Pre-Season Week 1 vs Packers....Post Game Thoughts.....

[bigben]

Very well said. Players like Ben, Rodgers, Elway, Marino, Favre, and Allar simply have a different level of velocity than your Pickett, Rudolph, or Howards of the NFL. That doesn't mean they can't or won’t be successful; it just means they will need to succeed through preparation and what is between their ears. Look at Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Neither had a lot of physical talent, but both worked hard in the film room and during preparation.

Exactly.
The difference in the greats is the accuracy, elite mental processing speed and decision making, reading the defense and knowing whats happening before it happens both with the defense and the pass catchers. Listening to Romo commentating really gave me a whole new respect for him as a QB. Plus respecting how much a smart QB makes a difference.
If all it took was a rocket arm, big hands and size and athleticism to be a great QB, the landscape would look totally different.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Exactly.
The difference in the greats is the accuracy, elite mental processing speed and decision making, reading the defense and knowing whats happening before it happens both with the defense and the pass catchers. Listening to Romo commentating really gave me a whole new respect for him as a QB. Plus respecting how much a smart QB makes a difference.
If all it took was a rocket arm, big hands and size and athleticism to be a great QB, the landscape would look totally different.

So true. That's why, while I liked what I saw out of Allar (and Howard), I'm not annointing him/them as anything until I'm sure they are not the next Jeff George, JaMarcus Russel, Colt McCoy or Brady Quinn. And yes, I know those busts were mostly drafted higher than our two guys. However, our guys still have to prove it on the same fields, against the same teams that ate those other 4 up.

 

[bigben]

So true. That's why, while I liked what I saw out of Allar (and Howard), I'm not annointing him/them as anything until I'm sure they are not the next Jeff George, JaMarcus Russel, Colt McCoy or Brady Quinn. And yes, I know those busts were mostly drafted higher than our two guys. However, our guys still have to prove it on the same fields, against the same teams that ate those other 4 up.

Way too early to tell, but like Bernard and Wetjen, The young qb's could not have looked much better in the 1 preseason game.
With the overall low probability of any QB making it long term in the league I am tempering my expectations.

The odds of the Steelers finding the next franchise QB top flight guy a few years after Ben's retirement is so low.
Maybe I'm too negative but I don't see it happening for the Steelers due to the statistical probability alone.

What are the Odds the best Young QB just happens to be a Patriot. It makes me sick to see Drake Maye look so good in NE.
Steelers getting that lucky would feel like lightning striking twice.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Howard consistently ran out of clean pockets. I’m all for keeping Howard but let's be honest. He is the 4th best quarterback on this team.

Not when you consider potential. He is third with that consideration. Mason is what he is. If we are looking to the future as well trying to competitive, I see no place for Mason unless we keep all 4. I wouldn't even play Mason another down this preseason. We know what we have there.

 

[slashsteel]

Not when you consider potential. He is third with that consideration. Mason is what he is. If we are looking to the future as well trying to competitive, I see no place for Mason unless we keep all 4. I wouldn't even play Mason another down this preseason. We know what we have there.

I think Will is a blue collar try hard. Not sure what that gets you at the end of the day but if I was a gambling man it would be higher than what Rudy gives us. Which is not much.

 

[topseed]

His second pass he ran out of a clean pocket to his right when Smith was over an easy first down to the left. He unnecessarily scrambled for a short gain in a clean pocket and he didn't step into a throw when he looked at a defender then tried throwing off his backfoot which luckily just was an incomplete. He did however step up into the pocket and deliver a strike to Tonyan for a touchdown. Best play by him by far and shows he has the potential and ability to step up in the pocket and deliver a strike.

I don't think you understand what constitutes a clean pocket.

Where was the play designed to go then? With the way Fautanu had been playing it was a quick pass where Roman Wilson is supposed to help clear and leave Frieirmuth clean or at least give him a chance to lean into the end zone. The defense played it perfectly. You can blame Rudolph and show your bias but it was the play design.

Roman Wilson did exactly what he was supposed to do, turned his man around, and was eventually wide open towards the corner of the end zone. Rudolph had the time to wait for him to clear, and they would have had an easy touchdown. Watch it again.

If you think this is a throwaway season we shouldn't have resigned Rodgers.

You can throw the season away if Rudolph is awarded QB2 and has to play significant snaps.

 

[FordFairLane]

Not when you consider potential. He is third with that consideration. Mason is what he is. If we are looking to the future as well trying to competitive, I see no place for Mason unless we keep all 4. I wouldn't even play Mason another down this preseason. We know what we have there.

If you are asking about the ceiling, yes. The floor, no. That's why Rudolph won't be going anywhere. Unless Mike is willing to risk his 42/43-year-old QB getting injured, I just don't see Rudolph getting cut. Now, if the Falcons offer a 4th-round pick, that changes things. But entering the season with a strong likelihood that either a rookie or a second-year player—who in many ways is still in his first year—might start for an extended period just invites trouble.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Not saying that Rudy is the best QB2 of the bunch…

BUT…

He did have an over .500 record as a starter for the Steelers while dealing with the constraints of
1) very limited practice reps leading to those starts
2) an inept Tomlin offense
3) usually missing key playmakers in those starts

If he can be over .500 given those constraints maybe just maybe he is much better than he was ever allowed to show. Big maybe.

