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I'm fine with both of those
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/01/15/Ben-Roethlisberger-retirement-todd-Haley-offensive-coordinator-replacement-Randy-Fichtner-Mike-Tomlin-Jaguars-Patriots/stories/201801150139
Ben Roethlisberger said publicly on Sunday he will return to play in the 2018 season. He has told teammates he wants to play at least another three.
The question now becomes, who will be the Steelers’ offensive coordinator in 2018 and beyond?
Todd Haley just finished the final year of his contract, and it is not common for a Steelers coordinator to return under those circumstances. They usually sign extensions before they enter that final year, unless there’s a reason not to. The last one who ended his contract without an extension was ushered into “retirement” so they could hire Haley.
It appears the same might happen to Haley that Bruce Arians experienced after the 2011 season, although no one would call this one a retirement.
Ben Roethlisberger swears: He loves QB sneaks and Todd Haley Haley has done some good things with the Steelers offense and with Roethlisberger at quarterback, particularly helping him cut down on the large number of sacks he had experienced throughout his career.
One thing he did not do, however, was build rapport among some of his staff or support among key players in that offense, including Roethlisberger.
Two days after their loss to New England in the AFC championship a year ago, Roethlisberger said on 93.7 The Fan that he was contemplating retirement. After he decided to return, he insisted concerns about his health, his family and recent CTE tests prompted retirement thoughts.
However, a Steelers source surmised that some biting words from Haley the day after the loss in New England prompted a frustrated Roethlisberger to bring up retirement publicly.
The coach and quarterback rarely talked along the sidelines, never huddled to discuss upcoming strategy while their defense was on the field. It came to a head when the coaches were unprepared to have a play ready when the Jesse James touchdown was overturned against New England.
Mike Tomlin made the unusual move at midseason to have quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner leave the coaches’ booth for the sideline. It came at the behest of Roethlisberger, who wanted a “buffer” between him and Haley, according to a CBS report at the time.
Haley himself took to the booth in the preseason but explained it was merely to see if he might prefer working there during games rather than on the sideline. All denied it had anything to do with Roethlisberger, and Haley returned to the sideline once the regular season began.
He may not be on the Steelers sideline or in the booth for 2018. If not, Fichtner would be a strong candidate to replace him as coordinator.
Haley’s offense finished third in the NFL with an average of 377.9 yards per game in 2017, third in passing (273.8), eighth in points (25.4) and 20th in rushing (104.2), which has always been a Steelers staple.
They produced 545 yards and 42 points Sunday in their playoff loss to Jacksonville, the NFL’s second-ranked defense in 2017.
But then, they all proclaimed they have the best talent on offense in the league, as the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams have backed. And the schism that has developed among the players and coaches on offense may override some of the production as they decide how to move forward.
Since Roethlisberger has told teammates his plans to play at least another three years, management must know too, and that would have to come as a relief because they can now plan accordingly.
There is no need to rush to draft a franchise quarterback for this year, especially since they will select low in the round again and have so many needs elsewhere. There is a pressing need at inside linebacker, safety and even halfback if they pass on making Le’Veon Bell their franchise player again and he does not come to terms on a contract.
There’s no question Roethlisberger remains at the top of his game, as his performance against Jacksonville can attest. Whether Haley returns to coach him again is the next question. _______________________ We rationalize dumb shit
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