What is the college qb crop like?

[SteelBuckeye]

I didn't see what you saw in preseason and personally I don't think that there is too much of a drop off in either option. Rudy is less mobile and Dwayne isn't even that mobile in the first place.

What we did not see was Haskins getting premier time w/ the 1's on offense this preseason. You can't make an even assessment until we see them in the same scenarios.

Make sense???

Agreed. However, since we're all just throwing opinions out as if they were fact, I believe Haskins was working under a mandate during the preseason. We saw him throw deep at tOSU and WFT. At tOSU he threw deep to WRs that were pretty much always open. On the WFT, he threw deep when receivers were hardly ever open. I believe the mandate this preseason was to work on his reads and to focus on taking the check down when it was available. To the point that Haskins, focused TOO much on the check down. It's just my opinion, and definitely may not be fact, but, it's one explanation for why this kid, who never met a deep pass he wouldn't try to squeeze in, all of the sudden became Check Down Charlie.

 

[Litos]

If there isn't a value QB available rather roll with Rudolph and Haskins and add talent somewhere else, like OT

 

[Steelmann]

Agreed. However, since we're all just throwing opinions out as if they were fact, I believe Haskins was working under a mandate during the preseason. We saw him throw deep at tOSU and WFT. At tOSU he threw deep to WRs that were pretty much always open. On the WFT, he threw deep when receivers were hardly ever open. I believe the mandate this preseason was to work on his reads and to focus on taking the check down when it was available. To the point that Haskins, focused TOO much on the check down. It's just my opinion, and definitely may not be fact, but, it's one explanation for why this kid, who never met a deep pass he wouldn't try to squeeze in, all of the sudden became Check Down Charlie.

Agreed as well. I put it all on the offensive scheme.....ie......coaching. Ever since the Rudy,Duck season that’s all they’ve done. Little quick 2 yard **** passes. Too lazy to look it up,but we must be at the bottom for yards attempted per pass. This is going back 3-4 years now. You talk about Haskin’s always throwing deep in his college days successfully. Rudolph did the same,very successful as well. Ben used to throw deep successfully. He doesn’t seem to be able to do it anymore. A lot of this I blame on our coaching. They have taken away what made these QB’s tick.

And if none of these guys can’t throw down the field,or in the middle it’s time to get rid of all frigging three of them.
I am getting sick and tired of watching other teams move up and down the field like it’s nothing. We look like a frigging high school team at first practice.

 

[madinsomniac]

On the Fox pregame show, they just said that Tomlin told them that “post Ben” he doesn’t want to start a rookie….

 

[FordFairLane]

I didn't see what you saw in preseason and personally I don't think that there is too much of a drop off in either option. Rudy is less mobile and Dwayne isn't even that mobile in the first place.

What we did not see was Haskins getting premier time w/ the 1's on offense this preseason. You can't make an even assessment until we see them in the same scenarios.

Make sense???

Rudolph is actually more mobile. He just doesn’t scramble as quickly as Haskins does.

Haskins did get time with the 1st string vs the panthers and looked god awful.

Make sense.

 

[FordFairLane]

Just as unlikely as Rudolph being more than a stop gap. I've seen nothing about him that's overly impressive.
In fact, I'm of the opinion that the future long-term QB1 is either playing college ball or playing under the Friday night lights.

Odds are Rudolph will be a stop gap. But his odds of becoming a decade plus starter is light years ahead of Haskins starting.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Odds are Rudolph will be a stop gap. But his odds of becoming a decade plus starter is light years ahead of Haskins starting.

Slim odds for both. So, what's your problem with a little competition between them? Again, if Rudolph is the guy, PROVE IT! Shouldn't be much of a competition, right?

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

you know what they always say. If you have 2 QBs you have none. It is good to have competition, but the flip side is that as soon as the starter throws his first INT, the fans start calling for the other guy. We see that now with Ben. People want to toss aside a hall of famer for anybody else.

