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*** 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers: one and done again. (12 Viewers)

He'll bring his zone heavy run concepts that the league's defenses already know about. He'll use TE sets and try popping a play action to one of them once in awhile. Pickens and DJ better learn how to block all day because that's what they'll be doing instead of catching passes. Don't look for any Kenny development, and expect a run heavy approach in the draft. His use of Drake was abysmal at best, and criminal at worst.
AJ Brown, TENN WR, 2019 and 2020 under Smith's offense, over 2000 yards and 19 TDs combined. Pickens would love those numbers.
Pickens is not even on the same planet as AJ, but I get what you're saying. He had all the tools to run the best version of his offense in Tenn, including a RB like no other. With Atlanta, he ran a similar two back system like what the Steelers have, and disregarded his alpha WR.

Time will tell, but the Steeler offense currently looks very similar to what tools he had in Atlanta. Tenn was a whole different animal and Steelers don't have the zone blockers nor the RB and WR they did. Even Tanny was a step above what's on the Steeler roster currently.
 
This reeks of Matt Canada 2.0
It isn't that bad.

It’s not an innovative hire. It’s status quo.

Give me somebody from the 49ers or Lions. Give me an up and comer who thinks outside the box. Give me somebody that knows it’s 2024 in the NFL.

Arthur Smith isn’t any of those things.
I didn't say I liked the hire, but Canada should have a high school job. I am amazed he got to the stadium without getting lost everyday. He is the worst OC is recent memory.
 
Even though I don't want to see Ryan Tannehill in a Steeler's uniform. Anything is better than Kenny Pickett. I personally don't see Arthur Smith as a great hire. Unless you're comparing him to Canada. I'd of preferred a high-octane passing offense coordinator that utilizes its best assets Pickens, DJ, and Pat. Maybe he can bring in a free agent of value from the Falcons.

Mike Munchak is a different story. I'd love to see him back. But he's been here done that.
 
This reeks of Matt Canada 2.0
It isn't that bad.

It’s not an innovative hire. It’s status quo.

Give me somebody from the 49ers or Lions. Give me an up and comer who thinks outside the box. Give me somebody that knows it’s 2024 in the NFL.

Arthur Smith isn’t any of those things.
I didn't say I liked the hire, but Canada should have a high school job. I am amazed he got to the stadium without getting lost everyday. He is the worst OC is recent memory.
I wouldn't subject any high school to the Matt Canada experience. Matt did not game plan with other coaches. Plus he came off without having a personality
 
Even though I don't want to see Ryan Tannehill in a Steeler's uniform. Anything is better than Kenny Pickett. I personally don't see Arthur Smith as a great hire. Unless you're comparing him to Canada. I'd of preferred a high-octane passing offense coordinator that utilizes its best assets Pickens, DJ, and Pat. Maybe he can bring in a free agent of value from the Falcons.

Mike Munchak is a different story. I'd love to see him back. But he's been here done that.
Tannehill would be a huge improvement. I would draft McCarthy, but Tannehill would probably be next best option.
 
He'll bring his zone heavy run concepts that the league's defenses already know about. He'll use TE sets and try popping a play action to one of them once in awhile. Pickens and DJ better learn how to block all day because that's what they'll be doing instead of catching passes. Don't look for any Kenny development, and expect a run heavy approach in the draft. His use of Drake was abysmal at best, and criminal at worst.
User name checks out.
 
Even though I don't want to see Ryan Tannehill in a Steeler's uniform. Anything is better than Kenny Pickett. I personally don't see Arthur Smith as a great hire. Unless you're comparing him to Canada. I'd of preferred a high-octane passing offense coordinator that utilizes its best assets Pickens, DJ, and Pat. Maybe he can bring in a free agent of value from the Falcons.

Mike Munchak is a different story. I'd love to see him back. But he's been here done that.
The guy went from adored to dumpster fire real fast in fans minds. He has the top offense a few years ago and Henry ran for 2k.

People have been too harsh about him. Give it time to blow off and see where ya land.
Bijan owners wanted more yet he had more yards than any Falcons rookie back ever and most of us can name the famous Falcons backs in their history.
London had like 110 115 targets each year but he's supposedly not used enough either.

