Randy Fitchner

I'm not a huge RF fan, but Ben's lousy throws were a big factor in the 1H struggles. Coaching can't fix that.

 

You have to give the Ravens credit too though. Their coverage was good and they were confusing Ben with their blitz schemes. The Ravens were well prepared, knew exactly what Ben wanted to do and took those options away.

Once the Steelers spread out in the second half with an extra receiver it put the Ravens on the back foot and the Steelers owner the third quarter. The penalty calls helped immensely and I know the Ravens are livid about that but they were committing fouls all over the place so what did they expect.

I do think Ben needs to test the downfield ball to Chase and JW a bit more. He will not be happy with that aspect of his game to date.

 

Thank you for being humble about your opinion. But Ben is the only really good QB that RF has had as an OC in the NFL.

We still dont really know what we have in KR.

 

N


Not sure what your trying to say, are you not sure that we ran Conner up the middle on a 3rd and 10 play? I don't have it taped but I'm sure I saw it. The odds of getting Conner to get 10 yards up the middle against the Ravens is not very good. I like my chances with BR throwing better then a run up the middle.

 

We ran him off left tackle on 3rd and 10 and failed to convert. Earlier in the same possession we ran him off left guard on 2nd and 9 amd converted the first down.

 

The first thing you will notice is that Ben changed the play. He readjusted 2 players with around 7 seconds left on the play clock. What was the original call?

It wasn't simply a run up the middle. Conner had different options where he could run. Conner choose the wrong lane. If Conner ran outside then the play had a chance for a 1st down. The Steelers had it blocked almost to perfection. Maybe if Pouncey sealed off Campbell then Conner would had ran outside? I don't know why Conner ran back inside??

The Steelers play design had the Ravens defense beat on that play. The execution of the play failed. The Ravens have a tendency at times to load up one side of the line to break down protections to bring pressure in passing situations.

Sometimes coaches choose to play conservatively based on different variables. Some things to consider:

Where the Steelers were on the field.
Ben is a historically slow starter.
Sometimes it's about playing smart in long down and distance situations.
The Ravens are a good 3rd down defense (34.42%)
What's the probability of completing 3rd and 10 vs the Ravens in the rain?
The Ravens pressure defense to break down protections.
The weather.
It was still early in the game and the Ravens defense was still fresh.
And other variables.

Just some things to consider.

 

Hey pjgruden.

I do not think that we have spoken in awhile. I hope all is okay in your World. All is good here.

I have no problem with Ben calling his own plays. With his years of experience, and success, this should definitely always be an option. Terry Bradshaw did and he was very successful. Again, after he became a proven winner. The same for Ben IMO. This is not to say to shut-out Fichtner altogether. He is getting a paycheck. Am I right (smile). Seriously though, Ben has his hand on "The Pulse" of the game as it is played. Of course, a second set of eyes is always a good thing. Nonetheless, I feel comfortable for the most part, to let Ben have free reign during games.


STEELWINDS The East Side Kid

 

I still will take the odds of Ben throwing for a 1st down in that situation better than Conner running for a 1st down either up the middle or off tackle against the Ravens stout run defense.

 

Steelers depot has a little better explanation of that situation then bens version. It's far from drawing plays in the dirt and over riding what RF does for the offense and what they practice. So all you RF haters need to take what Ben says at times with a grain of salt.

 

I agree with you. Mason is not too far gone. It's the same scenario for any QB following Ben as it was for any QB following Bradshaw. Ben is a rare talent at QB, but even he has his own drawback which always unfairly take him out of the "Elite" QB discussions. How many games we have seen the offense flounder under Ben until he pulls it out in the last 2 minutes. I always ended up yelling at the TV "WHY COULDN'T YOU DO THAT FOR THE LAST 58 MINUTES!!!!" It was always inconsistency throughout the game, I'm sure more so the play calling, but inconsistent none the less. Ben should have always been recognized for his clutch performance in the end to place him in the "Elite" discussions.