Why did we hire Arthur Smith?

[Jizz Mop]

This is a simple question

I don’t understand why we hired a guy whose forte is a run centric offense w tight end heavy look.

Why must we have an offense that can’t be dynamic? Are the Steelers not watching what’s happening in the playoffs or SB of late?

Instead of hiring a guy who brings a potentially dynamic offense capable of scoring a lot of points, we go with a guy whose goal is to top the 17.9 we averaged last year.

I just don’t get this fascination w attrition fucking football.

What am I missing?

[Jobu]

I’m pretty sure you know the answer…we all no the answer.
This is what the owner wants, and this is what the Head Clown wants.
Smash mouff football…GRRRR!

[anpsteel]

I’m pretty sure you know the answer…we all no the answer.
This is what the owner wants, and this is what the Head Clown wants.
Smash mouff football…GRRRR!

Quoted for accuracy

[SteelerDayTrader]

The early returns don’t look good

I’m gonna wait 5 real games til I form a solid opinion on this team

[Pabst]

The early returns don’t look good

I’m gonna wait 5 real games til I form a solid opinion on this team

I'm more than happy to start shitting myself by week 3, but agree with the sentiment.

[Deebo]

I’m pretty sure you know the answer…we all no the answer.
This is what the owner wants, and this is what the Head Clown wants.
Smash mouff football…GRRRR!

MT and AR2 believe not allowing the other team to score makes you win
This flies in the face of this era of NFL where scoring has never been easier. This philosophy is woefully outdated. This isn't 1990's to 2000's football where you "pound the rock and play defense".

Other teams are SpaceX trying to get to the new frontier. Mike Tomlin believes flying commercial is too risky.

[Mick]

Of the three people willing to interview with the steelers, one was previously a successful OC, one was a complete disaster as an OC with a run centric scheme, and one had almost no relevant experience at all.

That’s it. Make your choice.

[VeritasSteel]

Its simple really having a run based offense is a sound strategy considering 3 things

1. AFCN is now paying 3 QBs C2 money. Usually the first thing that goes when the QB starts making money is the run defense. What better way to set yourself up for 6 wins a year by playing to your divisions weakness for the next 4 years?

2 Its easier to go get 3 OL and a veteran to run play actions than it is to find the next elite QB and install a passing offense. And when you find him he's in a system that incubates him until he can get used to the speed of the game. We had Ben in a similar system for his first 4 years.

3. Possessions matter against good teams and in the playoffs. I cannot remember the Chiefs blowing out a good team in the last 3 years but I have seen them struggle for the majority of the game only to figure it out against the Eagles, SF, Buffalo, and Cincy. What do all of them have in common- all not being able to run the ball and shut down the game. The next thing you know they are getting into field goal range in 13 seconds and you dont see the ball for OT, or they convert some crazy 3rd and forever, or you dont get the TD and they walk through you and get the game winning TD in overtime off of a play they saved to score twice on you. You gotta be able to close out the game on offense with them. You cannot give them 10 possession in a game because they figure out all your tricks and adjustments. When Denver beat them last year its was because they closed them out.

If we are a top 10 rushing team (Atlanta was) and Russell gives us 30+/10- at 65% and we maintain the defensive core --this team wins the division. If its top 10 in passing (Russell was 500 yards from that last year in 15 games) and top 5 in TOP ( which means we are converting 3rd downs) then its a SB contender.

[bradshaw2ben]

The early returns don’t look good

I’m gonna wait 5 real games til I form a solid opinion on this team

I'm more than happy to start shitting myself by week 3, but agree with the sentiment.

If they look shitty vs the legendary Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, you'll know.

[bradshaw2ben]

Its simple really having a run based offense is a sound strategy considering 3 things

1. AFCN is now paying 3 QBs C2 money. Usually the first thing that goes when the QB starts making money is the run defense. What better way to set yourself up for 6 wins a year by playing to your divisions weakness for the next 4 years?

2 Its easier to go get 3 OL and a veteran to run play actions than it is to find the next elite QB and install a passing offense. And when you find him he's in a system that incubates him until he can get used to the speed of the game. We had Ben in a similar system for his first 4 years.

3. Possessions matter against good teams and in the playoffs. I cannot remember the Chiefs blowing out a good team in the last 3 years but I have seen them struggle for the majority of the game only to figure it out against the Eagles, SF, Buffalo, and Cincy. What do all of them have in common- all not being able to run the ball and shut down the game. The next thing you know they are getting into field goal range in 13 seconds and you dont see the ball for OT, or they convert some crazy 3rd and forever, or you dont get the TD and they walk through you and get the game winning TD in overtime off of a play they saved to score twice on you. You gotta be able to close out the game on offense with them. You cannot give them 10 possession in a game because they figure out all your tricks and adjustments. When Denver beat them last year its was because they closed them out.

