Random (and irrelevant) thoughts...

[jmacinwbp]

I watched Russell Wilson in Denver enough times to say that yes...the guy can still move. He's not even close to being a statue. He's not Justin Fields on the move, but Justin Fields hasn't looked like Justin Fields running it here in Pittsburgh because of the neutered offensive scheme.

Mobile QB's often take a lot of sacks because they have too much confidence in their ability to move around. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady didn't fuck around with getting hit.

Wilson's problems, at least I maintain, are mental. Not physical decline.

Back in March/April watched the all22 for the last 8 games RWilson played in Denver, and I agree he was moving in the pocket @above average to good. One area RWilson wasn't having mental decline was his RZ decisions, those were outstanding, probably top 5 in the league. Now the O would need to make a lot more RZ visits for this trait to even make any difference, so we'll see.

The main problem in Denver (other than S.Payton being a prick) was their Oline, especially the two tackles, were bottom 5 in the league in PP. The LT made D. Moore look like a very good LT, and McGlinchy was way worse than B Jones of this year. Their guards and C were pretty good, but dumbFuck Payton kept rolling RWilson into edge Rushers who crushed their tackles.

I'm hoping Russ is allowed to call hot reads, and change the plays @LOS, because really this is the weakest part of JFields game right now, much worse than "processing & going through progressions", which I think he's been fine at. He just can't see, or doesn't have the ok to do anything when a playcall is wrong for what the D shows.

MaybeTomlin/Smith give Russ more leeway, and the O begins to score 20-30 pts/game, but I'm not very hopeful; didn't Ben complain about not being able to audible in one or more of his last few years?

[bradshaw2ben]

I think Steelers win 10, and make the playoffs. They'll win next 3, lose in Washington, then win half of the remaining games including 4 of 6 vs afc norf. They'll hold tiebreakers vs all wc competitors except indy

If this team wins more than three games in the last 8, I will send you a love letter. That is not happening with that schedule and this offense.

The offense is no juggernaut by any means, but they took the lead late and the defense had to get one stop.

It’s hard to overstate how bad that Dallas defense has been—even with the stars that got knocked out last week and early Sunday night. Missing their top 3 edge rushers definitely didn’t help them. The Fields should have been picked three times by my count and now their best offensive player is mentally AWOL. I’m not counting on them to do anything against a good opponent.

[Orangesteel]

JF might have the arm strength but if you are slow to process and can’t throw WRs open because you only have one speed (meaning he has basically no touch on his throws, it’s 100mph and hit or miss in terms of accuracy), then what is it worth.

I hope RW plays. I have no hope that it will be pretty. But the dude can throw the ball with touch and on all levels. It could be ugly, or he could start dishing the ball out in ways that Fields is failing to do.

[Orangesteel]

And yes on the hot reads.

JF in the face of a blitz is something so ugly that it is making my stomach turn like Kenny Pickett’s bail left spin move and get destroyed that we watched for 2 seasons.

[W&M_Steeler]

And yes on the hot reads.

JF in the face of a blitz is something so ugly that it is making my stomach turn like Kenny Pickett’s bail left spin move and get destroyed that we watched for 2 seasons.

JF's patented "run straight backwards 10 yards, then try to scramble away" move in the face of pressure is worse that KP's spin left and get destroyed, because JF loses more yards.

[K_C_]

If this team wins more than three games in the last 8, I will send you a love letter. That is not happening with that schedule and this offense.

The offense is no juggernaut by any means, but they took the lead late and the defense had to get one stop.

It’s hard to overstate how bad that Dallas defense has been—even with the stars that got knocked out last week and early Sunday night. Missing their top 3 edge rushers definitely didn’t help them. The Fields should have been picked three times by my count and now their best offensive player is mentally AWOL. I’m not counting on them to do anything against a good opponent.

Dallas' secondary is still very good and somehow, missing those edge rushers, Fields had to run around plenty. The Steelers offensive line sucks.

I missed all these picks Fields should have thrown but I'll be the first to admit he didn't play well enough in the first half (although after Tomlin literally played for a field goal on the first drive, after they drove to the Dallas 35, I'm not sure it mattered much.)

