Steelers + Pickett + Eagles + Seumalo = More QB Sneak Conversions?

[LakecrestSteeler]

Eagles' Dallas Goedert Is Revealing That 1 Steelers Great Is The Formula To Exploit Relentless QB Sneak Attack

by Ben Michaelian, Staff Writer
Jul 13, 2023 • 9:59 am

https://www.steelernation.com/2023/07/1 ... eak-attack

Eagles' Dallas Goedert Is Revealing That 1 Steelers Great Is The Formula To Exploit Relentless QB Sneak Attack
As the page turns after each season, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the entire NFL see rule changes leading into the next campaign. Some may be minor, while others may be more prominent. On the other hand, some team owners may propose for a new rule change and may not be granted their wish. As we look ahead to the upcoming season, the owners met at their annual meeting earlier in the offseason to discuss any rule changes. We saw some reportedly unpopular opinions revolving around the new kickoff return rules, while there was another rule proposal that was not granted.

The quarterback sneak has been one of the oldest plays in football. Further, with the first rules of the sport of American football in 1869, there were limitations of how offensive players could throw the football. This led to a rush-heavy offense and forced the quarterback to use his legs instead of his arm to pick up yards.

If we fast forward to more recent as the game of football has evolved, the quarterback sneak has as well. In the mid-2000’s college football scene, University of Southern California running back Reggie Bush coined the phrase of the “Bush Push” when he would push quarterback Matt Leinart for extra yardage on called quarterback sneak plays. That tactic was not legal in the NFL until the rule changes in 2005, thus allowing NFL quarterbacks to gain help from behind on quarterback sneaks. That rule and strategy remains in force today's NFL.

Looking now to today’s NFL, that pushing strategy is arguably more prevalent than ever. In 2022 alone, there was a record 308 quarterback sneaks in the NFL; that set a new high in league record books. Of those, a first down was converted on 83 percent of them. But of the entire league, there was one team who seemed to perfect the quarterback sneak and the Steelers hold the key to running it themselves, but also stopping it.



The Steelers' Formula To Effectively Exploit The Quarterback Sneak

As a part of their Super Bowl run in 2022, the Philadelphia Eagles were one of the most effective offenses at running the football. They were relatively split on calling run plays versus pass plays, but with quarterback Jalen Hurts, they excelled at the quarterback sneak. They led the league in quarterback sneaks with 41, and converted a league-high 37 of those. Tight end Dallas Goedert saw a lot of what went into the offense’s impressive success and what had to happen to achieve a 90 percent success rate. Goedert joined Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take crew with Dan “Big Cat” Katz and PFT Commenter and talked about the first step of establishing an effective quarterback sneak attack.

The Steelers’ new guard, Isaac Seumalo, played next to Kelce in that sequence. In the first score of Super Bowl LVII, Seumalo helped pave the way on the interior of the right-hand side to allow Hurts to score the first touchdown of the game. Earlier in the offseason, Kelce praised Seumalo’s football intelligence, as well as his elite ability to execute blocks and overall athleticism at the position. With Seumalo bringing that intel the Eagles’ used in their league-leading quarterback sneak attack, the Steelers’ Kenny Pickett may be able to take his skills to the next level.

While he isn’t s true dual-threat quarterback, Pickett showed he has what it takes to pick up yards on the ground. But if we simply look at his ability to run in between the tackles in short-yardage situations, Pickett was surgical in knowing where he needed to get the ball, and then reaching that mark. In his first regular season game against the New York Jets, he scored a pair of touchdowns within two yards of the goal line.

Against the New Orleans Saints, he snuck the ball into the endzone from the one-yard line to secure the victory in the fourth quarter. In the back-to-back games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens that featured game-winning drives, Pickett converted 5/5 quarterback sneak attempts with the help of Najee Harris and others behind him to keep drives alive. The foundation of an elite Steelers’ quarterback sneak is obvious, and it appears that it can drastically improve now with Seumalo’s insight.

For the defense, the question remains of how to stop such an imposing attack. Defensive captain Cameron Heyward was vocal earlier in the offseason, voicing his frustrations with the offenses’ ability to move the ball at-will against defensive linemen. However, Goedert revealed that it is actually the Steelers who showed how to effectively stop the Eagles' quarterback sneak; and it is arguably the only way to stop it for any offense.

