2004-2006 Steelers Stats that Probably mean nothing.

[SuperSpck]

2004-2006 Steelers Stats that Probably mean nothing.


(stats courtesy of http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/)


What can the past tell us about the future? From an offensive standpoint, the answer is a cryptic and useless “some”. But, I'm bored so we're going to chart the Whisenhunt years of the Steelers offense. From a 15-1 record to a Superbowl win with the last stop as a hangover, we'll together tour numbers that would be more appropriate for a PA board.

Still, those who fail to recognize the past are doomed to repeat it. In the Cardinals case this may be a good thing. Will the numbers project out equally? Not exactly, Whisenhunt has already said he'd like to run the ball about 55% of the time. But I believe the Cardinals have a QB who has as much to offer (maybe even more) than the Steelers QB, and a better WR core this should mean more explosion when the team decides to pass. Can it? Will it? Only time can tell, but since this is June, let's lay together in the grass and stare at the Cardinal-shaped clouds beginning to form above our heads...


2004


In 2004 the Steelers had 976 offensive plays.


358 of them were passes, 295 of which were attempted by Ben Roethlisberger over a 14 game span. Tommy Maddox was credited with 60 attempts. This leaves a remainder of 3. Probably from trick plays.


The Steelers rushed the ball 618 times for 2464 yard. The Steelers had 94 more attempts than the the yardage leading Falcons and were 208 yards short of tying the Falcons yards.


This means that 63% of the Steelers offense in 2004 involved running the ball. This of course, means that the Steelers passed only 37% of the time.


Passing


In the 4 games Tommy Maddox started he averaged 15 attempts per game and had a 50% completion rate. Maddox had 1 TD and 2 INT's.

In the 14 games Ben Roethlisberger played (including playoffs) he averaged 21 passes per game and had a 66.4% completion rate. Roethlisberger had 17 TD's and 11 INT's.

Rushing


As a unit the Steelers ran at 3.99 YPA and recorded 16 TD's.


Jerome Bettis had 250 carries for 941 yards for 3.8 YPC and recorded 13 TD's


Duce Staley had 192 carries for 830 yards for 4.3 YPC and recorded only 1 TD.


Verron Haynes had 55 carries for 272 yards for 4.9 YPC. No TD's.


Willie Parker had 32 carries for 186 yards for 5.8 YPC. No TD's


Antwaan Randle El had 8 carries for 34 yards for 4.2 YPC. No TD's.


Hines Ward had 7 carries for 25 yards for 3.6 YPC and 1 TD.


Dan Kreider had 4 carries for 18 yards for 4.5 YPC. No TD's.


Receiving


Hines ward led the team in catches (80) and yardage (1004) and had 4 TD's.


Antwaan Randle El had 43 catches for 601 yards with 3 TD's.


Plaxico Burress had 35 catches for 698 yards and 5 TD's.


Verron Haynes had 18 catches for 142 yards and 2 TD's.


Dan Kreider had 10 catches for 75 yards and 1 TD.


Lee Mays had 9 catches for 137 yards and no TD's.


Jermane Tuman had 9 catches for 89 yards and 3 TD's.


Jay Riemersma had 7 catches for 82 yards and 2 TD's.


Duce Staley had 6 catches for 55 yards and no TD's.


Jerome Bettis had 6 catches for 46 yards and no TD's.


Willie Parker had 3 catches for 16 yards and no TD's.


Matt Cushing had 1 catch for 17 yards and no TD's.


Sean Morey had 1 catch for 8 yards and no TD's.


2005


In 2005 the Steelers had 928 offensive plays.


379 of them were passes, 168 of which were attempted by Ben Roethlisberger over a 13 game span. Tommy Maddox was credited with 71 attempts in a 5 game span. Charlie Batch had 36 attempts in a 4 game span.


The Steelers rushed the ball 549 times for 2223 yards.


This means that 59% of the Steelers offense in 2005 involved running the ball. This of course, means that the Steelers passed only 41% of the time.


Passing


In the 5 games Tommy Maddox played he averaged 14 attempts per game and had a 47% completion rate. Maddox had 2 TD's and 4 INT's.


