Penguins Update: Time for a New Voice?
Inspired by the success of the Chicago Bears, the majority of teams in the National Football League switched to the T-formation in the 1940s. The lone holdout? The Pittsburgh Steelers.
They stubbornly clung to the antiquated single-wing formation, which had brought them a measure of success in the late ‘40s. However, following a dismal 4-7-1 season in 1951 in which the Steelers managed only a league-low 183 points, the “Chief” Art Rooney, Sr. dismissed coach John Michelosen and hired Joe Bach.
Bach’s first move was to install the T-formation. Predictably, the Steelers’ offense flourished, racking up 300 points in 1952. Quarterback Jim Finks emerged as a star, leading the league with 20 touchdown passes.
A rather long-winded intro to make the following point. It required a coaching change and with it a change in philosophy for the Steelers to catch up to the rest of the league.
I submit that the Penguins are in the same spot as those ’51 Steelers. We’re wedded to an outmoded style while the rest of the league has adjusted and passed us by.
The reason?
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