Ahead of the Game: Jets week

[Rotorhead]

So, what are the chances we see any significant changes for next weeks game against the Jets? This is a winnable game for sure, but we can’t expect our defense to play so much and close out games with our offense constantly going 3 and out.

This is the first of 2 opportunities to switch to KP this season. Also to make a switch at OC (although I don’t see that happening until at least the bye).

[DuckHodges]

KENNY KENNY KENNY KENNY

[cubanstogie]

Mitch needs to eat some raw chicken on Friday, only way KP gets in.

[DuckHodges]

Mitch needs to eat some raw chicken on Friday, only way KP gets in.

Hopefully Pickens throws a tantrum and shoves the ball up Mitch's ass

[polamalubeast]

KENNY KENNY KENNY KENNY

This is time

[Edman]

Patriots and Browns were winnable games too, and look what happened.

The Steelers will be on the backfoot against every opponent they face this season as long as they continue to trot out the glorified third stringer.

[polamalubeast]

I don't think the steelers are good this year but they will win some other games this year and the game against the Jets will be one of them,even if their QB number 1 will be back

If they lose this game,a 1-7 record will be very likely for the steelers.

[DesertSteel]

Mitch needs to eat some raw chicken on Friday, only way KP gets in.
Gilooly.

[cubanstogie]

Gilooly.
The difference is it would be his own team or fans pulling the gilooly, opposed to opposite team. :lol:

[86WARD]

Last win for this first half of the season. 2-6...then it’s Kenny time...

[DuckHodges]

Last win for this first half of the season. 2-6...then it’s Kenny time...

If Tomlin doesn't make a switch now I'm totally convinced he's trying to tank the season. If Mitch's ceiling is what we just saw we won't even beat the Jets

[polamalubeast]

The steelers are favorites for this game for the first time this year....

[steelreserve]

Hopefully Pickens throws a tantrum and shoves the ball up Mitch's ass

This is what I'm hoping for, except this week I want something bigger, so hopefully it'll be a helmet.

MITCH THE BITCH
MITCH THE BITCH
MITCH THE BITCH
MITCH THE BITCH

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Last win for this first half of the season. 2-6...then it’s Kenny time...

Likely the most accurate post made in the past couple weeks. :thumbsup:

Very doubtful that the Steelers are going to put Pickett in vs the defenses of the Bills, Buccaneers, Eagles, Dolphins. That is really just setting up the young man to fail. Maybe even not the Saints in game #9, but more likely the Bengals game in November for the back half of the season.

[Mojouw]

Likely the most accurate post made in the past couple weeks. :thumbsup:

Very doubtful that the Steelers are going to put Pickett in vs the defenses of the Bills, Buccaneers, Eagles, Dolphins. That is really just setting up the young man to fail. Maybe even not the Saints in game #9, but more likely the Bengals game in November for the back half of the season.

Sigh.

If that evaluation of both Pickett and the Steelers approach to QB development is true -- and I suspect it is in both cases -- then it is going to be a long road for Steelers fans not only this season but the next couple as well.

If KP can not complete on a level playing field with the defenses listed, then he shouldn't have been drafted in the first round. Now, I don't mean he should lead the Steelers to victory or even have a great stat line in a close loss. I simply mean look like he legitimately belongs running an offense at the NFL level. If throwing him out to play good NFL defenses is so harmful to his development that he is unable to function now or in the future...well then he wasn't ready, after 5 years of college ball, to be drafted in the first round.

Further, if you sit the dude until the last half or third of the season, you get so few game reps to really see anything. If he has success, how much of that was because teams just lacked film on him and then those two poor games to close out the season were because of that and not whatever optimistic reason got floated at the time. If he struggles, are those struggles due to lack of ability or KP needs to see more to be successful -- after all it took him a few years in college for it to come together.

Wait too long to play the kid and instead of 2022 being a development year and 2023 the first year of a ramp-up to contention; 2023 is a development year too. Another year with an offense spinning its wheels wondering what direction it should take.

Plus...here's the really fun thing:

"Well....we really can't fire Canada. He's never been able to have "good" QB play in his "system". We should let him have 2023 with KP to see if he can get it all to work."

[Edman]

Sigh.

If that evaluation of both Pickett and the Steelers approach to QB development is true -- and I suspect it is in both cases -- then it is going to be a long road for Steelers fans not only this season but the next couple as well.

If KP can not complete on a level playing field with the defenses listed, then he shouldn't have been drafted in the first round. Now, I don't mean he should lead the Steelers to victory or even have a great stat line in a close loss. I simply mean look like he legitimately belongs running an offense at the NFL level. If throwing him out to play good NFL defenses is so harmful to his development that he is unable to function now or in the future...well then he wasn't ready, after 5 years of college ball, to be drafted in the first round.

Further, if you sit the dude until the last half or third of the season, you get so few game reps to really see anything. If he has success, how much of that was because teams just lacked film on him and then those two poor games to close out the season were because of that and not whatever optimistic reason got floated at the time. If he struggles, are those struggles due to lack of ability or KP needs to see more to be successful -- after all it took him a few years in college for it to come together.

Wait too long to play the kid and instead of 2022 being a development year and 2023 the first year of a ramp-up to contention; 2023 is a development year too. Another year with an offense spinning its wheels wondering what direction it should take.

Plus...here's the really fun thing:

"Well....we really can't fire Canada. He's never been able to have "good" QB play in his "system". We should let him have 2023 with KP to see if he can get it all to work."

"The competition is too tough" is another bullshit excuse to me. Right up there with 'muh Offensive Line is bad'. If Kenny Pickett's confidence is "ruined" due to tough teams, then chances are he's probably not that good anyway and doesn't belong in the NFL and he's not as "pro-ready" as we thought.

I remember the big talking point going into this season was that Pickett shouldn't get a look because the Steelers O-Line was terrible and he'll get crushed. Never mind the fact even when he was under duress he still look like he belonged. Well, it turns out it hasn't been the case so far. Trubisky has been barely harassed and under duress this season and his play still way below the line, with his best effort being barely standard. Simply put, if you can't play in the NFL, you can't play in the NFL. The Great ones make things happen even when everything else isn't perfect. The Mediocre/Average need everything to be perfect (Trubisky), which is how the Steelers are forced to play. 100% Mistake free football where the planets need to align on all fronts to have a shot at winning, and its not sustainable.

[steelreserve]

It is almost impossible to see any benefit of drafting a guy in the first round and then sending him straight to the bench, zero snaps.

Once in a while it's done with a QB if there's an established veteran on the tail end of his career/contract and he's still winning games for you. We don't have that. We have a guy who sucks and loses games for us. We are not gaining a single thing by leaving him in there, we're just flushing more games down the toilet.

Most normal teams would understand what a waste of time this is, and move on. Not us, though. What the fuck, Tomlin?

This is not wise patience or some kind of next-level Zen. This is not the "Steeler Way." This is not Tomlin being on a completely different plane of existence from us. This is having a small dick and acting accordingly. Fuck it.

[DuckHodges]

Likely the most accurate post made in the past couple weeks. :thumbsup:

Very doubtful that the Steelers are going to put Pickett in vs the defenses of the Bills, Buccaneers, Eagles, Dolphins. That is really just setting up the young man to fail. Maybe even not the Saints in game #9, but more likely the Bengals game in November for the back half of the season.

100% agree, Big Ben was ruined having to play against NE on a 21-game winning streak and undefeated Philadelphia. Oh wait.

[Mojouw]

It is almost impossible to see any benefit of drafting a guy in the first round and then sending him straight to the bench, zero snaps.

Once in a while it's done with a QB if there's an established veteran on the tail end of his career/contract and he's still winning games for you. We don't have that. We have a guy who sucks and loses games for us. We are not gaining a single thing by leaving him in there, we're just flushing more games down the toilet.

Most normal teams would understand what a waste of time this is, and move on. Not us, though. What the fuck, Tomlin?

This is not wise patience or some kind of next-level Zen. This is not the "Steeler Way." This is not Tomlin being on a completely different plane of existence from us. This is having a small dick and acting accordingly. Fuck it.

I would be far far (far) more in support of it if KP was some FCS QB who was taking a massive jump in competition, a short term college starter, or a guy who played in a gimmicky college offense and needed to learn a pro-style system, or a guy with big mechanical/technical issues that needed ironed out, or whatever logical reason we could brainstorm from recent NFL experiences.

But KP was "sold" as a "first round guy" because he was experienced, technically refined, pro-ready offense starter, and all these other things that are NOT...well...he's gotta learn a ton of stuff before he can really play. Those things were supposed to vastly outweigh KP's documented potential problems as a prospect. He has had some instances of happy feet, his arm strength leaves a bit to be desired, and he had one almost random year of production and then 4 years of being not very good.

Honestly, if this is an open competition and KP can't beat MT -- then the draft evaluation was incorrect. If it is not an open competition than I am a frustrated fan that the Steelers leadership is stuck in outdated and outmoded ways of thinking about player development.

[DuckHodges]

From what I've seen, Kenny is at least as good at MT. If there's no drop off from the QB's, you go with the younger guy. But Tomlin is too attached to MT's "experience", even though his experience is full of below the line play.

It didn't take long for him to bench Rudolph for an undrafted rookie, I don't understand why he's giving MT the HoF treatment, he hasn't done anything to earn it.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

100% agree, Big Ben was ruined having to play against NE on a 21-game winning streak and undefeated Philadelphia. Oh wait.

Keep fooling yourself and comparing Pickett to a HOF player like Ben.

Also, conveniently forget how the Steelers pared down the playbook and leaned on the Offense that consisted of veterans like Alan Fanece, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Jeff Hartings, Marvel Smith, Plaxico Burress, Dan Kreider, etc. This isnt the 2004 Steelers roster, not even close.

[DuckHodges]

Keep fooling yourself and comparing Pickett to a HOF player like Ben.

Also, conveniently forget how the Steelers pared down the playbook and leaned on the Offense that consisted of veterans like Alan Fanece, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Jeff Hartings, Marvel Smith, Plaxico Burress, Dan Kreider, etc. This isnt the 2004 Steelers roster, not even close.

Hindsight is 20/20, at the time he was a talented but raw kid from a small school

[86WARD]

You guys keep acting like if Pickett doesn’t play this year then it’s doomsday and the kids career is ruined and the franchise will never rebound. Lol.