In the 4 games Charlie Batch played he averaged 9 attempts per game and had a 63% completion rate. Batch had 1 TD and 1 INT.

In the 13 games Ben Roethlisberger played he averaged 20 passes per game and had a 62% completion rate. Roethlisberger had 17 TD's and 9 INT's.


Rushing


As a unit the Steelers ran at 4.05 YPA and recorded 21 TD's.


Willie Parker had 255 carries for 1202 yards for 4.7 YPC and 4 TD's


Jerome Bettis had 110 carries for 368 yards for 3.3 YPC and recorded 9 TD's.


Verron Haynes had 74 carries for 274 yards for 3.7 YPC and 3 TD's.


Duce Staley had 38 carries for 148 yards for 3.9 YPC and recorded only 1 TD.


Antwaan Randle El had 12 carries for 73 yards for 6.1 YPC. No TD's.


Hines Ward had 3 carries for 10 yards for 3.3 YPC and no TD's.


Dan Kreider had 3 carries for 21 yards for 7 YPC. No TD's.


Noah Herron had 3 carries for .7 YPC and had No TD's.




Receiving


Hines ward led the team in catches (69) and yardage (975) and had 11 TD's.


Heath Miller had 39 catches for 459 yards and 6 TD's.


Antwaan Randle El had 35 catches for 558 yards with 1 TD's.


Cedric Wilson had 26 catches for 451 yards and no TD's.


Willie Parker had 18 catches for 218 yards and 1 TD.


Verron Haynes had 11 catches for 113 yards and no TD's.


Quincy Morgan had 8 catches for 150 yards and 2 TD's.


Dan Kreider had 7 catches for 43 yards and no TD's.


Duce Staley had 6 catches for 34 yards.


Jermane Tuman had 3 catches for 57 yards and no TD's.


2006


In 2006 the Steelers had 992 offensive plays.


523 of them were passes, 469 of which were attempted by Ben Roethlisberger over a 15 game span. Charlie Batch had 53 attempts in an 8 game span.


The Steelers rushed the ball 469 times for 1992 yards.


This means that 47% of the Steelers offense in 2006 involved running the ball. This of course, means that the Steelers passed 53% of the time.


Passing


In the 8 games Charlie Batch played he averaged 6.6 attempts per game and had a 58% completion rate. Batch had 5 TD and 0 INT.

In the 15 games Ben Roethlisberger played he averaged 31 passes per game and had a 59.7% completion rate. Roethlisberger had 18 TD's and 23 INT's.


As a side note Ben in the off season Ben hit a car, had an organ removed, and was gang-beaten by a group of animals from the Pittsburgh Zoo (the last one I made up).


Rushing


As a unit the Steelers ran at 4.25 YPA and recorded 16 TD's.


Willie Parker had 337 carries for 1494 yards for 4.4 YPC and 13 TD's


Najeh Davenport had 60 carries for 221 yards for 3.7 YPC and recorded 1 TD.


Verron Haynes had 15 carries for 78 yards for 5.2 YPC and no TD's.


Nate Washington had 3 carries for 8 yards for 2.7 YPC and had no TD's.


John Kuhn had 2 carries for 18 yards for 9 YPC and no TD's.


Hines Ward had 2 carries for 30 yards for 15 YPC and no TD's.


Cedrick Wilson had 2 carries for 14 yards for 7 YPC and no TD's.


Dan Kreider had 1 carry for 5 yards for 5 YPC and no TD's.


Santonio Holmes had 1 carry for 13 yards for 13 YPC and no TD's.




Receiving


Hines ward led the team in catches (74) and yardage (975) and had 6 TD's.


Santonio Holmes had 49 catches for 824 yards and 2 TD's.


Cedric Wilson had 37 catches for 504 yards and 1 TD's.


Nate Washington had 35 catches for 624 yards and 4 TD's.


Heath Miller had 34 catches for 393 yards and 5 TD's.


Willie Parker had 31 catches for 222 yards and 3 TD's.


Verron Haynes had 18 catches for 95 yards and no TD's.


Najeh Davenport had 15 catches for 193 yards and 1 TD.