Fields was good in the second half and has shown flashes. Maybe not enough flashes to keep the job, but the guy put together a few nice touchdown drives in the second half and gave his team the lead with only a few minutes left in the game.

A 4 point lead against a Mike Tomlin defense.

I have no problem giving Russell Wilson a shot to see if he's more successful than Fields. Fields has not been dynamic enough but 1) I'm not sure Tomlin wants dynamic and 2) we aren't exactly loaded with playmakers. Fields threw a deep ball early that Connor Heyward probably catches on a dry field. He's had some near misses and even if Russell Wilson gets the start vs the Raiders, I don't think we've seen the last of Fields in 2024.

Fields somehow misses open receivers downfield too often. That pisses me off but he's also done plenty of good things, when they actually seem to do a good job changing things up with the play calling.

Arthur Smith, just like Matt Canada before him, gets really stale with his play calling and it's tough for any QB to get in a rhythm.

We'll find out if Russ can change that, probably as soon as this Sunday.

[Steel Bingo]

Fields has played exceptional so far. Much better than anyone would have been willing to bet that he would.

It is not realistically fair to judge his development in Pittsburgh presently while he has multiple players either out, starting for the first time or missing important snaps. Additionally, I did not understand why the offense did not try to scheme Freiermuth open more last night. Especially if GP was sidelined as much as he was.

A running game is so crucial for a young QB to be able to lean on, and Harris had very little room to move against Dallas. Going forward it is possible that Russ Wilson gives the offensive line its best opportunity to develop. Wilson's experience reading defenses and knowing how to attack them could be an advantage at this point where the guys up front are getting used to one another, and learning how to work as a unit.

Justin Fields has done nothing to lose the job as the starting QB, and his toughness is A+ level, but he may not be the winning option with where the offense is at this point. Fields has no reason to be down on himself if he is the backup QB on the road in Las Vegas this week.

And if it is Russ, he will have his work cut out for him, because the experience level at the WR position is not exactly prime Young Money Crew. Roethlisberger found a way with Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Randle El and Cedrick Wilson in '05, but he also had Fast Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis carrying quite a bit of the load, so Jaylen Warren needs to get healthy quick and come back to contribute, no matter who the QB is.

[RemoAZ]

I want Russ to play just so they don't have to fork over a better pick for Fields. Other than that, I don't give a damn. The offense will continue to paint the barn red and we'll continue to not contend for a SB for the next 4 years. At this point, we need a new Rooney to save us. He's our only hope. Tomlin looks great in a trade to the Jets.

[stillthere]

Tomlin looks great in a trade to the Jets.

That would be great. ESPN would have all the Tomlinsims they could handle on a daily basis.

[Obviously]

The only people dumber than Cool Shades are his ballwashers in the national sports media and of course the Steelerfury court jester.

[Stillerz Bar]

Then, not electing to preserve 10 seconds by using a timeout with 47 seconds left and cowboys inside the 1. Didn't work out this way, but gotta figure cowboys have a good chance to score on 2nd down, in which case you want every fuckin second possible to get in position for a potentially tying field goal.

So....gameday dumbfuck, no doubt.

And to make that decision even worse, he went ahead and used that last time out when the clock was already stopped before the 4th down where Dallas scored. Hard to disagree with anyone who says his gameday skills are anything other than below the line, if you will.

Another random thought from me..... when is that last time the multiple hook and ladder worked on the final play of a game... and from deep in your own territory to boot?

While also not likely to succeed, wouldn't a better option be to toss a hail Mary to somewhere within Boz's range and hope for DPI to give us one untimed play? At least there's a chance that could happen and one that is certainly more likely than O-Linemen trying to catch a ball, run a few steps and then effectively toss it to someone else.

[Who Dee Knee]

Swiss, we got 6 more wins in us this year. Take it to the bank. I’ll celebrate like it’s the SB when they hit win 9, because it is our SB. Sincerely - Mr Dry Bed

I think Steelers win 10, and make the playoffs. They'll win next 3, lose in Washington, then win half of the remaining games including 4 of 6 vs afc norf. They'll hold tiebreakers vs all wc competitors except indy

Dude.....unless Highsmith or Herbig is miraculously back next Sunday, this team is FUCKED.