I expect Haskins to be back next year to compete. If Ben retires, i'd even want to bring in yet another guy. Maybe a guy like Mariota or Trubisky. But there is a downside to that. It can lead to a divided locker room and fan base.

Are we sure Ben won't be back again? By the end of the year, the OL may be decent, and if you add 1 high draft pick or veteran free agent, next year the OL could be really good. There will still be weapons and a really good defense. If the offense is clicking by the end of the year and Ben isn't hurt, maybe he comes back next year.

 

[FordFairLane]

Slim odds for both. So, what's your problem with a little competition between them? Again, if Rudolph is the guy, PROVE IT! Shouldn't be much of a competition, right?

Slim odds. I wouldn’t call Rudolph’s odds slim just less than 50%. I would say Haskins odds are probably less than 1%.

Ruddy did show it last year vs Cleveland and this preseason. Haskins didn’t.

I’m sure there will be some media fake news hype like this last offseason. People will blindly believe in it and not care about the actual play. But in the end Rudolph will handily win.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Slim odds. I wouldn’t call Rudolph’s odds slim just less than 50%. I would say Haskins odds are probably less than 1%.

Ruddy did show it last year vs Cleveland and this preseason. Haskins didn’t.

I’m sure there will be some media fake news hype like this last offseason. People will blindly believe in it and not care about the actual play. But in the end Rudolph will handily win.

I disagree. I'd put Rudolph's odds to be a successful starting QB at 25%. Better go back and re-watch that Cleve game from last year. What exactly was "special" about his play? What was adequate before the game was basically already lost and he had to pass? Padding stats in the 4th is not "showing it".
But, hey, if you believe Rudy is a star in the making, that's definitely your choice. Of course, a potential super star like Rudolph shouldn't have a problem winning an open competition for the QB1 job next year; whether that's against Haskins, a FA or a rookie.

 

[topseed]

I didn't see Liberty today. Will have to check out the stat line. But, yeah, turnovers are cause for concern if it becomes a pattern. Of course, turnovers seem to be a problem for all of the top QB prospects in the last couple of weeks.

Not for the Pitt quarterback -- Pickett has 9 touchdowns and 0 INTs in his last two games. And a 19:1 ratio for the season.

 

[FordFairLane]

I disagree. I'd put Rudolph's odds to be a successful starting QB at 25%. Better go back and re-watch that Cleve game from last year. What exactly was "special" about his play? What was adequate before the game was basically already lost and he had to pass? Padding stats in the 4th is not "showing it".
But, hey, if you believe Rudy is a star in the making, that's definitely your choice. Of course, a potential super star like Rudolph shouldn't have a problem winning an open competition for the QB1 job next year; whether that's against Haskins, a FA or a rookie.

Maybe 25%. But even between 25% to 50% isn’t horrible odds. Just not great.

Yes, the first quarter wasn’t good. Second quarter he brings two drives to fg’s. Highlighted by a 41 yard ace to johnson and 26 yarder to JuJu. Steelers still down 6-10. His first drive of the second half again led to a fg highlighted by another 41 yard pass this time to Claypool.

Next drive was his worst. Threw an ill advised pass under pressure for a pick.

Next drive was probably his best. Converted two 4th downs and finished the drive with a 28 yard TD strike yo Claypool.

Last drive was decent to needing a score to tie Rudolph hits Johnson for 47 then JuJu for a short TD. 2-point fails but for a team not playing for anything vs a team fighting for a playoff spot we did well.

Rudolph’s strengths.
Good defense reads. Presnap knows where to go with the ball. That’s probably one of Roethlisberger weaknesses.

Above average deep ball. Again he knows when he’s getting singled on go or post routes.

Gets ball out quickly.

Rudolph’s Cons-
Doesn’t trust his windows in the red zone. Needs to understand that in the NFL the throwing windows are tight in the red zone and he has to adjust. If he can’t he won’t be able to replace Roethlisberger long term.

