Rudolph Better Than Expected: A Look At The Advanced Metrics

[Shoes]

Ben Roethlisberger’s tenure in Pittsburgh is nearing its conclusion, whether it be at the conclusion of this season or, more likely, at the end of another season or two after receiving a contract extension this offseason.

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/01/rudolph-better-than-expected-a-look-at-the-advanced-metrics/

[EzraTank]

I feel for Mason as a person but want no part of him as our future. The league is changing and having a mobile QB like Dobbs that can run is important. Of course you need him to be able to throw (something we didn't get to see Dobbs do) is important. I'm not asking for Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes but something like it instead.

Sunday was one game and after watching him play in multiple games last year, no thanks.

Just look at his 1st down percentage. It actually went down. And to me that stat is HUGE. You NEED to be able to make 1st downs obviously to keep drives alive but it is so much more important overall. It allows you defense to rest, it allows you do drive the ball for points, and it tires the other defense even if you do not score.


All that said if the Steelers actually built a real running game then the QB's here wouldn't have to be perfect. It's so much easier to throw on 2nd and 4 or 3rd and 4 vs 3rd and long with NO threat of a run. Imagine how great our offense could be right now with Ben if teams had to respect the run?

[Edman]

The Steelers (once again) had no viable running game and were in long and go situations all game.

The big knock on Mason was that he didn't have the arm talent or the ability to make big NFL throws and push the ball downfield and "make Defenses pay for stacking the box". Well, he did. Ironically, Mason's 8.1 YPA was the highest of a Steelers QB all season. Now that the narrative is debunked, we're switching to first down rates now?

Mason's final drive was a thing of beauty. That is what NFL Quarterbacks do. Even when he made his hiccups, it didn't bother him and just got better. He got the team back in the game after a disastrous play.

Even if it is just one game, Mason deserves huge props for his work and progression. I don't think he's the long term answer, but he gave a performance of being at least an above average backup. Another couple more games like this and he'll be a good bridge guy after Ben.

[st33lersguy]

Mason is actually pretty decent off the bench and in spot duty. When he came in against Seattle when Ben got hurt, he actually played better to finish that game then Ben did at any point prior to going down. Then when he came off the bench against the Jets, again he played well until he got injured. Mason is a good spot duty QB, it's just the longer consecutive amount of time he plays for, the worse he gets

[Fire Goodell]

Mason's improvement in his downfield accuracy and arm strength is actually pretty impressive. He went from captain checkdown to slinging it

[DesertSteel]

There used to be a thing in the NFL called developing your QBs. I don’t think that’s done much anymore. Now it’s play well out of the gate or you’re a bust.

[Edman]

There used to be a thing in the NFL called developing your QBs. I don’t think that’s done much anymore. Now it’s play well out of the gate or you’re a bust.

They're extremely spoiled by the likes of Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 and Patrick Mahomes. Microwave results from the word go. Never mind the fact that they are all top-tier first round quarterbacks that only a select few teams a year get access to.

[Fire Goodell]

They're extremely spoiled by the likes of Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 and Patrick Mahomes. Microwave results from the word go. Never mind the fact that they are all top-tier first round quarterbacks that only a select few teams a year get access to.

Funny thing is Patrick Mahomes WAS developed. He sat on the bench for a year before getting his opportunity

[Mojouw]

Cap math rules all. The single biggest advantage in the entire league is a top tier starting QB on a rookie deal. It is a roster construction cheat code.

[Shoes]

There used to be a thing in the NFL called developing your QBs. I don’t think that’s done much anymore. Now it’s play well out of the gate or you’re a bust.

That is what about 95% (or more) of the people at SU expected out of round 3 Mason Rudolph last year.

[teegre]

As I said elsewhere, Josh Allen went from dead last in completion percentage to top three... due to someone coaching him about his footwork. While Mason Rudolph is not the talent that Allen is, the point is the same: working on his footwork has obviously helped.

[Six Rings]

Cap math rules all. The single biggest advantage in the entire league is a top tier starting QB on a rookie deal. It is a roster construction cheat code.

Right, but that QB better go to decent team with a good coach. We've seen this before with Kanas City, and Seattle.

Breaking the bank to retain a top 12-20 type of QB tends to stall a team.

- - - Updated - - -


As I said elsewhere, Josh Allen went from dead last in completion percentage to top three... due to someone coaching him about his footwork. While Mason Rudolph is not the talent that Allen is, the point is the same: working on his footwork has obviously helped.

A good debate is was it the play calling or Ben?

[Fire Goodell]

As I said elsewhere, Josh Allen went from dead last in completion percentage to top three... due to someone coaching him about his footwork. While Mason Rudolph is not the talent that Allen is, the point is the same: working on his footwork has obviously helped.

Rocky Balboa beat Clubber Lang in the rematch because of his improved footwork! :chuckle:

[DesertSteel]

Rocky Balboa beat Clubber Lang in the rematch because of his improved footwork! :chuckle:
Time to bring in the chickens!

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

As I said elsewhere, Josh Allen went from dead last in completion percentage to top three... due to someone coaching him about his footwork. While Mason Rudolph is not the talent that Allen is, the point is the same: working on his footwork has obviously helped.

Yes, as Matt Canada says in this video. You throw with your feet". Rudolph just has to keep working on his footwork so that it becomes second nature.

My belief was that if he can improve some fundamentals like this, that his upside is Kirk Cousins type player. So really, Rudolph may not be a long term answer at QB for the franchise after Ben, but can maybe be a good bridge until the next franchise guy is selected. My sleeper is Jamie Newman, but really dont know if the Steelers pick a QB high in the draft this year either.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgyn8DaIseM

[teegre]

@El Gonzo

Good video :nod:

Newman at 32??? I don’t think that is where he should land (more like 50), but if you take a QB in R1, you get that extra year / fifth year of a rookie contract.

[Rotorhead]

@El Gonzo

Good video :nod:

Newman at 32??? I don’t think that is where he should land (more like 50), but if you take a QB in R1, you get that extra year / fifth year of a rookie contract.

Haha, subtlety wins the day!

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

@El Gonzo

Good video :nod:

Newman at 32??? I don’t think that is where he should land (more like 50), but if you take a QB in R1, you get that extra year / fifth year of a rookie contract.

Difficult call. The thought was that if Newman played well at Georgia, he may have put himself in the #20-40 range, so I dont think its that big of a stretch. His QB coach Quincy Avery is rumored to be the guy that talked him into opting out of the season, so who knows what that means. I think he goes in the 30-50 range at this point, but some good offseason workouts could push him to the bottom of the 1st round IMO.