Dan Kreider had 8 catches for 62 yards and no TD's.


Jermane Tuman had 7 catches for 73 yards and 1 TD.


Sean Morey had 2 catches for 29 yards and no TD's.


Walter Young had 1 catch for 17 yards and no TD's.








So that was mind-numbing.


What conclusions could a person draw from all this (besides that I'm a boring person)?


QB Assessment


I like Leinart more than I do Big Ben. Matt had a great college run at a big time program and did well enough in the pros to make many people believe he was worth the draft spot. Behind a limited running game he played with poise. If he's given offensive balance than there's no reason he shouldn't surpass Roethlisberger's numbers.


RB Assessment


In every year but 2006 the work load was handled by multiple backs (one back holding a larger load with other backs near or above 100 attempts each). Staley, Bettis, and Parker excelled when working together. This means we'll probably see a lot of Shipp and Arrington. Like the thoughts of many others, this could be a breakout year for Arrington especially. It could also be more of what it has been: More strange stinging pains in my eyes when he gets the hand-off. It hurts!



WR Assessment


This is where balance can hurt the individual player. Both the Cardinal's big time guys will probably see a decline in the enormous numbers they've put up to this point. Hopefully they'll be able to increase YAC and keep the TD's consistent.

In Pittsburgh there was “Hines Ward and a bunch of guys” for 3 years. Let's hope each WR (even Johnson, you haters!) can remain individually productive.


TE Assessment


More of a non-factor I thought it would be (excepting the 2005 season where Heath Miller had the second most number of receptions on the team), but don't underestimate the dirty work they do at the line.


Heath Miller was also had some good TD numbers. I'm guessing this is because they see more action near the red zone.

It'll be interesting to see if Whisenhunt can mold the Cardinal TE's the same way he'd molded so many others.


Coaching Assessment/ Future Predictions


One of the items that stood out for me was the way the backfield became slightly more involved in catching the ball in 2006. We can also see that the run-heavy balance was altered and that their record suffered because of it. I'd image with the WR complement the Cardinals have the stats will probably trend away from the backfield pass.


Even though in the 04-05 years the Steelers were never YPC monsters in the run game the fact that the team ran so often forced the other teams to respect and prepare for it. The Cards don't have to run for anything much better than the high 3's in YPC to have a similar effect. If Grimm can get the offensive linemen to play and play well it's do able. The downside: it'll be hard, the Steelers have a talented line. The Cardinals? Not that we've seen so far, but there are new faces and young pieces, so hope remains.


If (god forbid) Leinart gets hurt, the team won't go into shut down mode the way it did when Ben went out in Pitt. Warner is a more capable player than Maddox or Batch (together, held by duck tape and love).


Please throw in other trends or predictions ya'll have on this. Most of it is stuff that's been brought up in other threads, but it's collected here so hopefully we'll have a clearer idea of what to expect from the new Cardinal offense. Maybe.

 

[kerouac9]

Great write-up. I think it means that you have too much time on your hands.

 

[Gambit]

Nice--one day I may even get around to reading it all!

I am intrigued that with the departure of Whisenhunt from Pittsburgh that they say they will pass a lot more often. I wonder if that's just talk or if it's serious. Strange that a tradionally run-first team wants to become pass-happy now, and we as a pass-happy team want to become more run-oriented.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

Good write up.

I'd like to see the Steeler's first down rushing average. I'm betting it's around 3 yards per carry. You can run the ball often if you are getting yards on first down. The last few years we've been LOSING yards or gaining 1 or 2 on first down. This makes your chance of having to pass increase.

 

[football karma]

Here is the one (one of?) key difference:

Pittsburgh had a great D that kept the Steelers in games, allowing patience in letting the running game take its toll.

In games last year where the D kept the Cardinals in the game, they ran the ball pretty effectively --particularly in the second half of the season. As an example, in the win against Seattle-- Edge had like 30 yards at halftime, but finished with 115 for the game.

 

[Duckjake]

Good write up.

I'd like to see the Steeler's first down rushing average. I'm betting it's around 3 yards per carry. You can run the ball often if you are getting yards on first down. The last few years we've been LOSING yards or gaining 1 or 2 on first down. This makes your chance of having to pass increase.