Needs to eat the ball when pressure has you. It was one play but enough to hopefully learn from. A -8 yard sack is survivable. A int is tough. The good news is he did throw to his safety valve. Just the defender was all over that route.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Maybe 25%. But even between 25% to 50% isn’t horrible odds. Just not great.

Yes, the first quarter wasn’t good. Second quarter he brings two drives to fg’s. Highlighted by a 41 yard ace to johnson and 26 yarder to JuJu. Steelers still down 6-10. His first drive of the second half again led to a fg highlighted by another 41 yard pass this time to Claypool.

Next drive was his worst. Threw an ill advised pass under pressure for a pick.

Next drive was probably his best. Converted two 4th downs and finished the drive with a 28 yard TD strike yo Claypool.

Last drive was decent to needing a score to tie Rudolph hits Johnson for 47 then JuJu for a short TD. 2-point fails but for a team not playing for anything vs a team fighting for a playoff spot we did well.

Rudolph’s strengths.
Good defense reads. Presnap knows where to go with the ball. That’s probably one of Roethlisberger weaknesses.

Above average deep ball. Again he knows when he’s getting singled on go or post routes.

Gets ball out quickly.

Rudolph’s Cons-
Doesn’t trust his windows in the red zone. Needs to understand that in the NFL the throwing windows are tight in the red zone and he has to adjust. If he can’t he won’t be able to replace Roethlisberger long term.

Needs to eat the ball when pressure has you. It was one play but enough to hopefully learn from. A -8 yard sack is survivable. A int is tough. The good news is he did throw to his safety valve. Just the defender was all over that route.

Well presented analysis and explanation of your thoughts on Rudolph. Thank you.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Some asked about Pickett from University of Pittsburgh..
well hes ranked #1 in this ranking.

College Football QB Power Rankings: Ranking all 130 starting quarterbacks for 2021

PFN’s inaugural College Football QB Power Rankings analyzes every team’s starting quarterback situation. Who is the best for the 2021 season?

www.profootballnetwork.com

 

[FordFairLane]

Some asked about Pickett from University of Pittsburgh..
well hes ranked #1 in this ranking.

College Football QB Power Rankings: Ranking all 130 starting quarterbacks for 2021

PFN’s inaugural College Football QB Power Rankings analyzes every team’s starting quarterback situation. Who is the best for the 2021 season?

www.profootballnetwork.com

That article is for college QB rankings. The top college QB doesn’t always become the top college prospect. Pickett is an intriguing prospect. What clicked this year? Or is it competition or is it a veteran team which he’s part of? I don’t know but will definitely enjoy watching all the tape this offseason.

 

[thesteelcity]

I would address the OL in the draft and go after Mitch Trubisky in the off-season. He's only 27 and signed a one-year $2.5M deal with Buffalo. I wouldn't waste another pick on another QB that may be no better than Rudolph.

 

[SteelerFan448]

That article is for college QB rankings. The top college QB doesn’t always become the top college prospect. Pickett is an intriguing prospect. What clicked this year? Or is it competition or is it a veteran team which he’s part of? I don’t know but will definitely enjoy watching all the tape this offseason.

It’s hard to say what clicked exactly. One of his biggest areas of improvement is his footwork. Prior to this year he always had happy feet and looked to roll out and throw in the run. He also had little touch on his passes. He’s now staying in the pocket, setting his feet and throwing to all parts of the field. His accuracy has improved a ton and clearly he’s throwing TDs for the first time in his career. He had a good arm and mobility and is a natural leader. Pickett will knock out the interview process and his teammates will love him. I don’t know if I see “franchise QB” in his future but he’ll have a long NFL career.

 

[insaniti]

He’s actually rated one of the best backups in the NFL and viewed as a potential starter in the league. By NFL General Managers and Coaches. Just not by Steelers fan because of his horrible 2019 after his concussion. He was decent before the concussion and looked very good vs the Browns last year.

