Lamar Jackson & Ravens handling of his ankle injury

[SteelerFan448]

Interesting.

I don't think it's that interesting, it just depends on who all is on the draft board. If they draft a QB, they aren't starting next year so you have a chance to take a prospect with upside. The Steelers could really use every position early other than RB, TE, WR, OLB, and FS. Without knowing who is there, if you like the upside of Strong or Willis (if they actually fall), you have to consider them. Strong has the best arm in this year's class and struggles under pressure. Playing in the AFC North, a strong arm is a component I'd look for, yet the pocket mobility may be enough to say pass on him all together. Willis has all of the physical attributes and is also the rawest QB in the mix. With this coaching staff, I probably wouldn't trust them to develop him. Ridder is another case with a great skillset, but terrible accuracy. Could he have a Josh Allen turnaround?

 

[SteelBuckeye]

I don't think it's that interesting, it just depends on who all is on the draft board. If they draft a QB, they aren't starting next year so you have a chance to take a prospect with upside. The Steelers could really use every position early other than RB, TE, WR, OLB, and FS. Without knowing who is there, if you like the upside of Strong or Willis (if they actually fall), you have to consider them. Strong has the best arm in this year's class and struggles under pressure. Playing in the AFC North, a strong arm is a component I'd look for, yet the pocket mobility may be enough to say pass on him all together. Willis has all of the physical attributes and is also the rawest QB in the mix. With this coaching staff, I probably wouldn't trust them to develop him. Ridder is another case with a great skillset, but terrible accuracy. Could he have a Josh Allen turnaround?

Thanks for the explanation of your reasoning. It's much appreciated.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Thanks for the explanation of your reasoning. It's much appreciated.

No problem. I wouldn't go into the draft with the focus of getting a QB, I just know that the draft can fall in weird ways at times and leave some less than desirable prospects on Day 2 so it's more of a be ready to explore all options.

 

[madinsomniac]

Except the NFL is now trending away from the pure pocket passer prototype and more towards the mobile QB who can, and will use his arm AND legs to beat you. None of them run to the extent that Jackson does, but, today's QBs have to have the ability to run as well as pass. The game is never going back to the days of Elway, Marino, the Mannings sitting in the pocket all the time and picking defenses apart. You see more RPOs, designed QB runs and rollouts than ever before.

There are degrees of mobility though

Kent Graham was a Statue in the pocket... that doesn't work anymore
Guys like Ben can have some escapability but still are pocket passers. You can win with those still.
Guys like Mahomes, Wilson or Watson have tons of mobility, but they are still pass first players. they extend the play but only take off downfield if they absolutely must.
Jackson, Cam Newton, RG3... those guys were run first players... they make one or two reads then take off downfield. several have had huge stat years but nobody has ever one with a guy with a run-first mentality... all follow the career trends of runningbacks and lose effectiveness after 29, and many fade earlier than that...

Jackson is a guy who is going to get a big contract then fizzle out, just like every guy like him has done before while mahomes plays till he is 40....

 

[madinsomniac]

Tomlin has all but said he wants a guy who can use his legs at QB. Given the time they’ve spent scouting Sam Howell I really hope they aren’t considering taking him in the first round. It’ll be interesting to see how much effort they put into scouting Malik Willis as well.

Howell is the worse possible option too... that guy is going to have a franchise sink years into him to figure out he is not good... he has all of those measurables that are just about great but not quite, so he will give those great practices then blow games... he really is a Mayfield clone

 

[SteelerFan448]

Howell is the worse possible option too... that guy is going to have a franchise sink years into him to figure out he is not good... he has all of those measurables that are just about great but not quite, so he will give those great practices then blow games... he really is a Mayfield clone

I've watched Howell play a ton. Not one time did I watch him and think "franchise quarterback." I'm not sure I've watched him and thought anything more than backup. He's a Day 3 selection and that some team, hopefully not the Steelers, will reach for way too early.

 

[madinsomniac]

I've watched Howell play a ton. Not one time did I watch him and think "franchise quarterback." I'm not sure I've watched him and thought anything more than backup. He's a Day 3 selection and that some team, hopefully not the Steelers, will reach for way too early.

yeah one NFL scout called him a 5th to 7th round talent... I hope it was one of ours....

 

[Steelr4evr]

No love for taking Pickett in round 1? He seems like he could be a solid pro QB.

I'd grab him, let him sit for a year and learn. Let our other quarterbacks have fun behind that awful line. Which I'd spend the rest of the draft on the OL/DL. The following draft would be the same. They'll probably be drafting top 10 in 2023.

2024 big jump, 2025 competing again.

That's if the HC decides to retire in the offseason...lol. It won't really matter who they draft until they do a full reboot.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

No, I'd consider drafting a QB in round 2.

I would be happy with Ridder in the second or third.

 

[warriors42]

the way our defense is playing and the strong possibility That Ben is gone in two weeks I don't even think about QB this draft because we will surely be in a position to get Bryce Young in 2023.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

I've never seen it with Howell. Unless he's playing injured, i've never thought he looked special. May as well trade a 5th rounder to get Trubisky or Mariota.