Looking at a few games from 2005 and the opener against Miami in 2006 you can see that the Steelers did what Whisenhunt has hinted at for his offense-throw or balanced attack to get ahead and run to hold the lead when the D gets tired. Pitt threw the ball more to open drives in the first half and ran more in the second.

Here's a rushing stat that we'd kill for as Cardinal fans: Against the Colts in the '05 divisional playoff Parker had runs of 9,9,11,and 13 yards on first down to open Steeler drives.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Good write up.

I'd like to see the Steeler's first down rushing average. I'm betting it's around 3 yards per carry. You can run the ball often if you are getting yards on first down. The last few years we've been LOSING yards or gaining 1 or 2 on first down. This makes your chance of having to pass increase.

3YPC on first down is terrible. I bet it is around 4 - 4.5YPC.

 

[Skkorpion]

What a fabulous write-up. I read every word and agree with most of your conclusions.

Question: Do you have any stats on how often Big Ben was sacked in those years?

 

[SuperSpck]

In 2004 Ben was sacked 30 times for 213 yards.

In 2005 Ben was sacked 23 times for 129 yards.

In 2006 Ben was sacked 46 times for 280 yards.

In 04 and 05 he fumbled 2 times each. In 06 he fumbled 5.

Last year our own Matt Leinart was sacked 21 times for 158 yards.

all stats courtesy of http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/player

 

[cardsfanmd]

Best write up I have seen in atleast a month. Thanks.

 

[CardLogic]

In 2004 Ben was sacked 30 times for 213 yards.

In 2005 Ben was sacked 23 times for 129 yards.

In 2006 Ben was sacked 46 times for 280 yards.

In 04 and 05 he fumbled 2 times each. In 06 he fumbled 5.

Last year our own Matt Leinart was sacked 21 times for 158 yards.

all stats courtesy of http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/player

A person could look at these numbers and quickly assume that the Cardinals OL last year was better at protecting the passer than Pittsburgh's has been over the last three seasons. Using that assumption, it might then be inferred that the Cardinals made a mistake in bringing Grimm in as OL coach, because his OL's don't pass protect well and Leinart is going to get killed.

Well, that's one perspective. But it could also be that Leinart is that much more adept than Rothlisberger at reading the defense and correctly gauging the time he has to release the throw; thereby avoiding a sack.

For now I'll choose the latter!

 

[dreamcastrocks]

A person could look at these numbers and quickly assume that the Cardinals OL last year was better at protecting the passer than Pittsburgh's has been over the last three seasons. Using that assumption, it might then be inferred that the Cardinals made a mistake in bringing Grimm in as OL coach, because his OL's don't pass protect well and Leinart is going to get killed.

Well, that's one perspective. But it could also be that Leinart is that much more adept than Rothlisberger at reading the defense and correctly gauging the time he has to release the throw; thereby avoiding a sack.

For now I'll choose the latter!

You could also say that they brought in Grimm for his strengths, (run blocking) and not for his weaknesses. (pass blocking)

 

[Gambit]

A person could look at these numbers and quickly assume that the Cardinals OL last year was better at protecting the passer than Pittsburgh's has been over the last three seasons. Using that assumption, it might then be inferred that the Cardinals made a mistake in bringing Grimm in as OL coach, because his OL's don't pass protect well and Leinart is going to get killed.

Well, that's one perspective. But it could also be that Leinart is that much more adept than Rothlisberger at reading the defense and correctly gauging the time he has to release the throw; thereby avoiding a sack.

For now I'll choose the latter!

Ben does seem to hold onto the ball for too long (I watched all my games at a sports bar, and I sat next to a Steelers fan, so I saw most of their games).

 

[joeshmo]

IMO you cant use just how many times a QB is sacked to find out how good an OL is at pass blocking or how good a QB is at getting out of a jam. Each QB throws the ball more or less then other QB which means every QB had lesser or greater chacnes of getting sack compared to other QB's depending on how many times they throw the ball.

A much better number to use is pass attempts per sack.

Matt was sacked once every 17.952 pass attempts.