Ridder fumbled 100 times and Heinicke would follow a pattern like he was darn determined to be average- great play, bad play or vice versa. They had an impressive line that played poorly. You're not winning in the NFL without a good line and QB and that's also essentially the Steelers problem today.

His Falcons team had a lot of talent that suited his style and the Steelers style has some similarities. Morris will cut some that'll be Steelers I'm sure.
What did Snoop say? We want a 2025 offense not a 1980s offense? Well Arthur's default is 80s with some creative calls to get a favorable matchup. So ya didn't get that change.

Tannehill hasn't been good for two years. He's probably going to be reminded of that during his free agency and become a backup battling Rudolph.
Henry is a free agent and y'all overrate your backs. It's not debatable when a back is "the man" so it isn't Najee or Warren. Henry or someone else could be added. See the Bus or Foster or Bell- you knew who the man was.

As far as Tomlin and Smith- the same rugged style and old school toughness stuff. It's not much of a change at all.
Personnel wise- Smith adores Cordarelle Patterson and so has every team he's been with. Suppose him. Does it matter that it's Tomlin's team? Or will he just love a big fast guy, that'll play anywhere, and say yes coach a lot?
1000 yards for AJB and Davis, 1000 for Pickens and Diontae would be nice.
The Steelers have always utilized the TE a lot and so has Smith.
There's quite a lot of overlap and same ol same ol here.

It's still going to come back to OL and QB play.

If Munchak rejoins the Steelers or Titans, they have to hire him like two or eight assistants. Record everything, memorize everything, learn everything, so that when he leaves again there isn't a giant dropoff. Everywhere he goes, when he leaves the line falls apart.

I love the matchup stuff. Shift here, shift there, and woop look at that, a LB is covering the WR.
I love his big man offense and I have no doubt Steelers fans will too. A few plays here n there, he'll put the biggest WRs and athletics TEs out wide, then run a RB wide right behind them and good luck to the small DBs stopping it. It's a big hitting dominant play when it works.

I'll shush. I know I like him far more than most..
 
One more thing- the Titans and Steelers have always had a weird second cousin thing where relatives stay at this house and that house.

Arthur coached with Lebeau and Vrabel. His familiarity with Steelers ways is very strong
 
Not a fan of this hire, but willing to see how it goes before I start complaining too much. He has to be better than Canada was, but I still this his inability to get the Atlanta offense going with several stud players is concerning.

Also, a month ago someone asked the Titans fans on reddit if they'd want Smith back as OC and the gist was "F*** No!" Mostly because they noted that if Henry wasn't playing like an all-pro, the offense did nothing.

Hoping to see some innovative concepts next year that maximize the talents of Pickens, Diontae, Najee, Warren, and Freiermuth, but expecting to see us run it into the line over and over against stacked boxes.
 
Also, if this hire is a bust, it could be the undoing of Tomlin. Rooney was clear that the OC hire was in the hands of Tomlin since he's the head coach. If Smith sucks and we don't have a playoff win within the next 2 years, that might be it.

Fingers crossed that we're all wrong and Smith is super innovative and was just too stressed out as HC to be able to implement any of it.
 
Id like to be the first to welcome our Tannehillian overlords. Lock up your assault rifles, folks!

This is akin to being promised youre getting taken to Kennywood, but then your drunk *** dad takes you to Conneaut Lake/Bland's Park instead and tells you to pretend the bumper boats are the Logjammer. No thanks, dad. No Jeeters? Not interested.
 
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As is this hire doesn't surprise me since he's no threat to coach Tomlin and will just run what the coach wants in an offense. A Tomlin hire 100%.
Nope. 100% Rooney
Maybe Rooney shares the same vision, but he did say this hire would be all Tomlin.

Could mean there's nobody else to blame anymore.
Not sure, but this decision was baked in last week. Let’s see if phase 2, Munchak, is a thing.
 