As a part of his Hall of Fame career, Troy Polamalu was a menace for quarterbacks at the line of scrimmage. He possessed the incredibly-unique ability to be lined up 10 yards off the line of scrimmage, only to collapse on the offensive line in unison with the ball being snapped. Polamalu’s way of jumping the line with precision timing is something that can’t necessarily be taught and remains as being one of the most impressive skill sets of any football player in the world.

Perfecting the quarterback sneak would add a significant safety net for Pickett and the offense in 2023. Instead of needing to pick up a full 10 yards in a span of three plays, they could be able to afford to, say, pick up eight to nine yards on first through third downs and still be comfortable enough to pick up the fourth-down conversion on the ground. The Eagles proved the strategy expands the offense’s chances of scoring within the five yard-line, and this may be the answer for the Steelers’ pedestrian redzone offense.

While this would rely on the protection of Pickett’s health on a weekly basis, it would add another layer of the Steelers’ rushing attack, especially in goal-to-go situations. Seumalo has already said he’s ready for the challenge that awaits him at training camp later in the summer, and there is a good chance we’ll be able to see Pickett sneak it against Heyward and company with Seumalo deep in the mix.

[Deebo]

With the way the Eagles employ this, why would anyone NOT use this tactic when there is 1 yard to go?

I'm sure we'll hear some BS from Tomlin that this isn't fair to the other team....

[Kodiak.]

Wait, whut? The QB sneak is important to winning games?!?

[Jobu]

Does anyone think that Jalen Hurts ability to squat over 600lbs has anything to do with the Eagles QB sneak success? Maybe a little?

[Deebo]

Does anyone think that Jalen Hurts ability to squat over 600lbs has anything to do with the Eagles QB sneak success? Maybe a little?

Not to be a snark, but no.

I'm 6'1 and 200...certainly don't squat anything close to that. But with all that mass and momentum behind me I'm certain I could pick up half or a full yard

[LakecrestSteeler]

Wait, whut? The QB sneak is important to winning games?!?

This is one of the strange and big contradictions to attrition football with Tomlin....You speak of it often throughout the season, that Tomlin loves attrition football!

If anything spells attrition football more than QB sneak I am not certain it exists. What the Eagles' QB sneak did was demoralizing to teams last year. Maybe a quick handoff to a FB for a 37 out of 40 conversion percentage on short yardage conversions spells attrition football more than QB sneak, but not by much if anything.

I can see us getting hot with the QB sneaks for the first 3 quarters of the season, then trying to get cute and run fake QB sneak formations to Harris or Heyward in December to shoot ourselves in the foot!

Can't wait for the season to start.....sooo many things I can't wait to see what if any progression will occur! Pickett, Pickens, draft picks, Boz, Austin III, young Heyward, Pickett, Pickens, Watt, Porter...secondary....Canada......can't wait for this season!

[Kodiak.]

This is one of the strange and big contradictions to attrition football with Tomlin....You speak of it often throughout the season, that Tomlin loves attrition football!

Yes, but in this case Tomlin's attrition football instinct gets overruled by his extreme risk aversion instinct that the QB could get a boo-boo.

[Scunge]

Lolley and Williamson had a segment recently on their show that sort of touched upon this. While I think Kenny is a vastly underrated athlete, I am not so sure I want him to be used like Hurts in running with the ball, on designed runs, and these 1 yard sneaks.

You look at Hurts and he does miss some games and plays other games with nagging injuries. These sneaks, getting smashed from the front and being pushed from behind by your own players, seems like a great way to fuck up your throwing shoulder at some point. A sneak once or twice a game is fine to me, but to do it once or twice every offensive drive?? That to me is pushing your luck.

Back to Lolley and Williamson, they pointed out how Kenny is an elite scrambler and they pointed out the difference between a QB who scrambles and a QB who does designed runs.

A QB on these designed runs is going to see more contact and more punishment. Also, there is no threat of actually throwing the ball, for the play to evolve into a bigger play. Kenny when he scrambles out of the pocket he could still be looking down field and poised to strike with a big pass play. These other QBs on designed runs are tucking and running.

They pointed out that of Kenny's 237 yards rushing, 207 yards came before contact. Kenny was wise enough as a rookie to know when to scoot for the easy yardage and get out of bounds or slide for the most part. And he was also adept at sliding out of the pocket, buy some time and throw for a big play.

I think over a full season that Kenny can rush for 300-350 yards and 3-4 TDs. But I don't want him to be a designed run QB, or to take unnecessary punishment on QB sneaks. Be a scrambler, slide, buy some time, and if the defense is playing man to man and they have everybody with their back turned to you, then feel free to run for 15 yards if it is there.

