Arthur Smith stopped letting Russell Wilson change plays

HeinzMustard · Feb 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM

I'm not anti-Wilson or anti-Smith for 2025. Popcorn is the problem, not the QB or OC.

.... and overrated defense got gashed for 200+ yards.

Da Stellars · Feb 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM

Those QB rollouts were getting old as the season wore on. Teams were ready for them. You got to change it up and do something different.

Blast Furnace · Feb 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM

Thor said: ↑

I don't deny the competition was more talented and coordinators were going to scheme against what does well. That - and of course Pickens being hurt - all played a part. But did teams really need to figure him out? It's not like he was that different from the QB he was in Denver.

I tend to think he's just extremely erratic. Like your point with Warner, he couldn't figure out what Wilson was thinking at times, but he went on to have a good game. Other games, not so much.

Still, it was strange to see the game plan tilt so heavily into the run the second time around against the Bengals. We know Tomlin is stubborn; Smith was criticized in Atlanta for being the same way. If they want to do something, they generally stick to the guns. So getting Pickens back against a team Wilson had his way with a few weeks prior and opting to pound the running game indicates to me that's what they wanted to do.
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I think it’s more that they played 6 games with Fields and thats what coordinators had to go on for what the Steelers were running and then Wilson comes in and they open things up.

Absolutely agree that coaching is stubborn and would have gladly welcomed a new HC but just having trouble wrapping my head around telling a vet that you brought in because of his experience that he’s not allowed to check into better plays especially when they had been scoring a lot of points.

As for going more conservative maybe that had to do with Wilson struggling with what he was seeing on the field. I went and found the Warner film breakdown.

steelersrule6 · Feb 5, 2025 at 2:40 PM

HeinzMustard said: ↑

I'm not anti-Wilson or anti-Smith for 2025. Popcorn is the problem, not the QB or OC.
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What games were you watching because Wilson wasn't good down the stretch even if Smith didn't let him change the plays?

steelersrule6 · Feb 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM

Are the leaks coming from Wilson's camp?

rmorphy · Feb 5, 2025 at 3:10 PM

steel machine said: ↑

Don't think it will be a problem next season. IMO, Wilson is one and done.
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Well, to me, the big problem is Smith. His play calling and design is just awful

Steelers-MT · Feb 5, 2025 at 3:23 PM

Steelers will never win another playoff game with Tomlin.
Rinse, Repeat
Tomlin hires morons and the morons run off good players.
Rinse, Repeat.
Steelers will never win another playoff game with Tomlin.

HeinzMustard · Feb 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM

steelersrule6 said: ↑

What games were you watching because Wilson wasn't good down the stretch even if Smith didn't let him change the plays?
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I watched Steelers games in the month of December where the OL sucked and WRs couldn't catch a cold.

Thor · Feb 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM

Blast Furnace said: ↑

I think it’s more that they played 6 games with Fields and thats what coordinators had to go on for what the Steelers were running and then Wilson comes in and they open things up.
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I could see that influencing the first couple of games, but after he went 36 of 57 for 542 yards, 3 PassTD, 1 RushTD collectively in those two games, I'd think teams would've thought that opening things up through the air was the reason they made the switch.

As for Dulac's report, i'm taking that with a grain of salt. It's speculation to me until a more reliable source comes forward. I have no problem believing they may have tightened the reins when Wilson started struggling (especially with Pickens out), but thought it strange to stay committed to it with his return on top of facing the Bengals D again.

Rel · Feb 5, 2025 at 5:14 PM

HeinzMustard said: ↑

I'm not anti-Wilson or anti-Smith for 2025. Popcorn is the problem, not the QB or OC.

.... and overrated defense got gashed for 200+ yards.
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What QB? There is zero on the roster.

Steelvision · Feb 5, 2025 at 5:36 PM

Rel said: ↑

Rooney is ultimately to blame.

That being said, it’s his business/team…he can run it however he feels. We are just customers, free to shop elsewhere
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i guess, as long as he's turning a profit he’s ok. Not necessarily good for the fans though. And that kind of profit only approach will catch up with any owner.

HeinzMustard · Feb 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM

Rel said: ↑

What QB? There is zero on the roster.
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Last time I checked, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen were QBs on the 2024 roster.

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Arthur Smith stopped letting Russell Wilson change plays

HeinzMustard Well-Known Member

Da Stellars Well-Known Member

Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

rmorphy Well-Known Member

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HeinzMustard Well-Known Member

Thor TSF Supporter

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