Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Should Run the Option

[Galax Steeler]

Gone are the days of Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh—and with him the days of an unexpected play.

No more passes from the wide receivers or the running backs, no more reverses, and no more throwing the defense off of their game.

I’m proposing that the Pittsburgh Steelers bring that age back.

Let’s throw something at opposing defenses that stop them in their tracks and leaves them scratching their heads in wonder and amazement.

Let’s run the option.

Let’s give it a shot. At least for the first four games when the team will be without Ben Roethlisberger. Let’s give Dennis Dixon, Maurkice Pouncey, and Jonathan Dwyer a shot at running an offense that all three are very familiar with.

I’m not suggesting that we make it the centerpiece nor the focus of the offense, but let’s at least run it a few times.

If Bruce Arians wanted, he could make the veer work in the NFL. At least for a time.

Think about it, not only are the Steelers going to need an offensive spark with our most prolific playmaker sidelined for a quarter of the season, but three players at the least would be put in an offensive scheme in which they have excelled in the past.

Of course, I doubt it happens because Arians is comfortable with running his offense his way and no one else’s opinion matters. We all know how that goes.

Not to mention it would make the fullback a central point of the offense, perhaps allowing Dwyer and Mendenhall to be in the same backfield, and that would go against Arians's offensive scheme as well.

But, look at it this way.

If it DOES happen, Dixon has the speed and agility to get off to a fast start and certainly has the footwork to make some defenders miss no matter how big or fast they are. Look at the Ravens game when he got out of the pocket.

In reality, the option is never going to be a legitimate NFL offense, especially not in a Bruce Arians-run Pittsburgh offense, but it can and has worked for many of the players that are currently on the roster.

I’m afraid, though, that to make it through the games sans Roethlisberger that the team is going to need a shock value aspect to it.

At any rate, thinking outside of the box is never a bad thing.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...ons-everywhere


I know this is from the Bleacherreport but to me it makes alot of sense to do this. Though it will never happen.

[St33lersguy]

It ain't going to happen because it doesn't involve lining up 4 or 5 WRs in the shotgun on obvious running downs.

[Cmdurand21]

I don't think Dixon ran an option in college. Doesn't Oregon play a Spread?

Either way, the Option has never worked in the NFL for a reason. The "Wildcat" is a different story. I'm sure they will get creative with the ball either way.

[Chidi29]

This just reeks of another "Bash Arians" article.

[solardave]

Originally Posted by Galax Steeler

Gone are the days of Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh—and with him the days of an unexpected play.

No more passes from the wide receivers or the running backs, no more reverses, and no more throwing the defense off of their game.

I’m proposing that the Pittsburgh Steelers bring that age back.

Let’s throw something at opposing defenses that stop them in their tracks and leaves them scratching their heads in wonder and amazement.

Let’s run the option.

Let’s give it a shot. At least for the first four games when the team will be without Ben Roethlisberger. Let’s give Dennis Dixon, Maurkice Pouncey, and Jonathan Dwyer a shot at running an offense that all three are very familiar with.

I’m not suggesting that we make it the centerpiece nor the focus of the offense, but let’s at least run it a few times.

If Bruce Arians wanted, he could make the veer work in the NFL. At least for a time.

Think about it, not only are the Steelers going to need an offensive spark with our most prolific playmaker sidelined for a quarter of the season, but three players at the least would be put in an offensive scheme in which they have excelled in the past.

Of course, I doubt it happens because Arians is comfortable with running his offense his way and no one else’s opinion matters. We all know how that goes.

Not to mention it would make the fullback a central point of the offense, perhaps allowing Dwyer and Mendenhall to be in the same backfield, and that would go against Arians's offensive scheme as well.

But, look at it this way.

If it DOES happen, Dixon has the speed and agility to get off to a fast start and certainly has the footwork to make some defenders miss no matter how big or fast they are. Look at the Ravens game when he got out of the pocket.

In reality, the option is never going to be a legitimate NFL offense, especially not in a Bruce Arians-run Pittsburgh offense, but it can and has worked for many of the players that are currently on the roster.

I’m afraid, though, that to make it through the games sans Roethlisberger that the team is going to need a shock value aspect to it.

At any rate, thinking outside of the box is never a bad thing.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...ons-everywhere


I know this is from the Bleacherreport but to me it makes alot of sense to do this. Though it will never happen.

You never know. We just might see some option plays. Arains is hard headed but I also think if he screws up this year (meaning we don't run more) he may not last the season.
So far we are staying with the Rooney philosophy but we have other owners now and they will have a say. I foresee suttle changes starting this year. For one less faith in Tomlin if we don't win more games than 9. I think that's why they're not negotiating his extension. He is on a short leash. NFL I'm affraid even with the Steelers stands for Not For Long!

[Steely McSmash]

I think they're more risk adverse with the QB in the pro so he's not going to run that much.

Also, in the NFL, the speed in the backfield makes it difficult to have success with the option.

That's why the wildcat makes sense, it's an option offense with no risk to the QB. The pre-snap motions make it difficult for the whole defensive team to flow to one side.

[NEPAsteeler]

FIRE ARIANS!

[St33lersguy]

I don't care what we run as long as it is not whatever that system is called that Arians likes to run

[Steelerfreak58]

The speed of the NFL doesn't allow the Option as much of an option. Every player on a defense moves laterally way too quickly and closes off a field side to make it a viable play. Not to mention the value of a QB in the NFL and the possibility of a running start hit from multiple players.

[MasterOfPuppets]

the option never has , and never will, work in the NFL