If MM can have Allar looking like that after polishing some of the Franklin stank off of him there’s a good chance he can do that with Rudy too (wiping the Tomlin stank off him).

I’m not saying it’s wise but the chances of the 4th QB adding more value to the Steelers future than whoever that 53rd man on the roster is likely imho.

And after all, we know Art thinks this team is contending now and unless Allar or Howard shows to be better right now in that quest Rudy is the play whether we like it or not. This year is not about the future as Rodgers was brought back. Using that logic Rudy is the QB2 in the now quest unless proven without a doubt to be inferior in the current circumstances to Allar and Howard.

 

[Litos]

If you are asking about the ceiling, yes. The floor, no. That's why Rudolph won't be going anywhere. Unless Mike is willing to risk his 42/43-year-old QB getting injured, I just don't see Rudolph getting cut. Now, if the Falcons offer a 4th-round pick, that changes things. But entering the season with a strong likelihood that either a rookie or a second-year player—who in many ways is still in his first year—might start for an extended period just invites trouble.

a 4th for rudolph sounds like those cooch's trade proposals. I think a 5th might be the best we can get, and I'd sign on it.

we need to give reps to the young QBs to prepare for the 2027 draft, are any of them the future or should the team draft a QB if the option emerges?

 

[Confluence]

Not saying that Rudy is the best QB2 of the bunch…

BUT…

He did have an over .500 record as a starter for the Steelers while dealing with the constraints of
1) very limited practice reps leading to those starts
2) an inept Tomlin offense
3) usually missing key playmakers in those starts

If he can be over .500 given those constraints maybe just maybe he is much better than he was ever allowed to show. Big maybe.

If MM can have Allar looking like that after polishing some of the Franklin stank off of him there’s a good chance he can do that with Rudy too (wiping the Tomlin stank off him).

I’m not saying it’s wise but the chances of the 4th QB adding more value to the Steelers future than whoever that 53rd man on the roster is likely imho.

And after all, we know Art thinks this team is contending now and unless Allar or Howard shows to be better right now in that quest Rudy is the play whether we like it or not. This year is not about the future as Rodgers was brought back. Using that logic Rudy is the QB2 in the now quest unless proven without a doubt to be inferior in the current circumstances to Allar and Howard.

Rudy is not the Steeler future, or the team wouldn't have drafted Allar and Howard.

He may be better now, but he is unlikely to get the Steelers to the SB if Rodgers goes down.

Given that, with Rodgers the Steelers feel they have a shot at SB; ok.

But if Rodgers goes down -- the season is a bust and the Steelers need a starting QB in 2027 -- what is the benefit of playing Rudy over one of the other 2 young guys? The Steelers learn nothing about the guys they drafted and use real game time for a journeyman backup.

That is why in preseason game 2 I would play Howard in q1, Allard in q2 and q3 and Howard in q4. And the opposite in game 3, pending learnings from Friday night.

If Rodgers needs a couple series, fine. But I know enough about Rudy and not enough about Howard or Allar.

 

[alancac98]

So, I was talking with a young man yesterday about our 2 young guns and something really interesting came up. The funny thing is that he went to Penn State and his cousin went to OSU and both graduated this year. He said that it didn't appear, as no one from the offensive side of the ball, ever commented on whether Drew was a great leader on the field, kinda like that field general. And yes, he had an "in" as he lived right across from two players and they hung out all of the time.contrast that with Will at OSU and apparently it was all over the campus that he was that field general type of guy. That offense hung on his every word and his confidence just oozed out of him! Not sure if any of this is true and have not gone digging for any comments, but I found it interesting in what I have seen from the two of them on the college field.

 

[bigben]

Not saying that Rudy is the best QB2 of the bunch…

BUT…

He did have an over .500 record as a starter for the Steelers while dealing with the constraints of
1) very limited practice reps leading to those starts
2) an inept Tomlin offense
3) usually missing key playmakers in those starts

If he can be over .500 given those constraints maybe just maybe he is much better than he was ever allowed to show. Big maybe.

If MM can have Allar looking like that after polishing some of the Franklin stank off of him there’s a good chance he can do that with Rudy too (wiping the Tomlin stank off him).

I’m not saying it’s wise but the chances of the 4th QB adding more value to the Steelers future than whoever that 53rd man on the roster is likely imho.

And after all, we know Art thinks this team is contending now and unless Allar or Howard shows to be better right now in that quest Rudy is the play whether we like it or not. This year is not about the future as Rodgers was brought back. Using that logic Rudy is the QB2 in the now quest unless proven without a doubt to be inferior in the current circumstances to Allar and Howard.

