We can talk complicated X's and O's all day. Zone blitzes. Press coverage. Cover-2. Cover-3. Pass-run option plays. Counter plays. Stretch plays. Jet sweeps.
It is so unnecessary.
The essence of play-calling is so much simpler:
Play works, great call. Play doesn't work, stupid call.
I bounced that theory off Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley the other day. He rolled his eyes. His look was pained.
"It's not quite that simple," he said.
It's been a tough couple of weeks for Haley. He was widely blamed for the Steelers not getting a first down late in their final-seconds home loss Sept. 28 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also was blamed for the team scoring just one offensive touchdown in a 17-9 win a week ago at Jacksonville against, potentially, one of the worst defenses in NFL history.
The criticism has been intense. For a taste of it, Google Snoop Dogg and Todd Haley. Yes, Snoop Dogg has called for Haley to be fired. It really is comical.
The criticism is predictable. A lot of people think they can call plays better than the Steelers offensive coordinator, no matter who he is. Bruce Arians had the job before Haley and he virtually was run out of town despite calling plays in two Super Bowls, one a win. He is a brilliant offensive coach and has gone on to be a successful head coach with the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals.
"I can't say I welcome it" Haley said of the constant scrutiny. "But I understand it's part of the job. It's still better than being the head coach. Everything he does gets second-guessed."
I'm a big believer that players deserve most of the credit and blame. Coaches are important. Their mandate is to put players in the best position to succeed. But success still comes down to players making plays. It's their game.
Look at Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, long regarded as one of the best. Isn't it funny that no one is calling him a genius these days? It's not as if he got stupid overnight. The problem is his players aren't as good as they used to be.
The Steelers offense does have good players. Ben Roethlisberger is a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback. Le'Veon Bell has more combined yards after five games than any player in Steelers history. Antonio Brown is one of the NFL's best wide receivers.
The offense also has done good things. It is averaging 404 yards per game, fourth-most in the NFL. It has had seven scoring drives of at least 80 yards, the most in the league.
"[Hall of Fame coach] Bill Parcells used to say that 50 yards should equal 3 points and 100 yards should equal 7 points," Haley said. "If we were averaging 28 points a game, we'd all be happy."
But the Steelers aren't at 28 points a game. They are averaging 22.8 points, which ranks 18th in the NFL. A big reason is lousy field position. The kickoff return team ranks 31st, giving the Steelers an average starting point just shy of the 19. Of its 53 possessions, Haley said, the offense has started just one drive in an opponent's territory. That's a reflection of the defense producing just five turnovers, tied for 22nd -- fewest in the league.
"A lot of things can happen when you have to go that extra distance," Haley said.
The Steelers offense has self-destructed at times. Brown and Justin Brown have dropped touchdown passes. Roethlisberger lost a fumble when he was sacked deep in Jacksonville territory. The linemen have nullified big gains with penalties. Roethlisberger missed a wide-open Markus Wheaton against Tampa Bay. Wheaton dropped a perfect pass against Jacksonville. It has been one thing here, one thing there.
"We haven't even come close to maxing out as an offense," Haley said.
That's especially true in the red zone. The Steelers rank 26th in scoring touchdowns inside the opponent's 20.
"Everywhere I've been, we've ranked in the top three," Haley said. "I take great pride in that. We'll find a way. Last year, we found Jerricho Cotchery. It's unusual for a receiver to catch 10 touchdown passes. We've got to find that guy again. We will."
Haley said he generally doesn't second-guess his play calls, although he kicked himself about one at Jacksonville. He wasn't happy with the information he sent in to Roethlisberger on a first-and-goal play from the Jaguars 4, leading to a failed pass play instead of a run play. The Steelers had to settle for a field goal after two more incompletions.
Haley said he will continue to put the ball in Roethlisberger's hands. "I'm always comfortable doing that."
He will continue giving the ball to Bell. "He has a chance to be a superstar."
He will spell Bell with LeGarrette Blount. "He's averaging 6.4 yards a carry. He's a pretty good option."
He will keep trying to find ways to get the ball to Antonio Brown. "I've never been around a guy who works that hard."
Maybe today in Cleveland will be the day the Steelers offense puts up 30 points again. That's what it did in the opening game against the Browns at Heinz Field. The Browns defense is weak, ranking 29th against the run, 28th against the pass and 31st overall.
It will be easy to judge Haley's day.
Play works, great call. Play doesn't work, stupid call.
You should have seen Haley frown.
Hey, it's part of the job.
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Cook and Poni" show weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
First Published: October 12, 2014, 4:00 a.m.
