The Hunkie's Postgame

[swissvale72]

Good read....some interesting stuff.

http://dkonpittsburghsports.com/2014/10 ... ward-pass/

[Thrillsseeker]

Good stuff!

Thanks for posting Swiss!

[swissvale72]

While I'm glad The Hunkie noted this play, as I did in the SBI piece, I need to disagree on its significance, or lack therof. I thought it was huge....allowed Steelers to eventually flip the field, hold Houston to a FG on their next possession, whereas a short field was looming had Steelers failed to convert:

Me, I’ll take one fairly nondescript play that occurred later, in the third quarter, when Ben Roethlisberger hit Darrius Heyward-Bey across the middle for a 17-yard gain and an escape from the shadow of their goal posts.

Not because it amounted to much. It didn’t. The Steelers would punt from their 39.

And not because it was spectacular. Heyward-Bey made a very nice effort, coming back to the ball through two defenders to haul it in, but it’s a play you see a lot.

[Fury]

Interesting that WPIAL refs are brought in when the high school rules are so different to college and the NFL. There are over 200 rules differences just between HS and NCAA.

[swissvale72]

Interesting that WPIAL refs are brought in when the high school rules are so different to college and the NFL. There are over 200 rules differences just between HS and NCAA.

I was surprised when I saw that pic, Ed. I knew that Tomlin had refs, who I presumed were NFL refs, in to talk to the team....didn't realize that he had high school refs at practice.

[Steelperch]

OK, I lied: I will give you stats to back up that stance up there. Of Roethlisberger’s 252 passes attempted this season, only 30 have gone over the middle of the field and in the air 10 yards or farther. That’s one out of every 8.4 attempts.

Precisely the reason I want Todd Haley fired. The strength to Ben's game has always been downfield passing on intermediate routes. They've neutered him and it's stalled the offense.

[JackLambert58]

Given the disparagement of Ramon Foster on this board, I thought this snippet was interesting:

It would be fairly easy to guess the Steelers’ top two offensive performers, as graded by Pro Football Focus: AB and Le’Veon Bell. But right behind them was Ramon Foster, even though he was clearly beaten for a sack. Foster’s superlative 2.8 grade in run blocking more than canceled that out. Seriously underappreciated player, especially in that area.

I've always liked Ramon Foster. I know the man has his shortcomings. I know he isn't great, probably somewhere between good and very good IMO and underappreciated like the Hunkie says.

[stillcajun]

One of the things I would like know is how the pass protection performs when it's not a known passing down aka 3rd and long vs. when it is a known passing down.

On another note I saw this and had to just shake my head.

the “I am not going to try to make more out of it than what it is,” said Tomlin about Bryant after the game. “He made a great play, a necessary play. It is a play that he is capable of making. It’s a play that we watch him consistently make on the practice field. He is still working to round out his game like a lot of young guys are, but that was a significant contribution to our efforts.”

You would think that an O that has been severely limited over the past 4-5 weeks would've at some point during that time seek to get guys on the field that would help break the top off of that sealed jar.

Again why would you handicap yourself to that degree especially since it's supposed to be about creating mismatches and winning football games?

[StillerInCT]

Given the disparagement of Ramon Foster on this board, I thought this snippet was interesting:

It would be fairly easy to guess the Steelers’ top two offensive performers, as graded by Pro Football Focus: AB and Le’Veon Bell. But right behind them was Ramon Foster, even though he was clearly beaten for a sack. Foster’s superlative 2.8 grade in run blocking more than canceled that out. Seriously underappreciated player, especially in that area.

I've always liked Ramon Foster. I know the man has his shortcomings. I know he isn't great, probably somewhere between good and very good IMO and underappreciated like the Hunkie says.

I agree. He's not too shabby for a guy that came in undrafted.

[StillerInCT]

One of the things I would like know is how the pass protection performs when it's not a known passing down aka 3rd and long vs. when it is a known passing down.

On another note I saw this and had to just shake my head.

the “I am not going to try to make more out of it than what it is,” said Tomlin about Bryant after the game. “He made a great play, a necessary play. It is a play that he is capable of making. It’s a play that we watch him consistently make on the practice field. He is still working to round out his game like a lot of young guys are, but that was a significant contribution to our efforts.”

You would think that an O that has been severely limited over the past 4-5 weeks would've at some point during that time seek to get guys on the field that would help break the top off of that sealed jar.

Again why would you handicap yourself to that degree especially since it's supposed to be about creating mismatches and winning football games?

Consider who you are dealing with. This coaching staff is stubborn to a fault. It takes an embarrassing loss to the Browns to get them to make small tweaks that can greatly benefit this team. It was a nice win but this team will continue to be hindered by this coaching staff.

Watch the game on Sunday. They'll forget about what worked and move away from what worked this week only to go back to what hadn't work in the previous weeks. I've seen this story play out since Haley joined Tomlin. I'm not blaming solely Haley because Tomlin shares the blame in this.