When Herbig went out yesterday, it was over. We can be down 1 impact OLBer. Not 2.

Not this defense. ALL of the pressure comes from our OLBers and Leal is hurt too (even though he just titty fights.)

They are struggling to stop the run and all offenses have to worry about now is stopping Watt and they will have all day to throw.

The Steelers will be lucky to win 1 of the next 3 games and they will need one of those OLBers to return for that to happen.

Just wondering, and I know he is a rookie, but could Payton Wilson pinch hit at ROLB?

[stillthere]

I think Steelers win 10, and make the playoffs. They'll win next 3, lose in Washington, then win half of the remaining games including 4 of 6 vs afc norf. They'll hold tiebreakers vs all wc competitors except indy

Dude.....unless Highsmith or Herbig is miraculously back next Sunday, this team is FUCKED.

When Herbig went out yesterday, it was over. We can be down 1 impact OLBer. Not 2.

Not this defense. ALL of the pressure comes from our OLBers and Leal is hurt too (even though he just titty fights.)

They are struggling to stop the run and all offenses have to worry about now is stopping Watt and they will have all day to throw.

The Steelers will be lucky to win 1 of the next 3 games and they will need one of those OLBers to return for that to happen.

Just wondering, and I know he is a rookie, but could Payton Wilson pinch hit at ROLB?

Well the train is moving about 10 feet a minute and getting on that sum bitch while it is moving is really really hard. Wilson may have to take some edge snaps. I don't think they can plug him in as a starter. Against Dallas they had some funky combos toward the end. Loudermilk,Mon Adams and Benton with Watt was an interesting front 4.

[anpsteel]

Oh, Russ will make them pay alright.

....by handing the ball to Najee into that loaded box, because that's what Tomlin wants.

You'll see.

Mike Tomlin would ruin Patrick Mahomes, if he somehow ended up in Pittsburgh and that is no bullshit.

I can't disagree with your point, because for the last 4-6 years of Ben's career, he was doing the same shit.

The only difference was, once behind, or if the team were flat, he'd let Ben go Hurry Up, and then the Offense would move. Outside of those no huddle situations where Ben took control, the structured offense often looked like shit.

All of this goes to the addition point of, why bother even drafting another Rd 1 QB, as long as dipshit Tomlin is at the helm??

It's Handoff Monkey to the Nth degree...

Handoff Monkey indeed

I don't think they let Fields, or Pickett for that matter, audible out of shitty calls.

They run such a predictable offense, each play is at a disadvantage from the outset.

NaJee may suck, but part of that is, if he is in the game, there is about a 70% chance he's getting the ball and it's an interior run.

I say this exaggerating to make the point, but not by much

[bradshaw2ben]

Fields has played exceptional so far. Much better than anyone would have been willing to bet that he would.

It is not realistically fair to judge his development in Pittsburgh presently while he has multiple players either out, starting for the first time or missing important snaps. Additionally, I did not understand why the offense did not try to scheme Freiermuth open more last night. Especially if GP was sidelined as much as he was.

A running game is so crucial for a young QB to be able to lean on, and Harris had very little room to move against Dallas. Going forward it is possible that Russ Wilson gives the offensive line its best opportunity to develop. Wilson's experience reading defenses and knowing how to attack them could be an advantage at this point where the guys up front are getting used to one another, and learning how to work as a unit.

Justin Fields has done nothing to lose the job as the starting QB, and his toughness is A+ level, but he may not be the winning option with where the offense is at this point. Fields has no reason to be down on himself if he is the backup QB on the road in Las Vegas this week.

And if it is Russ, he will have his work cut out for him, because the experience level at the WR position is not exactly prime Young Money Crew. Roethlisberger found a way with Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Randle El and Cedrick Wilson in '05, but he also had Fast Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis carrying quite a bit of the load, so Jaylen Warren needs to get healthy quick and come back to contribute, no matter who the QB is.

I f you think Fields has been exceptional so far, I would challenge you to reconsider on what basis you're evaluating QB play. The most complimentary thing I can say about his play is: some great plays mixed in with bad. If you choose to believe that. guy who has been "great plays mixed in with bad" for going on 4 seasons is still on an upward trajectory to get rid of the bad plays and accentuate the great ones, I guess you can be optimistic. But that seems like a longshot, to say the least.

