Pittsburgh Steelers: Grading the Play-Calling Vs. the Miami Dolphins
In last week's battle of Arians vs. LeBeau the nod went to offensive coordinator Bruce Arians by a slim margin of a B+ to a B-. The defense's B- was solely based on the defense going back to the three- and four-man defensive front used in the second half that we first saw and were dismayed by in the Baltimore Ravens game.
New week, new optimism.
This week the Steelers traveled to Miami against the 3-2 Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins were 0-2 at home and were looking to turn things around against the Steelers.
The Dolphins were pretty much in the middle of the pack on all of the team statistics and should have provided the Steelers with an opportunity to light it up on both sides of the ball. On to how Pittsburgh did today from the sidelines...
First Quarter
1 of 5
Offense: I really like seeing a return to the intermediate routes over the middle of the field. Also, getting Heath Miller involved in the offense is a big help. On a sour note, I still think that the running play-calling is too predictable. Nice long drive toward the end of the quarter, but three bubble screens in a quarter is too many.
Grade: B+
Defense: Once again the defense had to come out early in the game, deep in its own territory for two sudden-change situations. The great news was that they only gave up two field goals.
It looks like we are almost seeing a change in defensive philosophy and the Steelers might as well switch to a 4-3. I just don't get it. I'll take getting after the quarterback over protecting the secondary any day of the week.
Grade: C
On a side note: the fumbled opening kickoff by Emmanuel Sanders was indicative of normal putrid play by the Steelers special teams.
Player of the Quarter: Ben Roethlisberger
Second Quarter
2 of 5
Offense: Again the strategy was more spreading the ball around to different targets and using the middle of the field. They also aired it out with Roethlisberger throwing a bomb to Mike Wallace. Late it the quarter the Steelers ran a reverse that lost about 10 yards, but I really didn't have a grip about the play call. Poor use of timeouts during the two-minute drill knocks this grade down a bit.
Grade: A-
Defense: This is getting painful to watch. What do you do if you can't get pressure on Chad Henne rushing four? Of course, you rush three. Even the rocket scientists doing the game for CBS have keyed into this.
Brandon Marshall, who had zero balls thrown his way last week in Miami's game against Green Bay, was all over the place. The few times that LeBeau let the dogs out, they got into Henne's face quickly; they just aren't able to get that last step.
Grade: D+
Side note: Emmanuel Sanders was redeeming himself on kickoff returns with a couple of 40-plus yarders this quarter.
Player of the Quarter: Mike Wallace
Third Quarter
3 of 5
Offense: The offensive line just isn't getting it done against Miami's front seven and the standard first down running plays just aren't getting it done.
I for the life of me can't figure out what a Heath Miller/Rashard Mendenhall back field is all about, especially when the Steelers had some success last week with Issac Redman in the backfield rather than Miller.
As was the case last week I think a draw play or middle screen would help with the rush, but we didn't see either.
Grade: B-
Defense: I give up. It seems nothing is going to make LeBeau go out of rushing three or four men and the Dolphins again ripped the Steelers up through the air.
Chad Henne has almost exceeded his passing yardage per game average by the end of the quarter. Miami had less that 20 yards on offense in the first quarter and over 230 in the second and third combined.
Grade: D
Player of the Quarter: Not much to choose from, but I'll go with Hines Ward.
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Fourth Quarter
4 of 5
Offense: We finally saw something over the middle to a running back resulting in big gain for Mewelde Moore toward the end of the game.
We also got to see a middle draw from Ben Roethlisberger to score the go-ahead field goal on what will be a much-talked about Roethlisberger fumble into the end zone. Finally, Issac Redman was used effectively as an important part of the last Steelers drive.
Grade: A+
Defense: For the most part it was more of the same: playing not to lose. The few times that the Steelers brought pressure, they got gashed anyway. However, credit is due to the players; they stepped it up and shut Miami down when it counted most at the end of the game.
Grade: C-
Player of the Quarter: the Steelers defense
Overall
5 of 5
Offense: I'll be honest, today's game was pretty difficult to evaluate play-calling on offense since there were so many broken plays with Ben Roethlisberger running for his life. That said the offense did some good things today, including getting Heath Miller involved and remembering that there is a middle of the field.
Again I'm bothered by the lack of middle screens and draw plays, especially with the line getting whipped in pass blocking.
Grade: B+
Defense: From a play-calling perspective, I'd put this as another disappointing week. With upcoming games against some more pass-happy teams, I am really concerned about what is going on with this side of the ball.
Grade: C-
Player of the Game: This would have been Ben Roethlisberger were it not for the number of turnovers. Instead it goes to Hines Ward (7 catches, 131 yards).
Two other postgame thoughts: I think the defense looked a bit passive today and am wondering if it was the heat or the nonsense going on with the NFL's new position on tackling. I also can't figure out why the Steelers still have Antwaan Randle El returning punts, since he has made exactly nothing happen this year.
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