• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

With patience can Fields become the next Lamar?

No mirrors in your trailer
Which middle school retort should I use, SN?

A) Other than the one on the ceiling over your Mom's bed? No.

B) At least I can afford a trailer and mirrors.
 
I think Fields was benched, at least partially, because of the poor OL play early on and the expectation that DangeRuss would handle it better. That worked until it didn't against better teams and DenveRuss regressed.

I would sign Fields to a 3 year incentive laden deal, draft an athletic project QB similar to Fields and sign a mobile vet b/u QB (like they did with Skylar Thompson).
I would have a QB coach who specializes in mobile QB development and another as his assistant to coach up all 4 QBs with similar talents to run a similar offence built around qb mobility/RPO to take what the D is giving them.

I would find the OL coach who can develop the OL for this type of QB, and insist that he sync well with the QB coach and the OC for a team based approach to
a versatile Offense, like the Rats and Bills and KC all have (mobile qbs that can succeed without highly paid, whiny, diva wrs) that feature stellar TEs as productive receivers who also chip to start their routes.

I think Jaylen Warren and a similar FA/draft RB would excel like Cook/Pacheco because of scheme that benefits their style, and play calling that aligns all the talent on O.

WRT WRs, it is interesting to note that none of the Bills, Chefs or Rats have that star WR. Buffalo and KC both got rid of their divas and have had great success with lesser guys because of scheme. I love Pickens talent, but would prefer Emanuel Sanders type WR for consistent performance w/o drama. If the Steelers could find another Hines Ward or Anquan Boldin type, great.


You realize in all this (EXCELLENT IDEAS) jumbo, you’d need coach Tom Lin to agree to major change,……… sorry though as I don’t think he could handle that much change all at once.

Great post Confluence, appreciate it and all the great ones along the way. I’d be all for this but have trouble seeing it will happen.



Salute the nation
 
You realize in all this (EXCELLENT IDEAS) jumbo, you’d need coach Tom Lin to agree to major change,……… sorry though as I don’t think he could handle that much change all at once.

Great post Confluence, appreciate it and all the great ones along the way. I’d be all for this but have trouble seeing it will happen.



Salute the nation
I'd promote Tom Lynn to team executive chair/president. one step up, one move closer to the door
 
Must have been a different Russ that threw for 400 yrds against the Bengals... No QB is going to light it up consistently with the scheme / playcalling we have. When we played the Bengals the first time i think over 10 guys caught passes. Najee, Warren, the TEs were being used consistently, but the next Bengal game was run run pass. In the 4th they opened it up and started moving the ball...Russ can be a capable starter but needs help. I world take Russ over Darnold any day. I think Darnold is fools gold. I would be fine giving Fields a shot next year, but alot has to change for any QB to be successful here. On a side not only 7 QBs threw for over 400 yrds in a game this year and Russ had the 5th highest total of the year.
First... It was the Bengals, and their Defense is TRASH! That was also his only game all year over 300 yards. Just for reference. This is comparison to Ben's last year here, in an even worse offense, with a worse OL, and most claim that he was done before that year.

Ben played in 4 more games than Russ and was sacked 5 more times than Russ. Ben had three 300 yards games, four of at least 250 yards, five games over 200 yards, and 4 games under 200 yards. In 9 of those games he had over 65% completion rate, 3 games with 50-60%.

Russ had one game over 300, three over 250, three over 200, and 4 games under 200 yards. In four of those games Russ was over 65%, and four 50-60%.

Ben was done right? But Russ, he's still got it. Still top 10 in the league... Russ is more done than Ben was
 
Fields will turn into Lamar like Harris will turn into Henry. We just need patience and a better OL and coordinator.
Right?
😆
 
I wanted to relive the 6 games Fields was our starter, so I went back and looked at some stats, then watched some film and there was a lot to like.

The first couple games, you could tell they were still feeling out Fields and the new offense.

Against ATL in the first game of the year, he was 17-23 for 156, and had 14 carries for 57 yards. No TD's from the offense, but it wasn't a bad game. He had no TO's.
Against Den, another very conservative called game, 13-20 117 and a TD, another 27 yards on the ground.
They open it up a bit against the chargers, 25-32 (78%), 1 TD 1 INT (batted ball), 245 yards passing, only 6 rushing but another TD there on an RPO that he read perfectly.
He used the middle of the field, hit a big one down the sideline to Pickens, a 55 yard TD pass to Austin on a slant in the middle.
They kept it open for Indy, 22-34 (65%) 312 yards and a TD, with another 55 yards and 2 TD's on the ground. He did have a fumble on a sack but Indy did nothing with the ball. The D was horrible on that day and we didn't lose because of Fields, in fact we were only IN the game because of Fields.
Against Dallas, we couldn't run the ball, couldn't pass the ball, but there wasn't much in the middle of the field. For some reason the playcalling here completely changed and we started to play to our fears more. He was 15-32 for 131, but did have 2 TD passes. and 27 yards on the ground on 6 carries. Again, the D let them down and allowed the Cowboys to score at the last minute.
LV game, not the strongest passing game, but a great running game for the team. Najee had 106 yards on 14 carries and a TD, Fields had 11 carries for 59 yards and 2 TD's. He was 14-24 for 145 in the passing game.

