Friday August 4th 700 Oclock on the Mothership

[FC]

Steelers live from Latrobe 7-9 ESPN tonight. That's my attention getting headline.

Barring injuries the Steelers have the talent to win the Super Bowl.

The reality of the situation is very ugly.

I do not hate Mike Tomlin. He is a regular season winner..650 winning% is elite. He took over a team with an elite Qb and very good talent.

My point is simple. The Steelers have been out-coached more than outplayed in most losses.

4 examples

The Steelers ran the least play action pass in the NFL last year.
The Steelers played the least man coverage in the NFL last year.
The Steelers scored the 2nd fewest touchdowns for yards gained last year
The Steelers led the NFL in missed tackles last season

A team cannot be predictable and fundamentally deficient and win in the NFL.

Players must make plays

An example

Ben has been shit in most playoff games over the past 10 years..10 Td's 11 ints 3 fumbles lost. 1 4th quarter comeback. 2 4th quarter drives to win games over 10 fucking years. I expect better...I think most of you do as well.

Leveon Bell the playoffs are where legends are made...Playoffs come in Jan and Feb....I know you're not real familiar with football at that time of year.

The Steelers play calling on both sides of the ball last season was borderline horsefuckingshit

I will put the Steelers talent against any team in the NFL for this season....I have zero faith in Todd Haley and Keith Butler...Which means I have zero faith in Mike Tomlin or the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl this season.

[Steelafan77]

Echoing most every concern Fury members here have stated one time or another. Difficult for me to add more off the top of my head right now. I'm sure others will have things to add.

[Pabst]

I have zero faith in Todd Haley and Keith Butler

I am willing to give Butler a one-time pass for the AFCG. That was his first time there as a coordinator and he had a young secondary going against Tom Brady. Now if it happens again, I'll grab the torch & pitchfork.

[Kodiak]

The Steelers ran the least play action pass in the NFL last year.

Absolutely unacceptable. You have a guy who was maybe the best PA passer in the league early in his career, the best RB in the league, and good pass pro.....and you're fucking dead last in PA?!?

Also, down near the GL, other teams seem to get at least 6-7 more easy TD's a year off PA.

[COR-TEN]

The Steelers ran the least play action pass in the NFL last year.
The Steelers played the least man coverage in the NFL last year.
The Steelers scored the 2nd fewest touchdowns for yards gained last year
The Steelers led the NFL in missed tackles last season

That's as convincing an argument against Haley and Butler i've seen so far. Never mind situational football.

The only thing I can say about Butler is that he was working with an inexperienced group in key positions.

I'll give him a pass as well. For now.

[Orangesteel]

Love me some FC ranting. It's like napalm in the morning.

Mind boggling stat on fewest PA pass in the league last season. Jesus H. Christ.

Mistackles galore. We all witnessed that through 16 plus weeks last year. Must be better.

[Stallworth16]

The biggest issue now is Ben's age and possibility of retirement. The Super Bowl window is Open this year, but we shouldn't assume it will be next year. Ben doesn't seemed inclined to full training regimen into his late 30s like the nemesis, Brady. I would love to see Ben play 3-4 more years but Ben himself doesn't seem to be on board with that.

So it's do or die with Ben, Tomlin, Haley, and Butler. That's just how it is, for better or for worse.

[BethlehemSteel]

Love me some FC ranting. It's like napalm in the morning.

Mind boggling stat on fewest PA pass in the league last season. Jesus H. Christ.

Mistackles galore. We all witnessed that through 16 plus weeks last year. Must be better.

[bradshaw2ben]

Ben says he's probably leaning to come back next year... but 'every player in the league who's played as long as I have should think about these things every year.'

If you are watching and you want a bathroom break, now's a good time-- Eddie Munster is about to be interviewed. Yawn.

[Legacy User]

Steelers live from Latrobe 7-9 ESPN tonight. That's my attention getting headline.

Barring injuries the Steelers have the talent to win the Super Bowl.

The reality of the situation is very ugly.

I do not hate Mike Tomlin. He is a regular season winner..650 winning% is elite. He took over a team with an elite Qb and very good talent.

My point is simple. The Steelers have been out-coached more than outplayed in most losses.

4 examples

The Steelers ran the least play action pass in the NFL last year.
The Steelers played the least man coverage in the NFL last year.
The Steelers scored the 2nd fewest touchdowns for yards gained last year
The Steelers led the NFL in missed tackles last season

A team cannot be predictable and fundamentally deficient and win in the NFL.

Players must make plays

An example

Ben has been shit in most playoff games over the past 10 years..10 Td's 11 ints 3 fumbles lost. 1 4th quarter comeback. 2 4th quarter drives to win games over 10 fucking years. I expect better...I think most of you do as well.

Leveon Bell the playoffs are where legends are made...Playoffs come in Jan and Feb....I know you're not real familiar with football at that time of year.