Many things can happen here:

When he plays isn’t a factor in any of them…not even a little factor according to the posts here.


Pickett sits 2022 (oh no…so much time wasted) and plays in 2023.

Pickett plays tomorrow.

He’s either going to be good or bad. Guess what, if he doesn’t play until 2023 and is the worst QB in the history of the NFL, it doesn’t matter. The rest of the team most likely improved. If Pickens turns out to be what everyone here has been clamoring about, you’re getting first round talent…Pickett pick not wasted. You’ve gotten two more first round picks and you’re picking a QB in 2024…with a potentially better roster than what you have in 2022.

There’s ample number of examples of QBs succeeding without being thrown to the wolves…no one can make an exact case about why or why he shouldn’t be starting because no one has the facts. No one has the ability to see the future. Stop whining about when he’s going to play.

NEWSFLASH: Pickett, Trubisky, Rudolph, Wilson, Howell, you pick the name…they aren’t winning this season with any QB back there…

[DesertSteel]

Kenny appears to be a playmaker, which always includes some risk. At this point I’d be happy with the no risk it, no biscuit approach. I’m still trying to figure out, after 5-6 years, what Mitch is good at. Even if Kenny is only as good a Hasslebeck, that’s miles better than Trubisky.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Hindsight is 20/20, at the time he was a talented but raw kid from a small school

Yup and their "bridge QB " got injured, so Ben had to play, but you still dont recognize that those 2004 Steelers had an O line of 2 pro bowlers, a HOF Guard in Faneca, plus some other all time greats like Bettis and Hines Ward on that '04 team around rookie Ben.

Your comparison of the situation of Ben to Pickett, given the the 2004 Steelers offensive group compared to the 2022 offensive group is absurd. The only commonality is they were QB's drafted in the first round.

[DesertSteel]

The most compelling arguments for Kenny starting are:

His age, he’s more mature than a 21-22 year-old.
He’s come to work in the same building for 6 years now. Not typical.
His sample of work in preseason was outstanding.
Trubisky can’t move the offense. A change is warranted.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

The most compelling arguments for Kenny starting are:

His age, he’s more mature than a 21-22 year-old.
He’s come to work in the same building for 6 years now. Not typical.
His sample of work in preseason was outstanding.
Trubisky can’t move the offense. A change is warranted.

For sure. You probably see him Week 10 vs the Saints.

[Mojouw]

The wasted time is a totally under-rated factor.

Remember when Ben started in 2004 and Faneca and other vets pissed and moaned because they didn't want to waste a year of their career with a rookie? Think this defense wants to do that?

And I would agree that the 2022 Steelers are a bad team on offense no matter who is under center. So take your medicine now. Force feed KP reps. Push the integration of Canada's "system" with KP's abilities. Develop chemistry between KP and the skill position players (none of whom are going anywhere for 3+ years). Steelers still lose 10 games. or more. BUT...then in 2023 you have a decent amount of this stuff "figured out".

Film to know if KP is worth investing in developing or if you need to get another QB.
Chemistry between the offensive core.
Determine if you need a new OC or not. Does anyone want this to be less than clear entering the off-season?

There are several other actually important for NFL teams to know kinda questions that can only be answered when KP plays a significant number of regular season games. Why the Steelers are in seemingly no rush to find the answers to those is beyond me.

And why should fans stop whining about what their favorite team is or is not doing? Especially when it appears to fly in the face of recent evidence and CBA fueled logic? I mean have you been on the internet or radio before?

[DuckHodges]

The wasted time is a totally under-rated factor.

Remember when Ben started in 2004 and Faneca and other vets pissed and moaned because they didn't want to waste a year of their career with a rookie? Think this defense wants to do that?

I would consider sticking with Trubisky to be a waste of time. The guy is a first round bust who is crapping the bed on his last opportunity to be a starting NFL QB. He is what he is. Might as well figure out what we have in Pickett now.

[vasteeler]

I am going to this game. I was really hoping to see Pickett start.

[DuckHodges]

Yup and their "bridge QB " got injured, so Ben had to play, but you still dont recognize that those 2004 Steelers had an O line of 2 pro bowlers, a HOF Guard in Faneca, plus some other all time greats like Bettis and Hines Ward on that '04 team around rookie Ben.

Your comparison of the situation of Ben to Pickett, given the the 2004 Steelers offensive group compared to the 2022 offensive group is absurd. The only commonality is they were QB's drafted in the first round.

It really doesn't matter what the situation was, the fact of the matter is Ben played his first year, much ahead of schedule, and not only survived, but thrived. One can argue that Pickett is even touted as being more "NFL Ready" than Ben was in his rookie season.

Sure it was a better overall team in 2004, but it's not like this squad is an absolutely terrible one (comparing this team to most teams that start a first round QB).

I would not be so much in favor of him starting if Trubisky has shown himself to be competent and not a total waste of time, but he has been. Until he shows me something, my opinion will not change. I have to say my patience for him has never been that high considering I've watched a lot of Bears games over the years (3 good friends of mine are bears fans and we often get together to watch games), and this year's Mitch looks like the same one in 2019 (not good)

[steelreserve]

There’s ample number of examples of QBs succeeding without being thrown to the wolves…no one can make an exact case about why or why he shouldn’t be starting because no one has the facts. No one has the ability to see the future. Stop whining about when he’s going to play.

NEWSFLASH: Pickett, Trubisky, Rudolph, Wilson, Howell, you pick the name…they aren’t winning this season with any QB back there…

Here are the facts we know for sure: Trubisky sucks ass. We've seen that, it's confirmed.

That being the case, you don't really need to know anything else. The other guy might be better or he might not, but what does that even matter. The current guy isn't any good, so get him the fuck out of there.

There is no rational situation in which the right move is to say, "this obviously sucks, but I'm going to keep doing it and I'm fine with still sucking because at least I know what it is." That's retarded.

It's not that we have to suck it up and suffer through it because it can't be helped. It's a manufactured problem because Tomlin will die on whatever hill he creates.

[86WARD]

The wasted time is a totally under-rated factor.

Remember when Ben started in 2004 and Faneca and other vets pissed and moaned because they didn't want to waste a year of their career with a rookie? Think this defense wants to do that?

And I would agree that the 2022 Steelers are a bad team on offense no matter who is under center. So take your medicine now. Force feed KP reps. Push the integration of Canada's "system" with KP's abilities. Develop chemistry between KP and the skill position players (none of whom are going anywhere for 3+ years). Steelers still lose 10 games. or more. BUT...then in 2023 you have a decent amount of this stuff "figured out".

Film to know if KP is worth investing in developing or if you need to get another QB.
Chemistry between the offensive core.
Determine if you need a new OC or not. Does anyone want this to be less than clear entering the off-season?

There are several other actually important for NFL teams to know kinda questions that can only be answered when KP plays a significant number of regular season games. Why the Steelers are in seemingly no rush to find the answers to those is beyond me.

And why should fans stop whining about what their favorite team is or is not doing? Especially when it appears to fly in the face of recent evidence and CBA fueled logic? I mean have you been on the internet or radio before?

You have 5-years to figure it out. There’s plenty of time to figure out if Pickett is useful or not. Clock is not an issue.

The whining isn’t going to change anything. The Steelers do what they do and they most likely know the whole story and game plan. None of us do. Sit back, relax and watch it unfold.

[Moose]

Tomlin and the Rooney's are 'old time' football. They hate making changes and show loyalty to player's, whether they are good or not. I'm almost to the point that I personally don't think this organization wants to win anymore. Just stick to what sometimes works. Boring ass football team, no guts, no glory. We have become BOTTOM FEEDERS the new bungholes. Just my opinion.

[steelreserve]

I mean, you say this:


no one can make an exact case about why or why he shouldn’t be starting because no one has the facts. No one has the ability to see the future.

literally right before you say this:


NEWSFLASH: Pickett, Trubisky, Rudolph, Wilson, Howell, you pick the name…they aren’t winning this season with any QB back there…

It's the same thing as announcing "I don't have a point" immediately before telling everyone else they have no point.


You have 5-years to figure it out. There’s plenty of time to figure out if Pickett is useful or not. Clock is not an issue.

What's the purpose of wasting time, though? Sure, we can waste an entire season on this, win 4 games, get everybody good and pissed off, and be no better off than we were in the first place. You think that's smart or dumb?

Yeah, we got plenty of time to figure out about Pickett, but the one place we'll never find it out is on the bench.


The whining isn’t going to change anything. The Steelers do what they do and they most likely know the whole story and game plan. None of us do. Sit back, relax and watch it unfold.

Ah yes, the old "you can't control it, so just watch it without comment." In that case, why have a message board? Why even bother being interested in anything at all?

[Mojouw]

You have 5-years to figure it out. There’s plenty of time to figure out if Pickett is useful or not. Clock is not an issue.

The whining isn’t going to change anything. The Steelers do what they do and they most likely know the whole story and game plan. None of us do. Sit back, relax and watch it unfold.

You have 2-3 before the CBA allows an extension. Either you extend at some point in year 3/4 or you have a Baker Mayfield situation.

In terms of "wasting time" not mattering -- do you think Heyward, Watt, or other defensive vets wants to figure out if they have a partner on offense in 2025 or maybe sometime prior to that?

[polamalubeast]

The expectation were very low in 2004.They were 26th in power rankings on ESPN before the 2004 season and they were not good in the first 2 games against a weak raiders team and a blowout loss in Baltimore(it was 20-0 in the 3rd quarter before Ben come in)It was also a 6-10 team in 2003.....It was not a loaded team at this time but Ben make a major difference.He was the first rookie QB ever to win the rookie of the year.He had 8.9 yards per pass attempts!

[Steeler-in-west]

2023 Draft class is going to be better for the QB position - maybe sorta the Steelers kinda want to know if they need a QB next year or not.

https://theathletic.com/3415147/2022/07/12/nfl-draft-2023-qb-scouting/

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

2023 Draft class is going to be better for the QB position - maybe sorta the Steelers kinda want to know if they need a QB next year or not.

https://theathletic.com/3415147/2022/07/12/nfl-draft-2023-qb-scouting/

Steelers hitched their wagon to Pickett. They are not drafting a QB with a premium pick in '23. They just arent going to roll him out there before he is ready, just because some whiny fans cant handle having a 1-2 record.