[955876]

This is one of the strange and big contradictions to attrition football with Tomlin....You speak of it often throughout the season, that Tomlin loves attrition football!

Yes, but in this case Tomlin's attrition football instinct gets overruled by his extreme risk aversion instinct that the QB could get a boo-boo.

Jibbs is a fucking idiot that telegraphs his intentions to the rest of the league.


Making matters worse, he is opposed to hiring top tier assistant coaches. Needs dumpster fire jags that nobody else wants so his fragile ego doesn’t get challenged.

Hoping for the best. Prepared to be disappointed yet again.

Dunce will be happy with another NHALS and maybe a playoff appearance.

Cowher could win with this roster. No doubt. Jibbs will spin his wheels with it and make excuses.

[Jobu]

Making matters worse, he is opposed to hiring top tier assistant coaches.

I believe it’s more the case that quality coaches want no part of working for him, knowing that all their ideas and plans would be sacrificed at the altar of attrition football.

[fractalsteel]

Making matters worse, he is opposed to hiring top tier assistant coaches.

I believe it’s more the case that quality coaches want no part of working for him, knowing that all their ideas and plans would be sacrificed at the altar of attrition football.

Yup.
Mikey wants 'yes' men to do the job of OC. The rest of the league understands this and as long as he is running the show top tier offensive minds will not apply.

I always get a kick out of Steeler fans who say Tomlin is an idiot or stupid. Far from it but he is exceedingly arrogant and sometimes that is more dangerous than being doltish.
He has the owner wrapped around his finger and will have this job as long as he wants it.

Back to the topic, I don't want to see KP running the power sneak unless the circumstance calls for it.
Yeah, have some run plays drawn up for him but don't get the notion that he is going to be a power running QB.
Hopefully he is going to beat teams with his mind and arm not his legs.

[Louis Lipps Service]

I'd be happy if our offense were just in position to even consider a QB sneak with any amount of regularity.

Can't run many sneaks on 3rd/4th and 12.

[955876]

I always get a kick out of Steeler fans who say Tomlin is an idiot or stupid.

You can be an intelligent person and still be an idiot and/or stupid.

Mike Tomlin is a very intelligent person.

Mike Tomlin is also an idiot.

He’s an idiot for not understanding the two minute clock.

He’s an idiot for easing into a Super Bowl while possessing the veteran team that had been there before.

He’s an idiot for putting TOP and attrition above scoring points.

He is not a dullard and is an intelligent man.

The decisions he makes in regards to how he runs the team are idiotic.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Does anyone think that Jalen Hurts ability to squat over 600lbs has anything to do with the Eagles QB sneak success? Maybe a little?

Not to be a snark, but no.

I'm 6'1 and 200...certainly don't squat anything close to that. But with all that mass and momentum behind me I'm certain I could pick up half or a full yard

Lololololz

[COR-TEN]

Naturally, the consensus of this forum is that tomlin and his attrition football is the reason for the lack of QB sneaks. Meanwhile, nobody even wants to admit that BR didn't like sneaks later in his career for fear of injury. Same with PA but of course, it's all tomlins fault. I think I even remember BR saying that he's not a fan of sneaks. But I totally agree with the following :

Lolley and Williamson had a segment recently on their show that sort of touched upon this. While I think Kenny is a vastly underrated athlete, I am not so sure I want him to be used like Hurts in running with the ball, on designed runs, and these 1 yard sneaks.

You look at Hurts and he does miss some games and plays other games with nagging injuries. These sneaks, getting smashed from the front and being pushed from behind by your own players, seems like a great way to fuck up your throwing shoulder at some point. A sneak once or twice a game is fine to me, but to do it once or twice every offensive drive?? That to me is pushing your luck.

Back to Lolley and Williamson, they pointed out how Kenny is an elite scrambler and they pointed out the difference between a QB who scrambles and a QB who does designed runs.

A QB on these designed runs is going to see more contact and more punishment. Also, there is no threat of actually throwing the ball, for the play to evolve into a bigger play. Kenny when he scrambles out of the pocket he could still be looking down field and poised to strike with a big pass play. These other QBs on designed runs are tucking and running.

They pointed out that of Kenny's 237 yards rushing, 207 yards came before contact. Kenny was wise enough as a rookie to know when to scoot for the easy yardage and get out of bounds or slide for the most part. And he was also adept at sliding out of the pocket, buy some time and throw for a big play.

