Did Jory Rand Call Steelers' Play That Beat Falcons?
The Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette visited Ben Roethlisberger's home last week (Ed told me and Josh Miller that he offered to take off his shoes upon entering, but Ben said don't bother, and where else can you get that kind of inside information but here?).
The most interesting bit of non-nuptial information to arise from their conversation was Ben saying that he and Bruce Arians both wanted to pass more last season but were held back by perceived outside pressures.
"We both think the same in the no-huddle, that we call a lot more runs because we know that's what we're supposed to do," Ben told Ed. "And I don't know if that's 'supposed to' from the fans, the media, the owner, who knows? But it's just a feeling that you have that we better run the ball some."
Wow. All this time I thought the Steelers were immune from such outside pressures.
Remember when Mike Tomlin said "You guys don't matter" to the media? But there you go: Reporters and fans apparently are influencing the club's offensive philosophy.
I have to believe that extends to play-calling, and I wonder which reporters called which plays last season.
Here's an educated guess: Andrew Filliponi called the draw play in the end zone against the Jets; Bouchette called the reverse kickoff return against the Titans; Ron Cook called the 3rd-and-19 miracle against the Ravens; Ken Laird called the 4th-and-5 Super Bowl-losing play against the Packers; and Jory Rand called the Rashard Mendenhall play that beat the Falcons in overtime.
"That was all me," Rand said in a telephone interview Monday morning. "It was early in the season, and they needed a game-breaker. The rest is history. You know (Arians) does like to pass, so it was a bit of a struggle to get the call through. I'm glad it worked out."
I'm sure the Steelers don't want that kind of information leaked, but if we're going to rip the media for influencing the offense to run too much, let's give credit where it's due:
Rand called the right play, the Steelers executed perfectly, and Mendenhall went 50 yards untouched. Jory service, indeed.
