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From: http://www.footballnewsshare.com/12525-pittsburgh-steelers-football-should-be-a-fluid-concept/
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Football Should Be a Fluid Concept
One common complaint on message boards and blog sites throughout 2008 was that the Steelers had gotten away from “Steelers football,” at least on the offensive side of the ball.
By “Steelers football,” the writer is typically referring to an offense built around a power “between the tackles” running game …
This idea of “Steelers football” is all about lining up across from the defense and smashing them right in the mouth again and again and again.
But, this style of offense only works when you have the right kind of personnel to execute it. There have been plenty of times in their history when the Steelers had the perfect personnel to play this style of ball …
What I’d like to see in 2009 is a less predictable offense that maximizes the strengths of the players while minimizing their weaknesses. If this means largely scrapping the power running game until a future date when the personnel line up better with that style of offense, it wouldn’t be the first time …
I’d love to see Ben Roethlisberger given the opportunity to run a no-huddle offense more often, not just when the game is on the line. Flexibility should be the key attribute of an offense that seeks to attack a defense’s weaknesses while playing to its strengths.
If this means we have to reevaluate what it means to play “Steelers football” on the offensive side of the ball, that is a small price to pay for overall team success.
This article appears in Jul 16-22, 2009.
I would agree with all of what was said here if it wasn’t for the fact that regardless of the “system” the Steelers imploy the chacter of the team is still hard-nosed smash mouth football. When people say they want to get back to that type of football on offense they are talking about not just a return to that type of a system but that type of attitude. This type of football is more about imposing your will on the other team, beating them into submission and wearing them out physically and mentally rather than just a power running game. Youre right for the most part about the type of player the Steelers have. Although as far as run blocking is concerned straight ahead run blocking is easier than pass blocking. Especially when you have a fearless QB who is willing to give up his body to make a play like Ben is. I would also like to see more no-huddle but you have to be careful that you don’t sacrofice “time of possession” and end up with you defense spending far too much time on the feild. while i would love to see the Steelers put the ball in Ben’s hands a little more and go to the no-huddle a little more, I still want them to establish that “I am gonna destroy you” attitude. Part of imposing your will on the other team is letting them know that in short yardage and goal line situations they just can’t stop you because you are going to out-tough them. Keep an eye on Frank “The Tank” Summers in training camp. I think this dude is the real deal. He has that you are not gonna stop me attitude as well as the body and skills to back it up.
So just to add a little to my first comment, when it comes to Steelers’ football I hope they never reevaluate it. If they do they will be walking away from what has made this team so consistent and successful for so long.