Three ways the Steelers can fix their offensive woes
By Eric Hassel
The Steelers must find the spark to ignite a dormant rushing attack
To say the Steelers have a find something to kick-start the rushing attack is an understatement. Through eight games of the 2019 season, the ground game ranks 26th in average yards per game with a lofty 88.4 yards per game.
During the Super Bowl years of the 1970s, the Steelers offense employed a basic, simple formula-a power run game with passes sprinkled in here and there. In 1977, the NFL changed the rule that receivers could only be bumped within the first five yards. This rule is often referred to as the ‘Mel Blount Rule‘.
That rule also opened up the Steelers’ passing game; however, even with the rule change, the Steelers offense never deviated from its primary objective, which was to establish the run and pound the opponent into submission.
The rushing attack looks more like the rushing retreat. So what can the offense do to get the running game back on track? Remember the ‘complex yet simple’ theory here. Full disclosure: I understand NIx has been injured and his presence in the game against the Dolphins was the primary reason Conner had 145 yards rushing; however, if Nix is unavailable, who else can fill that role?
The first thing the Steelers need to do is to find someone who can serve as an ‘H-back’ when Nix is unavailable. Other teams use a TE in this role. Why can’t we do the same? Does our scheme only call for a true FB, which Nix is? If that’s the case, then we need to rethink our scheme. I find it hard to believe that no other player on the roster could function as a lead blocker.
If the previous statement is true, it comes down to the roster and the management thereof. It could just be that Randy Fichtner is not that creative. Personally, I do not believe that’s the case. I think it’s the former rather than the latter. Suffice to say, we are not currently enjoying success in the running game by running out of ’11’ or even ’12’ personnel.
Let’s see what else the offense can do to improve the running game.