What do position coaches do?

The lack of fundamentals, especially around possession, are frustrating, and I wonder what the position coaches are doing with their folks. The coordinators I assume are coming up with the big picture, but the coaching staff has lots of "specialists" that are not doing their job.

• Why not have Conner carry the football around all week, 24/7, like a rookie hazing drill, and have people try to take it away from him?
• Someone needs to tell a tight end to hold on to the ball and score, rather than wanting to be a bulldozer.
• Someone needs to view tape of a team's field goal unit's previous blocked attempts and make an adjustment.
• Someone needs to tell the punt returner that a free kick is a live ball.
• Someone needs to tell wide receivers there is no need to lay out and dive for a catch, when running through it might lead to a touchdown.
• Someone needs to tell safeties and CBs to turn their head around so they don't get flagged for PI.
• Receivers need to keep their eye on the ball all the way into their hands, and not look downfield too early.
• etc.

A lot of these things are fundamentals, probably things the players have heard since they were 14 years old, but they need to be reminded. While the play calling was questionable, especially at the end, and that is on the head coach and coordinators, the lack of fundamentals needs to be addressed by the position coaches, and that doesn't seem to be happening.

At least that is my take on how a professional team works - they have a large staff of coaches, many of whom I assume are "teachers", and they get failing grades.

 

If they had only read your post 3 weeks ago.......................

While yesterday's fiasco points blame in all directions, it comes down to a combination of instincts and techniques that lend to one's "skill set". You can teach techniques but instincts must come naturally. Coaches/coordinators can only do so much. Your list covers both. Yes many of the problems you address should be ingrained in the minds of each and every player from Pop Warner League to the Pros. Many are also spontaneous decisions made in a nano-second by a player or players. Some things can't be taught and instincts are required (good ones that is, obviously!)

I think one of the most instinctive Steeler players is JuJu. His 97 yd catch and run yesterday was a thing of beauty combining speed, geometry (angles) and physics (stiff arms). Some of this he learned but much of it is just natural instinctive talent. He's proven this time and again.

While a great player in his first full year as a starter, I think the jury's still out on JC's long-range array of instincts, skills and durability. The guy he replaced has (had) amazing skills, instincts and techniques. Of course this was only applicable when he wasn't suspended, injured or boycotting.

Big Ben on the other hand has a combination of the best and worst techniques and instincts. He is the ultimate WYSIWYG player. No matter how many different OC and QB coaches he's had over the years, he does tend to repeat his errors. But most of us still love him when as he performs great for the most part.

It sure would be nice though to just click our fingers and make it all work well at all times. But what are these guys, human?

 

......I'll get back to u on this..

 

I am not sure instincts come naturally, but I do believe they are formed early and probably go beyond physical skills and talent, things like risk-taking and short memories. But I think some technique things, like ball security and situational knowledge, can be taught and reinforced. Even Ben could probably be coached into not throwing into triple coverage, especially at crucial moments, but I also would not want him to be shy about taking risks. Tough balancing act. Love to know if when they radio the plays to him, they say things like “we are in field goal range - throw it away if you have to”, or if it is just the play.

 

mike munchak had okrafor ready to play.

 

Still wondering what the HC does.

 

I am giving Tom Bradley the benefit of the doubt for this season; yesterday's game no less. Same goes for James Daniel, Karl Dunbar and James Saxon. The decisions made by Conner, Grimble, Edmunds and Haden were of their own.


Now, Joey Porter and Jerry Olsavsky on the other hand? Those two are of another story all together. Talent is not the issue either.

 

I agree with that - the O-line has been pretty stellar, especially when the play calling is to their strengths.

 

I agree the decisions were the players' own, but shouldn't a position coach help train them to make better decisions? These are highly paid professionals, and they should make better decisions.

 

Not to be rude but you answered your own question directly.


Position coaches teach the fundementals. It is up to the players to apply them. If they don't, that is more of an indictment on the player than the coach.

 

Good point. But I wonder sometimes if it is the student or the teacher. Our team has been labeled as football stupid for several years, and we tend to blame the head coach, who of course is where the buck should stop. But I doubt if Tomlin spends much time with the players teaching things like ball security - that is delegated to position coaches. And if the players cannot learn this stuff (which is likely since they haven't learned after playing the sport since childhood), then the draft choices are questionable. I suppose a mix of high talent and high football smarts is rare. But I sure wish they could teach more of the cognitive stuff like good decision making. Maybe that is what they should spend training camp doing - less taxing on the body. Make it a long study hall.

At the combine interviews, I hope they ask all players if they think a free kick is a live ball or not.

 

I really like how Porter works with our OLB's.

 

And interesting spin on fumbles - two of the most infamous fumbles in recent Steeler history were by running backs Bettis (Playoff against Indy)and Mendenhall (SB against GB) - fortunately for the Bus, Big Ben bailed him out with "The Shoestring Tackle" and Steelers go on to win the SB and Bettis is enshrined in Canton. Mendenhall wasn't bailed out, Steelers lose that game and he never mentally recovered from that moment and his career spiraled downward quickly over the next few years. I won't even broach the most infamous Steeler interceptions.

 

Watt does have 10 sacks, and might make the Pro Bowl.

 

They do this all day

 

True, but why did Dupree go to the Bronco's OLB Von Miller for rushing skills help, how did Porter help Jarvis Jones or Chic. He is where he is because he is friends with MT. The last part is just my opinion.

 

Take it from wherever and whenever you can.

 

At least on grimble's part, I think he was feeling pressure to be dynamic due to all the publicity Vance was getting as he trucked his way into the headlines..
Pretty sure Grimble felt he needed to make a statement...... yes, It was the wrong move, but he is fighting for his place on the team

 

Agree with wherever and whenever, but the point is, is Dupree getting better? He looks lost to me..

 

They are supposed to focus and specialize on getting their respective unit ready. They run drills and teach techniques pertaining to whatever position they are coaching respectively. They also inplent elements of the teams offense in the individuals that they do like the wrs will run certain concepts that are the ones they run on plays.

 

So they would be responsible for things like ball security and situational awareness? Good to know.

 

I kind of thought he was having his best year.

 

I know Porter isn't a good OLB coach, I was just pointing out a fact.

 

Agree with having his best year, but watch him close next game, he plays like 4th rounder and he is the reason why teams like to run on his side more then the other. He is a weak link with Sensabaugh/Burns behind him usually makes that side even worse.

 

So, if he was a 4th rounder you would be okay with his play? Certainly, there is still room for improvement.