Steelers: Todd Haley Deserves More Time
By Lori Paddock
December 30, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley (left) talks to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) on the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
I could go on and on, but I won’t. Here’s my defense on why I think Haley deserves more time: Winning solves a LOT. The Steelers record was MUCH better this year and the arrow is pointing up. It is a lot of pieces coming together and fitting better.
There is a new level of trust between QB and OC. The offense goes nowhere when these two have issues and the issues look like they are ebbing. We saw the “No-huddle” more often and Ben had a better range of options during first and second downs for the passing plays.
If the Steelers didn’t extend Haley, who was available who would have been acceptable? Mark Trestman? Kyle Shanahan? I am not a fan of the Shanahans, so I wouldn’t have wanted to see Kyle, recently parted from the Browns, in that spot.
I am not familiar with the magical offensive coordinator fairy who will make sure someone can instantaneously fix the Steelers and place them in a Super Bowl, so enlighten me Steeler Nation. It has only been three years with Haley and even though it was slow at first, his system is taking hold. I think we see where this goes for at least one more season. Change is not always good and it is not always necessary, at least not this year.