[bradshaw2ben]

I want Russ to play just so they don't have to fork over a better pick for Fields. Other than that, I don't give a damn. The offense will continue to paint the barn red and we'll continue to not contend for a SB for the next 4 years. At this point, we need a new Rooney to save us. He's our only hope. Tomlin looks great in a trade to the Jets.

Hoorah to all of this.

[SteelerDayTrader]

I want Russ to play just so they don't have to fork over a better pick for Fields. Other than that, I don't give a damn. The offense will continue to paint the barn red and we'll continue to not contend for a SB for the next 4 years. At this point, we need a new Rooney to save us. He's our only hope. Tomlin looks great in a trade to the Jets.

Hoorah to all of this.

In a draft where we could really use several more picks this definitely has some merit. However Im not all in on Fields but I do think he merits AT LEAST one more game. If not for that brutal call on Minkah I think we win the Colts game and I’m willing to chalk up the Cowboys to suffice to say more than just Fields

[gojira5150]

Oh, Russ will make them pay alright.

....by handing the ball to Najee into that loaded box, because that's what Tomlin wants.

You'll see.

Mike Tomlin would ruin Patrick Mahomes, if he somehow ended up in Pittsburgh and that is no bullshit.

I can't disagree with your point, because for the last 4-6 years of Ben's career, he was doing the same shit.

The only difference was, once behind, or if the team were flat, he'd let Ben go Hurry Up, and then the Offense would move. Outside of those no huddle situations where Ben took control, the structured offense often looked like shit.

All of this goes to the addition point of, why bother even drafting another Rd 1 QB, as long as dipshit Tomlin is at the helm??

That said, so many pass rushers come free at Fields, he often has to run for his life. Russ can't do that anymore.

This right here. When defenders come thru, Wilson is in trouble. Expect Wilson fumbling when he gets blasted as he's immobile and cannot get away from defenders. I don't want to see all these JF haters who want Wilson crying when he fumbles from getting hit and it turns into a TD for the opposing defense.

[Orangesteel]

I honestly think Fields has shown EXACTLY what he showed in Chicago. It’s not exceptional. It’s as B2B described as great plays here and there mixed with a lot of MEH.

He still doesn’t do “routine things routinely” as Coach loves to say. He’s been better with INTs but just as bad with fumbles which was a yuge issue for him in Midway. He’s been able to pounce on balls he’s put on the turf but those have been the result of luck more than anything.

Hell, one ball he fumbled it hit off Warren then hit off of our LG then somehow ended up back in JF’s hands. I mean come on.

This is the same JF. He’s not Stroud, he’s not Jordan Love, he’s not Herbert. He’s an often clumsy freak athlete who can sometimes make a big play. That may or may not be QB material.

[W&M_Steeler]

That said, so many pass rushers come free at Fields, he often has to run for his life. Russ can't do that anymore.

This right here. When defenders come thru, Wilson is in trouble. Expect Wilson fumbling when he gets blasted as he's immobile and cannot get away from defenders. I don't want to see all these JF haters who want Wilson crying when he fumbles from getting hit and it turns into a TD for the opposing defense.

Has Fields been that much better? He runs backwards on first instinct and has iffy ball control, which resulted in a terribly embarrassing backwards lost fumble against the Colts and another fumble sack against the Cowboys the Steelers were fortunate to recover.

I'm not expecting magic from Wilson, but I want to see what he can do. I don't understand the people saying JF has been great or has earned an extension- he seems like he has been OK at best overall. I don't think he's done enough to take Wilson's spot as starter.

[anpsteel]

And yes on the hot reads.

JF in the face of a blitz is something so ugly that it is making my stomach turn like Kenny Pickett’s bail left spin move and get destroyed that we watched for 2 seasons.

JF's patented "run straight backwards 10 yards, then try to scramble away" move in the face of pressure is worse that KP's spin left and get destroyed, because JF loses more yards.