[steeledge]

OK, I lied: I will give you stats to back up that stance up there. Of Roethlisberger’s 252 passes attempted this season, only 30 have gone over the middle of the field and in the air 10 yards or farther. That’s one out of every 8.4 attempts.

Precisely the reason I want Todd Haley fired. The strength to Ben's game has always been downfield passing on intermediate routes. They've neutered him and it's stalled the offense.

Yeah, it really sucks that Todd Haley can't get open, especially across the middle on intermediate routes...

[bradshaw2ben]

Ben is going to go off big time on Sunday. A Ben explosion is in the offing.

[CASTEELER]

Good read....some interesting stuff.

http://dkonpittsburghsports.com/2014/10 ... ward-pass/

That is a pay site, can't read the article.
Highlights???

[Fury]

Ben is going to go off big time on Sunday. A Ben explosion is in the offing.

Going off on the Colts or his coaching staff?

[Steelperch]

OK, I lied: I will give you stats to back up that stance up there. Of Roethlisberger’s 252 passes attempted this season, only 30 have gone over the middle of the field and in the air 10 yards or farther. That’s one out of every 8.4 attempts.

Precisely the reason I want Todd Haley fired. The strength to Ben's game has always been downfield passing on intermediate routes. They've neutered him and it's stalled the offense.

Yeah, it really sucks that Todd Haley can't get open, especially across the middle on intermediate routes...

What part aren't you following here? Ben doesn't throw downfield by design. Haley's offense is all bubble screens and quick hitches. Ben excelled on those downfield throws under Arians and Whisenhut. Are you debating the stat posted in the article or the fact that this offense is small ball? Or just ignorant on the topic?

[StillMadAtSlobber]

Precisely the reason I want Todd Haley fired. The strength to Ben's game has always been downfield passing on intermediate routes. They've neutered him and it's stalled the offense.

Yeah, it really sucks that Todd Haley can't get open, especially across the middle on intermediate routes...

What part aren't you following here? Ben doesn't throw downfield by design. Haley's offense is all bubble screens and quick hitches. Ben excelled on those downfield throws under Arians and Whisenhut. Are you debating the stat posted in the article? or The fact that this offense is small ball? Or just ignorant on the topic?

I think the answer is

d) All of the above.

[Legacy User]

IMO what has neutered Ben has been this OL... We can all tell that if they can give Ben the time good things will happen. If the Steelers choose to go mid to deep routes on a constant basis Ben will get killed and bad things will happen. I like how Haley and Ben approached the Texan game and took well timed shots down field.

[StillMadAtSlobber]

I just read the article, which I linked to fine.

There is a bunch of mention on how Bryant caught the ball.

I need to look at it again, but the two interesting topics were

1) Bryant mistimed it and made it look harder then he need to
2) He used the patented Mike Wallace body catching technique.

Comments?

[Orangesteel]

OK, I lied: I will give you stats to back up that stance up there. Of Roethlisberger’s 252 passes attempted this season, only 30 have gone over the middle of the field and in the air 10 yards or farther. That’s one out of every 8.4 attempts.

Precisely the reason I want Todd Haley fired. The strength to Ben's game has always been downfield passing on intermediate routes. They've neutered him and it's stalled the offense.

Yeah, it really sucks that Todd Haley can't get open, especially across the middle on intermediate routes...

Are you kidding? Don't let facts slap you in the face. Follow along here, edge. You might learn something.

[bradshaw2ben]

Ben is going to have one of his greatest games, whether it's statistically or just as a football player willing the team to win. It's coming this Sunday.

[Stillchest]

Ben is going to have one of his greatest games, whether it's statistically or just as a football player willing the team to win. It's coming this Sunday.

Man, I'm hoping and thinking you're right!

[bradshaw2ben]

Ben is going to have one of his greatest games, whether it's statistically or just as a football player willing the team to win. It's coming this Sunday.

Man, I'm hoping and thinking you're right!

Ben is driven by perceived personal slights-- it's been a big part of his career thus far.

I am certain Ben has heard the talk that the offensive malaise is his fault, that he's washed up, that he isn't the same player he once was, that he now has control and isn't succeeding with it. I'm sure he's heard his critics praise Andrew Luck as the new flavor du jour. I'm sure he bristles when people say he's lucky to have won 2 super bowls and gone to 3. I'm 100% sure he knows a win Sunday will give him 100 wins in 150 starts, something only Brady, Montana, and Bradshaw have done. I'm sure he knows everyone thinks his team is dead and they're going to get brought back to earth by Indy this week.

My guess is: Ben's not quite dead yet, thank you. His HC/OC made some changes to fit his game last week; this week, Ben takes the better personnel and perhaps some wrinkles like throwing downfield and using no huddle... he's going to find his big balls for this game.

