Get Ward and Miller involved

I can not understand the people who keep saying that we need to let Ward go. I guarantee this offense would be more effective if him and Heath were more involved. Instead the entire first half of the broncos game was deep routes and a lot of fades. Sanders Brown and Wallace need to learn a lot more before Ward goes. If they would simply run the same plays they used to with Hines we would be much more effective. Same with heath. If he got 5-6 balls a game it would greatly help this offense. Hell no one seems to cover Heath anyways. We can't win with these deep back yard football routes. Hines knows how to get open. The young receivers haven't mastered that skill yet. Hines has NEVER been fast. The coaches have simply decided to take him out of the game plan and decide he is washed up for him. The few plays he has made this year have been very effective. We need a receiver to work the middle of the field at 5-10 yards, and he has always been that guy. Trying to run all these sideline routes works for sometime, but that isn't going to get you to the superbowl. Look at New England. Ward is like an older Welker. He at least deserves a chance to prove he isn't washed up, and even in the Tennessee game he proved that. If only we had an offensive coordinator

 

I think they think that ward is too old and slow to help us anymore

 

I dont necessarily think he is TOO old/slow but he is definitely slower and older than the three studs we have at WR. I would like to see him out there (I was stunned he hardly played against Denver). He is an amazing blocker and we definitely need that.

Miller, on the other hand, needs to be less of a blocker and more of a receiver. The game he had vs. the Pats was awesome!

 

Ward? He's 36. The days of Ward plowing over LBs and DBs, catching deep balls over the middle, and scoring 2 TDs all in the same game are over. It's sad, yes, but the past is the past. Move on.

Miller? Absolutely needs to be more involved. A guy with hands like than can't be wasted by having him block 85% of the time.

 

I love Hines Ward.His days of being a threat at WR are over.He can help the team still.The problem with him starting or even having a signicant role on offense is he would be taking away a bigger threat (young WR) by being on the field.We NEED all the talent and weapons we can.If you have Wallace,Brown,Sanders, You have to start them.I would not want them to come off the field.Ward should coach.He is a well-respected player that everyone knows about.He's crafty,Tough,been there ,done that kind of guy.I'm just saying that we need our young guys to play.You can't stiffle a young talent because someone still wants to play,But really can't offer too much anymore.It's a business.The business is winning. GO STEELERS!!

 

I guess what Im trying to say is we arent as effective on offense because these young receivers arent being used the way ward was. Everything is deep and down the sideline

 

We aren't as effective on offense because:
1. The offensive line isn't full of Pro Bowlers like it was when Ward was in his prime
2. The Bruce doesn't know how to get the most out of what's there
3. Ben can't go a full season without significant injuries

Saying we're not as effective because our WRs aren't like Ward is just foolishness. There are many different and effective ways to play WR.

 

Well I must agree with Beast for the 1st. time ever I think.....Ward is the best option at reading the zone,,,,Ward is the best blocker when it comes to that,,,,Ward is also best suited to diagnose the situation in the Huddle......

Without staight up bashing this is why he should be on the field.........He fits all the criteria required to WIN ................Speed is great,,,,but it in no way if the be all end all in the game of Football......'

Of course I know Speed kills and there is no substitute for speed,,,,,,,,but winning Football is Developed and then you use the speed to execute winning Football.....As a guy who believes in Team First you can't get on the field unless you can block your guy 1 on 1 most of the time....Whether that be on a running play or a passing play......

This is the Fundamental difference betweenplaying as a Team or Individuals.....I am still OLD School just like Ward......If you want the ball then earn it....

I feel the same way about the RB position,,,,,and is why I like Red he does the right things when he doesn't have the ball..........

That's the problem with this O ,,,,the guys who earn the right to get the ball do not get it enough and guys who are Fast are looked at way to often...

 

Ward is everything you said.The problem is he can't perform to the level he used tur young guys HAVE to learn.The talent is there,Speed is there,They just need to gain experience.You gain experience by playing. GO STEELERS!1

 

Individual speed and throwing these really deep patterns isnt going to get us far. I understand ward is out of his prime, but someone has to fill that role. Right now it should be his role and it must be used more effectively. I feel like the whole first half of the Denver game consisted of us multiple rainbow like passes from Ben, expecting his receivers to go make a play, but of course his gloves give him no touch and we dont have receivers like Megatron that can go up and high point the ball. But these problems derive from Arians. When Ben gets in no huddle you see alot more ins and outs and crossing patterns. We are just so caught up in all this speed that we think the only way we can use it is let them try to beat their guy down the sideline for the most part. Arians knows how to call a game (Patriots game) but is so unconsistent. He only wants the big play. Ward MUST be utilized to an extent because he is the only receiver on the roster that seems to know how to play a complete receiver, whether fast or slow. He gets open, works the middle, reads coverages, changes routes based on that coverage, and he can contribute to the offensive game calling/strategy. But its hard for him to show that when we gets no playing time. he has NEVER been fast, let him work the middle on short yardage, especially in the redzone. Our young receivers arent very good when the field is short. Dont let ward run 20 yard Ins or posts, OR BUBBLE SCREENS. Let him run 5-10 yard sit down routes, and let him read the coverage and find the open hole, like he has done his entire career.

 

You need to get out of the mindset that you need a WR like Ward to win. You don't. What you need is someone who can put an offense together that gets the most of the talent available.

 

I agree with this post as well for the most part.....The problem I have is you should be driven to get the time and experience....As stated above if you are not helping the Team when the ball doesn't go your way then you should not get lot's of snaps.....

Looking at the tape the only guy from the young money crew who appears to be doing that is Brown......So he should be #1 and Ward should be #2 ,,,,,,,let the other 2 fight to get into packages...We have guys that all they do is fight each and every play in Redman and Miller......

So if I am Coaching there is my first 3 in any package now if you want to get on the field then earn it .....The Tape will not LIE.....

Case and point .....Wallace had a block on one of Red's nice runs vs. the Broncs.....He failed to make a good effort and forced Red to cut to the sideline where he got pushed out........I have 2 huge problems with that...

The 1st. being where is the hustle,where is the desire,,,where is the will to create winning plays???

#2 is the why half way attempt to give Redman the sideline????Know the game .....Know the situation......Know the runner you are blocking for......I have High School kids who would have set that block up and gave Redman the inside lane keeping him North and South.....

The reason this is so huge is Redman probably gets another 15 yards and he might even score if he breaks the 1st. tackle cleanly....