The Steelers play calling on both sides of the ball last season was borderline horsefuckingshit

I will put the Steelers talent against any team in the NFL for this season....I have zero faith in Todd Haley and Keith Butler...Which means I have zero faith in Mike Tomlin or the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl this season.

man..awesome post!!!! its amazing...I thought I imagined they did those things to excess and it angered me..to see they lead nfl is amazing and maddening..as mentioned we should lead in play action..the zone sucks ass mostly..and we all know the red zone shit..which play action would help great;ly..u summed up steelers ..and ben..

[K_C_]

Throw another zone at Brady again if we see them in the playoffs.

Maybe it'll work this time.

For once.

[bradshaw2ben]

The biggest issue now is Ben's age and possibility of retirement. The Super Bowl window is Open this year, but we shouldn't assume it will be next year. Ben doesn't seemed inclined to full training regimen into his late 30s like the nemesis, Brady. I would love to see Ben play 3-4 more years but Ben himself doesn't seem to be on board with that.

So it's do or die with Ben, Tomlin, Haley, and Butler. That's just how it is, for better or for worse.

That's a totally false assumption. I hear that Ben was working very hard off this offseason-- 100% committed to putting in the work.

[bradshaw2ben]

Throw another zone at Brady again if we see them in the playoffs.

Maybe it'll work this time.

For once.

Ryan Clark, moments ago, "They think they finally have the personnel to play man and rush with 4 vs. Brady-- when we had the personnel to do that, we had a lot of success against them"

#personnelproblem

[bradshaw2ben]

By the way, I think it's pretty safe to assume that the lack of playaction goes hand in hand with the design of the pass game. The primary pass attack is: A. get the ball out quick and let guys run with it B. towards the sidelines C. quick deep throws on the sideline.

If you add a play fake to that, it doesn't really help free up B, it takes to long to throw the slant they love so much because the window is right off the line, and it makes the throw for C farther and harder for Ben. Typical PA is throws to the TE (and the TE has to fake block, which takes time for a guy like JJ) or intermediate throws to WR in the middle of the field (which we have almost entirely written out of the playbook in the past few years).

It would nice if we could have a beast like Gronk, who has the speed and quicks to get off his fake block and get down the seam or the kind of deep playbook where we could practice these different kinds of plays/patterns more. I can understand that they might at some point but it's going to be an uphill effort.

[Kodiak]

Throw another zone at Brady again if we see them in the playoffs.

Maybe it'll work this time.

For once.

Well, you know, they just might do that because Tomlin and Haley want force Ben into retirement....you know, since Ben is holding them back.

[955876]

That's as convincing an argument against Haley and Butler i've seen so far. Never mind situational football.

Unfortunately, the boss is pleased with their work...

[steelclan]

By the way, I think it's pretty safe to assume that the lack of playaction goes hand in hand with the design of the pass game. The primary pass attack is: A. get the ball out quick and let guys run with it B. towards the sidelines C. quick deep throws on the sideline.

If you add a play fake to that, it doesn't really help free up B, it takes to long to throw the slant they love so much because the window is right off the line, and it makes the throw for C farther and harder for Ben. Typical PA is throws to the TE (and the TE has to fake block, which takes time for a guy like JJ) or intermediate throws to WR in the middle of the field (which we have almost entirely written out of the playbook in the past few years).

It would nice if we could have a beast like Gronk, who has the speed and quicks to get off his fake block and get down the seam or the kind of deep playbook where we could practice these different kinds of plays/patterns more. I can understand that they might at some point but it's going to be an uphill effort.

FWIW Ben and Steeler offense ranked near bottom in success using play action.

[bradshaw2ben]

By the way, I think it's pretty safe to assume that the lack of playaction goes hand in hand with the design of the pass game. The primary pass attack is: A. get the ball out quick and let guys run with it B. towards the sidelines C. quick deep throws on the sideline.

If you add a play fake to that, it doesn't really help free up B, it takes to long to throw the slant they love so much because the window is right off the line, and it makes the throw for C farther and harder for Ben. Typical PA is throws to the TE (and the TE has to fake block, which takes time for a guy like JJ) or intermediate throws to WR in the middle of the field (which we have almost entirely written out of the playbook in the past few years).

It would nice if we could have a beast like Gronk, who has the speed and quicks to get off his fake block and get down the seam or the kind of deep playbook where we could practice these different kinds of plays/patterns more. I can understand that they might at some point but it's going to be an uphill effort.

FWIW Ben and Steeler offense ranked near bottom in success using play action.

QB with banged up wheels, slow TEs... I'm not surprised. If Ben stays healthier, we'll see it more.

[bradshaw2ben]

By the way, I think it's pretty safe to assume that the lack of playaction goes hand in hand with the design of the pass game. The primary pass attack is: A. get the ball out quick and let guys run with it B. towards the sidelines C. quick deep throws on the sideline.

If you add a play fake to that, it doesn't really help free up B, it takes to long to throw the slant they love so much because the window is right off the line, and it makes the throw for C farther and harder for Ben. Typical PA is throws to the TE (and the TE has to fake block, which takes time for a guy like JJ) or intermediate throws to WR in the middle of the field (which we have almost entirely written out of the playbook in the past few years).

