Here’s an excerpt from my most recent column for TribLive.com. To read the entire piece, click HERE.
*The Steelers had first-and-goal at the 5-yard-line or closer once vs. Detroit, thrice against the Los Angeles Chargers.
In their first 11 plays in those situations, the Steelers passed eight times, handed off to Chase Claypool twice and to Najee Harris once.
The second time that circumstance occurred this past Sunday, the Steelers got new downs thanks to an interference call. Only then did offensive coordinator Matt Canada insert Zach Banner at tackle-eligible and run Harris behind fullback Derek Watt, resulting in a touchdown.
It took Canada 12 plays to do the obvious. Where does stubborn leave off and stupid begin?
Canada finally did what I’d suggested for a week. (Not that he listens or reads.)
Canada did it, and it worked. That confirms it was a good idea.
But what took him so long?
Perhaps doing the basic and the obvious isn’t the stuff genius is made of.
When the Steelers get inside the foe’s 5-yard-line, they should go big more. Not just every 12th play.