[Legacy User]

OK, I lied: I will give you stats to back up that stance up there. Of Roethlisberger’s 252 passes attempted this season, only 30 have gone over the middle of the field and in the air 10 yards or farther. That’s one out of every 8.4 attempts.

Precisely the reason I want Todd Haley fired. The strength to Ben's game has always been downfield passing on intermediate routes. They've neutered him and it's stalled the offense.

This.

[Legacy User]

Ben is going to have one of his greatest games, whether it's statistically or just as a football player willing the team to win. It's coming this Sunday.

Man, I'm hoping and thinking you're right!

Ben is driven by perceived personal slights-- it's been a big part of his career thus far.

I am certain Ben has heard the talk that the offensive malaise is his fault, that he's washed up, that he isn't the same player he once was, that he now has control and isn't succeeding with it. I'm sure he's heard his critics praise Andrew Luck as the new flavor du jour. I'm sure he bristles when people say he's lucky to have won 2 super bowls and gone to 3. I'm 100% sure he knows a win Sunday will give him 100 wins in 150 starts, something only Brady, Montana, and Bradshaw have done. I'm sure he knows everyone thinks his team is dead and they're going to get brought back to earth by Indy this week.

My guess is: Ben's not quite dead yet, thank you. His HC/OC made some changes to fit his game last week; this week, Ben takes the better personnel and perhaps some wrinkles like throwing downfield and using no huddle... he's going to find his big balls for this game.

Ben stepping up and playing large wouldn't surprise me in the least. Just please downfield throws to the middle of the field between the numbers, I don't want to see the over the shoulder against the sideline variety, those are low low percentage.

[bradshaw2ben]

This sets up as a Green Bay 2009 type of game... arguably Ben's greatest game ever. I'm guessing his HC isn't going to trust his defense any more than he did that day and they'll lean on Ben.

[Legacy User]

This sets up as a Green Bay 2009 type of game... arguably Ben's greatest game ever. I'm guessing his HC isn't going to trust his defense any more than he did that day and they'll lean on Ben.

From, your mouth to the idiot calling the plays pea brain!!! Lets hope.

[StillerInCT]

IMO what has neutered Ben has been this OL... We can all tell that if they can give Ben the time good things will happen. If the Steelers choose to go mid to deep routes on a constant basis Ben will get killed and bad things will happen. I like how Haley and Ben approached the Texan game and took well timed shots down field.

This is probably the best OLine he's played with since the Cowher era. He's excelled behind worse offensive lines than he's currently dealing with. He's played well behind lines that have included Justin Hartwig, Kemoeatu, Colon, Stapleton, and Legursky. I don't think this OLine is hampering Ben that much.

It's stupid play design and strategic playcalling putting him into impossible situations. It's consistently putting him into 3rd and Longs. It's not letting him throw down field, drawing the safeties in, and then throwing it right into the strength of their coverage. It's developing a running game and then not using play action off of it. It's 3rd and 1's and you've ran it down their throats and then decide NOW is the time to air it out (Of course not in the middle of the field, it has to be on the sidelines where it leaves very little room for error or WR adjustment).

Ben is a rhythm QB who is never allowed to get into a rhythm.


As for the bolded, I said it earlier in the thread, they will move away from what worked. It's happened several times before.

[stillcajun]

One of the things I would like know is how the pass protection performs when it's not a known passing down aka 3rd and long vs. when it is a known passing down.

On another note I saw this and had to just shake my head.

the “I am not going to try to make more out of it than what it is,” said Tomlin about Bryant after the game. “He made a great play, a necessary play. It is a play that he is capable of making. It’s a play that we watch him consistently make on the practice field. He is still working to round out his game like a lot of young guys are, but that was a significant contribution to our efforts.”

You would think that an O that has been severely limited over the past 4-5 weeks would've at some point during that time seek to get guys on the field that would help break the top off of that sealed jar.

Again why would you handicap yourself to that degree especially since it's supposed to be about creating mismatches and winning football games?

Consider who you are dealing with. This coaching staff is stubborn to a fault. It takes an embarrassing loss to the Browns to get them to make small tweaks that can greatly benefit this team. It was a nice win but this team will continue to be hindered by this coaching staff.

Watch the game on Sunday. They'll forget about what worked and move away from what worked this week only to go back to what hadn't work in the previous weeks. I've seen this story play out since Haley joined Tomlin. I'm not blaming solely Haley because Tomlin shares the blame in this.

Sad but true man. Sad but true.

[swissvale72]

Ben is going to have one of his greatest games, whether it's statistically or just as a football player willing the team to win. It's coming this Sunday.

And you'll be there in Chestnut Hill watching, B2B....followed by the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow reading in the Back Bay!!

[bradshaw2ben]

You're such a dork Swiss

More like I'll drive two hours to play football in the morning, sample some microbrews, and maybe hit up a Starbucks. I am cultured but it's gameday, man!