PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – At some point the Steelers will introduce Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator. Before he gets to draft or free agency and with the obvious assumption he needs to hire his staff, a list of five things he needs to do immediately with the Steelers offense.
Lefty Broderick
You don't trade up in the first round, draft a tackle and put him on the quarterback's strong side. Move Broderick Jones to left tackle. That is his future, that begins at OTAs and mini-camp. Dan Moore either moves over to the right side or is a swing tackle as you look for someone to start at RT.
Motion man
Under previous offensive coordinator Matt Canada it was an offense that ran a lot of jet sweep motion, but ranked 18th in the NFL pre-snap motion. The top team in moving before the snap to help identify what opposing defenses are doing was the 49ers, at roughly 70% of the time according to the NFL Next Gen stats. Even at times where it is just the tight end moving a couple of steps, it gives a key to the quarterback. The third-best team at motioning before the play, the Chiefs. The Ravens and Dolphins are also among the top in motion with Miami tops in the AFC in scoring and the Ravens second.
Pat-ential
Hard not to notice the first pass after Canada was gone as offensive coordinator was down the seam to tight end Pat Freiermuth. There is more production available from the 2021 second-round pick (only 32 receptions for 308 yards, two touchdowns in 12 games), plus it's a contract year for Freiermuth. Not saying he lacked it before, but motivation will be at its highest.
My way
Establish a hierarchy for complaints. Set up a better leadership structure than was there previously, to where if there are issues, they can come to him. Put together an offensive leadership council that would allow players to go to a peer with potential problems. Hold Monday complaint sessions where players can freely air grievances. Set up internal penalties for players who post dirty laundry.
New ideas
Adapt is a word Smith said a couple of handfuls of times when he was hired as head coach in Atlanta. He noted being aware of trends of the game, especially when it comes to the 49ers, Rams and Packers, implement some of that with the Steelers offense. While strengthening the consistency of the run game, don't forget to 'borrow' ideas from other teams.
None of these objectives cost a cent against the salary cap.