If the steelers do draft a QB, swing for the fences. With the rookie cap, you aren't chained to a bust QB for years anymore. The cards drafted loser Josh Rosen and ditched him after 1 year.

****, i'd be in favor of drafting 2 QBs. Why not? Draft a guy in Rd 2 then take a shot on a late round guy for competition. Redskins drafted Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte the same year.

 

[FordFairLane]

This is disturbing news to me even as a Steeler fan...If Lamar has a "pronounced" limp, & his legs are his greatest asset, the dude has no business being anywhere near the field...

LINK HERE: Let's ruin our Franchise QB

But he’s not a RB

I honestly hope he stays healthy long enough for them to sign him to a ridiculous contract. Something that makes Joe Flacco’s look like chump change. That way they are handcuffed for 4 or 5 years to Jackson. Remember RG3 was going to be the next big thing. Then a knee injury and he had to start throwing from the pocket. Game over. Jackson is a lower body injury away from being RG3.

 

[TDX27]

A recent mock has us taking Corral.

If they don't take a QB in round 1 then they shouldn't even consider taking one. It would be a wasted pick.

 

[FordFairLane]

A recent mock has us taking Corral.

If they don't take a QB in round 1 then they shouldn't even consider taking one. It would be a wasted pick.

I don’t think there’s a lot to offer top end at QB. Pickett is probably the best available and if he came out last year would have been a late round or undrafted guy. I honestly don’t think there’s a QB that beats Rudolph out in training camp in this draft. Meaning a first round QB doesn’t contribute this year and if Rudolph does well might never contribute at all. I say build a team up around either Rudolph if he can be the heir apparent or if he can’t then look for a qb in the 2023 draft.

 

[Omar10213245]

I don’t think there’s a lot to offer top end at QB. Pickett is probably the best available and if he came out last year would have been a late round or undrafted guy. I honestly don’t think there’s a QB that beats Rudolph out in training camp in this draft. Meaning a first round QB doesn’t contribute this year and if Rudolph does well might never contribute at all. I say build a team up around either Rudolph if he can be the heir apparent or if he can’t then look for a qb in the 2023 draft.

Rudolph cant be the heir apparent. He's not going to get so much better, compared to what we've seen of him. It's been 4 seasons now, not happening.

 

[FordFairLane]

Rudolph cant be the heir apparent. He's not going to get so much better, compared to what we've seen of him. It's been 4 seasons now, not happening.

So there’s a 0% chance Rudolph is the heir apparent? I remember people saying that about Aaron Rodgers after three years. Not saying Rudolph will be “the guy” but even if he has a small chance the Steelers are going to give him a shot to start. They probably sign a vet and keep Haskins and let the cream rise to the top. If he beats them out there’s still no guarantee he’s going to be “the man” but he likely gets an opportunity. And if he isn’t then we look to draft a qb early in 2023 because our record should be pretty awful if Rudolph sucks.

 

[madinsomniac]

I've never seen it with Howell. Unless he's playing injured, i've never thought he looked special. May as well trade a 5th rounder to get Trubisky or Mariota.

If the steelers do draft a QB, swing for the fences. With the rookie cap, you aren't chained to a bust QB for years anymore. The cards drafted loser Josh Rosen and ditched him after 1 year.

****, i'd be in favor of drafting 2 QBs. Why not? Draft a guy in Rd 2 then take a shot on a late round guy for competition. Redskins drafted Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte the same year.

Washington also drafted RG3 and Kirk cousins in the same year as well… the thing about qbs if you develop them they retain value…

 

[Omar10213245]

So there’s a 0% chance Rudolph is the heir apparent? I remember people saying that about Aaron Rodgers after three years. Not saying Rudolph will be “the guy” but even if he has a small chance the Steelers are going to give him a shot to start. They probably sign a vet and keep Haskins and let the cream rise to the top. If he beats them out there’s still no guarantee he’s going to be “the man” but he likely gets an opportunity. And if he isn’t then we look to draft a qb early in 2023 because our record should be pretty awful if Rudolph sucks.

You do?? I dont remember anyone saying that Rodgers had 0% chance of being the heir apparent to Favre. And please, let's not be absurd, Rudolph has never looked the part of a true franchise qb, to compare his situation to someone like Rodgers is laughable. At his best, he's an "ok" backup qb, that's it.

 

[FordFairLane]

You do?? I dont remember anyone saying that Rodgers had 0% chance of being the heir apparent to Favre. And please, let's not be absurd, Rudolph has never looked the part of a true franchise qb, to compare his situation to someone like Rodgers is laughable. At his best, he's an "ok" backup qb, that's it.

I live in Wisconsin. Everyone was pissed and if you look at his playing time up to that point he didn’t do much. And the fact you state Rudolph has never looked the part of a true franchise QB and it’s laughable to compare him to Rodgers just shows you don’t know anything about football. You are definitely a Monday morning QB. Yes, Rudolph is not today what Rodgers is. But he is better today than Rodgers was after three seasons.
Now do I think Rudolph will be as good as Rodgers. Most likely not. But I’m also a good enough football evaluator to say he’s improved every year. Give him a training camp and off-season preparing like the starter and who knows maybe we strike gold like the Packers did. I think he deserves a shot. If not we move on.

