Morning Links (and Daily Thread)…

I think I’ve become an Arians apologist because I think he’s put together some pretty good offenses over the years. I think he could be more creative and relies on Ben too much, but overall he’s done a good job. I actually think he was more creative while Ben was out and I wish we’d seen some of that stuff vs the Saints.

Mostly I’m an Arians backer because I think that criticizing an offensive play after it didn’t work is too easy and is the lazy way out for fans. Now when something crazy and stupid is called, like a QB end around on 3rd and 6 in a playoff game, or a reverse when only 1 yard is needed, or passing the ball in insane weather like in Cleveland, sure the guy deserves whatever criticism you are going to give him. But pretty much every fan hates his team’s offensive coordinator after a loss. Cam Cameron, the guy that Steelers’ fans love for some reason, was getting all sorts of heat for the NE loss. Jason Garrett is getting criticized daily, and so on. This is just the nature of the position because it’s so easy to just say, “they should’ve passed the ball there” when a run gets stuffed.

Against the Saints, I thought the Steelers had got into a pretty good rhythm on the drive before Miller fumbled and it looked like they were moving the ball again. Then Miller fumbled and the game was basically over because Drew Brees was insanely hot.

I don’t know why they don’t use the QB sneak down at the one yard line though. That seemed to me to be the obvious call. That being said, when you are that close, running it 3 times up the middle is exactly what I would do.