FORT LAUDERDALE — Count Jerome Bettis among those who applauded when Steelers president Art Rooney II said the team must place more of an emphasis on running the ball next season.
“I think it’s great that they have made that adjustment and said ‘We’ve got to run the football more,’ ” Bettis said. “I don’t think that they’re that far off.”
Bettis, who retired after the 2005 season, was among the celebrities that made their way around “Radio Row” inside the Broward County Convention Center Wednesday, a group that also included Barry Sanders, Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner.
The Steelers’ second all-time leading rusher made the above observation about the Steelers only needing to make minor changes while in between a TV and radio show appearance.
Bettis’ punishing running style epitomized what the Steelers were all about on the ground not so long ago — and offensively for that matter.
Yet he didn’t advocate a return to 2004 when the Steelers ran the ball 68 percent of the time with Bettis and Duce Staley carrying the load.
Bettis, in fact, said, “It’s just a matter of getting the emphasis back not even (to) 50/50. Close to 50/50 I think will be great.”
The Steelers ran the ball 44 percent of the time last season and passed 56 percent of the time. Rooney II did not necessarily say that the Steelers need a reversal of that that ratio, only that they need to place more of a priority on the ground game.
If the Steelers nudge the run/pass ratio closer to an even split and improve running the ball in certain situations, Bettis said, imagine the possibilities.
“You’ve already got a dynamic passing game,” Bettis said. “If you can get the running game even close then you’ve got an incredible football team.”
February 3rd, 2010 - 8:54 pm
55 PASS---45 RUN------MY OPININON
February 4th, 2010 - 12:33 am
I do agree the steelers do need to run the ball more but they aint going to run behind that offencsive line which is no better than butter they cant seem to hold anyone out of the back field intill they do something about that line they aint going to be any good passing or running
Go Steelers
February 4th, 2010 - 4:23 am
I agree about the run but it's not the percentage of running its the quality of running. This means that Rashard Mendenhall needs to get more big runs and become a threat. How much of that is his problem and how much is the line is the question. Everyone wants to see a Bettis type of runner but if you look in the league the closes thing to Bettis is Brandon Jacobs and Jamal Lewis and neither of them is as impacting the way Bettis was. The best we can hope for is Rashard gets better coming out of the back field.
February 4th, 2010 - 9:16 am
Well said, I have heard so many people going to far, saying, oh Rooney said they need to go back to running more...
Thank You Jerome, what was actually said was, We have to get better at running the ball when we need to run the ball (late game or lead situations) I totally agree.
Ben is a star, you don't want to take the ball out of his hands, but you do want to give him help, once he gets a lead, they need to be able to somewhat "take the air out of the ball" and if that was the case they prob would not have lost many of the games they did this past year.
February 4th, 2010 - 11:19 am
I agree 100%!! It would be so nice to go back to the days of 04-05. I understand BIG BEN is being paid the big bucks(and he deserves it), but we need to get the ground game under control so we can take pressure off of BIG BEN. WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS THE DEFENSE THOUGH. We will be back! Much Love and Respect to all STEELER FANS!!!
February 4th, 2010 - 11:27 am
Bettis is correct. They need to run the football, however, they need to run it with success when they need to. That is: short yardage and goal line. I still think Arians needs to go, however, he apparently is staying. I hope they do not get to" run" orinianted and still use the pass as a suprise once in a while in short yardage or goal line. What I think they need to adjust the most is the empty backfield and ben in shotgun so much. I don't understand why Tomlin didn't see that when ben went to the empty backfield, shotgun that teams sent all out blitzes. They need to develope more crisp quick short passes. Ben just loves to hold the ball looking for the bomb until the chance for a short pass is gone.That mind set needs to change. Anyway I didn't see much of the O line going forward on running plays, however, they didn't have that mind set.
February 4th, 2010 - 3:30 pm
Emphasis on execution!
Steelers don't necessarily need a 50/50 or event to maintain 44/56 run/pass ratio. They just to need to be successful at the run when they choose to. I know that sounds lame, but there is truth in it. The Steelers for the most part moved the ball up and down the field on everyone this season. They got into trouble in the Red Zone when their lack of overall effectiveness in running showed up. Reason being, passing effeciency goes down as there is less field for the defense to cover, and that is typically when the running game, or at least the threat, needs to be evident.
Personally, I like them throwing the ball all over the place. There is way too much talent at catching and running after the catch, Mendenhall included, not to throw it...and throw it a ton.
They just need that YPC stat to go up a bit!
I really believe this team is a lot closer to greatness than the 2008, or heck the 2005 teams ever were. They are more talented, and have the experience.
