http://www.steelersdepot.com/2018/0...return-sideline-says-relationship-haley-fine/ For those who don't read the article (which is a good one and I definitely ask you read it), some tidbits: 1) Todd Haley is not under contract next year. 2) Big Ben appears to corroborate a CBS report, as I understand it, that he went to Tomlin to discuss Fichtner being a sideline buffer between Haley and himself. 3) Big Ben credits all of his improvement later in this year to that change and Fichtner himself in this role. Fichtner is the Steelers' QBs' coach. To me, this would be a match made in heaven if he became the OC. I could imagine "more no huddle / hurry up offense in games." I recently read elsewhere that the league trend was more teams employing a hurry up offense going forward. The writer of the attached article even goes so far as to predict Fichtner becoming the OC next year if Big Ben continues playing (it would, of course, be a shock if Big Ben wasn't playing next year). Thoughts?
Good article. I was wondering about Haley's possibilities, especially with the recent HC jobs opening up. Been seeing some articles on it here and there.
I thought so too. As to Haley getting hired elsewhere (for head coach or even OC) it would almost surprise me if that happened as I just have a gut feeling the degree of interest for that to happen wouldnt be sufficient. This is unrelated, but I read an interesting comment about the circumstances of the fall he took on New Year's Eve and resulting hip injury, but nothing official. I guess maybe HIPAA laws make it tough to know? http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...dd-Haley-injured-in-fall/stories/201801020112
Actually being reported now: "NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Steelers OC Todd Haley suffered a hip injury after being "shoved down" outside a bar near Heinz Field on New Year's Eve. Per Rapsheet, "police have looked into it." It's unclear if Haley was imbibing too much on the biggest party day of the year. Haley will "gut out" his hip injury to game plan for the Divisional Round. Jan 2 - 4:27 PM Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter"
Per rotoworld: "NFL Network's Mike Garofolo reports Todd Haley's wife was involved in a "minor scuffle" shortly after midnight on Jan. 1. "The scuffle was quickly ended," the Pittsburgh Police Department said in a statement. "Todd Haley was not involved nor injured." Both Haleys were "escorted out of the bar." It was then that Todd was apparently attacked, suffering a hip injury. Whatever happened inside appears to have spilled outside. We probably haven't quite heard the last of this weird story. Jan 2 - 5:55 PM"
Regardless of Haley's conduct outside of work . . . if Ben is to be believed, the promotion of Fichtner to the role of OC might be what the doctor ordered to not only make Ben stay for 2018, but to allow him to maintain his very high level of play that we've seen down the stretch and be enthusiastic about running the offense. I'm not for bending to the will of the players, but since the Colts game Ben has been fantastic. The results speak for themselves. If Mike Tomlin is wise, he might wanna nudge Haley out the door a little bit.
It might also be that he works best and a go between and would not work as well if he were the main guy.
Yes, that is the question that senior management will need to answer. The Todd Haley run offense has kept Ben more upright. That might not be the case if a change is made.
I wouldn't worry too much about Ben's safety in the pocket as long as Mike Munchak and his magic with the offensive line remains intact. Bruce Arians was a special animal. Not only did he have a sh1tty offensive line for most of his tenure here, but he played like he didn't care. It produced well enough most of the time but was also maddening when it wouldn't work. Essentially, I don't think Haley himself is the sole reason why Ben has been protected. Tomlin could have gone any number of different routes to find Arians's replacement and achieved similar results.
I think there are a couple reasons Ben has taken fewer hits. The O line is much better than it's ever been. The talent is better and the coach has done a great job. Bell being effective as a runner, pass catcher, and blocker. Those check downs to Bell are so effective! Not sure if the offense under Arians didn't have that option or if Ben was unwilling to check down because he didn't trust the target or just looked downfield. Bell is a fantastic blocker. If using Fitchner as a buffer between Ben and Haley has been the key to Ben's resurgence it is probably time to replace Haley with Fitchner. It'd be nice to keep this version of Ben around as long as he's physically capable. Ben was obviously not happy at the end of last season. Make him happy and capitalize on this window of time they have with Ben and this group of play makers.
