In Arthur Smith’s first six video games, the Pittsburgh Steelers rank twentieth in factors per recreation and twenty sixth in yards. For the passing recreation particularly, they rank twenty eighth within the league. However in addition they have the fourth-fewest turnovers, the fifth-highest drive time, and so they rank thirteenth in scoring drives.
So what does that inform us in regards to the fashion Smith is using in his first go-around with the Steelers? Effectively, it’s laborious to reply that, for quite a lot of causes, not the least of which is the unsettled quarterback state of affairs. However it’s notable that Smith volunteered the “C” phrase in chatting with reporters on Thursday.
“You could have big-picture methods. You’re going to sacrifice sure issues”, Arthur Smith stated, through the Steelers’ media division. “You might be enjoying a few situational video games too, and a few individuals name it too conservative, no matter, nevertheless it labored for us”.
Smith was referring to examples like working down contained in the 5 with a victory assured and never scoring. That’s a layup instance, although, after all, and anyone with primary math abilities ought to determine that out. “We’re not going to place the protection on the market. I don’t assume that’s good. Nice in case your factors per recreation goes up, however that’s dumb soccer”, he stated.
There are many different cases wherein the conservativism of Smith’s offense has proven up, although. The frequency with which they run the soccer on Third and lengthy is one in all them, which isn’t best. He talks about padding stats, however typically you need to make performs.
However then one has to marvel how conservative Arthur Smith is being relative to the circumstances. Whereas he clearly loves Justin Fields as an individual and a participant, is he limiting the passing recreation accordingly? I’m prepared to wager we see fewer Third-and-long runs, notably exterior of area objective vary, with Russell Wilson.
The Steelers have the second-highest run-pass ratio within the NFL behind solely the Baltimore Ravens, not atypical for Arthur Smith. They’re one in all seven groups at the moment working greater than they’re throwing, with out factoring in scrambles. As compared, the Steelers threw the ball 53.3 % of the time final season.
Some have argued that it’s not Smith however fairly Mike Tomlin maintaining the Steelers’ offense conservative. The transfer from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson would possibly lend credence to that principle if they begin placing the ball within the air extra.
Listening to Arthur Smith speak, it didn’t sound like he was in any sort of hurry to maneuver on from Fields. But when the conservatism of the primary six weeks got here from Tomlin, does he wish to be extra aggressive? There’s a motive the Steelers signed Russell Wilson. He has a championship resume and Corridor of Fame passing numbers. Tomlin threw the ball all around the yard with Ben Roethlisberger; perhaps he thinks they will handle extra of that now.
