Super Bowl-winning executive blasts belief that Steelers' Arthur Smith can't coach: 'You're full of s***'
When the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Arthur Smith this offseason, there were plenty of mixed reviews. Some cited his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons as a reason to why he's not a good play-caller or offensive orchestrater, while others noted his time with the Tennesse Titans as a representative of what he can do with just […]
When the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Arthur Smith this offseason, there were plenty of mixed reviews.
Some cited his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons as a reason to why he's not a good play-caller or offensive orchestrater, while others noted his time with the Tennesse Titans as a representative of what he can do with just above average QB play.
Former NFL GM Michael Lombardi agrees with the latter and is sick of anyone who thinks Smith belongs to the former.
Lombardi backs Smith
"You can say Arthur Smith is not a good coach," Lombardi told Chris Simms on the latest edition of his podcast The GM Shuffle. "You're full of sh** if you say it. The guy is a really good offensive coach."
Yes, I know it didn't end well in Atlanta with Smith and the Falcons as they relieved him of his head coaching duties after three consecutive 7-10 seasons.
But you have to examine who he was working with in Atlanta.
The Falcons starting QBs during Smith's tenure were:
- Matt Ryan
- Marcus Mariota
- Desmond Ridder
- Taylor Heineicke
Well, that's not exactly a fearsome foursome of Pro Bowler's if you know what I mean.
In fact, the most competent QB that Smith coordinated an offense with was Titans QB Ryan Tannehill.
Yes, the same Ryan Tannehill that was let walk by the Dolphins and signed to be the backup in Tennessee.
How successful were they together?
All they did was come within one game of the Super Bowl, dominate the division and get each other massive pay raises as a result of the partnership.
And sure, some believe that Arthur Smith and his new crop of QBs aren't compatible, but everyone in Pittsburgh has been raving about Smith since he touched down in Pittsburgh.
“I’ve been able to watch him and experience Coach Arthur Smith over the years, and just his knowledge of the game, His knowledge of getting people in the right place at the right time. The physicality that he coaches with in terms of all of us players having us play with that mentality. We’re gonna be able to run the ball downhill, obviously. Play-action is going to be key. I think just doing the right things in the right moments. Situation football is everything. If we can do that as a collective on offense, defense and special teams… We got a chance, and that’s all you can ask for," Russell Wilson told reporters during OTAs.
It could be the honeymoon phase, but everyone in Pittsburgh is on Lombardi's side right now and could be for the foreseeable future if things go to plan in Pittsburgh.
Steelers’ Cam Heyward doesn’t share everyone else’s enthusiasm surrounding in-season Hard Knocks
He has a different take on the series.
