Of course, it was Arians fault

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I'll go with the flow. Fire Arians.

[SteelKnight]

Originally Posted by ZoneBlitzer

Here's my problem with Arians. It's his management of situational football. You can take it back to the very first possession of the game when the offense went predictably 3 and out. The Ravens knew that you have to run to protect your QB and your woeful passing game so you come out running into that wall. Would it kill you to do a quick 3 step drop pass or a play action pass on first down? Instead it was two runs, missed pass and punt. Run, run, pass punt. That's Arians in a nutshell.

When they got the ball deep in Baltimore territory, they did the same. I knew the game was over right there in the third quarter when the offense misguided by Arians walked away with little time off the clock and no points.

Arians just has a bad feel for the game.

Yeah. I know what you mean. Arians tries to be unconventional but the team fails to execute.

When they had that 3rd and 4 (after the penalty), they should have changed the pass to a shorter play...maybe to Heath Miller. Instead they went for it all. They should have at least gotten in better FG range before trying that.

At the end of the game, they should have had some package...Redman, screens, anything to get them 10 yards to seal the game. It's ridiculous. Some teams pray for winning drives. All we needed was 1 first down.

It is about situational football. He needs to practice more on that. He needs to use more screens. In all 3 situations (both turnovers and end of the game) a screen was appropriate.

[btaylor]

don't forget it seemed everytime we were in 3rd and 5 or less Charlie was trying to throw a bomb.....didn't understand that

[cloppbeast]

Originally Posted by kirklandrules

"The Steelers look really flat today."

wtf does that even mean?

[cloppbeast]

Originally Posted by stuck_in_VA

What can't be overlooked is the gift (2 gifts) Baltimore gave us: one fumble recovery and one interception - both in Ravens territory. All we had to do was pick up some yards to at least have better field position for a field goal. Those were two gifts that should have given us at least 6 points on the board. THAT was on Arians. Perhaps the game would have unfolded differently, but to basically waste away points is troubling with the talent we have on this team.

I disagree with you completely. Those "gifts" you speak of were part of the game plan. The plan was to play conservatively, stay patient throughout the game, and eventually an aggressive Ravens team will make mistakes. Those mistakes could be an interception, fumble, blown coverage ect. Flacco did throw an interception, McGahee did fumble.

Considering our offensive condition, I completely agree with the plan. Why would you want to ask your 35 year old fourth string quarterback to win the game for you? Instead, ask him not to lose it but just take advantage of the opponents mistakes when they make them.

The game plan worked. Instead putting the offense in the position to win the game in the final minute, the defense was in that position. If you're the Steelers, this is exactly what you want because the defense is the strength of your team. Unfortunately, the defense didn't step up in the last 30 seconds.

This loss is by no means Arians fault. As offensive coordinator, his job is to implement the game plan as dictated by the head coach. Tomlin didn't ask the offense to win this game by putting up 30+ points; he just wanted to minimize turnovers, control the clock, and score a few points.

[cubanstogie]

Originally Posted by cloppbeast

I disagree with you completely. Those "gifts" you speak of were part of the game plan. The plan was to play conservatively, stay patient throughout the game, and eventually an aggressive Ravens team will make mistakes. Those mistakes could be an interception, fumble, blown coverage ect. Flacco did throw an interception, McGahee did fumble.

Considering our offensive condition, I completely agree with the plan. Why would you want to ask your 35 year old fourth string quarterback to win the game for you? Instead, ask him not to lose it but just take advantage of the opponents mistakes when they make them.

The game plan worked. Instead putting the offense in the position to win the game in the final minute, the defense was in that position. If you're the Steelers, this is exactly what you want because the defense is the strength of your team. Unfortunately, the defense didn't step up in the last 30 seconds.

This loss is by no means Arians fault. As offensive coordinator, his job is to implement the game plan as dictated by the head coach. Tomlin didn't ask the offense to win this game by putting up 30+ points; he just wanted to minimize turnovers, control the clock, and score a few points.

Exactly, we had a chance to win the game with a defensive stop. Which is our strength, especially without Ben. Not Arians fault we had 3 penalties on our goal line. Rashard did a great job of avoiding a safety twice, and people wanted a pass. Charlie would have been sacked or picked I am fairly confident. The fact that we are 3-1 and actually had a chance to win the last game is pretty darn good considering our QB play. Charlie had a couple of bright spots I will admit, but he was hardly a threat in the game. Charlie and Leftwich were great backups 2 plus years ago but I don't think they have much left in the tank.

[ZoneBlitzer]

Originally Posted by SteelKnight

Yeah. I know what you mean. Arians tries to be unconventional but the team fails to execute.

When they had that 3rd and 4 (after the penalty), they should have changed the pass to a shorter play...maybe to Heath Miller. Instead they went for it all. They should have at least gotten in better FG range before trying that.

At the end of the game, they should have had some package...Redman, screens, anything to get them 10 yards to seal the game. It's ridiculous. Some teams pray for winning drives. All we needed was 1 first down.

It is about situational football. He needs to practice more on that. He needs to use more screens. In all 3 situations (both turnovers and end of the game) a screen was appropriate.

I started a thread on screens. Where the hell has the screen gone? What is wrong with a conventional screen to the RB? The Steelers used to be one of the best in the league at it and now it is nowhere to be found - ever. The only screen I see is the WR bubble screen for 3 yards and 5 times a game. Whatever he's trying to set up ain't working. He is horrible on situational football - just horrible. I agree with you on that 3rd and 4 situation; get the first down and keep the chains moving.

[SteelKnight]

Originally Posted by ZoneBlitzer

I started a thread on screens. Where the hell has the screen gone? What is wrong with a conventional screen to the RB? The Steelers used to be one of the best in the league at it and now it is nowhere to be found - ever. The only screen I see is the WR bubble screen for 3 yards and 5 times a game. Whatever he's trying to set up ain't working. He is horrible on situational football - just horrible. I agree with you on that 3rd and 4 situation; get the first down and keep the chains moving.

Yeah. I'd like to see more screens. A lot of teams are using RB screens. It makes players nervous because you get past the RB then all of you are behind a RB with 2 lead blockers. After his chip, he's good. I definitely think we need to incorporate some to slow the blitz. I also think we should have some screens where Wallace still goes deep. If the safety recognizes the screen and tries to help out, you hit Wallace 1 on 1 (quick decision).

[fer522]

Yeah. I know what you mean. Arians tries to be unconventional but the team fails to execute.

When they had that 3rd and 4 (after the penalty), they should have changed the pass to a shorter play...maybe to Heath Miller. Instead they went for it all. They should have at least gotten in better FG range before trying that.

At the end of the game, they should have had some package...Redman, screens, anything to get them 10 yards to seal the game. It's ridiculous. Some teams pray for winning drives. All we needed was 1 first down.

It is about situational football. He needs to practice more on that. He needs to use more screens. In all 3 situations (both turnovers and end of the game) a screen was appropriate

amen brother

[cubanstogie]

The plan on the last drive was to run as much clock as possible and try and get room for Sepulveda to punt. Then have our D stop them. A screen on our own goal line? you guys criticize BA but call for a screen on our goal line when they are looking for us to run. Too funny. Play action pass maybe. We went with the odds and lost.