[Mojouw]

Steelers hitched their wagon to Pickett. They are not drafting a QB with a premium pick in '23. They just arent going to roll him out there before he is ready, just because some whiny fans cant handle having a 1-2 record.

For me, I can totally handle the record. Doesn't really bother me one way or the other after the final whistle blows on Sunday.

What I have always really liked about being a football fan was trying to understand how the Steelers and other teams come to the decisions they make. What was their process? What factors were prioritized in their decision making? I'm not going to figure out the intricacies of every scheme or technical element of each position but I do have a slim shot at assessing and evaluating how teams are making their decisions.

And in this case, based on the publicly available information, data points, and recent comparable scenarios -- I couldn't disagree more strongly with how the Steelers are making decisions.

Now, of course, this could all change with more games (data) or more information that has previously stayed behind closed doors becoming publicly available.

[Steeler-in-west]

Steelers hitched their wagon to Pickett. They are not drafting a QB with a premium pick in '23. They just arent going to roll him out there before he is ready, just because some whiny fans cant handle having a 1-2 record.

the Steelers hitched their wagon to a guy they haven't even seen play in a real game? Yet he's not ready and MT seemingly is? Doesn't really make much sense.

its not about not handling the record btw. I was there in the 80's. 1-2 is nothing. Its not even about poor QB play. Its about watching poor-mediocre QB play when your defense and receivers are playing their asses off and you have a 24 year old promising 1st round pick sitting on the sidelines. There is no good excuse to keep him on the bench much longer.

[DuckHodges]

Steelers hitched their wagon to Pickett. They are not drafting a QB with a premium pick in '23. They just arent going to roll him out there before he is ready, just because some whiny fans cant handle having a 1-2 record.

It's not the record, it's giving the start to a guy who obviously is not the answer, and has no hope whatsoever of becoming a viable starter in the NFL. If his road will lead to nowhere, we're wasting our time (and a good defense) by trotting that guy out there.

[Rotorhead]

You guys keep acting like if Pickett doesn’t play this year then it’s doomsday and the kids career is ruined and the franchise will never rebound. Lol.

Many things can happen here:

When he plays isn’t a factor in any of them…not even a little factor according to the posts here.


Pickett sits 2022 (oh no…so much time wasted) and plays in 2023.

Pickett plays tomorrow.

He’s either going to be good or bad. Guess what, if he doesn’t play until 2023 and is the worst QB in the history of the NFL, it doesn’t matter. The rest of the team most likely improved. If Pickens turns out to be what everyone here has been clamoring about, you’re getting first round talent…Pickett pick not wasted. You’ve gotten two more first round picks and you’re picking a QB in 2024…with a potentially better roster than what you have in 2022.

There’s ample number of examples of QBs succeeding without being thrown to the wolves…no one can make an exact case about why or why he shouldn’t be starting because no one has the facts. No one has the ability to see the future. Stop whining about when he’s going to play.

NEWSFLASH: Pickett, Trubisky, Rudolph, Wilson, Howell, you pick the name…they aren’t winning this season with any QB back there…

Well not true, I think we actually win the last 2 games with Pickett in there, but that may just be me.

[DesertSteel]

Well not true, I think we actually win the last 2 games with Pickett in there, but that may just be me.
I agree that better QB play would have been enough to win both those games. That’s a fact. I think KP could have provided that. That’s my opinion too.

[steelreserve]

Well not true, I think we actually win the last 2 games with Pickett in there, but that may just be me.

Realistically, this should have been an easy 3-0. Instead we're very lucky not to be 0-3. That's the really maddening part. It's not like this is just a shitty team with shitty talent on offense, shitty defense, shitty everything. It's a winning team for sure with even an average QB and average playcalling, and that's really making the difference. This team actually has real potential, and those two assholes are holding it back. And the one guy who can do anything about it, won't.

[Craic]

Realistically, this should have been an easy 3-0. Instead we're very lucky not to be 0-3. That's the really maddening part. It's not like this is just a shitty team with shitty talent on offense, shitty defense, shitty everything. It's a winning team for sure with even an average QB and average playcalling, and that's really making the difference. This team actually has real potential, and those two assholes are holding it back. And the one guy who can do anything about it, won't.

Why is everyone continually ignoring the offensive line problems? This is not a winning team. At least, not until we fix the o line. It was much better last week but there's still a ways to go.

[DesertSteel]

Why is everyone continually ignoring the offensive line problems? This is not a winning team. At least, not until we fix the o line. It was much better last week but there's still a ways to go.
The o-line is the only unit that’s improving.

[Craic]

The o-line is the only unit that’s improving.

That doesn't change the fact this isn't a winning team until they improve quite a bit more.

[Orion]

The o-line is the only unit that’s improving.
those bigger paychecks have really improved Dionte's hands. maybe they should give Claypool more money too ...:pop2:

[Edman]

The O-Line is the only unit on the team that has played with any consistency.

[Orion]

The O-Line is the only unit on the team that has played with any consistency.
hows the run game going ? if ben was still QB he would have been sacked a dozen times by now.

[polamalubeast]

hows the run game going ? if ben was still QB he would have been sacked a dozen times by now.

I don't think so since in the last few years Ben was throwing so quick

Right now, it's not impossible to have success behind that o-line.... A good QB, the steelers would be 2-1 right now, instead of being lucky not to be 0-3.

4 offensive TD in 3 games is unacceptable and it need a change quick

[86WARD]

You have 2-3 before the CBA allows an extension. Either you extend at some point in year 3/4 or you have a Baker Mayfield situation.

In terms of "wasting time" not mattering -- do you think Heyward, Watt, or other defensive vets wants to figure out if they have a partner on offense in 2025 or maybe sometime prior to that?

You have a Baker Mayfield situation. You have a LaMar Jackson situation. You have a Carson Wentz situation. You have a Jared Goff situation. All could happen. Many situations could happen. Maybe they figure it out in 2 years, 3 years, maybe 4? The bottom line is you have 5 years to figure out what you want to do with him. There’s no reason to whine about them not putting him in for the third game of his rookie season. Lol. There’s outrage from this fan base like never before about not playing Pickett in his third preseason game. It’s hilarious.

I mean are you trying to play the “sign the franchise QB at a discount” game? If so and Pickett is indeed a franchise guy, that’s not a thing. Either you are paying him or another team will. There’s no such game.

[86WARD]

Here are the facts we know for sure: Trubisky sucks ass. We've seen that, it's confirmed.

That being the case, you don't really need to know anything else. The other guy might be better or he might not, but what does that even matter. The current guy isn't any good, so get him the fuck out of there.

There is no rational situation in which the right move is to say, "this obviously sucks, but I'm going to keep doing it and I'm fine with still sucking because at least I know what it is." That's retarded.

It's not that we have to suck it up and suffer through it because it can't be helped. It's a manufactured problem because Tomlin will die on whatever hill he creates.

Not only does Trubisky suck ass, so does Canada. No one should be in a hurry to see Canada fuck Pickett up like he’s done with the rest of this high school offense. Lol.

[Mojouw]

You have a Baker Mayfield situation. You have a LaMar Jackson situation. You have a Carson Wentz situation. You have a Jared Goff situation. All could happen. Many situations could happen. Maybe they figure it out in 2 years, 3 years, maybe 4? The bottom line is you have 5 years to figure out what you want to do with him. There’s no reason to whine about them not putting him in for the third game of his rookie season. Lol. There’s outrage from this fan base like never before about not playing Pickett in his third preseason game. It’s hilarious.

I mean are you trying to play the “sign the franchise QB at a discount” game? If so and Pickett is indeed a franchise guy, that’s not a thing. Either you are paying him or another team will. There’s no such game.

If you look around the league, there is a fairly common path to success with this whole "get a new QB process". The common denominator is not sitting the dude on the bench. That has happened twice in recent years. Once with Josh Allen who was coming from a lower level of competition and was not viewed as mechanically and technically ready for the NFL. The other was Mahomes, who was also viewed as not ready because his Air Raid offense background needed filled in.

What is it that KP needs to work on before he is ready? What is he learning right now?

I actually don't think KP is going to be very good as an NFL starter. I didn't think he would be prior to the draft. And I still don't.

But each year the Steelers can not decide if it is time to build around KP or they need to go another way is another year "wasted" in the cheap rookie deal QB roster building easy button. This is not a new or revolutionary idea. Numerous clever football people both inside and outside the NFL have talked extensively about it.

And honestly, if MT or some other VET BRIDGE was playing even reasonably well, I wouldn't piss and moan so much about it. While I would still strongly disagree with the approach, I would at least still see how their plan was to replicate 2019-21 and win a bunch of close ugly games get to the playoffs and see what happens. That is certainly a path to take. Get the rest of your roster valuable NFL experience at a high level while waiting on KP to come online.

But that plan has detonated. They picked the wrong VET BRIDGE and now they're at a crossroads. I see no point on doubling down on a bad decision. Roll the dice on the draft pick. Even if he loses every game, you find out alot about him and the rest of your offensive core.

I am also highly biased here. I strongly reject the VET BRIDGE plan. I think it is a CYA plan that breeds failure and indecision. I'm not sure it has ever actually worked. I also believe it just sets the timeline of your return to contention back almost by definition. And, on top of that, I couldn't have imagined a worse QB to try and pull this plan off with than MT. He's almost built in a lab to be terrible at this. So I bring some strong pre-formed opinions to the table.

Honestly, I couldn't be less impressed with every single decision the Steelers have made regarding the QB position once Ben announced his retirement. I think they got almost every one wrong.

They look to have picked the wrong coordinator.
They look to have picked a QB coach who brings very little to the table.
They choose weapons over linemen in the draft.
They picked the wrong VET BRIDGE.
They are now running the MT offense. Whatever KP needs to succeed should be a bit different...so looking at a revision of the offense -- again -- when that happens.

Honestly, it is shocking to me how little the NFL chattering classes are talking about how these are objectively poor decisions that do not seem to be following the signposts that recently successful QB development stories have laid out. Like they surveyed the coaching landscape and decided that Canada and Sullivan where the two chuckleheads to shepherd KP into the NFL? Really?

