[jdl22]

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So how would you do things differently? Not trying to stir up junk, but I am honestly curious. I'm a big steeler fan as well, but I'm not as down on Cowher as you.

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I tried describing it in my first post on this thread but maybe I wasn't clear.

1st and goal from the 8 - 6 yard run by Bettis
2nd and goal from the 2 - PA pass?!?!

Are you serious? Why even have Bettis on the team if on 1st down he runs for 6 and you don't give him the ball on 2nd down?

Everything eventually goes thru Cowher so I don't buy the "he doesn't call the plays" stuff.

This same mistake was repeated later in the game. He never learns.

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Iggy,

I watched the entire game except for that first drive
(first bar I tried was closed so had to go to a backup) so I didn't see the actual series being discussed. However, in this situations I like sometimes calling play action there. It's fairly likely to be successful because the other team is expecting a run. Calling a PA pass sometimes in that spot will also force the other team to play the pass a bit more making the run more likely to be successful. Finally, and this is where I disagree with Cowher and most NFL coaches, if you make an incomplete pass you can give it to Bus two more times.

Given that Cowher wouldn't go for it on fourth down unless it's very short, I would prefer two runs in that spot as well.

What actually happened? I saw Big Ben fumble a snap was that on second or third? I'm assuming the pass was incomplete and 3rd down was fumbled. Either way I think sometimes calling PA and sometimes running is good, going for it on fourth down if it's less than 3 in either case.

Also, if we're giving him the blame, I think Cowher did really well on several calls later in the game when we were ahead and some nice pass plays worked with the defense clearly pushing up to stop the run. I also thought the switching between Bettis and Parker was done well this game, sometimes I wonder feel like the wrong guy is out there but this game that went well.