Perhaps you've noticed that over the course of their recent 1-3 stretch to split back to .500, the Steelers haven't gotten off to very good starts. You know, as in a total of six first quarter points over the last four games and 0- that's zero, zilch, nada – the last two.
It's been so bad that you might think Matt Canada doesn't realize how bad it's been. But the offensive coordinator insists he's on the case.
"We will continue to work on that," he said during his weekly media avail. "It's been a point of emphasis; sometimes it works and sometimes it hasn't. We continue to change a little bit here and there to try to make it better but we just have to make plays at the right times."
It looked like they were on track in Minnesota when they overcame Chase Claypool's needless (is there any other kind?) personal foul penalty to pick up a first down at the Vikings 29-yard line. Alas, they went backwards on the next two plays and Chris Boswell missed a field goal for the first time in ten games. That would seem to be the wrong plays at the wrong times
It would also suggest that Canada's scripted plays – with input from Ben Roethlisberger and presumably approved by the head coach – aren't working very well. We heard Mike Tomlin downplay that the other day, talking about the feeling out process. At least Canada disagreed, at least somewhat.
"Oh we only want to score," the OC deadpanned, before falling more in line with his boss. "You do try to see things and that but it's still a comfort level for what we think we can do well. There's a little bit of both, but it certainly goes back to what we like, what Ben likes."
Ahhh – what Ben likes. Roethlisberger has made no secret of his love for the no-huddle. And why not? He seems to thrive in it, but in L.A.
and Minnesota, the Steelers didn't use it until it was too late. The weekly question is - why not use it more early? And the weekly answer is typically, a lot of double-talk.
"I would say we have (used it early) to a point," Canada said Thursday. "We've had no-huddle plays the first drive, the first series, on third down, on second down, some of it is dictated by the game when you see a little bit more continually. We're using it more as a tempo-changer at times then sometimes we've got to go fast to catch up."
Of course, a good time to go no-huddle – whether it's the first quarter or the fourth, behind or ahead, is to exploit match-ups which Canada says he will do if they get something going. "Sometimes we're trying to keep the same guys on the field or not let a guy on the field for them," he explained. "In some cases, if we feel like we've had X amount of plays or they're wearing down (they'll increase tempo)."
The other aspect is to not be predictable which seems to still be a problem. "There's a line there of knowing what you do well and making sure you do those things you think you can well and trying to change tendencies, too," continued Canada who also indicated the no-huddle package hasn't really expanded over the first 13 games.
While Tomlin coyly suggested during his weekly media briefing that "it's possible" the no huddle could make an early appearance Sunday at Heinz Field, coaches are not going to tip their hand. Canada certainly doesn't.
So might we see some no huddle early on against the Titans? I have no idea – and even if I were to see it at practice I couldn't tell you.
But there is one thing I do know.
At least trying some no-huddle to start the game certainly couldn't hurt.
