Pittsburgh Steelers: Is the offense already in question?

After one game, a close one on the road, some fans have been stirring about new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Are you serious?

Anyone who complains about Haley’s offense or any coach’s offense after one week is an imbecile.

The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to score 19 points against what some would say is a top-five NFL defense. Even though 19 points wasn’t enough to win the game, the Steelers offense still had an opportunity.

Many fans thought with Bruce Arians leaving Pittsburgh that the Steelers would get back to classic smash-mouth football. My question is where would you get that idea? Mike Tomlin likes that idea, but there are many problems with that theory.

Haley runs an offense that will use the weapons he has. Currently he has one of the best wide-receiving groups in the league. For nearly 75 percent of the offensive snaps last Sunday, the Steelers were in a three-receiver set. The Steelers’ speed will always cause problems for a defense or at least make them consider it in the game plan.

The offensive line draft picks may sparked some running game theories. The offensive line may have looked good on paper in June, but they aren’t ready for that kind of offense. If David DeCastro doesn’t get hurt they still would not be there yet. Even if they were ready that doesn’t change the fact that there is no franchise running back on the roster.

September 9, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

Ben Roethlisberger is the type of quarterback who will be happy to go to a run-heavy offense when he’s 45 years old. No quarterback enjoys getting hit more than Roethlisberger. He proves that every week by extending plays beyond imagination.

Roethlisberger will always want the ball in his hands and Haley doesn’t have the power to take that away from him. The no huddle offense showed some hope, but don’t put too much stock in that either as it was one game.

So they couldn’t score in the red zone one week. Give it time and things will change. Big Ben missed a few and he knew it right away.

Haley has experience with prolific offenses and in time Pittsburgh’s offense will resemble those. Classic “yinzer” fans need to relax and enjoy the show. Rumblings have already begun on websites about the Steelers finishing with six or seven wins.

Is it possible? Sure. Likely? No.