Around The Steelers Clubhouse: Red-Zone Issues, Big Ben And Lance Moore
By Danny Cox
In the 2014 season opener for both teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers built a huge lead on the Cleveland Browns, and then watched it quickly disappear in the second half. When it came down to it, a last-second field goal won it for the Steelers, but now the shocking Browns aren't going to let something like that happen again.
For Pittsburgh to win in week six, they're going to have to first break the trend of win-lose-win-lose since they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Something else they will have to do is iron out a few issues that are currently plaguing the team and could lead to big distractions.
First of all, the Steelers have one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL and they are actually the fourth-best in the entire league. The only problem is that their best work is done from afar because it's downright awful in the red-zone. Throughout the season so far, the Steelers have scored touchdowns on just 44 percent of the times they've had the ball inside their opponents' 20-yard line.
Coach Mike Tomlin realizes that play-calling is an issue and the Steelers need to run the ball more when in the red-zone. On their first three possessions in the red-zone against the Jaguars, Pittsburgh threw the ball 10 times and didn't try a single running play. With backs like Le'Veon Bell and LeGarette Blount, that's just unheard of and needs to change.
Speaking of Tomlin and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, they have come under a bit of fire for throwing a pass at the end of a 17-9 victory over the Jaguars last week even though the game was in hand. It was done so wide receiver Antonio Brown could extend a weird record of 21 consecutive games with at least five receptions and 50 receiving yards.
Both Roethlisberger and Tomlin defended their actions and "don't understand why this is such a big issue" since they won the game. It's become a much bigger issue than it should be, and Tomlin is trying to get it squashed so it doesn't become a distraction.
As far as receivers go, the Steelers are looking to get a bit more out of Lance Moore who is in his first year with Pittsburgh after eight with the New Orleans Saints. So far in 2014, Moore has just two receptions for 38 yards and he drew a costly penalty last week that pushed the Steelers back 15 yards.
Moore hasn't gotten nearly as much playing time as he was hoping for after arriving to the Steelers, but he's biding his time and hoping it comes soon. An early-season injury caused him to lose the third receiver spot to rookie Justin Brown, and Brown isn't looking to relinquish it anytime soon.
For more Steelers news and updates, visit Steelers Central.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
