What's wrong with our offense?

That is an opinion and not a fact. Haha.

 

I Kinda feel that is happening too... seems like we brought in Haley only to run Bruce Arians' offense?

 

I know I hated Arians and have been forced to admit I was wrong.

Haley's offense is better and Ben is playing smarter IMO.

Arians never had Gilbert or Decastro playing how well they are though. Arians got saddled with a disastrous OL. That wasn't his fault.

Haven't won a playoff game since Arians left (or since AB stayed in place of Wallace either). Kind of hard to say he was the problem.

Also, the complete lack of power offense has continued. Which is why I think Tomlin's offensive philosophy is on display.

 

I said that it "should not" have any effect. And it shouldn't. I also stated Bell's absence should not affect Ben's ability to protect the football. And it shouldn't. The thought that Ben doesn't have an RB to throw to in the flat for a check down, a WR available for a screen pass and/or a TE and WRs available in both the short and the mid-level passing range based on Bell not having a hat doesn't fly. We saw in game 2 versus the Ravens (as well as many other games that have been diagrammed on Tunch Ilkin's Chalk Talk over the years) that Ben sometimes neglects shorter passing options in favor of the deep ball. That is Ben's choice to make as the field general. And his ability to make the decision on where to throw and conducting the throw so as not to deliver it directly to the opposing team's secondary has nothing to do with Bell being on the field.

However, it appears we do not see eye-to-eye on this so I'll just agree to disagree with you.

 

I think it silly to claim that the presence/performance of Bell/Bryant has nothing to do with Ben's performance - specifically, your argument of his TD/INT ratio. As I stated, there are all kinds of things that can factor into a QB's decision-making at any given time in a game. The chemistry he has with his receivers - knowing their timing, which way they break in a scramble drill, trust in their ability to bring in the catch, etc - cannot be dismissed as irrelevant. Ben is down the RB that was 2nd on the team in receptions last year; and defenses are adjusting to Bryant, who last year exploded as a deep play threat once he hit the field.

These types of adjustment pains are not uncommon - look at Aaron Rodgers this season. He's looked awful at times this year. His TD% of 5.2 is the lowest of his career since 2008 - his first year as a starter. His Comp% of 60.7 is the lowest of his career. Same goes for his QB rating of 92.7%. Has Rodgers suddenly gone from smash to trash? Maybe. Or maybe his numbers have been affected by things like Jordy Nelson being lost for the year, Eddie Lacy being banged up/ineffective for a long stretch in the middle of the season, the O-line dealing with multiple injuries (Sunday night the Packers LT was a LG making his first career start at T), and McCarthy handing off play calling duties to his OC - until taking them back a few weeks ago.

Again, there are many things that factor in to a QB's mindset, which ultimately can affect his play. While Ben's INT% is elevated compared to his career average (3.4 vs 2.7), he's only a shade below his TD% (4.5 vs 5.0). Meanwhile he eclipsed his career QB rating (94.5 vs 94.0), and set a career high in Comp% (68.0). If you want to hold the INT's against him alone, that's your choice; but considering just the injuries to Pouncey, Bell, and Ben himself this year, I'm going to give a little slack.

 

Lol

 

remember the days of Ward flying across mid field and going to the ground as Ben would rocket it into his arms for a 11 yard gain. Ball would meet Wards hands inches above the turf. Over and over and over.

 

The only thing that is silly is the indication that any of those points directly affects Ben's ability to protect the football. You have successfully proven correlation, but not causation. There's a difference. And it's a major one.

Bell's absence may affect overall offensive strategy and/or production. But one individual's presence, or lack thereof, does not force Ben to turn the ball over.

I am reminded of a scene in Remember the Titans: Petey (the RB) continued to fumble the ball. Coach Boone got in his arse and made him run an extra mile for fumbling the ball during practice. When Boone asked Petey why he was fumbling the ball, Petey tried to blame it on his blockers missing assignments. Boone's reply: "Your blockers ain't got nothing to do with you holding the ball!"



Bell ain't got nothing to do with Ben turning the ball over. Period. Agree to disagree.

But Ben would Coach Boone some laps.

 

Where is the proof of that?

Any starter's absence affects overall offensive strategy. It does not excuse players of their individual responsibilities regarding protecting the football. It doesn't excuse individual players of any of their individual responsibilities toward the team goal.

 

Bryant has 2 catches for 6 yards in the last 2 games, maybe that's why the offense is struggling.

 

Therefore,

Ben is also 5 of 10 for 0 yards and 0 TD when throwing deep on 3rd and 3 or less. That is the equivalent of 5 turnovers.

That is very poor.

Maybe I misplaced something?

 

Yea, Common sense

 

5/10 for 0 yards on deep completions? Huh? Lol

 

I think both sides are right:

Bell being out definitely makes a difference to gameplan and increases the risk of interceptions.

Bell would get a lot more touches than D Will and each one of those touches is a very slim probability of a turnover.

Bell has amazing ball security which isn't brought up enough. The guy almost bever fumbles.

Anyways... Ben has reverted at times this year and made dumb decisions in games especially late. 4th quarter INTs and throwing the ball away on the last play of I think the 1st Cinci game come to mind.

Ben's style is largely improvisational and I think (that's an opinion not fact if Glenn is reading) only a few receivers have been able to get in sync with him. AB has had by far the best chemistry though Ben had good chemistry with Cotchery and Ward too etc.

There have been a number of instances where Ben has been visibly frustrated after a receiver has read the defense differently and run the wrong route.

And why the **** do the Steelers have fullbacks at all??? Token FBs to show the Rooneys?

"We totally have a Power O! See those FBs over there? 2 of em!"

Ben has thrown some abhorrent passes to FBs.

 

I did not state any of the factors could be tied directly to the issue; rather that they likely play a part. I'm more about finding the root cause of problems so they can be fixed. As such, I'm well aware of the dividing line that exists between correlation and causation; but the latter is rarely printed in big black and white letters for one to see, hence you use the former as best you can to mete it out.

I don't think there are many here who would maintain that Ben hasn't made his share of mistakes this season. But when you see results (his INT%, e.g.) that differ significantly from his norm, you have to question what about this season is different that is spiking that number. Is it all Ben? Do we just make him run extra miles after practice and call it a day? The logic you propose in saying correlation does not equal causation cannot be turned backwards - that is, inability to prove causation does not necessarily dismiss present correlative factors.

My objection to your original thought wasn't that I felt the absence of Bell/Pouncey, injury, etc, were the sole responsible factors for Ben's struggles - only that they could be contributing, whereas you dismiss them entirely. Again, Ben can help himself a bit here - the coaches should be drilling him with film of missed reads, open receivers, and the like - but I don't agree that those other factors "have nothing to do" with some of the issues he's had. JMHO

 

Yes it is common sense

Simple math ain't it.

 

No he doesn't. That in and of itself serves a purpose. If that's what he does well, then don't worry about hammering a square peg into a round hole. The Steelers have other receivers that can do the other stuff while Bryant blows the top off the coverage, and hits the occasional big play.

 

You have to be able to run all the routes in this league or you just become the next Heyward-Bey.

 

You know what Heyward-Bey and Bryant have in common? 14 career TD receptions. Except that Bryant has racked them up in 2 seasons. As a result, he commands more respect and fear from opposing defenses than DHB ever did. Use that fear to your advantage, and worry about expanding his game in the offseason.

 

Or you become the next Mike Wallace?

 

Instead of Ben calling out his receivers.... He need to check himself two bad games in a row