But it kind of separates the difference between Wilson and Fields. If Wilson struggles, that's it. Nothing to fall back on, if Fields struggles to pass the ball, he can still run it and run it very well. I'll take a dual threat QB that can have games like Indy and LA, but also move the offense with his legs if he struggles like in the Dallas and LV games.

I think the floor for both Wilson and Fields are the same at this point, but Fields ceiling is much higher.
 
It took Lamar a long time to evolve into a top rated passer.

We can dispel the belief that’s been voiced throughout this forum ever since Lamar was drafted back in 2018…that he is a running back first, and a mediocre QB second. A running back playing QB.
This same mentality was expressed by Ravens fans, analysts, and other talking head “experts”.

The Rats coaching staff should get credit for their patience.

Had he been a Steeler, I wouldn’t be going out on a limb to say that we here at SN would have called for his head, and that he would have met the same fate as Pickett…outa here in two years.

What do Yinz think?
Fields had only played 3 full seasons.
Use patience and continue to work with him?

My issue is I don’t want to wait as long as it took Lamar.
I’m too ******* old.
He doesn't need patience, he needs a better OC and a better QB coach.
 
Me thinky you left one critical coach he needs out…

And he needs a better______

(Hint: not OL coach-which he also needs a better one of those)
I know but it ain't gonna happen so I didn't bother mentioning it.
 
I know but it ain't gonna happen so I didn't bother mentioning it.
There in lays the problem with any QB they bring in. Poor coaching and a shyte system.

Top notch WRs won’t want to come here in free agency either unless a massive over payment is made.

The broken and bent system isn’t going to help with acquiring any top notch talent so they’re left trying to patch holes through the draft.

But Mike requires finished products as it’s not his job to coach players up. Ya don’t find too many of those in the draft, maybe more will come through now with NIL in play?

We’re screwed on multiple fronts in trying to build a top notch roster.
 
I can live with either QB this coming year. But, if I had my choice of one of these two, I'd go with Fields. I just think he still has a good bit more upside, he's still very young, and he is a dual threat. He is a person you can try to build a team around, assuming he continues to improve a bit. If not, you might end up with a below .500 season and a crack at a QB in the draft in a couple of years. Wilson is only going to get worse as age takes over.
 
As the players were clearing out their lockers, I’d brought gonRUSS in and shook his hand and thanked him for his play and leadership for the season. I’d also would have told him he won’t be back.

Then I would have brought Justin in and shook his hand and said you have a chance to be the starting QB of the PITTSBURGH STEELERS, let’s get s contract done and you take it from there. Your off-season work with ___________ (name guru QB coach) and playbook study will get you a long ways.

Then immediately following, both Arthur Smith and Pat Meyer would be my next handshakes with Meyer being the first.

Then Kahn and Wiedl would be brought in together and my first words to them would be “How can we change this entire organization to become the once winner’s / feared / STEELERS way that they were in the past” and before they can answer as I take another deep breath……. I state “ I, myself am open to what ever changes are needed and I want to leave a true legacy in three years, upon my retirement from all football”

Suddenly we are in need of a GM and Another Assistant GM as our two current ones went into “Cardic arrest”



Salute the nation
 
I wanted to relive the 6 games Fields was our starter, so I went back and looked at some stats, then watched some film and there was a lot to like.

The first couple games, you could tell they were still feeling out Fields and the new offense.

Against ATL in the first game of the year, he was 17-23 for 156, and had 14 carries for 57 yards. No TD's from the offense, but it wasn't a bad game. He had no TO's.
Against Den, another very conservative called game, 13-20 117 and a TD, another 27 yards on the ground.
They open it up a bit against the chargers, 25-32 (78%), 1 TD 1 INT (batted ball), 245 yards passing, only 6 rushing but another TD there on an RPO that he read perfectly.
He used the middle of the field, hit a big one down the sideline to Pickens, a 55 yard TD pass to Austin on a slant in the middle.
They kept it open for Indy, 22-34 (65%) 312 yards and a TD, with another 55 yards and 2 TD's on the ground. He did have a fumble on a sack but Indy did nothing with the ball. The D was horrible on that day and we didn't lose because of Fields, in fact we were only IN the game because of Fields.
Against Dallas, we couldn't run the ball, couldn't pass the ball, but there wasn't much in the middle of the field. For some reason the playcalling here completely changed and we started to play to our fears more. He was 15-32 for 131, but did have 2 TD passes. and 27 yards on the ground on 6 carries. Again, the D let them down and allowed the Cowboys to score at the last minute.
LV game, not the strongest passing game, but a great running game for the team. Najee had 106 yards on 14 carries and a TD, Fields had 11 carries for 59 yards and 2 TD's. He was 14-24 for 145 in the passing game.

But it kind of separates the difference between Wilson and Fields. If Wilson struggles, that's it. Nothing to fall back on, if Fields struggles to pass the ball, he can still run it and run it very well. I'll take a dual threat QB that can have games like Indy and LA, but also move the offense with his legs if he struggles like in the Dallas and LV games.