I think over a full season that Kenny can rush for 300-350 yards and 3-4 TDs. But I don't want him to be a designed run QB, or to take unnecessary punishment on QB sneaks. Be a scrambler, slide, buy some time, and if the defense is playing man to man and they have everybody with their back turned to you, then feel free to run for 15 yards if it is there.

I say take the sneak if it's there, and necessary, situationally. But I wouldn't make it a habit. It's why it's called a "sneak."

[Jobu]

I’ll just drop this off right here…
https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/six-ti ... 09143.html

[Kodiak.]

I’ll just drop this off right here…
https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/six-ti ... 09143.html

Both things can be true:
(A) Ben did not like running the sneak, or turning his back to the defense (with that shitty OL) on PA either, late in his career
(B) Ben was the ultimate gamer that wouldn't hesitate to take punishment to win a playoff game

For some time, there was a debate about whether Ben could or would overrule the coaches and do his own thing. Answered pretty definitively in his last year or two - he was a good soldier that always followed orders, even if he disagreed.

[Jobu]

I’ll just drop this off right here…
https://sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/six-ti ... 09143.html

Both things can be true:
(A) Ben did not like running the sneak, or turning his back to the defense (with that shitty OL) on PA either, late in his career
(B) Ben was the ultimate gamer that wouldn't hesitate to take punishment to win a playoff game

For some time, there was a debate about whether Ben could or would overrule the coaches and do his own thing. Answered pretty definitively in his last year or two - he was a good soldier that always followed orders, even if he disagreed.

I agree…Ben was always the ultimate team guy. He did everything his bonehead coaches told him to do. Probably cost himself a ring or two…

As for the QB sneak, he always insisted that he would run it, wanted to run it.

[K_C_]

Ben didn't want to run the sneak in his last 5 years or more.

Nobody on earth is going to convince me that a 1st ballot Hall of Fame QB was told by his head coach not to use the sneak and Ben simply said; "Yes boff".

Um....horseshit.

Ben didn't want to do it and we found out again last season how valuable a tool the QB sneak is in keeping the chains moving.

[fractalsteel]

I always get a kick out of Steeler fans who say Tomlin is an idiot or stupid.

You can be an intelligent person and still be an idiot and/or stupid.

Mike Tomlin is a very intelligent person.

Mike Tomlin is also an idiot.

He’s an idiot for not understanding the two minute clock.

He’s an idiot for easing into a Super Bowl while possessing the veteran team that had been there before.

He’s an idiot for putting TOP and attrition above scoring points.

He is not a dullard and is an intelligent man.

The decisions he makes in regards to how he runs the team are idiotic.

Getting to the point: because I won't call Tomlin an idiot every time his name is brought up here on SF doesn't mean I'm a supporter of his. I have wanted him gone since 1996. Gone, fired, removed, traded or kicked to the curb. I firmly believe that under his coaching tutelage the Steelers are never going to win anything of consequence(AFC title, Superbowl) AGAIN.

We probably have differing views of what an idiot is or maybe we both can accept that anyone is capable of idiocy. To me an idiot is a person that that has no regard for themselves or others around or about them and do things to put said people in peril. Like a person running out into a busy street without looking first. Or the person that gets behind the wheel after drinking half a bottle of booze.

If the things you mention above make him an idiot then most NFL coaches are idiots.

I'm just going to go with the arrogant/lazy/comfortable in his approach instead of calling him an idiot at every turn.

Clock management. It drives me crazy but I firmly believe he plays the clock with his gut. MT might understand in any given moment what the odds favor but he is going to go with that gut. Most NFL coaches, present and in that past have proven moments of clock mismanagement. Even the great ones.

Attrition football. He is probably too lazy to brush up on the modern NFL game and again, feels comfortable with it. You call him an idiot I call him lazy.

The blame for the SB loss to the Packers is not squarely on his shoulders though he deserves a ton of scrutiny for 'easing' into the game and then saying he was going to do it. Ben wasn't very good in that game as was the defense. The Packers played pretty damn well too.

And this notion that Cowher could do more with this current roster than Tomlin, where are you coming from with this? BC hasn't coached anything NFL in 16 years. Motivation was a driving factor in his success and when he stepped down he even admitted that he wasn't as motivated any longer as he had been in the beginning.
Cowher had his share of 'WTF' moments as well.

If I knew that a few losing seasons, say a string of 12-14 losses a year for a couple of seasons would get MT fired I could live with that. That is how much I want him gone. And I'm a miserable fuck when the Steelers lose.

