Why Didn't Mike Tomlin let Denis Dixon run out of the pocket?

The Steelers don't have the best offensive line out their. So if he scrambles out I say theirs a 5/8 chance hes going to go behind the scrimmage. Also, if he got injured they will put in Patko. Don't get me into him.

Well, I think you are on to something. When a QB runs out of the pocket there is always a risk that he will be injured. Do you know how many QB's became injured by trying to be the "hero"? I think in a situation like the Steelers, you want to protect your QB. Don't make foolish decisions by trying to run out of the pocket and wind up injured in the process. But protect yourself and the ball. Which is my second point. If you run out of the pocket especially in an overtime situation, the defense may see that as a vulnerability and strip the ball away making a turn over. Now Dixon turned it over anyway, because he forced a throw when he shouldn't have due to inexperience. But by running the ball in that situation, you give more chance for mishap. I think Dixon did well considering his inexperience. Every QB doesn't have to be mobile to be successful. Look at Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. They are pocket passers, and have done great things for their offenses. Dixon will be good in time, but its best to keep him healthy because he is all the Steelers have right now.

One of the problems with a running QB (like Michael Vick or Vince Young) is that offenses are set up to operate with the QB in the pocket that the offensive line forms to protect him. One important part of an effective NFL passing game is that the receivers know where the QB is when running their routes. That way they know where the ball will be coming from. If a QB is constantly on the run and shooting from the hip, the receivers won't know where the ball is coming from and it messes up their timing.

Cris Carter (former Vikings receiver) was on the CBS pregame show Sunday and, when the topic of Vince Young's QB style came up, Carter said he would refuse to play on a team that had a running QB for that very reason.

Sure, it's good to have a mobile QB who can avoid a rush and improvise when necessary on a broken play. But, when the receivers see that happening, they break off their routes and come back to the QB. They're then looking at the QB when the pass comes in.

I know.

I was pumped all day to watch the Steeler game because I wanted to watch Dixon run all over the Ravens.

Was I disappointed. All the Steelers did was screen passes and runs, and when they did throw the ball more than 10 yards Dixon looked great - he throws a nice spiral ball.

The man can run though. Remember he ran the ball like 20 yards for a 1st down - it was called back by a holding penalty though. Damn he's fast.

I guess I figured he could run the ball because he's black - I know it's a stereotype but I can say that, I'm bi-racial.

You're right, in retrospect they should have done things differently because obviously they lost. Dixon showed that he could run, including that huge run he had that was called back on a holding call. However, with that being said, I am a firm believer that NFL coaches know more about the game, the players and strategy than us casual fans, especially Mike Tomlin, a great coach. So, it's easy to criticize and play Monday morning quarterback, but the bottomline is, we should trust our coaches and let them coach the game.

To LIFE, He didn't necessarliy say he wanted him to run the ball, he just wanted him to roll out of the pocket and either try to make a pass or run with it. It's hard for a rookie QB to stand in the pocket and pass. He should of let him move out of the pocket more often. That said, Dixon still had a solid game.

on a pass play, if no recievers are open, it is the qbs decision if he wants to run for a first down, or if he wants to throw it away. if tomlin wanted dixon to run it, he would have called for a qb draw. dixon just made a bad decision on the throw. dont worry there is plenty of season left.

You may be a big Steeler fan, not a knowledgeable one though. NFL coaches have this little quirk that they want their QBs to pass the ball instead of running it, a job they pay RBs to do.

Because NFL isn't Pac-10.

because his only backup was Tyler Palko they couldnt risk injury on another QB