A dream come true - Arians Retires

[Brinker]

Link to follow.

[Brinker]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/20/steelers-offensive-coordinator-bruce-arians-retires/

[jasonic]

dreams can come true

[raynemaker]

As a longtime Steeler fan, I feel it is only fitting to express with my first post.....

They say that be careful what you wish for......in this case, I will take my chances.

Go Steelers!

[jonzr]

As a longtime Steeler fan, I feel it is only fitting to express with my first post.....

They say that be careful what you wish for......in this case, I will take my chances.

Go Steelers!

Indeed.  And that was one long lurk, welcome!

[msdmnr2002]

ESPN article on Arians decision:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7489906/pittsburgh-steelers-chose-not-keep-bruce-arians-bucking-ben-roethlisberger-sources-say

This seems odd:  Not so much the "retirement," or the fact that Ben didn't like it, but this quote:

The sources said the move was made in order to shift the offense back toward its blue-collar identity of years past, in line with the desires of Steelers president Art Rooney II.



This would be a problem for me if I'm Tomlin.  As far as I know, Rooneys have never been that hands on with the on-field decisionmaking.  Maybe they have and kept it under wraps, but dunno.  If true, this is the right move for the wrong reason.  Today's NFL is more and more about the short passing game.  The plan for the next 5 years should be to continue putting the ball in Ben's hands, but dictate that he gets rid of it faster.  I don't think the 60-40 run/pass ratio is a positive direction.

[LambertsFrontTeeth]

I agree.

I'm all for running more effectively when we do run, though.  Which will necessitate bringing in better Olineman. Need to get better at run blocking AND protect Ben better. He can help himself there as well -- maybe an offensive coordinator that doesn't put up with his refusal to go with the quick hit will be better.

Perhaps Art II got some Houston envy. Imagine if we had an offense as effective running the ball as Houston -- can you imagine what Ben would do with THAT offensive line and running game?