SB Nation User Blog: franz

Bruce Arians - SB Champ (and other thoughts)

franz — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:40:38 -0000

I don't start posts here too often but after that game I have a few topics some may want to sound off on:

Arians

Incredibly, the Steelers have won the Super Bowl with some of the worst or at least bizarre play calling ever seen for a winning team over a season. I can't get one play call out of my head, this is my recollection please correct if I'm wrong:

With a lead in the second half of the SB, Arians goes with an empty set on 2nd and 6 after just gaining 4 on a run over the right side. Ben drops back and is immediately pressured and dropped for a sack. The play results in a 10 yard loss and a clock stoppage. Next play was a short gain to Miller(?) along the left sideline where he goes out of bounds - again this stops the clock.

My question here is obvious - what is the guy thinking? Throwing the ball is debatable but lining up with no RB tells the defense it's pass before the snap. Keeping them off balance is the key to success. Without the threat of a run - our porous O Line has even more problems than normal to contend with. I just don't get the guy, not now probably not ever.

Todd Haley and the Buzz

This guy has been the darling of the TV directors and gets more face time than any other coach on the field. He deserves credit for Arizona's great offense and creative playcalling. He is the talk of the NFL as a HC candidate and will probably be hired today. Have you noticed a profound lack of the same regarding Arians? I think Ben is his only fan. Arians won the Super Bowl but all the other successful OCs are getting the buzz.

Polamalu

I know his contact lens fell out but did something else come unhinged as well? Not a good game from the hero of the AFC Championship. He batted down a ball on a 3rd down which was good but looked out of control many times. A couple of his missed tackles were ridiculously bad. None more so than when he leaped onto his teammate who had just whiffed on a missed tackle himself. Not sure what was going on with him but I thought Clark played a better game at safety.

Where's Nate?

Did Washington get doubled most of the game or was he invisible? I don't recall him getting 1 reception. Probably need to see the coach's tape to understand what happened but he was non-existent for the offense after having a breakout year.

Running game

Parker started out OK and that was it for the run game. We Steeler fans know what none of the talking heads have figured out - the Steelers are no longer a dominant running team. That said, how did things go so badly after the start they got? The coaches abandoned the run. I can't say I blame them too much, but they needed to run the ball in the second half with the lead. They didn't do much and when they tried they had poor formations and tactics to get it done. They say the offense reflects the coordinator's personality. If so, what is this saying about Arians? I think it says " I'm in love with my playbook, regardless of the down and distance."

Mitch Berger - Turd

Another pathetic punt leads to a huge return and great field position for the opponent. That early 33 yard gem sailing directly into Breaston's breadbasket couldn't have been thrown better by Warner. Don't loose that ring Mitch 'cause you won't be in the league next year much less in another Super Bowl.

Big Ben - Winner

He makes some mistakes, he looks ugly sometimes but the guy is a winner. With the game on the line he plays better. This is unique to the best of the QBs. He has grown into a solid, big game quarterback. He won the game almost single-handed. Holmes was the playmaker with the receiving yards but Roethlisberger had to play at a superhuman level to get them the win and did.

Ravens offense - tendencies for big game

franz — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:32:39 -0000

After watching the Ravens play the Steelers twice, Tennesee and one or two more games - I think I see an obvious trend. Flacco throws a very high percentage of passes toward Mason (#85) during the first 2 -3 quarters of the game, especially on 3rd downs or in more critical situations. From about mid-way thru the 3rd qtr onward, he throws these passes to Clayton (#89) with ever increasing frequency.

I watched parts of the Ravens-Steelers 2 regular season games last night on NFL network. It reinforced my opinion as formed watching the games live. Without doubt Mason is his favorite guy. I don't do fantasy football - any of you stat guys confirm my suspicion here?

More interesting Flacco stats are that he has higher passer rating in games where he throws more passes and that he has higher rating when the team is behind than when they are ahead. These seem inverse of typical young QB wisdom but I looked some stats up on NFL/Ravens page... interesting.

Ben Injury / Tomlin's decision

franz — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:38:19 -0000

Greetings All,

I'm more than a little surprised that there is no fan fallout and second-guessing regarding Ben's injury on this site. I guess no one wants to look like they aren't 100% loyal but I think there is some room for debate if nothing else.

Did Ben have to play? If so, how much? Who else had to play, who should sit?

Rothlisberger, Ward, Harrison, Clark, and probably Miller needed rest the most. Parker needed a few touches but Moore is their most valuable RB at this point. Moore sits earliest then Parker. I think Parker looked good for 2 reasons - the Browns defense and the fact he has not gotten used much lately - he's recovering still and is fresh. He may even play really well in the coming weeks but I don't think he has more than 20 or so plays in him full speed. He won't be fully recovered until next year.

In Tomlin's defense - you want the guys sharp. We all get that. However, who is the one guy you can't lose? The starting QB. No coach is going to get fired for sitting the starter in a meaningless game but coaches do get fired when bad things happen. If management believes the coach used poor judgment, he can be held responsible for the decision. Now, I don't think Tomlin is getting fired in 2009 no matter what. But, how is the decision to play Roethlisburger going to look if Ben throws 3 picks and the Steelers lose?