If we are a top 10 rushing team (Atlanta was) and Russell gives us 30+/10- at 65% and we maintain the defensive core --this team wins the division. If its top 10 in passing (Russell was 500 yards from that last year in 15 games) and top 5 in TOP ( which means we are converting 3rd downs) then its a SB contender.

For the umpteenth time: TOTAL RUSHING YARDS OUT OF CONTEXT MEAN NOTHING. Atlanta was "top 10 rushing team" in yards because they ran the shit out of the ball like it was 1992.

In no universe is 8 rushing yards on 3rd and 10 worth 4 times more than 2 yards on 4th and 1. Except for the NFL fake ranking system universe.

It's running efficiency that matters more, but that would require a 180 from the HC's mentality of run on early downs and 2nd and long when you should be running on 2nd/3rd and short.

[Jobu]

The early returns don’t look good

I’m gonna wait 5 real games til I form a solid opinion on this team

I'm more than happy to start shitting myself by week 3, but agree with the sentiment.

If they look shitty vs the legendary Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, you'll know.

It is my opinion, emphasize “my opinion”, that the 2024 Atlanta Falcons, on paper, are a superior football team to the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers.

[bradshaw2ben]

I'm more than happy to start shitting myself by week 3, but agree with the sentiment.

If they look shitty vs the legendary Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, you'll know.

It is my opinion, emphasize “my opinion”, that the 2024 Atlanta Falcons, on paper, are a superior football team to the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers.

I expect the Falcons to be as good if not better, but I'm not sure they're a powerhouse either. If the Steelers are truly a contender, then they should TCB vs ATL.

[Mick]

I guess probably also worth noting,

Last season league wide QBs had ~8.5 YPA and approximately 6.5 YPA on plays where they didn’t use playaction;

Naturally, we were pretty close to last in the NFL in rate of using playaction. It wasn’t really compatible with our playbook. Smith’s offense does playaction at least.

[anpsteel]

I guess probably also worth noting,

Last season league wide QBs had ~8.5 YPA and approximately 6.5 YPA on plays where they didn’t use playaction;

Naturally, we were pretty close to last in the NFL in rate of using playaction. It wasn’t really compatible with our playbook. Smith’s offense does playaction at least.

I'm a little surprised they didn't keep another RB given how run heavy we expect the team to be.

Perine and Ward were both decent

[Orangesteel]

I’d go after the other Perine. The one that Denver is letting go.

[VeritasSteel]

For the umpteenth time: TOTAL RUSHING YARDS OUT OF CONTEXT MEAN NOTHING. Atlanta was "top 10 rushing team" in yards because they ran the shit out of the ball like it was 1992.

In no universe is 8 rushing yards on 3rd and 10 worth 4 times more than 2 yards on 4th and 1. Except for the NFL fake ranking system universe.

It's running efficiency that matters more, but that would require a 180 from the HC's mentality of run on early downs and 2nd and long when you should be running on 2nd/3rd and short.

Didnt know you were carrying the cross for run efficiency. I alluded to it with TOP and 3rd down conversions at the end.I mentioned the Falcons only because it was Smiths system. I could have said we were less than 100 yards from being in the top ten in rushing. The yards are essential here because if we can get to around 1700-2000 in rushing yards that could translate into 3500 passing yards off play action, vs single coverage or simple zones. I believe that having a powerful running game takes teams out of exotic blitzes and keeps them in base or nickel with simple concepts and wears them out.

Attrition football gets thrown around here a lot- but the only team that is throwing the ball around the yard and winning consistently are the Chiefs. Going up by 20 and losing used to be a rarity- now its common because defenses are getting exposed due to allowing multiple possessions to the offenses. The only strategy that seems to work is to get your points, then control the ball while scoring, and limit the possessions.

[RemoAZ]

I’m pretty sure you know the answer…we all no the answer.
This is what the owner wants, and this is what the Head Clown wants.
Smash mouff football…GRRRR!

Quoted for accuracy

Exactly. This is what he wanted for years, probably all along. It's why he chose the last coordinator. It's why they wanted to push Ben out at least a year earlier than he wanted. We have the offense the HC wants. Anybody that disputes that either doesn't follow the team at all or is simply an idiot.

[stillthere]

For the umpteenth time: TOTAL RUSHING YARDS OUT OF CONTEXT MEAN NOTHING. Atlanta was "top 10 rushing team" in yards because they ran the shit out of the ball like it was 1992.

In no universe is 8 rushing yards on 3rd and 10 worth 4 times more than 2 yards on 4th and 1. Except for the NFL fake ranking system universe.

