Fichtner the new OC

I don’t think it was knee jerk at all. The Steelers were clearly over Haley’s crap, but didn’t want to make wholesale changes to the offense.

 

So Tomlin would do, uhh, what exactly? Just keep cheerleading? I'm not against this idea mind you, since he isn't good at anything else.

 

I just hope the man doesn't know how to run wide receiver screens and 10 yard pitch backs. I hope tearing those out of the playbook is the first thing he does when it is official. Heck, if he does that I will vote for him for President. Watching those plays makes me want to poke my eyes out, stomp on them, run them through the garbage disposal, and burn what is left just in case they might catch a glimpse of those plays!

 

Munchak turning down a second interview request from the Cards is pretty interesting to me. A lot of people thought he may have had a good shot at the head coaching job there. How short do you think Tomlin's leash may be now in Pittsburgh? One thing's for sure, there is a lot more noise this season than there has been in previous seasons and you can poo poo it if you want, but I think the limited partners chewing on Rooney's ear about their disappointment with Tomlin does carry some weight. Not enough for Rooney to fire Tomlin now, but at least enough to warm up his seat a little bit. Do you think Rooney may be thinking of Munchak as a potential successor as a head coach in Pittsburgh? The last time we had a former offensive lineman as a head coach it worked out pretty well.

 

The Steelers might be the only team with one, unless it catches on...

https://stillcurtain.com/2015/04/17/steelers-hire-something-called-player-engagement-coordinator/

A player engagement coordinator sounds like a front office title but he'll be officially under Tomlin and part of the coaching staff. He has a wide array of duties. He is tasked to help with life skills in general. Cousin will also help players with transitioning both to and from the NFL.

 

I guess we’ve found the weak link in the coaching then...

 

This team made every QB we played look like a pro bowler and our entire defensive system stays intact.. ?
Maybe they are waiting to see if the Jags score less then 12 points this week, before they make any defensive changes.

 

As the article suggests, this position should fall under the front office, not the coaching staff.
I'm hoping the weak link in the coaching staff was shown the door yesterday.

 

Jack, I think you might have something here, similar to how the Rooney handled LeBeau and kept Butler in the wings until they let LeBeau go, then promoted Butler to DC.

 

Does anything find it kind of funny that the ONE unit that consistently performs at a high level and seems to churn elite talent is our WR group? We never miss on WR's anymore. IT used to be linebackers and RB's. Now it's WR's. Seems like every WR we draft develops into a stud. Here's the funny part. We don't have a WR coach. The group that performs at the highest level each week dosn't have a position coach. We invite guys like Hines Ward to talk to them in camp. Was Haley responsible for developing the best WR group in the NFL? There's no 1st round picks in that group.

We have 2 LB coaches and a D coordinator that used to be a LB coach. Shazier is the only guy really playing well and I'd argue his success is based on physical talents more so then great technique and understanding of the defense. He's probably done. So we're left with Watt, who looks promising but is not there yet. Every other LB has been mediocre going back to when Cowher ran the team. Back then we churned out Lb's. Since Tomlin has taken over we cannot develop a DB or LB into anything more then average. Our O-line had been kinda floundering until Munchak came...suddenly it seems like everyone we plug into the O-line can hold their own.

Funny thing about our secondary... our HC was a DB coach. Yet we've not had a good one since Tomlin took over the team. Maybe this is all coincidence. Maybe not. Sutton and Hilton look promising but we don't really know what they are yet. Burns is IMO at a cross roads. One more bad season and he's going to be a back up for the rest of this career. We can't seem to find any decent D-lineman either. Heyward and Tuitt are good. Tuitt took a big step back this year but maybe a health issue there..maybe he's not that good? We shall see. If I'm the owner of the team though I have to wonder why there is little to no progress at certain positions. Every year we go into the offseason desperately needing a playmaker in the secondary and a LB....and last few years a DT/NT.

 

Make no mistake Fitchner is Ben's OC proxy. Ben will be the OC and make the play calls.

 

And maybe Munchak can make proper game decisions.

 

I like Tomlin, but we see the same issues year in and year out. I'm sure the brass is keeping all doors open. Although I don't believe the organization is out to fire Tomlin, I do believe his leash is shorter than some expect. You can only fall short so many times, and in my opinion, we should be at the "considering" point by now. I mean even I can't make excuses for coaches when we continue to fall short with the talent we have...on both sides of the ball.

 

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/01/randy-fichtner-may-not-big-ben-wants-needs-oc/

good read about RF and his role up to this point.

 

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/01/film-room-expect-randy-fichtners-offense/

here is some of his offense. some of this we already do and have done.

 

While I understand this move was likely to get Ben to commit to a few more years..... I'm always a bit skeptical about in-house promotions. I mean, if the dude was already on the staff, and had the knowledge to help.... why didn't he? Maybe he did and Haley over-ruled or stifled his suggestions, or maybe he's just a yes man? I am optimistic that we'll see improvements, but suspect a lot of our frustrations with the offense have come from Ben himself.

 

You have a point with there looking like this was a rush into this hiring from within when they could have done it during the season, but its going to be a whole nother year b4 we know if this was a good move.

 

A guy has to work his way up the ladder. Maybe he’s developed skills and knowledge over his years here, and now he’s ready.

 

Munchak's age makes it questionable. Rooneys generally hire young coaches.

 

I just heard Finchtner will serve as both OC and QB coach. Those Rooneys always trying to save a buck.

 

This is a big part of the problem in Pitt.