 

[slashsteel]

This draft seems iffy for QBs. Steelers tend to go BPA at positions of need. Nothing needs more help than both lines. Unless they are knocking it out of the park in free agency it will be a high need. I have some interest in Pickett but not sure he fits with what they blueprint on their prospects. Plus I didn't care for him opting out. 1 year wonders for me carry the danger tag especially ones that opt out of playing in a competitive bowl game.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I live in Wisconsin. Everyone was pissed and if you look at his playing time up to that point he didn’t do much. And the fact you state Rudolph has never looked the part of a true franchise QB and it’s laughable to compare him to Rodgers just shows you don’t know anything about football. You are definitely a Monday morning QB. Yes, Rudolph is not today what Rodgers is. But he is better today than Rodgers was after three seasons.
Now do I think Rudolph will be as good as Rodgers. Most likely not. But I’m also a good enough football evaluator to say he’s improved every year. Give him a training camp and off-season preparing like the starter and who knows maybe we strike gold like the Packers did. I think he deserves a shot. If not we move on.

My last memory of Rudolph starting was when the offense looked pathetic against the Lions in a game we didn’t win that will likely cost us a playoff spot.

 

[FordFairLane]

My last memory of Rudolph starting was when the offense looked pathetic against the Lions in a game we didn’t win that will likely cost us a playoff spot.

How many days of practice did Rudolph get with the starters that week. Steelers depot did a nice breakdown of missed plays because the QB and receivers were on the same page. Good back to the Browns game last year. He looked good in that game.
Again, I’m not saying he is the guy I’m just saying if you don’t think there’s a chance you know as much about football as all those packer fans that said Rodgers sucked and wanted to keep Favre. The Pack groomed him and his first year starting wasn’t even great. It was ok. But he improved and that’s what they stuck with. Rudolph has improved so unless he regresses next year I don’t see him not starting.

 

[slashsteel]

Rodgers is an upgrade over Rudy and Ben at this stage of his career. If you have an opportunity (which I don't think they will) you get him and don't look back. Rudy's issues in the red zone won't go away he can't thread the needle. You just rarely have opportunities to get an elite player. Which make no mistake that is what he is.

 

[SteelerFan448]

How many days of practice did Rudolph get with the starters that week. Steelers depot did a nice breakdown of missed plays because the QB and receivers were on the same page. Good back to the Browns game last year. He looked good in that game.
Again, I’m not saying he is the guy I’m just saying if you don’t think there’s a chance you know as much about football as all those packer fans that said Rodgers sucked and wanted to keep Favre. The Pack groomed him and his first year starting wasn’t even great. It was ok. But he improved and that’s what they stuck with. Rudolph has improved so unless he regresses next year I don’t see him not starting.

Rudolph is in his fourth season with the Steelers, took a ton of starters reps in the preseason and gets starters reps every Wednesday of the season. Rudolph is what he is at this point--a solid backup and a decent spot starter. There is nothing about his play that says he is a franchise QB and at best looks like a guy who can get you 8-9 wins if he has a strong running game and a good defense to support him. The comparison to Rodgers is a bit odd. Rodgers was a first-round pick who fell in the draft. I don't care what Colbert says about having a first-round grade on Rudolph, teams don't pass on first-round talent at QB for a third-round safety. Rudolph is just a guy. Nothing special and the sooner the Steelers try to find their next QB, the better. Unfortunately, this doesn't appear to be the draft to accomplish that.

 

[FordFairLane]

Rudolph is in his fourth season with the Steelers, took a ton of starters reps in the preseason and gets starters reps every Wednesday of the season. Rudolph is what he is at this point--a solid backup and a decent spot starter. There is nothing about his play that says he is a franchise QB and at best looks like a guy who can get you 8-9 wins if he has a strong running game and a good defense to support him. The comparison to Rodgers is a bit odd. Rodgers was a first-round pick who fell in the draft. I don't care what Colbert says about having a first-round grade on Rudolph, teams don't pass on first-round talent at QB for a third-round safety. Rudolph is just a guy. Nothing special and the sooner the Steelers try to find their next QB, the better. Unfortunately, this doesn't appear to be the draft to accomplish that.

1) How many reps did Rudolph get with the first string the week of the Lions game?

2) So you just know Rudolph is nothing but a backup. Wow, you are smarter than ever NFL decision maker out there. Just like those brilliant packer fans

3) Ok, so show me another or better example. Or are you saying we didn’t draft and groom Rudolph to be Roethlisberger’s replacement?

4) If Rudolph throws for 4000ish yards and a 2:1 TD to INT ratio we don’t look for a QB in the 2023 draft. If Rudolph isn’t showing improvement or consistently by December we probably see QB2 and or QB3 and go QB early in the 2023 draft.

It’s that simple.