[DesertSteel]

That doesn't change the fact this isn't a winning team until they improve quite a bit more.
I'll disagree. With better QB play and better play calling, this team can definitely win with the level of o-line play so far.

[steelreserve]

Not only does Trubisky suck ass, so does Canada. No one should be in a hurry to see Canada fuck Pickett up like he’s done with the rest of this high school offense. Lol.

That's your position then - Mitch the Bitch should play the whole season, pack it in until next year? Being 1-2 by throwing away a couple easily winnable games means it's a no-hoper? But I thought "it's hilariousTM" to be making sweeping predictions like that after just three games, what'd I miss?

Or was it that we can't risk using Pickett until everything else is absolutely perfect? Well, next year we're going to have some problems too. I know, let's sit him on the bench again next year. Maybe we should just hold him out the full five years to be safe, that would be wise and patient.

Oh wait, I forgot, your whole position is based on some ridiculous assumption that any little thing is going to ruin a rookie quarterback's career forever, when actually it just doesn't.

I don't know why you and the rest of the "it's hilarious" gang have such a preoccupation with saying "look how smart I am for sitting down and shutting up - you should shut up too." But what I would like to see is the team win some games. Which they easily could if they weren't actively shooting themselves in the ballsack every week with this garbage. This is not as complicated as you want it to be.

[86WARD]

That's your position then - Mitch the Bitch should play the whole season, pack it in until next year? Being 1-2 by throwing away a couple easily winnable games means it's a no-hoper? But I thought "it's hilariousTM" to be making sweeping predictions like that after just three games, what'd I miss?

Or was it that we can't risk using Pickett until everything else is absolutely perfect? Well, next year we're going to have some problems too. I know, let's sit him on the bench again next year. Maybe we should just hold him out the full five years to be safe, that would be wise and patient.

Oh wait, I forgot, your whole position is based on some ridiculous assumption that any little thing is going to ruin a rookie quarterback's career forever, when actually it just doesn't.

I don't know why you and the rest of the "it's hilarious" gang have such a preoccupation with saying "look how smart I am for sitting down and shutting up - you should shut up too." But what I would like to see is the team win some games. Which they easily could if they weren't actively shooting themselves in the ballsack every week with this garbage. This is not as complicated as you want it to be.

Clearly you pick and choose what posts to read and if you’ve been here long enough you know I don’t usually shut up. Lol.

If been saying for a long time that the ideal time to start Pickett is this week against the Jets. Said it before the season started. It’s just an ideal time to start him. Mini-bye week, at home, against the Jets.

I missed where I said everything should be perfect before starting him.

It’s hilarious that you and some others are so hell bent and adamant about the process of evaluating a QB and when they should or should not be playing. The level of anger has never been higher. [emoji23]

[86WARD]

If you look around the league, there is a fairly common path to success with this whole "get a new QB process". The common denominator is not sitting the dude on the bench. That has happened twice in recent years. Once with Josh Allen who was coming from a lower level of competition and was not viewed as mechanically and technically ready for the NFL. The other was Mahomes, who was also viewed as not ready because his Air Raid offense background needed filled in.

What is it that KP needs to work on before he is ready? What is he learning right now?

I actually don't think KP is going to be very good as an NFL starter. I didn't think he would be prior to the draft. And I still don't.

But each year the Steelers can not decide if it is time to build around KP or they need to go another way is another year "wasted" in the cheap rookie deal QB roster building easy button. This is not a new or revolutionary idea. Numerous clever football people both inside and outside the NFL have talked extensively about it.

And honestly, if MT or some other VET BRIDGE was playing even reasonably well, I wouldn't piss and moan so much about it. While I would still strongly disagree with the approach, I would at least still see how their plan was to replicate 2019-21 and win a bunch of close ugly games get to the playoffs and see what happens. That is certainly a path to take. Get the rest of your roster valuable NFL experience at a high level while waiting on KP to come online.

But that plan has detonated. They picked the wrong VET BRIDGE and now they're at a crossroads. I see no point on doubling down on a bad decision. Roll the dice on the draft pick. Even if he loses every game, you find out alot about him and the rest of your offensive core.

I am also highly biased here. I strongly reject the VET BRIDGE plan. I think it is a CYA plan that breeds failure and indecision. I'm not sure it has ever actually worked. I also believe it just sets the timeline of your return to contention back almost by definition. And, on top of that, I couldn't have imagined a worse QB to try and pull this plan off with than MT. He's almost built in a lab to be terrible at this. So I bring some strong pre-formed opinions to the table.

Honestly, I couldn't be less impressed with every single decision the Steelers have made regarding the QB position once Ben announced his retirement. I think they got almost every one wrong.

They look to have picked the wrong coordinator.
They look to have picked a QB coach who brings very little to the table.
They choose weapons over linemen in the draft.
They picked the wrong VET BRIDGE.
They are now running the MT offense. Whatever KP needs to succeed should be a bit different...so looking at a revision of the offense -- again -- when that happens.

Honestly, it is shocking to me how little the NFL chattering classes are talking about how these are objectively poor decisions that do not seem to be following the signposts that recently successful QB development stories have laid out. Like they surveyed the coaching landscape and decided that Canada and Sullivan where the two chuckleheads to shepherd KP into the NFL? Really?

To be honest, I can’t read that novel. I don’t have the attention span to do it right now but to address the first paragraph, there’s plenty examples of players sitting for multiple games and full seasons and have worked out just as well, if not better than Josh Allen. The evaluation period is different. Did anyone honestly think that Tomlin would go with a rookie QB out of the gate? That’s just naive and not knowing Mike Tomlin if they thought that was going to be the case. This is a guy that went years not starting rookie players that probably should’ve been starting.

Each evaluation process is going to be different. We don’t know what they are doing behind closed doors. Sitting worked out well for Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. For every example of a QB starting out of the gates, there’s an equal and opposite example of a guy sitting.

[polamalubeast]

To be honest, I can’t read that novel. I don’t have the attention span to do it right now but to address the first paragraph, there’s plenty examples of players sitting for multiple games and full seasons and have worked out just as well, if not better than Josh Allen. The evaluation period is different. Did anyone honestly think that Tomlin would go with a rookie QB out of the gate? That’s just naive and not knowing Mike Tomlin if they thought that was going to be the case. This is a guy that went years not starting rookie players that probably should’ve been starting.

Each evaluation process is going to be different. We don’t know what they are doing behind closed doors. Sitting worked out well for Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. For every example of a QB starting out of the gates, there’s an equal and opposite example of a guy sitting.

Rodgers was behind Brett Favre and Mahomes was behind Alex Smith who both are much better that MT

[Mojouw]

To be honest, I can’t read that novel. I don’t have the attention span to do it right now but to address the first paragraph, there’s plenty examples of players sitting for multiple games and full seasons and have worked out just as well, if not better than Josh Allen. The evaluation period is different. Did anyone honestly think that Tomlin would go with a rookie QB out of the gate? That’s just naive and not knowing Mike Tomlin if they thought that was going to be the case. This is a guy that went years not starting rookie players that probably should’ve been starting.

Each evaluation process is going to be different. We don’t know what they are doing behind closed doors. Sitting worked out well for Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. For every example of a QB starting out of the gates, there’s an equal and opposite example of a guy sitting.

If you want to give people shit about their positions but don't have the time in your busy schedule to try and understand their positions...then's there's not much point in having a conversation.

I will make it short:

Steelers hired the wrong coordinator, signed the wrong vet bridge QB, and may as well take it on the chin and see if they drafted the wrong QB. The cherry on top is that the BIGGEST competitive advantage currently afforded NFL teams is having a rookie deal QB that can play decentish. May as well see if your franchise can access that cheat code.

[steelreserve]

Clearly you pick and choose what posts to read and if you’ve been here long enough you know I don’t usually shut up. Lol.

If been saying for a long time that the ideal time to start Pickett is this week against the Jets. Said it before the season started. It’s just an ideal time to start him. Mini-bye week, at home, against the Jets.

I missed where I said everything should be perfect before starting him.

It’s hilarious that you and some others are so hell bent and adamant about the process of evaluating a QB and when they should or should not be playing. The level of anger has never been higher. [emoji23]

I mean ... I would say it's more like you are hell-bent and adamant about sticking with a dumb plan that's obviously wrong, and laughing at the people who are right. Wouldn't be the first time. Find it as hilarious as you want, but that is a reflection on you, not me, pal.

[tube517]

1574787357269598208'

Corliss Waitman from last year is on the Broncos.

[polamalubeast]

Tomlin is a happy man

1574793845669339141

[tube517]

1574793721148837895

oh shit

[polamalubeast]

1574793721148837895

oh shit

1-7

[tube517]

1-7

:lol: sadly it looks like the case

[86WARD]

If you want to give people shit about their positions but don't have the time in your busy schedule to try and understand their positions...then's there's not much point in having a conversation.

I will make it short:

Steelers hired the wrong coordinator, signed the wrong vet bridge QB, and may as well take it on the chin and see if they drafted the wrong QB. The cherry on top is that the BIGGEST competitive advantage currently afforded NFL teams is having a rookie deal QB that can play decentish. May as well see if your franchise can access that cheat code.

Much better. Don’t take offense…I said I don’t have the attention span right now.

I agree but whether they decide to play Pickett this week, next week or next season, it’s not going to make much of a difference in the evaluation process…especially if they are changing up coordinators at some point. I want to see Pickett play now but I’m not banging the table over it…there’s plenty of time to evaluate him. They’re better off changing to Sullivan and Pickett and see how that goes before seasons end…but who knows. Tomlin thinks Mitch the Bitch is improving each week…

[86WARD]

1574793721148837895

oh shit

They might have to give back the Bengals win too…

[Mojouw]

Much better. Don’t take offense…I said I don’t have the attention span right now.

I agree but whether they decide to play Pickett this week, next week or next season, it’s not going to make much of a difference in the evaluation process…especially if they are changing up coordinators at some point. I want to see Pickett play now but I’m not banging the table over it…there’s plenty of time to evaluate him. They’re better off changing to Sullivan and Pickett and see how that goes before seasons end…but who knows. Tomlin thinks Mitch the Bitch is improving each week…

As long as Pickett plays like 6+ games at a stretch this season, I'm okay with it.

Anything less than that and it is hard to assess how he responds when defenses figure out his opening move.

I wouidn't read too many of my posts. They are the ravings of shambling lunatic for the most part.

