NFL analyst says the Steelers’ QB-OC relationship is the opposite of a match made in heaven
Show me a QB-HC dynamic that is promising, and I'll show you a winning team. Bill Walsh and Joe Montana, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. If you're two pillars are solid, the sky is the limit. But if you're HC doesn't call plays, or if he's a defensive guy (Mike […]
Show me a QB-HC dynamic that is promising, and I'll show you a winning team.
Bill Walsh and Joe Montana, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. If you're two pillars are solid, the sky is the limit.
But if you're HC doesn't call plays, or if he's a defensive guy (Mike Tomlin) then the relationship and synchronization of your QB and OC becomes paramount.
But according to Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports, the pairing of Russell Wilson and Arthur Smith might be doomed from the start.
Russ-Smith not a great fit?
“Looking at what Arthur Smith typically likes, I am a big fan of Arthur Smith as a play-caller and play designer. Maybe stepping back into the offensive coordinator role will be very good. I am interested in how he makes it work though," Tice told Jim Rome of The Jim Rome Show. "He is creative and he can make this work. At first glance, I don’t really like the fit because Russ likes to attack on the outside, which George Pickens will be a great fit, but Arthur Smith prefers to do quick-hitting play-action stuff over the middle. Those guys all attacked over the middle, because those are the yards that you get. Those explosive catches in the play-action game, Russ has never done that in his career. That is just not his attack style. He likes to attack downfield and create. The problem is if you go to Justin Fields, Justin Fields is like a taller version of Russ. He actually plays very similar.”
Here's the thing, Tice is exactly right. Smith employs heavy personnel groupings that entail multiple tight ends, and sometimes even multiple backs on the field. Part of the reason he was hired in the first place was to integrate a smashmouth style of football back into Pittsburgh's offensive identity, hence the selection of three offensive linemen in their first five picks.
But that doesn't mean you can't adapt. I get it, asking a 35-year-old QB to change his stripes this late into his career is a tall task, and asking a play caller and offensive architect to change his scheme is no easier.
Pittsburgh has to be realistic though. They knew what they were signing up for when they signed Wilson and traded for Fields. They know both of them like to attack the perimeter and work the deep pockets of the middle of the field as opposed to the shallow ones that Smith likes.
So like any successful relationship, I expect there to be give and take, and sacrifice on both sides. Wilson or Fields (though Wilson is all but assured to start) will need to become more adept at play-action passing and Smith will need to insert more deep shots outside the numbers.
But as long as everyone is aligned on running the ball, the offense can be successful regardless.
CBS Sports goes out on a limb to side with Steelers’ T.J. Watt in controversial NFL debate
They took the road less traveled.
