Two days after his completion percentage record was broken by Drew Brees, Ken Anderson has retired from his job as quarterback coach of the Steelers.
Anderson, 60, is the first assistant coach Mike Tomlin has lost in three seasons. Ben Roethlisberger just had the best season of his remarkable career, so we have to assume this was Anderson’s choice.
There was talk a few weeks back that the Steelers staff could experience “a considerable makeover” but Anderson was the only change announced Tuesday.
Yes, Steelers fans, that means Bruce Arians remains. For now.
Anderson is one of the 25 semifinalists for the Hall of Fame this year. Defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau, who is expected to return to the Steelers, is one of the two nominees of the Hall’s Senior Committee.
“Yes, Steelers fans, that means Bruce Arians remains. For now.”
Steelers fans who think Bruce Arians was the biggest problem, rather than a total defensive collapse, are deluding themselves.
It’s midday Tuesday. The season ended for us less than 48 hours ago. I’m sure this is Anderson’s choice–and I’m sorry to see him go. LeBeau’s job was never in danger and I’m thrilled he’s staying. It’s too soon to make assumptions about anyone else.
I had no idea that Anderson even HAD the job! Seriously, when was the last time you heard his name mentioned as QB coach for the Squeelers? Not even during the Super Bowl.
HOF QB, by the way? Ummmm, no. Pretty good, not HOF.
“HOF QB, by the way? Ummmm, no. Pretty good, not HOF.”
Kinda like McNabb, though Jesse Jackson might get him in as a token.
Desides,
Our defensive colapses were caused by to short of a break off the field with the way our offense plays. Even when we score it is a 2-3 minute drive. With the way Lebeau has them run around the field, blitz, man up or cover large zones, they need the 5 – 7 minute drives of the Bettis, Kreider, Parker era. The only other option when you have a quick strike offense is to score a lot of points. Bruces playbook has nothing good for short yardage, which is why we can’t score in the red zone that well. It’s all big plays. So, yes Bruce Arians offense is the main problem.
Richm2256,
He wouldn’t be up for the hall or have the stats he has if he wasn’t at least a HOF caliber quarterback. Also you did hear a lot about Ben’s developement under him during the superbowl.
@Richm2256 …
Would you behave? “Squeelers” (she rolls her eyes).
When is the last time you heard a lot of talk about any QB coach? Steelers fans knew about him. (I never thought he was a HOF-caliber QB either. But he did take the Bengals to a Super Bowl, so he must have been pretty good. Will be surprised if he makes it though.)
The only time you hear about a QB coach is when the QB stinks the place up regularly. If people didn’t even know he was the QB coach, then he must’ve done quite well (as this season shows).
This may have been a favor to Anderson to let him retire before Arians and the rest of the offensive staff is let go.
And, yes, he deserves to be a Hall of Fame finalist. No, he does not deserve to be enshrined.
Desides,
With Troy: # 1 Defense, Super Bowl Title x2
Without Troy: Average D and missing the Playoffs.
After watching the Phins game, you can see that B.A was the issue. One play that sticks out in my mind.
Situation: Steelers D just produced a turnover, first play from scrimmage, Trick play handoff to Holmes who then throws an interception.
Last time I checked the Steelers had a few players on the offense that were former QB’s and not one of them was Holmes:
Players with prior QB experience:
-Hines Ward: Played QB in High School and College. He currently holds Georgia records for Pass Attempts, Pass Completions, and Passing Yards in a bowl game, from the 1995 Peach Bowl in which he completed 31 of 59 passes for 413 yards.
-Heath Miller: played Quarterback for Honaker High School, setting several school records in passing and leading the team to its first state championship game his senior year.
Holmes did not seem to be comfortable throwing 20-30 yards downfield across his body
Hines or Heath could have easily made that trick play more effective and in my opinion that lack of knowledge on B.A’s part is why he was fired.
The problem with the play calling was that the Steelers had only one blowout and that was 28-10 against the Broncos. Hardly a blowout. With a team that had that firepower with two good RBs and deep core of WRs and a QB that has two super bowl rings and just had his best year statistical. The Steelers shouldn’t have been the position to have their def make stops at the end of the game. I saw too many 3-outs in the 4th quater, I saw a game in Cle where it was cold and windy and they threw 40 times and ran less than 20, i saw 3rd and Ones with an empty set. Just plain stupidity. I would counter that the Steelers won 9 games in spite of Bruce Arians not because he bailed out the defense. They also need an OC that can get to Ben and tell him not to take so many sacks. I would guess that of his 50 or so sacks, half of them were on him.
B.A is back
Dont know if that is a good thing or a bad thing