Steelers Have Fired Jack Bicknell Jr.

this offense got opened up a lot from what TH originally brought here. remember last year. all the 3rd downs we had to make every drive. this offense now throws deep more often than BA's did. bubble screens, WR screens all were a sore spot when BA was here. we still empty the backfield on 3rd and short and inside the red zone.

it's not near as different as you think. they have changed TH's original philosophy a good bit to get to where we are now with it. it looks like it going to change more when they install the outside ZBS next year. at least change from what we have been running in TH's system, to what TH wanted to run. I like that they have come together to make the adjustments, but what has taken so long?

 

I'm glad to see the collaboration too, but the underlying scheme is a direct result of Haley's offensive philosophy. That's great news for Ben and I believe his career will be prolonged because of it. Haley knows how to keep a quarterback clean and the Steelers need a healthy Ben if they have a shot over the next few years. Exhibit A: Ben took every single offensive sap this season. Haley's doing something right isn't he, mac? The Steelers are retaining his services for 2014 after all.

 

Yep. If you'd told me before the season that Ben would take every snap and have one of his best seasons, AB would have a record breaking season and make the Pro Bowl, LeVeon Bell would break Franco's all-purpose yards record,Cotchery would have 10 TDS, and Troy would discover the fountain of youth, I'd say 12-4 and AFC North champs! What happened?!

 

Totally agree!

 

What?! Wait a minute, I need to revise that post.

 

Lol!

 

I agree jack and wasn't saying get rid of him or anything like that. I think your missing why I'm saying why have him.

just that MT and ben and the receivers have just stripped out what his true offense was, and kept what they wanted from it.

when it was being talked about, scrapping the ZBS, which TH wanted, it would have just further stripped what he wants to do as an OC. it's like, if your going to hire me for my offense, then don't tear it apart and call it mine.

I like the way it's rolling so far, but why not before now?

bell opened up a lot of this offense. we were not playing like this with redman, dwyer and jones. we didn't play like this before heath got healthier and on the field. we didn't play like this before beachum moved to LT. we didn't play like this with pouncey at center last year. is it the offense or the players we have added? is it the offense or just the parts we decided to implement and parts of what we liked from BA's added to it?

we are seeing upside and we seem to be looking to still go to a ZBS next year. will they decide it's better to do this or the way we have shown to put up points the last 7 games. that seems to be working and now we are going to change it up some more.

just a strange journey with TH's offense or should we call it the todd, mike, BA and ben offense? I don't think I've ever seen this done to an OC's system. that's what I'm trying to get at. it's not like these are some type of super secret plays that nobody else has in their books. why didn't we do this with BA's offense?

 

That may be more accurate and I'm perfectly okay with that. I don't think there is any debating that Haley has a reputation for being a very good offensive coach. He's shown a willingness to be flexible as is evidenced by his strong passing attack in Arizona and his strong running attack in KC. I think the fact that Haley's offense is evolving here is further indication of that. I'm encouraged that Haley doesn't take the my way or the highway approach. The fact that he's willing to get input from multiple parties and adjust the offense accordingly is a pleasant surprise and alleviates some of my concerns about Haley.

 

what about Mike Munchak? Not sure if he'd want to go back to a position coach or want something higher up and such. thoughts on him?

 

Can't hurt to ask!

 

that's the first thing I thought of too GP, when I heard he was fired. that would give us 4 head coaches and one assistant head coach in the mix. add mann's experience and this would be a stellar coaching staff. I like it.

 

Yeah I just heard that...isnt that where he went to school too? If so I would think thats where he's going. I knew it was wishful thinking to begin with...but oh well hahaha

 

We only have 2 or 3 linemen on this roster that are suited for Zone Blocking scheme. It would be stupid to think there wouldn't be any growing pains. To make a total transition it is going to take a year or two of roster moves, coaching up of guys, and just time to gel together to make this thing really work.

Post Gazette mentions that maybe it was because Gilbert and Adams have not developed. I think I'm willing to contend they just drafted duds to be honest.

If he was getting phased out already during the season I can see him getting canned, but if not I think they should have stuck with him 1 more year at least....

 

I know I'm late but I just gotta chime in.

First this was a big surprise to me because on the surface it seemed he did a good job as the season progress and when you factor in the injurys it really baffles me.

Its been reported OL Coach Grimm wanted to come back last year and Coach T said no. Its also been said Coach T offered the job to a couple guys but was turned down and he settled on Bicknell Jr. After half way thru the season Ben was getting killed and the run game was bad and lets not forget the development of Adams & Gilbert is as slow as molasses in winter.

Why in the world was I surprised in the first place!!!!!

Lets also remember Ben's high sack count over the years was just as much his fault as the OLs. So it is his sack count dropped the 2nd half of the season due to his embracement of Haleys offense and getting rid of the Ball quicker.


Munchak would be a huge score,maybe. Has he become overqualified for a OL position coach?


Cajun-

 

LOL, good point