[86WARD]

As long as Pickett plays like 6+ games at a stretch this season, I'm okay with it.

Anything less than that and it is hard to assess how he responds when defenses figure out his opening move.

I wouidn't read too many of my posts. They are the ravings of shambling lunatic for the most part.

I don’t disagree with you…but if the opposite happens, don’t think it’s a big deal either way. I want to see him play asap but if it’s not until next season when Canada is gone, I’m good with that. Maybe Canada won’t be gone…and that would be tragic. But if he is, I don’t mind that Pickett doesn’t have that stink gene on him whatsoever…

Didn’t think it was possible to hate someone more than Denny Smith and Benny Snell…lol

[Mojouw]

I don’t disagree with you…but if the opposite happens, don’t think it’s a big deal either way. I want to see him play asap but if it’s not until next season when Canada is gone, I’m good with that. Maybe Canada won’t be gone…and that would be tragic. But if he is, I don’t mind that Pickett doesn’t have that stink gene on him whatsoever…

Didn’t think it was possible to hate someone more than Denny Smith and Benny Snell…lol

I see what you're saying and you might be correct. But I just think it would be incredibly frustrating as an organization, players, and fans to have no idea what KP looks like "in stadiums" at this level.

Also, how many times have we seen coaches get retained to have a shot with the fancy new QB to get it right? A loyal guy like Tomlin? He's too prone to give 2023 to Canada and KP if he hasn't seen it not work in 2022.

[86WARD]

I see what you're saying and you might be correct. But I just think it would be incredibly frustrating as an organization, players, and fans to have no idea what KP looks like "in stadiums" at this level.

Also, how many times have we seen coaches get retained to have a shot with the fancy new QB to get it right? A loyal guy like Tomlin? He's too prone to give 2023 to Canada and KP if he hasn't seen it not work in 2022.

That’s my fear is that Canada gets a “pass” like Tomlin has done with other coaches/injuries.

I can tell you that this hasn’t been easy on Tomlin…he looks like shit…

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220927/f3c549f42b1367ef5d1c1dbfd4c126bb.jpg

[Rotorhead]

Well, we could easily be a false 3-0 right now, and I feel we would be at least 2-1 if KP had started the season this year. mT has missed too many open WRs in the first 3 games to make him a viable QB for us. Yes, Canada is terrible, and I certainly don’t want to be one of those perennial bottom dwellers that changes QBs and OCs every other year for decades. At this point I don’t see a reason to not start KP. After this week everything is going to get significantly harder, so if it isn’t this week, it will be at the bye where we will be lucky to be at 2-6.

[Steeler-in-west]

Barring some real improvement in MT's play, which i'm not counting on, the Steelers will eventually turn to KP this season, its inevitable. The longer they wait the more the losses pile up and the more the rest of the team and fans get frustrated. I don't buy the notion that KP is not ready.

- - - Updated - - -


Well, we could easily be a false 3-0 right now, and I feel we would be at least 2-1 if KP had started the season this year. mT has missed too many open WRs in the first 3 games to make him a viable QB for us. Yes, Canada is terrible, and I certainly don’t want to be one of those perennial bottom dwellers that changes QBs and OCs every other year for decades. At this point I don’t see a reason to not start KP. After this week everything is going to get significantly harder, so if it isn’t this week, it will be at the bye where we will be lucky to be at 2-6.

Sometimes Admin or a boss doesn't want to admit they were wrong, that's all this could be and it could drag on longer than needed.

[Edman]

I remember vividly in 1998 and 1999 it took Cowher quite a while to pull Kordell when he wasn't getting it done. The same thing happened with Graham in 2000. These men have pride and its tough to admit what you're doing isn't working. This is the first time Tomlin has ever had to deal with something like this. He always had #7 waiting in the wings.

[polamalubeast]

I remember vividly in 1998 and 1999 it took Cowher quite a while to pull Kordell when he wasn't getting it done. The same thing happened with Graham in 2000. These men have pride and its tough to admit what you're doing isn't working. This is the first time Tomlin has ever had to deal with something like this. He always had #7 waiting in the wings.

The difference,in 1998 and 1999,the backup QB of the steelers was terrible.For 2022,this is a first round pick who is the backup and Tomlin waste the time with MT

[DuckHodges]

Graham was probably the worst QB for the Steelers I've ever witnessed. Dude was complete trash. Still to this day I wonder how he ever won the starting job. I know a lot of Steelers fans wanted "change" after years of Kordell but ffs they could've done better. At least a Jeff Hostetler or something

[polamalubeast]

1574797611839946752

[DuckHodges]

1574797611839946752

That's like your wife telling you last night was better than those other times you lasted 3 seconds :chuckle:

[steelreserve]

That's like your wife telling you last night was better than those other times you lasted 3 seconds :chuckle:

No, that's more like your wife telling you last night was better than the time you had her undress and sit on the bed, and then just had her watch while you shoved a 40 bottle up your ass. And this time it was only a regular beer bottle.

[Mojouw]

1574797611839946752

Say what you will about Tomlin but he doesn’t lie. Trubisky did improve.

[Edman]

Tomlin isn't lying. Trubisky did improve in the aspect of going from radioactive waste to poop. Still useless either way.

[DesertSteel]

Say what you will about Tomlin but he doesn’t lie. Trubisky did improve.
By game 17 he might me the 30th or 31st ranked QB in the league. Lots to look forward to...

[Steeler-in-west]

Say what you will about Tomlin but he doesn’t lie. Trubisky did improve.

Bit of hyperbole there, Tomlin is probably being misled by his brilliant assistants

[Lloydwoodsonjr]

Steelers could break 20 this week! Jets are allowing 27 ppg !

[tube517]

Now Dotson may be out. Please no Kendrick Green. I'd rather see Hassenauer at LG or the free agent they picked up than Green.

[86WARD]

Say what you will about Tomlin but he doesn’t lie. Trubisky did improve.

For one half…but it was improvement…lol

[EzraTank]

Say what you will about Tomlin but he doesn’t lie. Trubisky did improve.

When you're at the bottom there usually is only one direction to go. Of course if you factor in the 2nd half, he really ended up losing all the ground he gained.

[steelreserve]

Improved how? Until the final drive when the game was out of reach, his line was 15-25, 140 yards, 0 TD, another loss. That's hot steaming shit. He cost us the game.

The only reason he came out looking even remotely "improved" was by racking up meaningless stats against the garbage-time soft zone. Otherwise that was probably going to be another 3-and-out. Here's the thing, though: GOOD quarterbacks make those kinds of throws any time of the game, not just garbage time. Although I guess with Mitch, you could say it's always "garbage time." As in here comes Mitch The Bitch, get ready for some garbage.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I remember vividly in 1998 and 1999 it took Cowher quite a while to pull Kordell when he wasn't getting it done. The same thing happened with Graham in 2000. These men have pride and its tough to admit what you're doing isn't working. This is the first time Tomlin has ever had to deal with something like this. He always had #7 waiting in the wings.

Nah, its like a baseball manager who goes to the bullpen too early with guys instead of letting them try and pitch thru the tough parts of the inning. Cowher knew that you the upside of trying to build confidence in a player is better than knee jerk reaction of being too fast with the hook. It also creates a reputation among players and undermines things going forward.

The knee jerk reactions are saved for the fans. Coaches that do that dont have players that want to play for them.

Pickett will get in, but not for a few more weeks, barring injury.

[polamalubeast]

Nah, its like a baseball manager who goes to the bullpen too early with guys instead of letting them try and pitch thru the tough parts of the inning. Cowher knew that you the upside of trying to build confidence in a player is better than knee jerk reaction of being too fast with the hook. It also creates a reputation among players and undermines things going forward.

The knee jerk reactions are saved for the fans. Coaches that do that dont have players that want to play for them.

Pickett will get in, but not for a few more weeks, barring injury.

But in the current situation it's like leaving a below average starting pitcher on the mound even though he's already given up 3-4 points after 3 innings in an important game.

[Mojouw]

Thing is, EGJ is totally right. Few NFL coaches are gonna go the the pen this early in the season. Can't have the entire roster looking over their shoulders.

BUT...that is why the entire freaking concept of the "bridge QB" is just asinine. It just encourages bad decisions. And, to be fair, it basically forces them on the coaching staff. The front office with or without the input of the coaching staff handed them a QB that has an expiration date. But don't send them to the bench too soon...because that is toxic to the rest of the roster. But don't do it too late either. All in an effort to CYA in case the draft went not how you planned. It is just all so dumb. Plays out like puppet theater and I do not understand how more players, coaches, fans, front offices, etc don't just see it for what it is. A total joke and waste of time.

Say MT just lays an egg against the Jets. Do you go to the rookie then? Is that "okay"? Or is it 1 or 2 more weeks before others don't balk at it?
Say MT plays better/well against the Jets. How many weeks does that buy him? 3? 5?

The point is that EVERYONE knows KP is coming at some point. So...outside of MT playing well...what's the point in waiting? It is just this script that everyone has locked into and no one can really articulate why except that other teams have done it and this one expansion team one time ruined a Carr brother.

I really thought that the incoming FO group would be smarter than this. But....right now it seems they are just singing from the same old tired songbook.

[dislocatedday]

Nah, its like a baseball manager who goes to the bullpen too early with guys instead of letting them try and pitch thru the tough parts of the inning. Cowher knew that you the upside of trying to build confidence in a player is better than knee jerk reaction of being too fast with the hook. It also creates a reputation among players and undermines things going forward.

The knee jerk reactions are saved for the fans. Coaches that do that dont have players that want to play for them.

Pickett will get in, but not for a few more weeks, barring injury.

You make really good points above, and I'll be the first to admit that as a selfish fan I want to see Pickett in there because not only do I think he will play better than Mitch, but he will at least I think be more fun to watch play than Trubisky. Watching Trubisky and the Steelers offense currently is painful, frustrating, and extremely boring as a fan and viewer.

The QB position is the most important position on the team, and it is a special and different position compared to any other in football. Weak QB play can drag down a team very quickly, which is what I see happening currently as a fan/viewer. The offense's struggles are not entirely on Trubisky obviously, but putting Pickett in may (and I think it will) improve the offense noticeably. Mitch is statistically in the bottom 5 starting NFL QBs right now, and I don't see him making a massive leap anytime soon.