February 4th, 2010 - 4:41 pm
There is still one major problem....Bruce Arians. He has not shown the ability to design and implement a successful running attack. He could not do it with Rutgers, the Browns, or the Steelers. Running more is not the answer if you can not run effectively. What good does it do to increase the number of two yard runs? The Steelers resigned themselves to another year of failure the day they decided to keep Arians around. Maybe the Steelers will run the ball better in 2011 with a new OC. 2010 is already doomed.
February 4th, 2010 - 4:45 pm
I agree with all of your commments about the running game. We just need Mendenhall to have enough carries out of better running formations. Whatever happened to emphasizing a good, pass catching and blocking fullback. We have three great receivers and a great tight end. We could run 3 wide sets and run all day with a good full back, if we get the o-line in shape. Also, the offense was not our main problem last year. Our cornerbacks are so bad we still have to rely on Deshea Townsned to play nickel. Heck , I would still put him at corner becuae Ike Taylor can't find the ball and neither can any on else but Polamolu. We missed Polamolu
February 4th, 2010 - 6:29 pm
They really need a fullback on running downs. (This also tends to open the deep receivers a bit more on play-action, as the fullback is a great distraction to both linebackers and safeties, and he can really help to "sell" the fake run; if he can catch, too, then he'd be a great "safety valve.") The fullback also offers better pass-protection, ideally: another body to block in the backfield. I am a strong advocate of the power or broken "I" formation, even on passing downs. Ben doesn't release the ball as quickly as Payton or Tom Brady, so unless we want repeats of the @Cleveland game this year and the @Philly game from two years ago, then Bruce really should try to shift away from the one-back or shotgun sets. They can still try the same schemes, but the "I" would disguise them better.
February 4th, 2010 - 10:23 pm
balance, balance, balance, use a fullback and have the O-line lose 15lbs each
February 4th, 2010 - 11:02 pm
In my opinion, and its just that! we will never be able to run the ball effectively with a bruising dominating style with the light-weight backs we have. they are good runners, but a power house 1-2 punch they are not. if we are to get back to a dominating run game, we will have to get bigger in that area, the 200 pound range won't get it done against 300 hundred pound defensive lineman come at you. too many times we get hit and knocked down at, or behind the line of scrimmage. again, that is just an opinion! go steelers,,,,,,,
February 6th, 2010 - 8:54 am
Fact: A better running game the Steelers hold leads and are in the play-off's PERIOD
February 8th, 2010 - 2:59 pm
Offensive line play is about angles. Remember that the guys wearing the different uniforms get paid too. Putting "a hat on a hat" is a fast way to three and out. I agree that a good fullback is necessary as well. There is no way that Barry Foster or The Bus get those yards without good fullbacks. I say incorporate more traps inside, more isolation plays on the edges and more backside pulls. Remember Franco right up the gut? That was not "zone" blocking. That was Webster blocking down with an advantageous angle and Sam Davis pulling behind him with an angle on the on-side D-lineman. Add a simple downblock by Larry Brown on the inside backer and presto,... 8-12 yards on 1st down. Or who remembers the counter-tre that the Skins made famous. Angles fellas, its all about angles.
February 8th, 2010 - 6:21 pm
Now that the Super Bowl's over with, your predictions for next years Super Bowl?
February 8th, 2010 - 8:25 pm
Much a useful blog.
February 9th, 2010 - 1:48 am
Please can someone tell me why Big Ben does not get the proper recognition he so richly deserves? I mean I think Ben is much better in the clutch, he rarely gives up on plays, and he has two count 'em two super bowls rings. I do like Drew Brees, let's see how he handles success. I really feel that when it is all said and done the media will have to concede and put Ben up there with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. No, Big Ben extends the plays much better than both of them. He takes his hits does not lie down (Peyton), or cries to the refs (Tom), When I see him scramble or extend the play I see both Terry Bradshaw and Fran Tarkenton. I feel that Ben will be in a class all by himself. Big Ben is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league bar none
If I have anything to say abut it, he will be in the hall of fame when he is eligable. Let's get it right media.
February 9th, 2010 - 6:55 pm
lets not get way too over the rail on board the titanic, we are only about to scratch the surface, wait til there is no cba, every owner is spending top dollar that the smaller markets cant even smell, no wait a darn gone minute, arent the nfl getting paid billions, BILLIONS, ( sorry MN ) had to do it, i mean billions of dollars by the networks to televise thier product. i mean i would like an audit on all expendentures to see where the owners are losing,,, i doubt it, they want more money in thier pockets so they can grow thier product overseas, c'mon man, the players who travel should get 75,grand each just for risking thier lives on these airlines that we know alquaida is trying to destroy, and then the fans should get thier money back for losing a home game and a draft comp, for the traveling, c;mon, billions, where is all the red at!