I think the floor for both Wilson and Fields are the same at this point, but Fields ceiling is much higher.
I like Justin, he showed alot of heart on the field and a good attitude towards the QB situation. He said all the right things after losing the starting job.
Apples to apples its not close, not remotely.

6 games
Fields
5td-1 INT 1106 yds
AVG 6.9yd per tgt
93 QBR

Wilson 6 games with Pickens
10-TD-3int, 1626 yds
Avg 8.7 yds per tgt
104 QBR

2x TD, 50+% more yards, and 25% better avg depth of target,


I'll take a dual threat QB like Lamar, unfortunately Fields will never be Lamar.
Lamar threw more touchdowns this season than Fields has thrown in 50 games.
He's averaged less than 1 TD passing per game for his career.
You aren't winning anything if you don't have a QB that can throw TD's.
He's proven he is a great runner who cannot get it done through the air.
50 games into a career you are expecting a monumental improvement?

Neither guy is the answer but with the right team around them Wilson obviously gives you a better shot at getting it done.
 
I can live with either QB this coming year. But, if I had my choice of one of these two, I'd go with Fields. I just think he still has a good bit more upside, he's still very young, and he is a dual threat. He is a person you can try to build a team around, assuming he continues to improve a bit. If not, you might end up with a below .500 season and a crack at a QB in the draft in a couple of years. Wilson is only going to get worse as age takes over.
Russ was worth the look this year. This should've been the season they broke their playoff winless streak. The defense was improved, hired a veteran OC with HC experience, and invested more into the OL. Instead, it was nearly identical to last season. At this point if you're choosing between Russ and Fields, the Steelers should go with the younger, cheaper option.
 
I like Justin, he showed alot of heart on the field and a good attitude towards the QB situation. He said all the right things after losing the starting job.
Apples to apples its not close, not remotely.

6 games
Fields
5td-1 INT 1106 yds
AVG 6.9yd per tgt
93 QBR

Wilson 6 games with Pickens
10-TD-3int, 1626 yds
Avg 8.7 yds per tgt
104 QBR

2x TD, 50+% more yards, and 25% better avg depth of target,


I'll take a dual threat QB like Lamar, unfortunately Fields will never be Lamar.
Lamar threw more touchdowns this season than Fields has thrown in 50 games.
He's averaged less than 1 TD passing per game for his career.
You aren't winning anything if you don't have a QB that can throw TD's.
He's proven he is a great runner who cannot get it done through the air.
50 games into a career you are expecting a monumental improvement?

Neither guy is the answer but with the right team around them Wilson obviously gives you a better shot at getting it done.
But that's not apples to apples, they ran different offenses... Russell averaged 32 pass attempts a game, Fields averaged 26.
 
I like Justin, he showed alot of heart on the field and a good attitude towards the QB situation. He said all the right things after losing the starting job.
Apples to apples its not close, not remotely.

6 games
Fields
5td-1 INT 1106 yds
AVG 6.9yd per tgt
93 QBR

Wilson 6 games with Pickens
10-TD-3int, 1626 yds
Avg 8.7 yds per tgt
104 QBR

2x TD, 50+% more yards, and 25% better avg depth of target,


I'll take a dual threat QB like Lamar, unfortunately Fields will never be Lamar.
Lamar threw more touchdowns this season than Fields has thrown in 50 games.
He's averaged less than 1 TD passing per game for his career.
You aren't winning anything if you don't have a QB that can throw TD's.
He's proven he is a great runner who cannot get it done through the air.
50 games into a career you are expecting a monumental improvement?

Neither guy is the answer but with the right team around them Wilson obviously gives you a better shot at getting it done.
Nothing obvious about Wilson giving them a better shot at all

Dude went 6-6 with most of his wins vs the league trash and sucked out loud vs all the contenders except WAS

JF was given a more conservative scheme to operate in and did well and was improving
They opened it up a bit with Russ and he got worse...and his old a$$ ain't getting any better

Sticking with OldeRuss is a fool's move. Nice of you to leave out the rushing yards yards and TDs for your cherry picked offensive stat comparison. Did it not suit that weak argument you were trying to make? And of cousre leave out the games Russ sucked vs contenders too under the guise of only using Pickens played games,,,lmao
 
Funny how just 3 years ago we had a washed up QB retire, now we are again dealing with a washed up QB.
Will Aaron Rodgers be available?
 
Why are you asking steelerNation about Lamar?

As I recall the consensus opinion here was a running QB wouldn’t last one year in the NFL..
 
Why are you asking steelerNation about Lamar?

As I recall the consensus opinion here was a running QB wouldn’t last one year in the NFL..

There should be a lot of crow eating around here.
 
Is the O line washed up
WR washed up?
Schemes washed up?
OL is in better shape than with Ben's last year. RB is the same, WR room a wash. OC better now. Ben put up better numbers being washed. Already posted the comparison. Russell ain't it, he can't see the middle of the field, so he can't use it. That limits his ability right there. The fact he's 36 limits it even more. Would you have signed Ben for another 2-3 years? That's what you're insinuating with signing Russell.
 
Top