[steelreserve]

Thing is, EGJ is totally right. Few NFL coaches are gonna go the the pen this early in the season. Can't have the entire roster looking over their shoulders.

BUT...that is why the entire freaking concept of the "bridge QB" is just asinine. It just encourages bad decisions. And, to be fair, it basically forces them on the coaching staff. The front office with or without the input of the coaching staff handed them a QB that has an expiration date. But don't send them to the bench too soon...because that is toxic to the rest of the roster. But don't do it too late either. All in an effort to CYA in case the draft went not how you planned. It is just all so dumb. Plays out like puppet theater and I do not understand how more players, coaches, fans, front offices, etc don't just see it for what it is. A total joke and waste of time.

Say MT just lays an egg against the Jets. Do you go to the rookie then? Is that "okay"? Or is it 1 or 2 more weeks before others don't balk at it?
Say MT plays better/well against the Jets. How many weeks does that buy him? 3? 5?

The point is that EVERYONE knows KP is coming at some point. So...outside of MT playing well...what's the point in waiting? It is just this script that everyone has locked into and no one can really articulate why except that other teams have done it and this one expansion team one time ruined a Carr brother.

I really thought that the incoming FO group would be smarter than this. But....right now it seems they are just singing from the same old tired songbook.

All of the above but especially the bolded part are right on the money. I would add that they're even following an outdated script from 15 or 20 years ago, because teams now don't think twice about throwing a rookie QB right in there. They figured a good QB is probably going to sort things out sooner rather than later if he's really any good, and improving your QB play ASAP is the single biggest thing you can do to turn around a losing team. Turned out that formula works pretty well.

Jacko got it backwards up there - this is building up the confidence of a guy you're replacing anyway and was never really meant to be in the game. And you're going to throw away probably a third or half of the season on that.

You know what's going to undermine the coach more than yanking an underperforming player quickly and costing himself Bro Points? Losing a bunch of games because of that underperforming guy,. Wasting an entire year of the other 52 guys' time isn't going to win you a lot of followers. I'd also imagine most players wouldn't appreciate it if it looked like playing time was decided by favoritism instead of performance. I've never met anyone who liked that.

No, this is not some subtle artistry by a chess grandmaster that we mere fans are too simple to appreciate. The "Mere Fan" argument has been trotted out countless times when the coaches make an unpopular move, and the mere fans have turned out to be right as often as not. Sometimes it really is as simple as a guy sucks and the coach made a bad move, the end.

[NCSteeler]

The wasted time is a totally under-rated factor.

Remember when Ben started in 2004 and Faneca and other vets pissed and moaned because they didn't want to waste a year of their career with a rookie? Think this defense wants to do that?

And I would agree that the 2022 Steelers are a bad team on offense no matter who is under center. So take your medicine now. Force feed KP reps. Push the integration of Canada's "system" with KP's abilities. Develop chemistry between KP and the skill position players (none of whom are going anywhere for 3+ years). Steelers still lose 10 games. or more. BUT...then in 2023 you have a decent amount of this stuff "figured out".

Film to know if KP is worth investing in developing or if you need to get another QB.
Chemistry between the offensive core.
Determine if you need a new OC or not. Does anyone want this to be less than clear entering the off-season?

There are several other actually important for NFL teams to know kinda questions that can only be answered when KP plays a significant number of regular season games. Why the Steelers are in seemingly no rush to find the answers to those is beyond me.

And why should fans stop whining about what their favorite team is or is not doing? Especially when it appears to fly in the face of recent evidence and CBA fueled logic? I mean have you been on the internet or radio before?Coach T still hoping MT can pull out A 9-7 season save his streak.


Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[NCSteeler]

For sure. You probably see him Week 10 vs the Saints.Got tickets to that game. We are hoping to see Pickett and Watt

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

You make really good points above, and I'll be the first to admit that as a selfish fan I want to see Pickett in there because not only do I think he will play better than Mitch, but he will at least I think be more fun to watch play than Trubisky. Watching Trubisky and the Steelers offense currently is painful, frustrating, and extremely boring as a fan and viewer.

The QB position is the most important position on the team, and it is a special and different position compared to any other in football. Weak QB play can drag down a team very quickly, which is what I see happening currently as a fan/viewer. The offense's struggles are not entirely on Trubisky obviously, but putting Pickett in may (and I think it will) improve the offense noticeably. Mitch is statistically in the bottom 5 starting NFL QBs right now, and I don't see him making a massive leap anytime soon.

The other things that fans really have zero idea about is "is Pickett really ready to play against NFL defenses right now?". I know the classic answer is "he cant do any worse", but we really don't know what the Steelers offensive coaches are seeing in practice and meeting rooms, etc. Maybe he is ready to go and maybe he is still a rookie that is still learning from film sessions each day?

So maybe the Steelers throw PIckett in this week and he struggles and they dont win against the Jets. Then you have committed to Pickett for the next few games against the Bills, Dolphins, Bucs, Eagles and he then goes 0-5. So all the idiots on this board and fans like them will then turn on him just as fast as they can type "Kenny Small Hands", or "Colbert cant Pickett QB's in the draft". I think they are trying to shield him from that 4 game gauntlet of tough defenses.

Say that Pickett comes in this week in relief and the Steelers get a win. Then they go 1-4 over the next 5 weeks and the fans and media are still all over him.

I still think that right now MT and Canada are key players in "Operation Human Shield" and we see Pickett near the midway part of the season. But for fans thinking that this is a team that can finish in a playoff spot, I think its delusional. More like a top 15 draft position and a chance to get a good Offensive lineman in the draft.

[Mojouw]

There is one other piece to why this is all so darn dumb.

MT knows he's out after this year. One way or another. Dude is 28 years old and probably really likes playing in the NFL. So...he's going to only play a certain way with whatever snaps he gets this year.

Super-duper risk averse. Not going to free-lance a bunch. Execute the play quickly and as called. You know, all the things coaches LOVE to see in their back-up QB/Vet Bridge QB playing robots.

The kind of stuff that may not help you win games but puts things on film your agent can try and sell a team on. "He's still young. So athletic yet. Executes your offense as you call it. Reliable. Doesn't turn the ball over. Put him behind your o-line in your system and you'd have something great!"

Long story short, MT and the Steelers have different goals. They are not mutually exclusive. But they are different. And that is dumb.

But, me, I'm super-duper biased and stubborn on this issue. I said this entire concept was beyond stupid and destined for horrible results from the beginning. Like right after Ben hurt his elbow. So, I'm clearly set in my ways and what not.

Honestly, the "meat shield" theory is the best one I've heard yet. And, for me, makes more sense than any of the other "explanations".

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

There is one other piece to why this is all so darn dumb.

MT knows he's out after this year. One way or another. Dude is 28 years old and probably really likes playing in the NFL. So...he's going to only play a certain way with whatever snaps he gets this year.

Super-duper risk averse. Not going to free-lance a bunch. Execute the play quickly and as called. You know, all the things coaches LOVE to see in their back-up QB/Vet Bridge QB playing robots.

The kind of stuff that may not help you win games but puts things on film your agent can try and sell a team on. "He's still young. So athletic yet. Executes your offense as you call it. Reliable. Doesn't turn the ball over. Put him behind your o-line in your system and you'd have something great!"

Long story short, MT and the Steelers have different goals. They are not mutually exclusive. But they are different. And that is dumb.

But, me, I'm super-duper biased and stubborn on this issue. I said this entire concept was beyond stupid and destined for horrible results from the beginning. Like right after Ben hurt his elbow. So, I'm clearly set in my ways and what not.

Honestly, the "meat shield" theory is the best one I've heard yet. And, for me, makes more sense than any of the other "explanations".

At least you recognize it.

Pickett was the ACC player of the year. The Defensive player of the year in the ACC was Jermaine Johnson who was drafted #26, by the Jets. The runners up James Skalski from Clemson and Drake Thomas from NC State are probably driving an UPS delivery truck or on a practice squad somewhere.

IN the NFL, just about everybody was on scholarship and is the best of the best. This isnt the ACC and the Steelers are not going to throw a rookie into the NFL when the size, speed and strength of grown men playing football is so far ahead of college kids. So the option is that you get an NFL veteran QB, who has experienced play at that level to hold the position until the rookie is ready. What is it so fuck*ng hard for people to understand that???

So for Jets week and likely a few more, its Trubisky. Maybe even Rudolph. But Kenny two gloves will get his chance at some point by mid season.

[Mojouw]

At least you recognize it.

Pickett was the ACC player of the year. The Defensive player of the year in the ACC was Jermaine Johnson who was drafted #26, by the Jets. The runners up James Skalski from Clemson and Drake Thomas from NC State are probably driving an UPS delivery truck or on a practice squad somewhere.

IN the NFL, just about everybody was on scholarship and is the best of the best. This isnt the ACC and the Steelers are not going to throw a rookie into the NFL when the size, speed and strength of grown men playing football is so far ahead of college kids. So the option is that you get an NFL veteran QB, who has experienced play at that level to hold the position until the rookie is ready. What is it so fuck*ng hard for people to understand that???

So for Jets week and likely a few more, its Trubisky. Maybe even Rudolph. But Kenny two gloves will get his chance at some point by mid season.

Because no one can articulate what "getting ready" means. It is an intangible platitude that mostly means nothing. KP isn't getting noticeably bigger or stronger in the next 6 weeks. He isn't going to "adjust to the speed of the game" watching from the sidelines. Rudolph took a year of "mental reps" and then still utterly collapsed when put into the game. So much so that they went with some almost totally random dude from Outer Nowhere State.

I have repeatedly said that no one seems willing to point to the hole in KP's game he's over there working on. He supposedly came from a pro style offense. He took a crap-ton of snaps in college because he was there for an entire extra year! We've been told he reads the field well and that he only needs to be told something once and then he gets it. So other than getting smacked around and having snot bubbles come out of his nose at the NFL level....what's the deal?

The "argument" made sense in 1972, 1982, and 1992. But in 2022 it is just outdated and wrong. These QBs play in pro-style offenses, see all kinds of concepts, and throw thousands upon thousands of passes. Heck, KP threw more passes in a single game then some Big 10 QBs used to throw in a quarter season.

KP has to learn how to do everything he's already been doing but just faster and better. You aren't doing that watching.

