Ben Roethlisberger Loves to Run and Call the No-Huddle
Most NFL fans can recognize that the top tier NFL quarterbacks have the freedom to change plays on the line of scrimmage depending upon what they see on the defense.
However, when a quarterback tells reporters following a game that he called nearly every play on offense, like Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did following the Steelers blowout win over San Francisco 43-18 it draws a great deal of interest.
Roethlisberger said he was calling nearly every play and we were moving very fast and that is a credit to the players and their conditioning. He said the time of possession was not much but we posted the needed points.
Roethlisberger loves the no-huddle and often times calls the plays within that set of no-huddle.
The Pittsburgh Steelers ran plays two seconds faster than did the 49ers on average.
They ran 52 plays over 23:01 time of possession equal to a play every 26.6 seconds, while the 49ers controlled more time on the clock getting off 77 plays over 36:59 or a play every 28.8 seconds.
The Steelers took the opportunity they were given to run off plays in a quick fashion or at least fast by standards in the NFL to pressure the 49ers defense.
Randy Fichtner the quarterbacks coach for Pittsburgh says that Big Ben has the opportunity each play to make changes if he see that it is needed.
Sometimes a list from what to choose is given quarterbacks by offensive coordinators plus a great deal goes into the good combination of coordinator – quarterback.
A power struggle does not exist between Roethlisberger and his OC Todd Haley, which a few years ago might have been the case, but now nothing like that, exists with such a strong offense.
Mike Tomlin the Steelers head coach has been asked regarding the play calling and says at times Roethlisberger calls the no-huddle and sometimes it is called by Haley, but who gets the credit is no relevant.
Roethlisberger said that what is important is developing the plan during the week and were the ideas come from is not important if they are good ones.
There is one thing that is very clear, the no-huddle runs like it does in Pittsburgh because of the throws Big Ben makes and not because of the plays called.
The Steelers lost their opening game to New England but their blowout of the 49ers proved that they will be tough in the AFC North and if they remain healthy will give many teams problems this season.
