Steelers’ run game issues might force Arthur Smith to do something no offensive coordinator ever wants to do in order to win
It might come down to it.
If you have gotten to the heights of coordinating NFL offenses, you are a part of an elite group of playcallers. If you do well coordinating and get hired as a head coach somewhere, you’re that much better.
Well, that’s the history of Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith, who, like all successful coordinators has a system, and one that he takes a ton of pride in. That system was a major factor in the Steelers come-from-behind win over the New York Jets on Sunday.
But the true test of a coordintaor is adaptation. Will you beat you’re head against the wall, running your scheme in an attempt to shoehorn your offense into first downs? Or will you swallow your pride and lean into what works in order to win? Because right now, the Steelers’ run game is putrid, but Sunday did offer a glimpse into what works and it’s up to Arthur Smith to change it.
Steelers need to lean more into gap scheme runs
If you watched the Steelers’ rushing attack on Sunday, you were probably left underwhelmed. The team totaled 53 yards on 20 carries, averaging a measly 2.65 yards per carry. That included a negative total from rookie Kaleb Johnson, who might already be in Mike Tomlin’s dog house. The team averaged -0.15 expected points added per rushing play compared to last season.
But there might be a way to fix it. Instead of just hoping that Smith’s zone scheme comes together, the Steelers could benefit from more gap or power scheme runs. Runs where linemen and tight ends get on the move, pulling and pinning, and getting to people instead of landmarks.
Why do I propose this? Because when you watch the tape, the few run plays that did work, they came when the Steelers pulled their guards and or tight ends to create displacement along the Jets front seven.
So it will call for Arthur Smith to get out of character. For him to leave his bread and butter, and stray from the comfort zone that saw him help Derrick Henry keep his title as King with the Tennessee Titans.
But if it leads to fewer 53-yard performances and more 153-yard performances, I would assume Smith is all for it. It’s going to take time and patience, but to this point, whether it was camp, preseason or Week 1, the run game hasn’t been working.
It’s time to do what catches fish, and not what doesn’t.
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