If he came from some funky college offense or from some low level of competition where he'd never been under center or seen exotic blitzes or whatever...I'd be all for letting him sit and learn how to be a real QB. But he's done all that.

All this being said...I still think KP is gonna be not very good in the NFL and that he could start the entire rest of the 2022 season and the Steelers will still lose a ton of games. But MT is a pointless exercise in utter nonsense.

[polamalubeast]

1575212221382234119

[Steeler-in-west]

So there’s a theory out there that KP will be worse than a struggling MT and that he’ll be ruined by starting too soon? If he’s not ready and having trouble in practice how did he beat out MR for the 2 spot? Doesn’t sound right. The guy had four years playing at Pitt, considered the most pro ready QB in the draft and lastly…Ben is not playing for the Steelers anymore.

as far as protecting your number one pick - that only works until morale in the locker room starts heading south - won’t look too good after a jets loss

[DuckHodges]

So there’s a theory out there that KP will be worse than a struggling MT and that he’ll be ruined by starting too soon? Doesn’t sound right. The guy had four years playing at Pitt, considered the most pro ready QB in the draft and lastly…Ben is not playing for the Steelers anymore.

They draft the most NFL-ready QB to sit in his first year. If we really wanted to make a QB who wasn't ready to sit and wait maybe we should have drafted Willis instead

[Mojouw]

They draft the most NFL-ready QB to sit in his first year. If we really wanted to make a QB who wasn't ready to sit and wait maybe we should have drafted Willis instead

Right?

All I can go on is what some fairly well respected draft talkers said and no one had KP have a single physical skill or trait that was better than the other potential draft picks. The ONLY thing that separated/elevated Pickett was his supposed mental abilities and his potential to be ready to go.

Unlike say a Mahomes or an Allen that were physical freaks but had significant questions about their ability to translate to the pro game.

[Edman]

Nah, its like a baseball manager who goes to the bullpen too early with guys instead of letting them try and pitch thru the tough parts of the inning. Cowher knew that you the upside of trying to build confidence in a player is better than knee jerk reaction of being too fast with the hook. It also creates a reputation among players and undermines things going forward.

The knee jerk reactions are saved for the fans. Coaches that do that dont have players that want to play for them.

Pickett will get in, but not for a few more weeks, barring injury.

Cowher built up Kordell Stewart's confidence and he responded with another postseason meltdown in 2001 then getting benched for Maddox the following season in his last time as a Steeler. Did Mike Tomlin undermine Mason Rudolph's confidence in 2019 when Defenses were teeing off on him and he benched him for Duck Hodges? Mike Tomlin is not in the business of protecting people's feelings. He's there to make the Steelers as competitive a team as possible. At 1-2. It doesn't bother you that much, just win a game and you're back at .500, but try 1-3, or 1-5, or 1-7.

Pickett may not take weeks to get in. All it takes is for Tomlin to start seeing those L's stack up. A game is represents an lifetime in the NFL. Another meltdown from Trubisky come Sunday and we'll what Tomlin thinks then.

[Born2Steel]

Maybe it's not waiting on a QB.

Maybe it's waiting on a new OL, a new offensive concept, and a rookie QB. When it gets to the place Tomlin has determined he would like to see it, the offense becomes KP's to QB. Until then it will be QB'd by the best option with the most experience to hopefully eek out some wins in the meantime. ???

[steelreserve]

Maybe it's not waiting on a QB.

Maybe it's waiting on a new OL, a new offensive concept, and a rookie QB. When it gets to the place Tomlin has determined he would like to see it, the offense becomes KP's to QB. Until then it will be QB'd by the best option with the most experience to hopefully eek out some wins in the meantime. ???

If there was an experienced QB who was the best option to eke out some wins, I'd be all for it, but I sure don't see one of those on this team. All I see is a guy who's just about thrown away every game he's been in. I guess we should wait around forever, though. Some little thing might not be perfect, so let's keep doing the equivalent of recycling a used butt plug.

[fansince'76]

I still think that right now MT and Canada are key players in "Operation Human Shield" and we see Pickett near the midway part of the season. But for fans thinking that this is a team that can finish in a playoff spot, I think its delusional.

I think that's relative. Seems to me that most of the league is pretty much playing like ass right now. As witnessed by there only being 2 undefeated teams remaining in the entire league after 3 games. Further, those 2 teams were the last ones anyone expected to be undefeated at this stage of the game.

If this were a repeat of 1985/86 and we were staring at wall-to-wall mediocrity up and down the roster on both sides of the ball, then sure, let's keep the status quo and roll with Trubisky to get the highest draft pick possible. But the defense (especially) is just a bit better than that. And with Watt, it's Super Bowl caliber, in my humble opinion.

And who knows, maybe KP comes in and makes the 2-3 extra plays per game that would probably have us at 2-1 and very possibly 3-0 right now?

I'm willing to find out while the season is still salvageable.

[polamalubeast]

I think that's relative. Seems to me that most of the league is pretty much playing like ass right now. As witnessed by there only being 2 undefeated teams remaining in the entire league after 3 games. Further, those 2 teams were the last ones anyone expected to be undefeated at this stage of the game.

If this were a repeat of 1985/86 and we were staring at wall-to-wall mediocrity up and down the roster on both sides of the ball, then sure, let's keep the status quo and roll with Trubisky to get the highest draft pick possible. But the defense (especially) is just a bit better than that. And with Watt, it's Super Bowl caliber, in my humble opinion.

And who knows, maybe KP comes in and makes the 2-3 extra plays per game that would probably have us at 2-1 and very possibly 3-0 right now?

I'm willing to find out while the season is still salvageable.

Especially since now almost half the league makes the playoffs...Last year the steelers made the playoffs even though they were garbage for most of the year...Same thing for the raiders

With better QB, the Steelers would probably be at least 2-1 and Watt would be healthy right now considering that against the Bengals with an average offense, this game would not have close at the end, so Watt would not have been injured at the end of the fourth quarter

We just don't know if Pickett is a good QB or not, we need to know!

[86WARD]

So now Trubisky is the cause of other players injuries? Lol.

[Born2Steel]

The best thing about fan sites like this is reading posters that honestly think they know more about things and how to do something better than the people who are not only being paid to do that job, but have been doing it successfully for over a decade.
There are examples all over of guys that came in as rookies and lit up the world. There are also examples from all over of rookies that came in and failed miserably. There are even examples from all over of rookies that were just guys in the end and floated around sports for 8-12 years of obscurity.
What is the point of repeatedly pounding your own chests and patting your own backs and getting so wound up tight trying to convince everyone on here your way and opinion and thoughts are not only correct but the only way to do things for the desired results. The whining and banter have become tedious and boring noise.

[fansince'76]

So now Trubisky is the cause of other players injuries? Lol.

Well, he's not exactly helping the defense by extending drives or anything...

[DesertSteel]

The best thing about fan sites like this is reading posters that honestly think they know more about things and how to do something better than the people who are not only being paid to do that job, but have been doing it successfully for over a decade.
There are examples all over of guys that came in as rookies and lit up the world. There are also examples from all over of rookies that came in and failed miserably. There are even examples from all over of rookies that were just guys in the end and floated around sports for 8-12 years of obscurity.
What is the point of repeatedly pounding your own chests and patting your own backs and getting so wound up tight trying to convince everyone on here your way and opinion and thoughts are not only correct but the only way to do things for the desired results. The whining and banter have become tedious and boring noise.

Wait a minute.... which is it?? The best thing or tedious? I'm confused.

[Mojouw]

What else are we going to talk about?

I totally think that the entire coaching staff is doing a good job. Canada excepted. I think he’s out of his depth but I’m willing to consider that he’s not running his offense in full Voltron form.

Doesn’t mean I have to agree with their priorities and decision making approach.

I think they’re very wrong on their approach to the QB position and have been for awhile now. And imho it’s starting to negatively impact the rest of the roster.

If we’re not going to vent about stuff in a fan forum, what’s the point of the forum?

[86WARD]

What else are we going to talk about?

I totally think that the entire coaching staff is doing a good job. Canada excepted. I think he’s out of his depth but I’m willing to consider that he’s not running his offense in full Voltron form.

Doesn’t mean I have to agree with their priorities and decision making approach.

I think they’re very wrong on their approach to the QB position and have been for awhile now. And imho it’s starting to negatively impact the rest of the roster.

If we’re not going to vent about stuff in a fan forum, what’s the point of the forum?

Canada is awful. Scares me that Austin and Flores are doing well as a tandem. Don’t want to see either of them go. You know who hasn’t been awful? Danny Smith and Benny Snell…

[tube517]

Canada is awful. Scares me that Austin and Flores are doing well as a tandem. Don’t want to see either of them go. You know who hasn’t been awful? Danny Smith and Benny Snell…

And Miles Boykin on ST's

[Mojouw]

Canada is awful. Scares me that Austin and Flores are doing well as a tandem. Don’t want to see either of them go. You know who hasn’t been awful? Danny Smith and Benny Snell…

Austin/Flores/DL Coach are doing a heckuva a job. New players and rookies showing well.

And I’ve gotta come clean. I’ve been a closet Danny Smith fan for awhile. It’s kinda fun to see what he’s doing with some high level STs guys.

Heyward, Snell, the Miles twins, and Pierre are flying around on teams.

[steelreserve]

The best thing about fan sites like this is reading posters that honestly think they know more about things and how to do something better than the people who are not only being paid to do that job, but have been doing it successfully for over a decade.
There are examples all over of guys that came in as rookies and lit up the world. There are also examples from all over of rookies that came in and failed miserably. There are even examples from all over of rookies that were just guys in the end and floated around sports for 8-12 years of obscurity.
What is the point of repeatedly pounding your own chests and patting your own backs and getting so wound up tight trying to convince everyone on here your way and opinion and thoughts are not only correct but the only way to do things for the desired results. The whining and banter have become tedious and boring noise.

You know what's even better than that? The people who say "You're just a fan, shut up, the coaches always know best."

The "mere fan" argument again. I'm too dumb to have an opinion, look how smart I am. I'm too dumb to understand anything about football, look how smart I am. I want to sit down and shut up, look how smart I am. Blah, blah, blah.