In 04 Ben was sacked once every 9.833 pass attempts.
In 05 Ben was sacked once every 11.652 pass attempts.
In 06 Ben was sacked once every 10.196 pass attempts.

So Matt and his OL was not just a little better at avoiding the sack but they were much better then Ben and his OL by a long shot. As to which side you want to blame that for, the QB or OL is up to your own conclusions.

 

[Gambit]

IMO you cant use just how many times a QB is sacked to find out how good an OL is at pass blocking or how good a QB is at getting out of a jam. Each QB throws the ball more or less then other QB which means every QB had lesser or greater chacnes of getting sack compared to other QB's depending on how many times they throw the ball.

A much better number to use is pass attempts per sack.

Matt was sacked once every 17.952 pass attempts.

In 04 Ben was sacked once every 9.833 pass attempts.
In 05 Ben was sacked once every 11.652 pass attempts.
In 06 Ben was sacked once every 10.196 pass attempts.

So Matt and his OL was not just a little better at avoiding the sack but they were much better then Ben and his OL by a long shot. As to which side you want to blame that for, the QB or OL is up to your own conclusions.

That's pretty bad. Every time you pass there's about a 10% chance of being sacked. Hopefully the song doesn't remain the same here.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

That's pretty bad. Every time you pass there's about a 10% chance of being sacked. Hopefully the song doesn't remain the same here.

Everytime that you pass, there is a chance to get sacked.

 

[Gambit]

Everytime that you pass, there is a chance to get sacked.

I guess that's why you need a sack to play QB in the NFL.

 

[Skkorpion]

IMO you cant use just how many times a QB is sacked to find out how good an OL is at pass blocking or how good a QB is at getting out of a jam. Each QB throws the ball more or less then other QB which means every QB had lesser or greater chacnes of getting sack compared to other QB's depending on how many times they throw the ball.

A much better number to use is pass attempts per sack.

Matt was sacked once every 17.952 pass attempts.

In 04 Ben was sacked once every 9.833 pass attempts.
In 05 Ben was sacked once every 11.652 pass attempts.
In 06 Ben was sacked once every 10.196 pass attempts.

So Matt and his OL was not just a little better at avoiding the sack but they were much better then Ben and his OL by a long shot. As to which side you want to blame that for, the QB or OL is up to your own conclusions.

Wow. Very interesting. I'm open to all kinds of interpretations. It certainly bears watching.

 

[cardsfanmd]

Big Ben SUCKS. This shouldn't even be up for debate. Matt is so far superior to him it is sick. Leinart possesses great pocket presence and a great release, two things Ben is sorely lacking. Oh, I forgot, Matt also isn't an inbred ******. I wouldn't trust Rothlisberger w/ a damn potato gun, much less an offense. The guy can't even read simple traffic signals, how the hell is he supposed to read a defense. As good as he was made to look, I expect Leinart to look like Montana this year, nothing less.

"You calling me a Fathead?"

 

[Gambit]

Big Ben SUCKS. This shouldn't even be up for debate. Matt is so far superior to him it is sick. Leinart possesses great pocket presence and a great release, two things Ben is sorely lacking. Oh, I forgot, Matt also isn't an inbred ******. I wouldn't trust Rothlisberger w/ a damn potato gun, much less an offense. The guy can't even read simple traffic signals, how the hell is he supposed to read a defense. As good as he was made to look, I expect Leinart to look like Montana this year, nothing less.

"You calling me a Fathead?"

I don't think Ben's bad, I think he's just average. But average works for the way they had been playing. Remember, life is possible on Earth because the sun is a mere average star.

I think Matt can do much better than average and I hope we don't try to constrict him too much in a run-heavy offense.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I will go with that.

 

[SuperSpck]

Remember, life is possible on Earth because the sun is a mere average star.

I like that.

 

[Gambit]

I like that.

That's something I tell myself when I am feeling merely garden-variety. Sometimes average is optimal.

 

[SuperSpck]

The ReDuex! (heh)

So here's the same Steelers stats while compairing them to our own AZ Cardinals.

It's broken up a little more to read easier.