[955876]

And this notion that Cowher could do more with this current roster than Tomlin, where are you coming from with this?

It's coming from the fact that Cowher surrounded himself with quality assistants.

Given he's been off the sidelines for so long I'm pretty sure he would want to surround himself with high quality assistants now more than ever.

That right there puts him ahead of Jibbs.

Both can motivate. Beyond that we have bottom barrel assistants with Jibbs where with Cowher I don't think that would be the case.

That's where.

[fractalsteel]

And this notion that Cowher could do more with this current roster than Tomlin, where are you coming from with this?

It's coming from the fact that Cowher surrounded himself with quality assistants.

Given he's been off the sidelines for so long I'm pretty sure he would want to surround himself with high quality assistants now more than ever.

That right there puts him ahead of Jibbs.

Both can motivate. Beyond that we have bottom barrel assistants with Jibbs where with Cowher I don't think that would be the case.

That's where.

That might be the case, something to consider but he has been out of coaching wheel for 16 years.
No idea how relevant he stays with the game except for what he says on game days. MIght be that he has few insights to the current market for assistants. Maybe he networks with many of those in the current carousel of assistants league wide and has an idea of who he might try and poach.
Just don't know.

Then again would a young up and comer want to work with a coach who has been out of the league for a decade and a half?
He might be able to pull some 'has beens' to come work for him.

Just because he did it all those years ago doesn't mean he could pull it off again, 16 years later.

Another thing, MT had his DC hand picked for him twice. Had to keep Uncle Dick around and when it was time for him to move on Butler had been promised the gig.
I'll give Cowher credit, he changed course offensively several times while Mikey just can't seem to shake his love for dinosaur offense.

[955876]

Jibbs has a job for life so mute points anyways.

Dunce will never have the balls to fire him.

I wanted Oh Canada gone but now that’s it’s crystal clear the offense is as Jibbs desires (slow, dumb, and simple) it doesn’t really matter who the OC is.

They will do what they are told to do or Jibbs will find another yes man to do so.

Hoping things evolve this year. Like maybe allowing our bright young QB to call an audible or two and not force him to only throw in 3rd down.

[Jobu]

…but now that’s it’s crystal clear the offense is as Jibbs desires (slow, dumb, and simple) it doesn’t really matter who the OC is.

The fanboys really need to etch this into their brains. The OC, no matter who that is, is calling the offense that Shades (and A2) insists on.
Canada…no Canada, nothing will change.

[fractalsteel]

39

The number of wins MT needs to pass Noll. I don't think Mikey has stated that was a goal of his but if so that means another half decade at of him.
At this point, I'm praying that some network offers him an obscene amount of $$$ to move to the booth or an analyst role.

[Jobu]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... i=89978449

Like it or not, he’s all ours for at least another decade!

"I just really don't have a strong desire to evaluate my peers in that way, to participate in the game that way. I respect it and I appreciate it. It's just not my area of expertise or desire. I like to get my nails a little bit more dirty," said Tomlin.

[Professor Half Wit]

…but now that’s it’s crystal clear the offense is as Jibbs desires (slow, dumb, and simple) it doesn’t really matter who the OC is.

The fanboys really need to etch this into their brains. The OC, no matter who that is, is calling the offense that Shades (and A2) insists on.
Canada…no Canada, nothing will change.

At this point I’m just hoping we have the line and ancillary skill players to make the bully ball fantasy at least entertaining. A bunch of pancaking isn’t too much to ask for if we’re going insist on the approach.

[Kodiak.]

We are so fortunate to have Mike Tomlin...

[COR-TEN]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. What the fuck is new? I'm not a tomlin fan boi but I don't beat a dead horse, either.

I suggest @B2BDirectionalState create a "Tomlin Hate" thread and sticky it. That way, when people get the urge to complain, insult, mock, ridicule, whine, and otherwise demean tomlin, go to that thread instead of littering every thread with their own personal grievances.

[K_C_]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. What the fuck is new? I'm not a tomlin fan boi but I don't beat a dead horse, either.

I suggest @B2BDirectionalState create a "Tomlin Hate" thread and sticky it. That way, when people get the urge to complain, insult, mock, ridicule, whine, and otherwise demean tomlin, go to that thread instead of littering every thread with their own personal grievances.

THIS.

I loathe Mike Tomlin but even I'm fucking sick of the ponderous shit aimed at him on a daily basis

The fucking guy isn't going anywhere unless he wants to.

Tomlin probably reads this board and laughs his ass off. I sure as fuck would if I were him.