It's running efficiency that matters more, but that would require a 180 from the HC's mentality of run on early downs and 2nd and long when you should be running on 2nd/3rd and short.

Didnt know you were carrying the cross for run efficiency. I alluded to it with TOP and 3rd down conversions at the end.I mentioned the Falcons only because it was Smiths system. I could have said we were less than 100 yards from being in the top ten in rushing. The yards are essential here because if we can get to around 1700-2000 in rushing yards that could translate into 3500 passing yards off play action, vs single coverage or simple zones. I believe that having a powerful running game takes teams out of exotic blitzes and keeps them in base or nickel with simple concepts and wears them out.

Attrition football gets thrown around here a lot- but the only team that is throwing the ball around the yard and winning consistently are the Chiefs. Going up by 20 and losing used to be a rarity- now its common because defenses are getting exposed due to allowing multiple possessions to the offenses. The only strategy that seems to work is to get your points, then control the ball while scoring, and limit the possessions.

I think that if they can use the 3 TEs they have they can force Ds into bad situations as far as personnel and formations. Give big looks shift to spread looks could go 23 personnel and load up one side and shift to a trips look. How many DL will be in the game? Shit like that. I know it sounds rudimentary but matchups are key and athletic big men stress edges of Ds. That is why athletic big men are put on the edges of Ds.

[Charles Demarr]

If they look shitty vs the legendary Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, you'll know.

It is my opinion, emphasize “my opinion”, that the 2024 Atlanta Falcons, on paper, are a superior football team to the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers.

I expect the Falcons to be as good if not better, but I'm not sure they're a powerhouse either. If the Steelers are truly a contender, then they should TCB vs ATL.

I already have ATL ML on one of my tickets. No confidence the offense will be able to move the ball consistently this year. ATL added Simmons and Judon to a pretty decent defense. The Steelers O will struggle, the D will keep them close. Also, bet the under.

[bradshaw2ben]

For the umpteenth time: TOTAL RUSHING YARDS OUT OF CONTEXT MEAN NOTHING. Atlanta was "top 10 rushing team" in yards because they ran the shit out of the ball like it was 1992.

In no universe is 8 rushing yards on 3rd and 10 worth 4 times more than 2 yards on 4th and 1. Except for the NFL fake ranking system universe.

It's running efficiency that matters more, but that would require a 180 from the HC's mentality of run on early downs and 2nd and long when you should be running on 2nd/3rd and short.

Didnt know you were carrying the cross for run efficiency. I alluded to it with TOP and 3rd down conversions at the end.I mentioned the Falcons only because it was Smiths system. I could have said we were less than 100 yards from being in the top ten in rushing. The yards are essential here because if we can get to around 1700-2000 in rushing yards that could translate into 3500 passing yards off play action, vs single coverage or simple zones. I believe that having a powerful running game takes teams out of exotic blitzes and keeps them in base or nickel with simple concepts and wears them out.

Attrition football gets thrown around here a lot- but the only team that is throwing the ball around the yard and winning consistently are the Chiefs. Going up by 20 and losing used to be a rarity- now its common because defenses are getting exposed due to allowing multiple possessions to the offenses. The only strategy that seems to work is to get your points, then control the ball while scoring, and limit the possessions.

I think that if they can use the 3 TEs they have they can force Ds into bad situations as far as personnel and formations. Give big looks shift to spread looks could go 23 personnel and load up one side and shift to a trips look. How many DL will be in the game? Shit like that. I know it sounds rudimentary but matchups are key and athletic big men stress edges of Ds. That is why athletic big men are put on the edges of Ds.

The Steelers have exactly 1 TE or FB who is proven as an offensive threat worthy of featuring in such an offense, MyCole Pruitt. Maybe Friermuth or the others will A) be utilized and B) be more successful than they have been but it seems like a lot of IFs, especially with two QBs who are notorious for not throwing to TEs & not throwing to the MOF.

[Louis Lipps Service]

I heard they tried hiring an ACTUAL dinosaur, but they had trouble finding one, so they settled for Arthur Smith.

[Gonzo]

also - stop calling this smash mouth football … it isn’t and it’s an insult to smash mouth football.

[Still Diesel]

The early returns don’t look good

I’m gonna wait 5 real games til I form a solid opinion on this team

Exactly it’s a long season and with Cam Sutton coming back in the 2nd half of the season and our young O-line hopefully gelling, it may be a fun season.

[anpsteel]

For the umpteenth time: TOTAL RUSHING YARDS OUT OF CONTEXT MEAN NOTHING. Atlanta was "top 10 rushing team" in yards because they ran the shit out of the ball like it was 1992.