2004-2006 Statistical Offensive Breakdown Comparing the Cardinals to the Steelers


We could also call this the Ken Whisenhunt Offensive Strategy vs the Dennis Green Offensive Strategy. The point of this breakdown isn't to be nasty (although it's incredibly painful) but to produce hope in the face of the past. This breakdown is an overview of the offensive season and isn't doesn't breakdown defensive stats or single game items.

Consider this a side by side comparison to show us how things may change with a new system.


Worth keeping in mind is that if I were to do a breakdown of the Green-era Vikings and the Tobin/McGiniss Era we'd be excited to see Green.


In fact, the run-first strategy is reminiscent of what McGinnis was preaching would be as the core of the offense in his days when Arizona featured a heavy offensive line. Let's hope enough other things (off season attendance, talent infusion, assistant coach improvements) have changed to allow a basic, but effective strategy to create a winner.


(all stats courtesy of http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams and http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/)


Team Offense


In 2004 the Steelers had 976 offensive plays.


63% of the Steelers offense in 2004 involved running the ball. This of course, means that the Steelers passed only 37% of the time.


In 2004 the Cardinals had 1008 offensive plays.


This means that 47% of the Cardinals offense in 2004 involved running the ball. This of course, means that the Cardinals passed 53% of the time.


What it means: Looking at the numbers the Cards had acceptable balance, but that's how numbers can mislead. The Steelers were working with a young project QB so limiting his attempts was the best way to win games and the theory paid well. Dennis Green's previous success in Minnesota brought him a lot of slack his first year, because every move he made he could back up because he'd made a similar move with the Vikings which had panned out.


Passing

In the 14 games Ben Roethlisberger played (including playoffs) he averaged 21 passes per game and had a 66.4% completion rate. Roethlisberger had 17 TD's and 11 INT's. Roethlisberger was sacked 30 times for 213 yards or an average of 2.14 times a game.


In the 14 games Josh McCown played he averaged 29 passes per game and had a 57% completion rate. McCown had 11 TD's and 10 INT's. McCown was sacked 31 times for 263 yards or an average of 2.21 times a game.


What it means: Two players with similar measure-ables having radically different success. While Roethlisberger had an amazing few passing attempts per game he made them all count. For an opposing defense it probably felt like he didn't miss a pass. McCown's play was inconsistent and it cost him a starting job, much to the chagrin of some fans contemplating the teams' win-loss record.

Rushing


As a unit the Steelers ran at 3.99 YPA and recorded 16 TD's.


Jerome Bettis had 250 carries for 941 yards for 3.8 YPC and recorded 13 TD's


Duce Staley had 192 carries for 830 yards for 4.3 YPC and recorded only 1 TD.


Verron Haynes had 55 carries for 272 yards for 4.9 YPC. No TD's.


Willie Parker had 32 carries for 186 yards for 5.8 YPC. No TD's


As a unit the Cardinals ran at 3.51 YPA and recorded 15 TD's.


Emmitt Smith had 267 carries for 937 yards for 3.5 YPC and recorded 9 TD's on very dusty legs.


Troy Hambrick had 63 carries for 283 yards for 4.5 YPC and recorded only 1 TD.


Josh McCown had 36 carries for 112 yards for 3.1 YPC. 2 TD's.


Obafemi Ayanbadejo had 30 carries for 122 yards for 4.1 YPC. 3 TD's

What it means: When Emmitt Smith signed a contract with the Cardinals it was as a man who wanted to leave the game on his own terms. He did make his final year count and performed admirably. In 2005 we'll see just how much having a marquee back can make a difference for a running game. I used to believe strongly that an good offensive line made a running back look better than they were. I'm now more of the mind that the equation is equal. A good running back makes a mediocre offensive line better and a good offensive line can get a mediocre running back a big payday. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, Jerome Bettis logged his last full season as a starter and like Smith, was good enough to carry his load. The Steelers used a more “committee” approach in the running game while Josh McCown had the third most carries for the Cardinals. It could be debated that this number was because of his athleticism and not his ability to read defenses or the offensive line's inadequate protection.


