Tag: Arthur smith

Broderick Jones weighs In: Can Russell Wilson outshine Justin Fields?

During Friday’s media availability for Pittsburgh, RT Broderick Jones was asked what exactly the difference was between Wilson and Fields.

During Friday’s media availability, Broderick Jones was asked about the differences between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Jones kept his response short and sweet, emphasizing that the main difference lies in the ‘energy’ each quarterback brings to the offense.

“Russ has been doing this for so long,” Jones explained, “When he comes in, he has a little swagger about him.”

This swagger and poise is exactly what this offense seems to be missing, as Fields’ decision making and lack of pocket awareness continues to kill drives.  Wilson’s resume speaks for itself—nine Pro Bowl selections, 2015 leader in passer rating, 2017 leader in touchdowns, and Super Bowl XLVII champion.  However, the anger of fans and wise insight from their offensive lineman cannot bring Wilson’s presence on offense into fruition.

Pittsburgh’s young 2023 first-round offensive tackle seems to be stating the obvious answer to the question Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin are trying to avoid—can Russell Wilson win more games for the Steelers than Justin Fields?

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Arthur Smith on Roman Wilson’s debut: ‘It’ll happen sooner or later’

There appears to be no sense of urgency from OC Arthur Smith to get the talented WR Roman Wilson onto the field to make his debut.

Although Pittsburgh is teetering on the brink of losing three straight games, specifically due to offensive struggles and a lack of dynamic wide receivers, there appears to be no sense of urgency to get rookie WR Roman Wilson onto the field.

Steelers’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith offered an explanation during media availability on Thursday, citing several recovery aspects, such as missing training camp and being out of game shape. Smith concluded that we could expect Wilson to suit up his debut “sooner or later.” He acknowledged that Wilson is working very hard to get on the field, but noted that the wide receiver missed a lot of football conditioning.

https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly/status/1844408331139449025

Fans who eagerly awaiting the playmaking ability of the shifty and explosive Wilson will need wait just a little longer.  When Smith and Mike Tomlin eventually realize how much the offense needs a player of Wilson’s caliber, hopefully it isn’t too late.

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Arthur Smith seemingly took a dig at Russell Wilson while praising Justin Fields’ lack of drama

The Steelers don’t seem to like Russell Wilson very much.

For anyone holding out hope that Russell Wilson will eventually take over as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starter, they should probably start looking at logical Wilson trades that will take him out of the Steel City instead.

At least, according to a new, unsubtle eye-opening quote from offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

On Thursday, Smith praised Justin Fields — who has filled in for Wilson to start the 2024 season while he nurses a calf injury — for being coachable and, wait for it, for his lack of drama as someone who “doesn’t try to live through his avatar.”

If I didn’t know any better, it sure sounds like that is an apparent reference to Wilson, who has garnered a reputation for his utter lack of authenticity over the years:

https://twitter.com/BrianBatko/status/1844413235635863641

Oof. If Smith is really referring to Wilson, it’s hard to imagine the quarterback ever playing a single snap for Pittsburgh at this rate, barring injury. Imagine that. Wilson might have worn out his welcome without throwing a single regular-season pass for the Steelers.

I guess that’s just where his still-future Hall of Fame career is these days.

Nick Sirianni among two coaches remaining from 2021 hiring cycle after Jets fire Robert Saleh

Nick Sirianni and Dan Campbell are among the final two coaches remaining from 2021 hiring cycle after Jets fire Robert Saleh

After being named the Eagles head coach, Nick Sirianni was laughed at and mocked following his introductory press conference. Still, he’s one of the last survivors from the 2021 coaching cycle after the Jets fired Robert Saleh on Tuesday morning.

Adam Schefter reported that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be the interim head coach.

With the move, only Sirianni and the Lions’ Dan Campbell remain as coaching hires from four years ago.

According to ESPN Research, Saleh is now the third head coach fired after losing a game in London. The Raiders fired coach Dennis Allen in 2014 the day after they lost 38-14 to the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium, while the Dolphins fired coach Joe Philbin in 2015 the day after they lost 27-14 to the Jets at Wembley. Saleh’s firing comes two days after the Jets lost 23-17 to the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Saleh was 20-36 in parts of three seasons as the Jets head coach, including 2-3 in 2024.

Sirianni is 36-19 as Eagles head coach. The team has made three straight playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs in 2022.

Campbell has amassed an even 27-27-1 record in Detroit despite starting 4-19-1 through his first 24 games. He’s delivered the team’s first division title in 30 years and two playoff wins—double the number the franchise had had in the previous 60 years.

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Pittsburgh continues to choose loyalty over their Wilsons

Is Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith wasting the career of their rookie WR Roman Wilson and damaging the trust of QB Russell Wilson over loyalty?

On Thursday, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo appeared on 93.7 The Fan, addressing several key Steelers topics, including the ongoing situations with Russell Wilson and Roman Wilson. Fittipaldo believes that given Justin Fields’ current performance, it would take “a bad game” to warrant a switch at quarterback.

Additionally, with Arthur Smith’s scheme requiring four tight ends and four wide receivers on game day, Roman Wilson seems to be the odd man out of a WR group that contains George Pickens, Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson, and Scotty Miller.  This leads many, including Fittipaldo, to conclude that Roman Wilson’s status as a healthy scratch is more a matter of preference than necessity for Pittsburgh.

