exert their will. We all want to see them get back to that. So long as they keep stacking wins trying to do so, evaluations are just words and nothing more.