My contention is that Ben has not been the same since his motorcycle accident. He is still good but seems more indecisive and shows some real strange decision-making at times. It takes years to recover from brain trauma. Big Ben has sustained numerous concussions in football and one big one from the accident. The guy is standing on the edge of a cliff now. One more fall in the coming weeks and he may be really damaged. Do I want this to be true - NO.

I believe one quarter was the limit if the coach felt he had to play at all. The guy has been beaten up for two full seasons and the last half of this season has been no cake-walk. If anyone needed to sit down and recover for two weeks it was Ben. Harrison didn't play and for good reason. Roethlisberger can turn into Roethlisbungle at any time. If he plays poorly in the first playoff game, what is going to be the first question asked after the game?

Unwatchable...almost..

franz — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:13:15 -0000

All - I reposted this after I typed it out in a reply. Forgive the rant...

Unwatchable.......almost
Is anyone else frustrated or better put confused as to what the coaching staff is doing? I'm not saying I'm smarter than them but how do you:

a) Come out throwing the ball in the first half in bad weather and with a QB who has a bum shoulder?

b) Continue throwing the ball in the first half even though it is generally fruitless and Parker is running well?

c) Allow a one dimensional Jacksonville offense to look so good?

d) With the game on the line allow a draw play for what 15 - 20 yards on 3rd and 9 after giving up a first down on the previous 3rd down and long with the exact same play call?

e) Given your scout films and knowledge of their strengths and coach's demeanor, how can they run the ball down your throat the entire game? It looked like the Steelers were in a loose alignment or nickel package on that last key 3rd down play. I believe they had already thrown the INT on the last series.... Del Rio is not going to throw the game away... they are going to run it, kick it and play defense... aren't they?? Who are you playing? It isn't the Colts, Pats, or Bengals for Crissakes... How can you be surprised they are going to run the ball until you stop it !!!!

Agghhh..... I have never come so close to walking away from a game at halftime.. never. And then to look so lame at the end to lose after a valiant comeback. The offense actually helping the defense at the end - of course the defense had to gift-wrap a TD for them but they did tie the game.

My two cents after observing this coaching staff all year:

Arians - Out. Play calling is bizarre. One play does not set up the other for long stretches of the game. That C Wilson pass was beautiful but if it doesn't work how insane is Steeler Nation afterwards?! If not - serious Come to Jesus meeting after the season... not sure if that will work. Play calling is an artform not a degree or certificate program. Some people have it some don't. I'm not seeing it.

Le Beau - Tomlin needs to take control more, perhaps even now. I know they are not the same dominant unit they were 1-2 seasons ago. Forget the stats, the rankings.. did you win and play well defensively against the good teams you played? I would say in many respects - No. Tomlin is a defensive guy and he can't be happy that they were run over, especially when it counted most. I think the scheme is too cute and is over-thought at times. Two examples: PATS: Throwing it all the time, they know where your players are going to be when you call your favorite stuff. Do something different to get a pass rush - most of your DB's are not cover guys. JAGS - They are a running team, what's with all the light in the ass players on the field at the same time? If that's all you have, send 6 or 7 guys on a run blitz. Better yet, get some more tonnage up front with guys who have a hand in the dirt.

Special Teams: Start over. Sepulveda has talent and is going to be fine, had a good game yesterday. Rossum is a has-been and is not worth giving opportunities when big plays are needed. I know they don't want Holmes to get hurt but he would be a game-breaker in the return game. Coverage units are generally poor even though Reed is a good kicker.

O LINE: Re-sign Faneca now, right now. He will forgive if you give him the money - and he deserves it. Draft and trade for help here before anywhere else. The O Line is the football team - without it you can't score, without possessing the ball all defenses wear out. There is no more important unit on the team. CB would be the next spot.

Now is the time for Tomlin to assert himself and put his mark on this team. He can make changes because they need to be made in order to get into the playoffs and because the weaknesses are apparent. He has plenty of cover. No player or fan revolt will come from his tweaking of the existing systems/personalities. Make some adjustments and get it going as best you can leading into the playoffs. I could be wrong but his sideline demeanor indicates that he is along for the ride during the game. 4th down, fake punt/FG, onside kick - those are universally the HC's discretion. Those are not things which make winning teams although they may help win one game. The HC's influence and fingerprints must be upon the whole team. I only see Arians' and LeBeau's at this point scheme-wise. They are tied with the Browns - a team they themselves beat twice. They should not be struggling to beat them in the overall record for the division title. Their respective strength of schedule rating is almost identical, both playing 10 teams with over .500 records in 2006 and 5 2006 playoff teams. What I'm saying here is that the Steelers and Browns are the same, and that's not good.

"Franz" in NoCal

Poll

If you had to choose right now - Arians In or Out next year?

a) OUT

3 votes

b) IN

8 votes

11 votes | Poll has closed