Receiving

Steelers


Hines ward led the team in catches (80) and yardage (1004) and had 4 TD's.


Antwaan Randle El had 43 catches for 601 yards with 3 TD's.


Plaxico Burress had 35 catches for 698 yards and 5 TD's.


Cardinals


Larry Fitzgerald led the team in catches (58) and yardage (780) and had 8 TD's.


Anquan Boldin had 56 catches for 623 yards with 1 TD.


Bryant Johnson had 49 catches for 537 yards and 1 TD.


Freddie Jones had 45 catches for 426 yards and 2 TD's.


What it means: Both teams receivers didn't put up amazing numbers, Hines Ward having the best season by far, but the Cardinal stars battled injuries which limited their production. At least one poster will make a smart remark about Freddie Jones.


2005


Team Offense


In 2005 the Steelers had 928 offensive plays.


59% of the Steelers offense in 2005 involved running the ball. This of course, means that the Steelers passed only 41% of the time.


In 2005 the Cardinals had 1030 offensive plays.


The Cardinals ran the ball an amazing 34% of the time in 2005. The Cardinals passed 66% of the time. This is the almost the polar opposite of the amount the 2004 Steelers ran the ball.


What it means: Roethlisberger, with a year more experience in Pittsburgh was given more offensive latitude (although less attempts on average, his number of passes per game increased as the season went on, especially in the playoffs) and helped bring the team a Super Bowl win.


Meanwhile, the Cardinals were passing. A lot. A person reading that stat would think that a team passing that frequently would have good success on the rarer running plays. They did not, which may have been an indicator to the discrepancy in Wins-to-Losses.


Passing

Steelers


In the 13 games Ben Roethlisberger played he averaged 20 passes per game and had a 62% completion rate. Roethlisberger had 17 TD's and 9 INT's. Roethlisberger was sacked 23 times for 129 yards or an average of 1.76 times a game.


Cardinals


In the 9 games Josh McCown started he averaged 30 attempts per game and had a 60% completion rate. McCown had 9 TD and 11 INT's. McCown was sacked 18 times for 101 yards or an average of 2 times a game.


In the 10 games Kurt Warner played he averaged 37 passes per game and had a 64% completion rate. Warner had 11 TD's and 9 INT's. Warner was sacked 23 for 158 yards or an average of 2.3 times a game.


What it means: Two QB's for the Cardinals threw 3 more touchdown passes and 11 more interceptions than one Steelers QB.
It took the Cardinals QB's 180 more passing attempts to get those 3 touchdowns. Enough Said.


Rushing


As a unit the Steelers ran at 4.05 YPA and recorded 21 TD's.


Willie Parker had 255 carries for 1202 yards for 4.7 YPC and 4 TD's


Jerome Bettis had 110 carries for 368 yards for 3.3 YPC and recorded 9 TD's.


Verron Haynes had 74 carries for 274 yards for 3.7 YPC and 3 TD's.


As a unit the Cardinals ran at 3.16 YPA and recorded 2 (2!!!) TD's.


Marcel Shipp had 157 carries for 451 yards for 2.9 YPC and recorded no TD's.


J.J. Arrington had 112 carries for 370 yards for 3.3 YPC and recorded 2 TD's.

What it means: The Cardinals running game was a joke. Even with defenses playing the Cardinals pass-first the ground game still couldn't generate good YPC or TD's.


The Steelers were able to effectively rotate 3 backs and still generate good YPC, a testament to good offensive run blocking.


Receiving


Steelers


Hines ward led the team in catches (69) and yardage (975) and had 11 TD's.


Heath Miller had 39 catches for 459 yards and 6 TD's.


Antwaan Randle El had 35 catches for 558 yards with 1 TD's.


Cardinals


Larry Fitzgerald led the team in catches (103) and yardage (1409) and had 10 TD's.


Anquan Boldin had 102 catches for 1402 yards with 7 TD.


Bryant Johnson had 40 catches for 432 yards and 1 TD.


Marcel Shipp had 35 catches for 255 yards and no TD's.


Obafemi Ayanbadejo had 34 catches for 231 yards and no TD's.