It would nice if we could have a beast like Gronk, who has the speed and quicks to get off his fake block and get down the seam or the kind of deep playbook where we could practice these different kinds of plays/patterns more. I can understand that they might at some point but it's going to be an uphill effort.

FWIW Ben and Steeler offense ranked near bottom in success using play action.

QB with banged up wheels, slow TEs... I'm not surprised. If Ben stays healthier, we'll see it more.

and clan, it goes with what I've been saying for years now-- Ben was incredible out of shotgun in college. He was incredible in shotgun as a young player. He was great in shotgun and pistol as a mature pro. There's pretty much no reason to put him under center except for 3rd/4th & inches... for the threat of QB sneak they never run anyway.

Bell would be just fine carrying the rock from pistol or shotgun handoff. In a way, it actually fits his style better.

[Legacy User]

Throw another zone at Brady again if we see them in the playoffs.

Maybe it'll work this time.

For once.

Ryan Clark, moments ago, "They think they finally have the personnel to play man and rush with 4 vs. Brady-- when we had the personnel to do that, we had a lot of success against them"

#personnelproblem

Huh. You mean coaches decide what schemes to use based on the players they have on the field? And they change their schemes when they have different players available? Fascinating.

[Lynch]

Throw another zone at Brady again if we see them in the playoffs.

Maybe it'll work this time.

For once.

Belichick grew bored whipping Tomlin's ass the same old way long ago. He's exhausted nearly every traditional offense over the years just trying to keep himself entertained. Last year he resorted to featuring white lacrosse players against us. Hate to see what embarrasment this year brings.

[Kodiak]

Ryan Clark, moments ago, "They think they finally have the personnel to play man and rush with 4 vs. Brady-- when we had the personnel to do that, we had a lot of success against them"

Umm, when did the Steelers with Ryan Clark ever have "a lot of success" against NE?

I'm thinking he may have inhaled too much second-hand pot smoke when he was with the team.

[bradshaw2ben]

Ryan Clark, moments ago, "They think they finally have the personnel to play man and rush with 4 vs. Brady-- when we had the personnel to do that, we had a lot of success against them"

Umm, when did the Steelers with Ryan Clark ever have "a lot of success" against NE?

I'm thinking he may have inhaled too much second-hand pot smoke when he was with the team.

2011. They truly did beat the Patriots, no fluke. 2005, the defense did their part, and ARE spent the entire game working hard to ensure victory for NE. 2004, they shut the Pats down.

In all three games, the Steelers played man, occasionally got beaten by the matchups, but held the Pats and Brady down.

[Kodiak]

Ryan Clark, moments ago, "They think they finally have the personnel to play man and rush with 4 vs. Brady-- when we had the personnel to do that, we had a lot of success against them"

Umm, when did the Steelers with Ryan Clark ever have "a lot of success" against NE?

I'm thinking he may have inhaled too much second-hand pot smoke when he was with the team.

2011. They truly did beat the Patriots, no fluke. 2005, the defense did their part, and ARE spent the entire game working hard to ensure victory for NE. 2004, they shut the Pats down.

Ryan Clark joined the team in 2006. Which was why I was saying he must have been high to say that.

[bradshaw2ben]

Ryan Clark joined the team in 2006. Which was why I was saying he must have been high to say that.

I guess he was talking just about 2011 or talking about the royal Steelers we.

[Kodiak]

Ryan Clark joined the team in 2006. Which was why I was saying he must have been high to say that.

I guess he was talking just about 2011 or talking about the royal Steelers we.

Yeah, the one game is why I raised the eyebrow.....normally you'd infer from reading that he was referring to multiple games during his tenure with the Steelers.

[Scunge]

Ryan Clark is probably remembering that 33-10 beat down we had over NE during the regular season in 2008.

Yeah, the NE QB had a passer rating of 39.4 that day, threw 2 INTs, fumbled twice and was sacked 5 times.

Maybe Clark honestly remembers that QB being Brady instead of Matt Cassel? Perhaps one too many concussions for Clark?

[Kodiak]

Maybe Clark honestly remembers that QB being Brady instead of Matt Cassel? Perhaps one too many concussions for Clark?

Again....second-hand stoned

[steelclan]

Ryan Clark is probably remembering that 33-10 beat down we had over NE during the regular season in 2008.

Yeah, the NE QB had a passer rating of 39.4 that day, threw 2 INTs, fumbled twice and was sacked 5 times.

Maybe Clark honestly remembers that QB being Brady instead of Matt Cassel? Perhaps one too many concussions for Clark?

2011 game.

[bradshaw2ben]

Ryan Clark is probably remembering that 33-10 beat down we had over NE during the regular season in 2008.

Yeah, the NE QB had a passer rating of 39.4 that day, threw 2 INTs, fumbled twice and was sacked 5 times.

Maybe Clark honestly remembers that QB being Brady instead of Matt Cassel? Perhaps one too many concussions for Clark?

2011 game.

I said that two pages ago... you're wasting your breath, clan.