Ben throwing early and often

[BlitzburghRockCity]

The Steelers of spring have a different look about them that has little to do with new players or the absence of those who moved on. The offense is performing stunts infrequently seen last fall.

Quarterbacks are throwing the ball around their South Side campus as if tossing Frisbees on the beach. Last fall, they passed the football as seldom as any NFL team in the past 20 years.

Ben Roethlisberger asked the Steelers to open up the offense more, and it seems they will comply.

"Certainly, we want to run the football, that's our identity," said coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, author of play calls that resulted in 61 percent runs from scrimmage last season. "But I think we'll be able to do a few more things throwing the football this year, especially on first and second down, and I think that will even help us run the ball better."

The Steelers ran 618 times and passed 358 times (plus 36 sacks trying to throw) even though their quarterback had the best rookie season of anyone in the history of the league. Roethlisberger completed 66.4 percent of his passes for a 98.1 passer rating, both NFL rookie records.

But part of Roethlisberger's success came from the simple formula the Steelers used to provide him as much support as they could -- run the ball, pass only when necessary and play great defense. They limited the playbook as well.

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[BlitzburghRockCity]

As long as we dont turn back into the scheme that we tried 2 years ago, this is a good thing.

[Prosdo]

Originally Posted by BlitzburghRockCity

As long as we dont turn back into the scheme that we tried 2 years ago, this is a good thing.

I agree. I would like us to stay with our running tradition, but open up the game a little more. We have some new weapons and I think we should utilize them, but not go away from our idenity completely.

[bigbensgirl7]

I think opening up our offense more, and passing more on 1st and 2nd downs will help our running game also. I definately want to stay with the same Steeler football we have played for year...pound the ball, eat up the clock, and wear out the opposing defenses. But we need to not put them in 3rd and longs as often as we do. However, as mentioned in other threads, Ben will be able to utilize the entire playbook this year, and has some more weapons to pass too, so I believe we will see a not so predictible offfense this year!!!

[Prosdo]

Originally Posted by bigbensgirl7

I think opening up our offense more, and passing more on 1st and 2nd downs will help our running game also. I definately want to stay with the same Steeler football we have played for year...pound the ball, eat up the clock, and wear out the opposing defenses. But we need to not put them in 3rd and longs as often as we do. However, as mentioned in other threads, Ben will be able to utilize the entire playbook this year, and has some more weapons to pass too, so I believe we will see a not so predictible offfense this year!!!

Exactly. The 3rd and longs are killers. Now having one year under his belt and having a lay of the land I think the play book will open up big time.

[RoethlisBURGHer]

Ben is going to be so dangerous this year.

One year under his belt,a MUCH EXPANDED playbook,clicking with the recievers,he should be able to read defenses this year,plus Heath Miller at TE so he has a "saftey valve".Teams are going to have to cover Miller,because he'll be a first down threat and defiantly a TD threat in the red zone.We better throw on 1st and 2nd down...avoid the 3rd-and-longs.

However,I don't want us reverting back to 2003's plan of all pass-no run.We are NOT the Colts.But when you have both the passing and running game going like we will/do,you have the play-action pass to your advantage.When they don't know what your coming with,they are screwed.

More balanced attack=play-action pass.Play-action pass=ownage of teams.Ownage of teams=Super Bowl win(s).I like the math I am seeing.

[bigbensgirl7]

I couldn't agree more...I am excited to see what we can do this year. Opening up this offense will give us many more options...and think last year what we accomplished with running on 1st and 2nd downs...JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT WE MIGHT DO THIS YEAR, and all it will take is a little more spice!!! I can't wait. Here we go Steelers, here we go! We will be unstoppable in 2005!

[BlitzburghRockCity]

It's typical Steelers fashion to run on first down, always has and probably always will be as long as cowher is around. Not to say that we dont throw on first down, we do, however we run alot on first down, to setup play action, and try and stay out of 2nd and long which translates into must have downs to get to a manageable 3rd down situation. As ben progresses they'll allow him to throw more and more on first down, but I'd expect to still see alot of runs, so we dont get our selves out of our game plan on every series.

They rationalize it, as if we can gain a few yds atleast on 1st down, then second down leaves the playbook atlot more wideopen when you have 2nd and 5 instead of 2nd and 10 because of a dropped or misfired pass.

[bigbensgirl7]

I can see that, I just hate seeing us 3rd and 7, 3rd and 8 and so on. Im not saying we should change our style of offense...no way, but it wuld be nice to see some different things now and then!!!

[BlitzburghRockCity]

I agree, if we've got the weapons, why not use em.. and throwing on 1st down isnt something teams will expect that often from us, so it can work to our advantage as long as ben is on target and the WR's timing is there, along w/ the blocking schemes up front, and well, geez, it all comes back to the running game anyways. ;)

As long as we can run the ball effectively on a regular basis, Ben will be just fine throwing the pigskin for us.