What it means: The 2005 campaign re-legitimized the duo of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald as star NFL receivers, stacking both amazing yardage and good touchdown production. It was the only bright spot of an otherwise pitiful offensive year. With the running game noneffective, the only recourse was to continually feed the ball to the only two guys on the field who could do something with it.


2006


Team Offense


In 2006 the Steelers had 992 offensive plays.


47% of the Steelers offense in 2006 involved running the ball. This of course, means that the Steelers passed 53% of the time.




In 2006 the Cardinals had 965 offensive plays.


44% of the Cardinals offense in 2005 involved running the ball. This of course, means that the Cardinals passed 56% of the time.


What it means: The two teams had similar numbers in offensive plays and in percentages of distribution. An interesting correlation is that the teams also posted similar W-L records. Both teams struggled to find identity.


Passing


Steelers

In the 15 games Ben Roethlisberger played he averaged 31 passes per game and had a 59.7% completion rate. Roethlisberger had 18 TD's and 23 INT's.
Roethlisberger was sacked 46 times for 280 yards or an average of 3.06 times a game.


As a side note Ben in the off season Ben hit a car, had an organ removed, and was gang-beaten by a group of animals from the Pittsburgh Zoo (the last one I made up).


Cardinals


In the 12 games Matt Leinart started he averaged 31 attempts per game and had a 56% completion rate. Leinart had 11 TD and 12 INT's. Leinart was sacked 21 times for 158 yards or an average of 1.75 times a game.


In the 7 games Kurt Warner played he averaged 24 passes per game and had a 64% completion rate. Warner had 6 TD's and 5 INT's. Warmer was sacked 14 times for 104 yards or an average of 2 times a game.

What it means: Leinart fell on draft day, Roethlisberger fell everywhere else. From 2004 to this point the Cardinals have been through 3 offensive coordinators. Ken Whisenhunt took the coordinator job in Pittsburgh in 2004 after Mike Mularkey took the head coaching job with the Bills.


Arizona hopes that Leinart can build after a promising rookie campaign and offensive balance featuring a new attitude. Pittsburgh hopes Roethlisberger can bring himself back to the player he was his first two years in the league. Roethlisberger be healthy, but it will also be the first time he will have to learn a new system now that Whisenhunt has moved to Arizona.


Rushing


As a unit the Steelers ran at 4.25 YPA and recorded 16 TD's.


Willie Parker had 337 carries for 1494 yards for 4.4 YPC and 13 TD's


Najeh Davenport had 60 carries for 221 yards for 3.7 YPC and recorded 1 TD.


As a unit the Cardinals ran at 3.19 YPA and recorded 16 TD's.


Edgerrin James had 337 carries for 1159 yards for a 3.4 YPC and 6 TD's.


Matt Leinart had 22 carries for 49 yards for 2.2 YPC and 2 TD's.


Marcel Shipp had 17 carries for 41 yards for 2.4 YPC and recorded 4 TD's.


What it means: Willie Parker became a workhorse for Pittsburgh in 2006. He generated good YPC and TD's. James' numbers were less sparkling, but still the best effort the desert has seen since Emmitt Smith (!) in 2004. Parker still had more rushing TD's by himself than the Cardinals did rushing as a team. If Russ Grimm can bring some of Pittsburgh's toughness and effectiveness to Arizona good things should follow for the Cardinals offense.




Receiving

Steelers


Hines ward led the team in catches (74) and yardage (975) and had 6 TD's.


Santonio Holmes had 49 catches for 824 yards and 2 TD's.


Cedric Wilson had 37 catches for 504 yards and 1 TD's.


Nate Washington had 35 catches for 624 yards and 4 TD's.


Cardinals


Anquan Boldin led the team in catches (83) and yardage (1203) and had 4 TD's.


Larry Fitzgerald had 69 catches for 946 yards with 6 TD.


Bryant Johnson had 40 catches for 740 yards and 4 TD.


What it means: The future remains bright for the Cardinals WR core. The touchdown count came down for the duo from the 2005 year, but yardage and game impact were just as important in 2006 as they will be in 2007. Hines Ward is still the uncontested #1 for the Steelers and is still one of the game's most well-rounded players.