Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls don’t know what was worse on Sunday — the coaches’ offensive game plan ... or their lack of adjustments during the game (or, for that matter, Mike Tomlin’s baffling decision to eschew a short field goal and go for it on 4th and 10 at the end of the game, but that’s another story).
Let’s take a closer look. To hijack repurpose a comment I made over at Cotter’s One for the Other Thumb ...
What the hell was Arians thinking???
Consider: Big Ben dropped back to pass at least 39 times (he actually got the ball off only 25 times, was sacked eight times, had four "runs", took an intentional grounding penalty, and an illegal forward pass penalty). Add the nine dropbacks by Leftwich (eight attempts and one sack), and that's a game plan/execution with 48 dropbacks/pass attempt play calls. 48!! Against that relentless onslaught, and despite the fact that the Eagles started bltzing when they got off the bus. Now, really, whose bright idea was that? And, where were the adjustments during the game???
Where, indeed. And, where were the quick swing passes? The misdirection plays? Any attempt to establish the running game? Where was the coaching? And, of course, the O-line play = BIG FAIL.
Clearly, the game plan wasn't working. And neither were the "adjustments," such as they were. Game planning, game management and offensive coaching = BIGGER FAIL.
- For once, I agree with the Post-Gazette’s Ron Cook.
- And even the Trib-Review (sports only).
- J.J. Cooper over at AOL Fanhouse provides an excellent, detailed analysis of the O-line play.
- Succinct headline at Hockey, Football & Stiletto Shoes..
- And, finally, Nice Pick, Cowher rants at length and offers this gem of a one-liner:
"RT Willie
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