I feel the same, No way all 3 guys play at that level under Tomlin running Arthur's offense. No chance.
I will get excited when Rudy gets outplayed by Allar or Howard vs starters. The fact that they all played well doesn't help much in figuring anything out.
Cutting rudy at this point doesn't seem like the best chance to take, as he's the only QB we have seen play well, in spots, in a live NFL game.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

If you are asking about the ceiling, yes. The floor, no. That's why Rudolph won't be going anywhere. Unless Mike is willing to risk his 42/43-year-old QB getting injured, I just don't see Rudolph getting cut. Now, if the Falcons offer a 4th-round pick, that changes things. But entering the season with a strong likelihood that either a rookie or a second-year player—who in many ways is still in his first year—might start for an extended period just invites trouble.

If this was Tomlin I would agree. With Big Mike I am not as sure. His drive to develop young QBs might change the equation. Honestly if Allar looks as good as he did again he may win the #2 spot.

 

[FordFairLane]

a 4th for rudolph sounds like those cooch's trade proposals. I think a 5th might be the best we can get, and I'd sign on it.

we need to give reps to the young QBs to prepare for the 2027 draft, are any of them the future or should the team draft a QB if the option emerges?

Maybe but a team like the Colts who have their starter coming back from a major injury and their current backups going 21/35 0 tds 2 ints might need to overpay. I certainly wouldn't trade him for a 7th.

 

[FordFairLane]

If this was Tomlin I would agree. With Big Mike I am not as sure. His drive to develop young QBs might change the equation. Honestly if Allar looks as good as he did again he may win the #2 spot.

I just don't like the idea of either Howard or Allar being the backup.

 

[Confluence]

I just don't like the idea of either Howard or Allar being the backup.

Roethlisberger was a backup before he became a HoF QB.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Rudy is not the Steeler future, or the team wouldn't have drafted Allar and Howard.

He may be better now, but he is unlikely to get the Steelers to the SB if Rodgers goes down.

Given that, with Rodgers the Steelers feel they have a shot at SB; ok.

But if Rodgers goes down -- the season is a bust and the Steelers need a starting QB in 2027 -- what is the benefit of playing Rudy over one of the other 2 young guys? The Steelers learn nothing about the guys they drafted and use real game time for a journeyman backup.

That is why in preseason game 2 I would play Howard in q1, Allard in q2 and q3 and Howard in q4. And the opposite in game 3, pending learnings from Friday night.

If Rodgers needs a couple series, fine. But I know enough about Rudy and not enough about Howard or Allar.

I 100% see, and agree with, your point…except for playing Rodgers at all (bubble wrap that old man til regular season)

I simply don’t believe there is a bone in Art’s body that sees it that way. Contend now trumps build future from what I’ve witnessed

MM will want to win games and lots of em
He will also want to win playoff games…
Hopefully lots of em

I’ll trust his eye in the evaluation of the QB2 and young guys and if either of the young guys is good enough for QB2 that would be a great problem to have.

 

[FordFairLane]

Roethlisberger was a backup before he became a HoF QB.

For 1.5 games lol

And what Roethlisberger did as a rookie might never be duplicated. I personally would rather let Howard and Allar develop behind Rodgers and Rudolph before throwing them to the wolves

 

[Confluence]

For 1.5 games lol

And what Roethlisberger did as a rookie might never be duplicated. I personally would rather let Howard and Allar develop behind Rodgers and Rudolph before throwing them to the wolves

It's the Packer QB development plan that seems to work.

 

[Punxsutawney]

For 1.5 games lol

And what Roethlisberger did as a rookie might never be duplicated. I personally would rather let Howard and Allar develop behind Rodgers and Rudolph before throwing them to the wolves

It would not necessarily be throwing Howard or Allar to the wolves if McCarthy determines one of them is ready to be the QB2.

There would be risks to them potentially playing too soon(especially Allar), but honestly, McCarthy's experience and success with managing QBs might be the biggest reason Art2 hired him.

I also like Rudolph as a QB2 more than most, but if the coaching evaluation is close, they probably need to go with the youth and upside backing up Rodgers.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

For 1.5 games lol

And what Roethlisberger did as a rookie might never be duplicated. I personally would rather let Howard and Allar develop behind Rodgers and Rudolph before throwing them to the wolves

If it rosters were bigger I would be perfectly fine with it. There are too many different guys I don’t want to cut this year to make keeping Mason worth it in my mind. As of what we have seen so far from the younginz.

 

[topseed]

It would not necessarily be throwing Howard or Allar to the wolves if McCarthy determines one of them is ready to be the QB2.

There would be risks to them potentially playing too soon(especially Allar), but honestly, McCarthy's experience and success with managing QBs might be the biggest reason Art2 hired him.

Exactly. It wouldn't be throwing Howard or Allar to the wolves; it's throwing them in the deep end of the pool while teaching them how to swim.

 

[FordFairLane]

I think what people aren't getting is this is not about Rudolph. This is about me wanting to keep Howard. I just don't see Rudolph not being QB2. Even this next game it sounds like MM is set on Rudolph being ready for the backup role and the game plan is to develop the young guys and get them playing time.