- Joined
- Apr 7, 2014
- Messages
- 2,542
- Reaction score
- 4,985
- Points
- 93
The Senior Bowl in Mobile Alabama is over, with the National Team beating the American Team 20-10. For the Pittsburgh Steelers this is the first of many tests these quarterbacks will be going through to determine if they are suitable to be the next face of the franchise. Below are some observations for each prospect.
Malik Willis, Liberty
2/4 11 yards, 4 rushes 54 yards
A lot of people are going to come away impressed with Willis the athlete. He appeared smooth and decisive when tucking the ball. If he isn’t an immediate starter, the offensive coordinator will find ways to get him on the field. Unfortunately the offensive line did not provide a clean pocket for much of the afternoon for him to showcase his improved (or not) accuracy. Willis was regularly flushed out of the pocket where he made the smart decision throwing it away, rather than forcing it. Overall a good showing.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
6/6 89 yards, 1 TD
Pickett proved why he is considered the number one quarterback in this draft. He never seemed to second guess any throw he made, which resulted in a perfect 6/6 day. He never tried to force the ball, he took what the defense gave him and it resulted in the first touchdown of the day on a swing pass to Abram Smith. Pickett had the best day of the quarterbacks.
Desmond Ridder, CIncinnati
4/6 68 yards, 2 TDs, 3 rushes 12 yards
Ridder came into the game with accuracy questions and I think he will leave the same way. Most of Ridder’s passing plays came off play action and one was a wide open touchdown. He had a completion that was a nice drop in the bucket around a few defenders but we did not get to see much else from him. I think most would have liked to see him throw from the pocket like the crossing route to the receiver but they appeared to call plays to his strengths, which resulted in two touchdowns. He is faster than I remember so that is a huge asset for him. Overall a good day and no damage done.
Sam Howell, North Carolina
6/9 67 yards, 5 rushes 29 yards 1 TD
Howell had a very hot and cold day. He ended up playing the 2nd quarter and most of the 3rd and it was a tale of two quarters for him. The 2nd quarter was sporadic where Howell threw a good pass to the middle of the field moving left to right (unfortunately dropped) and showed good zip on the ball. He also failed to feel the pressure and was sacked twice, one of which was during the 2 minute drill right outside the redzone where he fumbled. The drive would end up with a missed field goal that was rushed onto the field due to the sack fumble. The 3rd was a different story where he seemed to feel the pressure better, still a little later than you would like, but would elect to use his feet more. He capped off a scoring drive with a rushing touchdown of his own. What would’ve been a great day was hindered by a few costly mistakes.
Carson Strong, Nevada
6/11 67 yards, 1INT
Not a good showing. The lasting image for Strong will be the underthrown deep ball that was ultimately intercepted. That was a big time opportunity for Strong to make an impression and he ended up with the worst result. He was able to bounce back but at the end of the day this didn’t help his draft stock.
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
8/13 103 yards, 1INT
He was the last quarterback to see the field and his performance proved why. He never seemed settled into the game. His pocket awareness was poor resulting in a sack where he bumped into his own lineman. Had a few passes that could’ve been intercepted but ended the day with one. He is the 7th best prospect for a reason.
What do you think #SteelerNation was anyone’s performance worthy of the Black & Gold?
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Malik Willis, Liberty
2/4 11 yards, 4 rushes 54 yards
A lot of people are going to come away impressed with Willis the athlete. He appeared smooth and decisive when tucking the ball. If he isn’t an immediate starter, the offensive coordinator will find ways to get him on the field. Unfortunately the offensive line did not provide a clean pocket for much of the afternoon for him to showcase his improved (or not) accuracy. Willis was regularly flushed out of the pocket where he made the smart decision throwing it away, rather than forcing it. Overall a good showing.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
6/6 89 yards, 1 TD
Pickett proved why he is considered the number one quarterback in this draft. He never seemed to second guess any throw he made, which resulted in a perfect 6/6 day. He never tried to force the ball, he took what the defense gave him and it resulted in the first touchdown of the day on a swing pass to Abram Smith. Pickett had the best day of the quarterbacks.
Desmond Ridder, CIncinnati
4/6 68 yards, 2 TDs, 3 rushes 12 yards
Ridder came into the game with accuracy questions and I think he will leave the same way. Most of Ridder’s passing plays came off play action and one was a wide open touchdown. He had a completion that was a nice drop in the bucket around a few defenders but we did not get to see much else from him. I think most would have liked to see him throw from the pocket like the crossing route to the receiver but they appeared to call plays to his strengths, which resulted in two touchdowns. He is faster than I remember so that is a huge asset for him. Overall a good day and no damage done.
Sam Howell, North Carolina
6/9 67 yards, 5 rushes 29 yards 1 TD
Howell had a very hot and cold day. He ended up playing the 2nd quarter and most of the 3rd and it was a tale of two quarters for him. The 2nd quarter was sporadic where Howell threw a good pass to the middle of the field moving left to right (unfortunately dropped) and showed good zip on the ball. He also failed to feel the pressure and was sacked twice, one of which was during the 2 minute drill right outside the redzone where he fumbled. The drive would end up with a missed field goal that was rushed onto the field due to the sack fumble. The 3rd was a different story where he seemed to feel the pressure better, still a little later than you would like, but would elect to use his feet more. He capped off a scoring drive with a rushing touchdown of his own. What would’ve been a great day was hindered by a few costly mistakes.
Carson Strong, Nevada
6/11 67 yards, 1INT
Not a good showing. The lasting image for Strong will be the underthrown deep ball that was ultimately intercepted. That was a big time opportunity for Strong to make an impression and he ended up with the worst result. He was able to bounce back but at the end of the day this didn’t help his draft stock.
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
8/13 103 yards, 1INT
He was the last quarterback to see the field and his performance proved why. He never seemed settled into the game. His pocket awareness was poor resulting in a sack where he bumped into his own lineman. Had a few passes that could’ve been intercepted but ended the day with one. He is the 7th best prospect for a reason.
What do you think #SteelerNation was anyone’s performance worthy of the Black & Gold?
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