Loyalty plays a significant role in both Russell and Roman Wilson’s availability issues. Mike Tomlin acknowledged the challenge by stating, “It’s very difficult to get on a moving train.” However, Smith’s loyalty to Jefferson and Fields seems to be preventing the Wilsons from hopping on the proverbial locomotive, which could then provoke Pittsburgh to exaggerate the severity of the injuries to save face.

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Arthur Smith on Justin Fields: ‘Almost took the game over’

Pittsburgh OC Arthur Smith spoke very highly of Justin Fields’ Week 4 performance, especially his second-half.

While some fans are debating who the true QB1 is in Pittsburgh, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith appears to be a massive fan of Justin Fields’ poise and playmaking ability.

Smith is definitely someone you want in your corner when you’re engaged in a quarterback competition—or possibly winning one like Fields is.  Well, almost everyone thinks he’s beating out Russell Wilson.

While fans wish for Fields to remain the starting quarterback, their pleas fall on deaf ears, as head coach Mike Tomlin feels the quarterback competition is yet to be decided.

However, Smith nor Fields were blind to his own statistical output in Week 4—throwing for over 300 yards, rushing for over 50, and adding three total touchdowns to cap off his elite performance.

Fields will need to end this QB controversy once and for all against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, and at least he’ll have his offensive coordinator supporting his every move.

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Jamaal Williams downplays his late touchdown last year vs. Falcons

Jamaal Williams downplayed the significance of his late touchdown against the Falcons last year: ‘It’ll be forgotten soon, don’t worry’

This week, Jamaal Williams downplayed his last-minute touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in 2023’s regular season finale. Jameis Winston became the face of the moment when the New Orleans Saints ran up the score on their rivals, but Williams was the one who carried the ball into the end zone.

That was the last offensive play of the Saints’ season and resulted in Williams’ first and only touchdown of the year. Of course it was brought back up this week with the Falcons game coming up, but Williams doesn’t see it as a big deal. Atlanta fired head coach Arthur Smith and brought in sweeping changes this offseason, but Williams about to take the blame for that.

“I don’t think my touchdown was the reason for all of those (changes),” Williams laughed. When Smith’s dismissal was brought up, Williams pointed to his status as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator in downplaying the significance of his TD: “He’s good, he’s on another team. It’s not like he’s out here homeless. He got another job. What are we talking about? It’ll be forgotten soon, don’t worry.”

Williams believes his play should be soon forgotten. He compared it to Mark Sanchez’ infamous “Butt Fumble.” This was a bad, yet accurate example. If Williams was trying to bring up a play that was forgotten in time, the ‘Butt Fumble’ is not one of those.

Over 10 years, that play is still brought up. 10 years later, Williams’ touchdown may still be discussed by Saints fans. If it was against any other team, Williams would be correct. In a rivalry as petty as Saints versus Falcons, this will be one of those memories that lives on.

The aftermath of it from Dennis Allen and Arthur Smith meeting on the field to Winston’s press conference after the game is too memorable.

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The single biggest reason Steelers QB Justin Fields has improved so quickly

Justin Fields leash is getting longer and longer and he’s performing well.

Week Three of the NFL season was far and away the best performance of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields’ season. Fields was in command of the offense from start to finish and despite fewer deep shots, Fields 245 yards was his best of the year and it was his third game of the season with a passer rating of over 90.

In going back over all three games, there have been lots of areas of improvement but in terms of the biggest factor in Fields development, it’s been schematic.

In the first start, Fields didn’t throw to the middle of the field. This was by design by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. In Week Two, we saw Fields incorporate a bit more of the middle of the field but by last week, Fields attacked the Chargers defense everywhere.

Here is Fields passing chart from Sunday thanks to Next Gen Stats.

Fields was in complete command of the offense on Sunday. At this point, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers would be willing to give up on him for Russell Wilson, even if Wilson is healthy.

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Steelers OC talks ‘progress’ and the Pittsburgh offense

Arthur Smith feels like he’s trying to sell the fans and media a bill of goods about the Steelers offense.

NFL teams spend months together in the offseason working on their schemes and systems. There are no opponents to prepare for so the only thing teams need to do is get better at what it is they want to do during the season. That’s it. This is where progress is made.

But not for the Pittsburgh Steelers offense it would seem. It has been a recurring theme over the last several seasons that despite having the same amount of prep time when the season starts, the Steelers offense is still several weeks behind everyone else and constantly playing catch up.

Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith addressed the media on Thursday ahead of the team’s home opener against the Los Angeles Chargers and honestly offered up the most frustrating assessment of the Steelers offense. You can listen to the comments above and judge for yourself if you are satisfied with Smith’s evaluation of the offense’s progress.

Pittsburgh has scored one touchdown in eight quarters so far this season. The Steelers are averaging 15.5 points per game which is more than two points per game worse than last season.

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Steelers OC Arthur Smith gives perfect 3-word description of offensive line

The Steelers went back to some old-school football in Sunday’s win.

Despite two new starters including one rookie, the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line did a nice job against an athletic Atlanta Falcons defensive front on Saturday. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith talked to the media and offered up the perfect description of what the offensive line wanted to do against Atlanta.

“We wanted to control the line of scrimmage,” Smith said. “It was a little blunt-force trauma that made it ugly. It was pretty at times depending on your perspective… I mean we were able to possess the ball I think 36 minutes.”
The Steelers sealed the win by controlling the time of possession in the fourth quarter.

https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly/status/1834264328049971328

This week the Steelers offense will face a much stiffer challenge in the Broncos defense. It’s hard not to get a little nostalgic about seeing the Steelers win with smash-mouth football but you have to wonder if it is sustainable in today’s NFL for a full 17-game season.
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