I agree that it’s worse than pickett’s spin

Not just because he turns his back to the line of scrimmage and loses field awareness, but also he’s much more prone to fumble


I am sure we are all impressed with his arm strength, and ability to throw accurately on the move, but Justin Fields has a long way to go to learn how to play the position


That is why I’m all in favor of starting Russ

[CzechSteeler]

I want Russ to play just so they don't have to fork over a better pick for Fields. Other than that, I don't give a damn. The offense will continue to paint the barn red and we'll continue to not contend for a SB for the next 4 years. At this point, we need a new Rooney to save us. He's our only hope. Tomlin looks great in a trade to the Jets.

Well, there´s a vacancy at Jets now..
Let´s pull a trigger.

[K_C_]

I think Russ should get the start against the Raiders too.

I just do not expect him to be better than Fields, with this o-line, these weapons and this head coach/OC and their ultra conservative offensive philosophy.

I hope I'm wrong and there's no doubt Russ is the better passer, even now.

Might make Pickens calm the fuck down for awhile. I just do not think Russ will be healthy long and he is going to take some major shots.

[RemoAZ]

I think Russ should get the start against the Raiders too.

I just do not expect him to be better than Fields, with this o-line, these weapons and this head coach/OC and their ultra conservative offensive philosophy.

I hope I'm wrong and there's no doubt Russ is the better passer, even now.

Might make Pickens calm the fuck down for awhile. I just do not think Russ will be healthy long and he is going to take some major shots.

I see more passing yards if Russ starts, less running yards and the same low scoring offense. The offense has been smothered more and more over the last three OC's. Only the blind fanboys can't see this is Tomlin's offense. He may not call the plays but you damn well better believe nothing is run without his stamp of approval. Same with the vanilla defense that gets crushed in the playoffs because the good teams have no problem scheming for them. The highly paid stars on defense can't dominate enough to overcome Tomlin's game planning.

[Steel Bingo]

Fields has played exceptional so far. Much better than anyone would have been willing to bet that he would.

It is not realistically fair to judge his development in Pittsburgh presently while he has multiple players either out, starting for the first time or missing important snaps. Additionally, I did not understand why the offense did not try to scheme Freiermuth open more last night. Especially if GP was sidelined as much as he was.

A running game is so crucial for a young QB to be able to lean on, and Harris had very little room to move against Dallas. Going forward it is possible that Russ Wilson gives the offensive line its best opportunity to develop. Wilson's experience reading defenses and knowing how to attack them could be an advantage at this point where the guys up front are getting used to one another, and learning how to work as a unit.

Justin Fields has done nothing to lose the job as the starting QB, and his toughness is A+ level, but he may not be the winning option with where the offense is at this point. Fields has no reason to be down on himself if he is the backup QB on the road in Las Vegas this week.

And if it is Russ, he will have his work cut out for him, because the experience level at the WR position is not exactly prime Young Money Crew. Roethlisberger found a way with Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Randle El and Cedrick Wilson in '05, but he also had Fast Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis carrying quite a bit of the load, so Jaylen Warren needs to get healthy quick and come back to contribute, no matter who the QB is.

I f you think Fields has been exceptional so far, I would challenge you to reconsider on what basis you're evaluating QB play. The most complimentary thing I can say about his play is: some great plays mixed in with bad. If you choose to believe that. guy who has been "great plays mixed in with bad" for going on 4 seasons is still on an upward trajectory to get rid of the bad plays and accentuate the great ones, I guess you can be optimistic. But that seems like a longshot, to say the least.

Considering that prior to Pittsburgh Fields only won about 1 out of every 4 games he started, and averaged about 1 turnover a game, to now winning 3 out of 5 games and only having turned it over 2 times, he has played exceptional. Even if only by his own standards.

He has done enough to be on the winning side of a few games so far, even contributed some winning plays if you consider the long bomb before the half ended in Atl which set up Bos, and some of the plays involving his legs and mobility. And, significant for him based upon history, he has not contributed too many negative plays that could not be overcome. My opinion is that Chicago drowned him over and over again with too many sink or swim situations and did not provide enough in the way of floatation devices, but the Bears have been doing that to QBs pretty much since their inception. Fields has done a lot to suggest that it was more Chicago's team philosophy than it was him not being capable of being responsible with the ball.