He was also handcuffed by that horrific offensive scheme that completely negated his best skill. He has a GREAT deep ball, and he showed that off in Cleveland last year. I am not saying that he is the savior and we don't need a QB next year. But given the right offense he could be an above average NFL starting QB.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

That article is for college QB rankings. The top college QB doesn’t always become the top college prospect. Pickett is an intriguing prospect. What clicked this year? Or is it competition or is it a veteran team which he’s part of? I don’t know but will definitely enjoy watching all the tape this offseason.

They travel to Blacksburg this weekend and Virginia Tech. If he puts up numbers there, I think he'll gain attention.

 

[madinsomniac]

What scares me are all the reports that Tomlin doesn’t want a rookie qb starter…. If that means he just doesn’t like this crop, fine… but if it means he is fundamentally opposed to ever selecting one then that os an issue

 

[SteelBuckeye]

What scares me are all the reports that Tomlin doesn’t want a rookie qb starter…. If that means he just doesn’t like this crop, fine… but if it means he is fundamentally opposed to ever selecting one then that os an issue

Another way to look at it. And I'm glad I'm not the one making those calls. But, another way to look at it is you have a decent WR corp, a stud RB, a good and sometimes great defense, a stud TE and a TE2 (Gentry) that's improving from game to game. If the OL continues to gel, do you want to slow down the whole train in order to bring a rookie up to speed? I mean, if that rookie is guaranteed to make the leaps and bounds that Herbert made last year ... maybe. But, if you can bring in a quality vet that can help the Offense put up points .... I'd do that and select a rookie QB to sit, learn and develop (if there was one I liked and available)
Again, glad I'm not making those decisions.

 

[TDX27]

I think Tomlin is just saying he feels a rookie QB should sit a year and learn rather than be thrown to the wolves. That's how teams used to do things but more and more almost every 1st round QB is starting in year 1. Maybe he will change his tune but I definitely don't think he's against drafting a QB in the 1st round.

 

[madinsomniac]

Just want to make a point here.. had kenny Pickett come out last year he’d have been a low draft pick or a priority free agent…. Mel kiper just moved him to the top qb an top 15 over all


So guys like mason Rudolph might have plenty of talent they just need development

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Just want to make a point here.. had kenny Pickett come out last year he’d have been a low draft pick or a priority free agent…. Mel kiper just moved him to the top qb an top 15 over all


So guys like mason Rudolph might have plenty of talent they just need development

Or, Kiper is letting one excellent year of college ball by a 5th year player overshadow that player's previous body of work; which was not at that level. (Acknowledgement: I don't follow Pitt and can'I think of one game that I've seen them get that Pickett played in) I get that Pickett is having a fanrastic SR-2 year. But, I'm also looking at his stats from the last three years prior to this year and (on paper at least), there's nothing that screams 1st round pick. So, do we disregard those years?
In general, this year's crop of QB prospects doesn't stand out as a strong crop. For me, Pickett's SR-2 showing doesn't move the needle much.

 

[madinsomniac]

Or, Kiper is letting one excellent year of college ball by a 5th year player overshadow that player's previous body of work; which was not at that level. (Acknowledgement: I don't follow Pitt and can'I think of one game that I've seen them get that Pickett played in) I get that Pickett is having a fanrastic SR-2 year. But, I'm also looking at his stats from the last three years prior to this year and (on paper at least), there's nothing that screams 1st round pick. So, do we disregard those years?
In general, this year's crop of QB prospects doesn't stand out as a strong crop. For me, Pickett's SR-2 showing doesn't move the needle much.

The point is that draft picks are gambling on talent but development of talent is key… get a dick hoak type in here as rb coach and you don’t have to chase a rb in round one…. Get a whipple at qbcoach and you can get first round results out of a guy who isn’t a physical freak or already developed…

I don’t think Pickett is the guy for us, but I also think that Rudolph has a much better chance of getting developed by next year and honestly Haskins isn’t someone to give up on yet….

It takes time with some people…

If you see a clear cut franchise guy in the first you always get him… but just getting a first round Qb so you can tell people that he is a first round pick is often a waste