In no universe is 8 rushing yards on 3rd and 10 worth 4 times more than 2 yards on 4th and 1. Except for the NFL fake ranking system universe.

It's running efficiency that matters more, but that would require a 180 from the HC's mentality of run on early downs and 2nd and long when you should be running on 2nd/3rd and short.

Didnt know you were carrying the cross for run efficiency. I alluded to it with TOP and 3rd down conversions at the end.I mentioned the Falcons only because it was Smiths system. I could have said we were less than 100 yards from being in the top ten in rushing. The yards are essential here because if we can get to around 1700-2000 in rushing yards that could translate into 3500 passing yards off play action, vs single coverage or simple zones. I believe that having a powerful running game takes teams out of exotic blitzes and keeps them in base or nickel with simple concepts and wears them out.

Attrition football gets thrown around here a lot- but the only team that is throwing the ball around the yard and winning consistently are the Chiefs. Going up by 20 and losing used to be a rarity- now its common because defenses are getting exposed due to allowing multiple possessions to the offenses. The only strategy that seems to work is to get your points, then control the ball while scoring, and limit the possessions.

I think that if they can use the 3 TEs they have they can force Ds into bad situations as far as personnel and formations. Give big looks shift to spread looks could go 23 personnel and load up one side and shift to a trips look. How many DL will be in the game? Shit like that. I know it sounds rudimentary but matchups are key and athletic big men stress edges of Ds. That is why athletic big men are put on the edges of Ds.

I absolutely agree they should scheme like this, but if they actually do it, it will be the first time in years.

I think you'd have to go back to Haley, to see an OC implement a game plan that actually tried to put the defense in bad positions through use of personnel groups and play calling.

For the majority of Tomlin's duration its been a case of, we do what we do.

When you have red pain, paint your barn red.

[Ice]

Didnt know you were carrying the cross for run efficiency. I alluded to it with TOP and 3rd down conversions at the end.I mentioned the Falcons only because it was Smiths system. I could have said we were less than 100 yards from being in the top ten in rushing. The yards are essential here because if we can get to around 1700-2000 in rushing yards that could translate into 3500 passing yards off play action, vs single coverage or simple zones. I believe that having a powerful running game takes teams out of exotic blitzes and keeps them in base or nickel with simple concepts and wears them out.

Attrition football gets thrown around here a lot- but the only team that is throwing the ball around the yard and winning consistently are the Chiefs. Going up by 20 and losing used to be a rarity- now its common because defenses are getting exposed due to allowing multiple possessions to the offenses. The only strategy that seems to work is to get your points, then control the ball while scoring, and limit the possessions.

I think that if they can use the 3 TEs they have they can force Ds into bad situations as far as personnel and formations. Give big looks shift to spread looks could go 23 personnel and load up one side and shift to a trips look. How many DL will be in the game? Shit like that. I know it sounds rudimentary but matchups are key and athletic big men stress edges of Ds. That is why athletic big men are put on the edges of Ds.

I absolutely agree they should scheme like this, but if they actually do it, it will be the first time in years.

I think you'd have to go back to Haley, to see an OC implement a game plan that actually tried to put the defense in bad positions through use of personnel groups and play calling.

For the majority of Tomlin's duration its been a case of, we do what we do.

When you have red pain, paint your barn red.

This season may involve a lot of red, red pain.

[stillthere]

When you have red pain, paint your barn red.

This season may involve a lot of red, red pain.

Or Red Red Wine

Just a little UB40 to lighten the mood.

[anpsteel]

I think that if they can use the 3 TEs they have they can force Ds into bad situations as far as personnel and formations. Give big looks shift to spread looks could go 23 personnel and load up one side and shift to a trips look. How many DL will be in the game? Shit like that. I know it sounds rudimentary but matchups are key and athletic big men stress edges of Ds. That is why athletic big men are put on the edges of Ds.

I absolutely agree they should scheme like this, but if they actually do it, it will be the first time in years.

I think you'd have to go back to Haley, to see an OC implement a game plan that actually tried to put the defense in bad positions through use of personnel groups and play calling.

For the majority of Tomlin's duration its been a case of, we do what we do.

When you have red pain, paint your barn red.

This season may involve a lot of red, red pain.

Ha


lol


That was supposed to be Paint, but pain is probably appropriate too

[.Kodiak]

If they look shitty vs the legendary Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, you'll know.

I expect them to be shitty. NHALS won't surprise me, but a contender they are not.

Whether PIT will be shitty or not is the wrong question...Will they be WATCHABLE?!?

[Steelafan77]

Why did we hire Arthur Smith?

To fulfill the old Canada role? Scapegoat?!