As is this hire doesn't surprise me since he's no threat to coach Tomlin and will just run what the coach wants in an offense. A Tomlin hire 100%.
Nope. 100% Rooney
Maybe Rooney shares the same vision, but he did say this hire would be all Tomlin.

Could mean there's nobody else to blame anymore.
Not sure, but this decision was baked in last week. Let’s see if phase 2, Munchak, is a thing.
Munchak would be a welcome sight
 
Cue up Braelon Allen RB Wisconsin in your mock drafts. Arthur Smith loves big bruising RB. 6’2” 240 runs 4.40 40-yard dash. Allen will be 20 years old and drawing comps to the King. Too perfect a fit to ignore.

We can probably drop WR down the draft board barring a Diontae trade. WR targets are guys who like run blocking and special teams. It’s not like we are building a dynamic passing attack.
 
It seems odd to see so much negativity and pessimism in the Steelers thread. I am shocked :laugh:
I think the hope for someone innovative (I.E., Shanahan/McVay tree) was dashed.

Also, he runs a zone blocking scheme which we were TERRIBLE at with our current personnel. When we switched to gap our running game improved drastically.

I think he's probably smart enough to embrace whatever will make this team the best it can be, but often coaches get too ego driven and try to force their concepts. The Steelers often just play their format with 0 regard for their opponent that week, and that could really be a detriment if Smith tries to force his typical concepts on a team that doesn't match.

One example from last season was when we were playing the Ravens and they were missing over half of their secondary due to injuries, and we were still running the ball for 0-2 yards repeatedly. We rarely take what the defense is giving us.
 
As is this hire doesn't surprise me since he's no threat to coach Tomlin and will just run what the coach wants in an offense. A Tomlin hire 100%.
Nope. 100% Rooney
Maybe Rooney shares the same vision, but he did say this hire would be all Tomlin.

Could mean there's nobody else to blame anymore.
Not sure, but this decision was baked in last week. Let’s see if phase 2, Munchak, is a thing.
Munchak would be a welcome sight
Steelers.com just reposted a Munchak video about running a zone blocking scheme 18 hours ago, per google. A hint perhaps?
 
Some quick takes:
1) Tannehill is not the answer
2) Pickett deserves and will get one more shot. I tend to think he’s going to prove serviceable but I’m in the minority, for sure
3) Despite my optimism on Kenny, the Steelers need to acquire a young, mobile QB. Maybe round 2 or 3 project?
4) AJ Brown is not a bad comp for Pickens. He should be our WR1.
5) I hope we do not draft that big RB from Wisconsin. We have too many other needs. Warren should get more touches.
6) I know very little about Arthur Smith. I’d hope he adapts based on our personnel rather than force his vision on us. I’d hate to draft three or four players specific to his scheme.
 
Pickett will definitely get another shot. Tomlin and Rooney don't want to be proven wrong about Kenny. It's very hard for someone to admit to a mistake. After 25 games we pretty much know what we are going to get from Kenny .5 passing touchdowns a game and .5 interceptions a game. Even if he improves to 1 touchdown a game that's still not good enough. Art pretty much called out Kenny the other day.
 
5) I hope we do not draft that big RB from Wisconsin. We have too many other needs. Warren should get more touches.
If they took a RB in the draft at all, and they probably won't, we'd be talking a 5th-7th round spot. Not sure who brought up Allen but that one makes no sense to me."
Was me. To clarify, I don't think the Steelers should draft a RB. Have enough holes to fill OT, C, LB, CB, QB, plus would be nice to add DL to develop.

I brought it up thinking about which players make sense for Arthur Smith. He has always utilized a big bruising RB with zone blocking.
Derrick Henry 6'3" 250
Cordarrelle Patterson 6'2" 220

Najee is a big back at 6'1" but square peg in a round hole. He hasn't had as much success running behind zone blocking. Way better when he doesn't have to think much about which gap to hit. Najee is at his best when you tell him run left hit the A gap, give him a head of steam from 7 yards back & let him blast into the hole and push the pile. He's not as effective when he shifts momentum and moves laterally.

That's why I wouldn't be shocked to see Braelon Allen drafted in the 3rd round to develop into a bell cow back. He's a patient runner with power, 4.4 speed and better burst. Better fit ASSUMING Pittsburgh is going back to a zone blocking scheme.
 