Right now it is a difficult situation ahead of him if he is playing favored to win on the road, with inexperience in front of him on the OL and lots of unproven players at the skill positions. He may feel like he is back with the Bears under those conditions. My expectation is that it will be necessary to reserve further judgment on Justin's true capabilities until the rest of the team can look more stable, and that includes the defense. Most important thing as I see it for him, get a running game for him to lean on.

[Havoc]

Fields did not look good last game. Lacked accuracy.

[cop1211]

Fields is who he was in Chicago , he’ll give a glimmer of hope but it doesn’t pan out. He is a good back up.
But the Steelers will probably re-sign him to be the starter for the next 3 years.
NHALS.

[Deebo]

Fields is who he was in Chicago , he’ll give a glimmer of hope but it doesn’t pan out. He is a good back up.
But the Steelers will probably re-sign him to be the starter for the next 3 years.
NHALS.

This is my greatest fear of the year.

JF will be just "good enough" where they think they can develop him further.
But news flash: JF is right now who he will always be. You cannot hitch your long term wagon to him. He's not going to move the needle.

So in a sense, JF is the perfect Tomlin QB...

[gojira5150]

I want Russ to play just so they don't have to fork over a better pick for Fields. Other than that, I don't give a damn. The offense will continue to paint the barn red and we'll continue to not contend for a SB for the next 4 years. At this point, we need a new Rooney to save us. He's our only hope. Tomlin looks great in a trade to the Jets.

Hoorah to all of this.

I don't understand this train of thought. Reason why is whoever Jibbs picks in the 4th will turn out to be a disaster. Here are the 4th Rd Draft Picks
since 2007:

Martavis Bryant 2014 - Really good pick for a few years.
Doran Grant 2015 - WHO!!!
Cortez Allen 2011 - WHO!!!
Thaddeus Gibson 2010 - WHO!!!
Alameda Ta'amu 2012 - WHO!!!
Ryan McBean 2007 - WHO!!!
Jerald Hawkins 2016 - WHO!!!
Tony Hills 2008 - WHO!!!
Shamarko Thomas 2013 - WHO!!!
Daniel Sepulveda 2007 - Ok for a couple years until he got hurt. He was supposed to be the Punter Terminator
Josh Dobbs 2017 - Serviceable Backup
Laundry Jones 2013 -

So, 1 starter (Martavis) & 2 crappy starters at times (Daniel & Laundry). Martavis was a freak of nature and the better Wr on Tigers team (Sammy Watkins). You are scared to give up a 4th for a starting QB (who has a skill set that Jibbs does not know how to properly use) so Jibba can draft another 4th Rd Bum. Yeah Ok

[SDSteelerFan]

I want Russ to play just so they don't have to fork over a better pick for Fields. Other than that, I don't give a damn. The offense will continue to paint the barn red and we'll continue to not contend for a SB for the next 4 years. At this point, we need a new Rooney to save us. He's our only hope. Tomlin looks great in a trade to the Jets.

Hoorah to all of this.

I don't understand this train of thought. Reason why is whoever Jibbs picks in the 4th will turn out to be a disaster. Here are the 4th Rd Draft Picks
since 2007:

Martavis Bryant 2014 - Really good pick for a few years.
Doran Grant 2015 - WHO!!!
Cortez Allen 2011 - WHO!!!
Thaddeus Gibson 2010 - WHO!!!
Alameda Ta'amu 2012 - WHO!!!
Ryan McBean 2007 - WHO!!!
Jerald Hawkins 2016 - WHO!!!
Tony Hills 2008 - WHO!!!
Shamarko Thomas 2013 - WHO!!!
Daniel Sepulveda 2007 - Ok for a couple years until he got hurt. He was supposed to be the Punter Terminator
Josh Dobbs 2017 - Serviceable Backup
Laundry Jones 2013 -

So, 1 starter (Martavis) & 2 crappy starters at times (Daniel & Laundry). Martavis was a freak of nature and the better Wr on Tigers team (Sammy Watkins). You are scared to give up a 4th for a starting QB (who has a skill set that Jibbs does not know how to properly use) so Jibba can draft another 4th Rd Bum. Yeah Ok

That's clearly not a good track record. But since Khan took over we've gotten Herbig and Mccormick. Our drafts seem to have a chance of producing in the 4th now.