5) I hope we do not draft that big RB from Wisconsin. We have too many other needs. Warren should get more touches.
If they took a RB in the draft at all, and they probably won't, we'd be talking a 5th-7th round spot. Not sure who brought up Allen but that one makes no sense to me."
Was me. To clarify, I don't think the Steelers should draft a RB. Have enough holes to fill OT, C, LB, CB, QB, plus would be nice to add DL to develop.

I brought it up thinking about which players make sense for Arthur Smith. He has always utilized a big bruising RB with zone blocking.
Derrick Henry 6'3" 250
Cordarrelle Patterson 6'2" 220

Najee is a big back at 6'1" but square peg in a round hole. He hasn't had as much success running behind zone blocking. Way better when he doesn't have to think much about which gap to hit. Najee is at his best when you tell him run left hit the A gap, give him a head of steam from 7 yards back & let him blast into the hole and push the pile. He's not as effective when he shifts momentum and moves laterally.

That's why I wouldn't be shocked to see Braelon Allen drafted in the 3rd round to develop into a bell cow back. He's a patient runner with power, 4.4 speed and better burst. Better fit ASSUMING Pittsburgh is going back to a zone blocking scheme.
I would be very surprised if they took Allen or any RB high. Your point on Najee is not without validity but they believe in him is the key. And Warren which was evident by Rooney's comments the other day and I think will also be evident when they pick up his 5th year option in next few months.

And that in a nutshell is why I don't see a RB being taken high because it's not a developmental type of position and a lot of the value is having them on that rookie contract so hard for me to see that making sense, to them, if Rooney's comments are in any way of how they feel about the top two Rb's who are both likely soon to be under contract for two more seasons.
 
I thought this was an really in-depth look on Smith and his philosophies:

The Big Book on Arthur Smith

@Grid71 you mentioned Najee being the square peg in the round hole and after reading this I'm left with the same thought I had before I read it, that the square peg in the round hole in this offense is our WR's, especially Diontae. I could not think of a coach we could have hired is who is more less inclined to deal with pouting behavior or not being willing blockers then Smith. I for sure see the Steelers eyeing physical WR's in the draft but how those two starting WR's buy in will be huge or things could get really awkward because in that article he stats if a player dose not buy-in he simply won't play them, not exactly Tomlin's approach with them.
 

TL;DR: He runs an offense from 2003, basically hates throwing the ball unless forced, prefers his OLers to have skills that most of Pittsburgh's current crop don't, and was compared to Mike Mularkey (favorably?) about 6 or 8 times.
you're going to hear about finishing 100 times and winning a matchup. The Steelers linemen not fitting his style will be more about the mental makeup that every Steeler fan criticized last year than anything else. He's gonna praise an OL that gets a DL in the dirt and is still blocking, that gets down field for one more block etc. You won't disagree, it's too elementary or basic.
What I missed about Arthur and that article mentions is he is not afraid to bench anyone and holy cr have I watched bad linemen play all game in Tennessee since he left- like faaa that's the fourth sack allowed, get him out of there! He's not knee jerk quick, ya know it's coming everyone does.
I see ya said 2003, it probably is. Could be 1980s. It's very old school.
Gibbs employed an HBack caddy corner to the line to be the only team that could slow down LT. He will do that against Bosa or some name DE and after watching the QB get hit a million times this past year, you'll probably be like ugh it's ugly but at least it works and the QB isn't getting killed.
He spent a couple off seasons watching Heimerdinger's offenses because he was famous for creating favorable matchups and Belichick once noted how he could tell he saw this n that.
You're gonna get weird shifts with a WR in the backfield or as an inline TE, a TE out wide, a RB out wide or whatever. It'll be 2nd and 4 and a throwaway play but if he can get a super matchup the QB is going to capitalize on it. You'll recognize it like woah is everyone moving all over? What are they doing here? It's a throw away play to try something.
I've seen Canada and Kelly get cute on key third downs so being cute on 2nd and 4 is like geesh that's it?
 

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