I don't like the complaining, so I'll complain about the complaining. I don't like fans' opinions, they're worthless garbage, but here I am on a fan site posting my opinion. Talk about tedious and boring.

[Rotorhead]

You know what's even better than that? The people who say "You're just a fan, shut up, the coaches always know best."

The "mere fan" argument again. I'm too dumb to have an opinion, look how smart I am. I'm too dumb to understand anything about football, look how smart I am. I want to sit down and shut up, look how smart I am. Blah, blah, blah.

I don't like the complaining, so I'll complain about the complaining. I don't like fans' opinions, they're worthless garbage, but here I am on a fan site posting my opinion. Talk about tedious and boring.

You just won the internet for the day!

[DuckHodges]

You know what's even better than that? The people who say "You're just a fan, shut up, the coaches always know best."

The "mere fan" argument again. I'm too dumb to have an opinion, look how smart I am. I'm too dumb to understand anything about football, look how smart I am. I want to sit down and shut up, look how smart I am. Blah, blah, blah.

I don't like the complaining, so I'll complain about the complaining. I don't like fans' opinions, they're worthless garbage, but here I am on a fan site posting my opinion. Talk about tedious and boring.

hey the fans sure knew more about kendrick green last year than tomlin did :chuckle:

[86WARD]

Tomlin watches Trubisky in practice everyday and he probably looks great. He’s not getting beat up in practice, he’s going against a defense with massive holes in the zones, he has plenty of time to make throws…

Game comes around and he looks like shit. Back to practice and Trubisky looks better than he did last week…game comes around and he looks like shit. Practice comes around and Trubisky looks better than Week 2. Game comes around, MT almost looks like an NFL QB and then looks like shit. “He’s making progress”.

He’s a practice guy…just like Geno Smith always has been. He looks great in practice, shit in the game. Tomlin isn’t recognizing that…Trubisky is a veteran guy, “with experience” that a Tomlin thinks gives him the best chance to win…remember, this is a guy who used to never, ever play rookies in a starting line up.

[steelreserve]

hey the fans sure knew more about kendrick green last year than tomlin did :chuckle:

Hey, speak for yourself buddy - I'm still reeling from how wrong we were about Antwon Blake.

Like, remember how we Mere Fans were so adamant Blake was a bum, and we should try anyone else? And then Tomlin showed us by starting him all 16 games, and Blake allowed the most yards in league history? Man, I'll never get the egg off my face from that one.

Or how about saying Dri Archer was a shitty draft pick, I'll never live that one down.

Yeah, these coaches are totally mistake-free, we never have any idea what we're talking about. No one should EVER second-guess their decisions unless they're also professional football coaches, or else it is automatically invalid and just tiresome noise.

[polamalubeast]

The decision to start Blake every game in 2015 almost cost a playoffs spot despite to have maybe our best offense in the killer B's era.It was a joke

[steelreserve]

The decision to start Blake every game in 2015 almost cost a playoffs spot despite to have maybe our best offense in the killer B's era.It was a joke

As I recall, the only way we made the playoffs was because of that Broncos game where Blake basically handed 4 TDs in a row to Brock Osweiler all by himself, but the offense went wild and we won 34-27.

They blamed one or two of them on Will Allen, but the poor dude was so hung out to dry by Blake blowing his assignment that he couldn't really do much, or he was in the wrong part of the field because he had to improvise on the fly and go cover Blake's guy instead of be where he was supposed to. Those were some heady times indeed.

[polamalubeast]

As I recall, the only way we made the playoffs was because of that Broncos game where Blake basically handed 4 TDs in a row to Brock Osweiler all by himself, but the offense went wild and we won 34-27.

They blamed one or two of them on Will Allen, but the poor dude was so hung out to dry by Blake blowing his assignment that he couldn't really do much, or he was in the wrong part of the field because he had to improvise on the fly and go cover Blake's guy instead of be where he was supposed to. Those were some heady times indeed.

The steelers were down 27-13 at halftime because the Broncos had 4 TD in 4 drives after their RB fumble in the first half and he was benched for the second half.The result were night and day!

[polamalubeast]

1575599005870231553

[RunNGun]

Hey, speak for yourself buddy - I'm still reeling from how wrong we were about Antwon Blake.

Like, remember how we Mere Fans were so adamant Blake was a bum, and we should try anyone else? And then Tomlin showed us by starting him all 16 games, and Blake allowed the most yards in league history? Man, I'll never get the egg off my face from that one.

Or how about saying Dri Archer was a shitty draft pick, I'll never live that one down.

Yeah, these coaches are totally mistake-free, we never have any idea what we're talking about. No one should EVER second-guess their decisions unless they're also professional football coaches, or else it is automatically invalid and just tiresome noise.

https://youtu.be/edyVNlo5uW0

[polamalubeast]

1575986848119533569

[Hawkman]

1575986848119533569

Everything about that play……was perfect! Sammy Coates! The bumblebees

[86WARD]

I enjoyed the hideousness of the bumblebee jerseys.

[Born2Steel]

The best thing about fan sites like this is reading posters that honestly think they know more about things and how to do something better than the people who are not only being paid to do that job, but have been doing it successfully for over a decade.
There are examples all over of guys that came in as rookies and lit up the world. There are also examples from all over of rookies that came in and failed miserably. There are even examples from all over of rookies that were just guys in the end and floated around sports for 8-12 years of obscurity.
What is the point of repeatedly pounding your own chests and patting your own backs and getting so wound up tight trying to convince everyone on here your way and opinion and thoughts are not only correct but the only way to do things for the desired results. The whining and banter have become tedious and boring noise.


1. Sorry for the frustration and sarcasm of the above post.

2. I get that everyone is 'upset' with the start of the 2022 season so far.

3. It only adds to the frustrations and fans getting upset when you log in here to see every single thread pretty much with the same posts over and over and over. Maybe not word for word but overall the exact same posts.

4. During the draft season, talk on this very forum was that none of these QBs, not even KP looked ready to come into the NFL and be the man. Yet, 3 weeks in and it seems he's now the answer for many. And not only is he the answer, but the HC of the team has become a complete knucklehead for not seeing it. 3 weeks in and the franchise should abandon the 'plan' and just roll the dice on Kenny. Just frustration talking, I know. But the constant repetition of it is nauseating.

5. "Both Can Be True" has become the buzzword/buzzphrase for this first quarter of the 2022 season. Mitch can be bad AND Canada can be bad at the same time, is how I take the meaning. What can also be true is Mitch is bad AND is still the best option at this point in the process/plan.

6. Maybe it's just me being my cranky old self but when a thread is titled Jets Week, I honestly look at it to talk about the upcoming game and maybe talk about some matchups we can exploit OR matchups that don't look good for us AND how 'maybe' the steelers can approach this game. I know I have no control over what happens but that is how I personally view a thread with such a title. There are threads that seem to be more for talk of how bad MT is, some seem to be about Canada's brilliant offensive philosophy. There are some I believe that are titled to include both and/or anything else fans want to complain about players/coaches.

Last. I enjoy coming here and reading your thoughts. I enjoy some of our back and forth discussions. I even enjoy when I post a thought or idea and it gets met with how dumb that thought/idea was and why, when it's not just the 'you're an idiot' response that is. But when the best parts of this forum become boring and tedious I get frustrated. That typically comes out with sarcastic posts. Apologies.

[polamalubeast]

Nobody knows if Kenny is the answer or not for the future at this position...That's why he needs to play to find out if he is our future or not before the 2023 draft since we know that Mitch is not our future...That's why we're so frustrated!

[Born2Steel]

Nobody knows if Kenny is the answer or not for the future at this position...That's why he needs to play to find out if he is our future or not before the 2023 draft since we know that Mitch is not our future...That's why we're so frustrated!

Sorry if I didn't make clear that I understand that as well.

[86WARD]

Old Ben wasn't the answer, knew Rudolph wasn't the answer, people wanted to roll the dice with Trubisky, Trubisky isn't the answer, people want to roll the dice with KP. Grass isn't always greener...and when you're set up to play like shit...the grass looks pretty brown...

There's a pretty long list of things that are wrong with this football team...QB is the easy thing to blame and drone on about...it's what fans do...

[Born2Steel]

The Jets will use the Browns' gameplan I'm thinking. Use those 2 RBs to repeatedly run the ball down our throats until our defense is simply gassed. Carter and Hall look like at least close to the same 1-2 punch that Cleveland brings with Chubb and Hunt.

Defensively the Jets have a very solid DL that will be tough for us to run against. I do not like the matchups in this game, specifically our OL vs their DL. That tired and boring throw short/run long offense we saw last year with Ben may be the better option this week.

I still think we have the better athletes right now and still have a decent shot at a 'W'. I do think it will take a full and complete team effort.

I don't know much about Zach Wilson honestly. What are his strengths he brings, and what are his weaknesses we can maybe exploit?

[86WARD]

I’d rather face Wilson this week than Flacco if you are looking at a chance of winning.

[Born2Steel]

I’d rather face Wilson this week than Flacco if you are looking at a chance of winning.

Why is that?

[Mojouw]

Why is that?

Wilson has a better chance of making mistakes that lead to punts or turnovers.

[polamalubeast]

Wilson has a better chance of making mistakes that lead to punts or turnovers.

Better chance that Wilson make more big play and have a good game that Flacco too!

It can go either way!

[Born2Steel]

I heard yesterday that Wilson would be the starter. I didn't know if that was a good thing or bad thing. My initial thought is Wilson is mostly an unknown where Flacco is very well known. I think maybe I would rather face what I already know the way this team is playing currently.

[Born2Steel]

https://www.steelcityunderground.com/2022/10/01/steelers-gameday-cheat-sheet-week-4-vs-the-new-york-jets/

Some may find this info helpful.

[polamalubeast]

The Jets will use the Browns' gameplan I'm thinking. Use those 2 RBs to repeatedly run the ball down our throats until our defense is simply gassed. Carter and Hall look like at least close to the same 1-2 punch that Cleveland brings with Chubb and Hunt.

Defensively the Jets have a very solid DL that will be tough for us to run against. I do not like the matchups in this game, specifically our OL vs their DL. That tired and boring throw short/run long offense we saw last year with Ben may be the better option this week.

I still think we have the better athletes right now and still have a decent shot at a 'W'. I do think it will take a full and complete team effort.

I don't know much about Zach Wilson honestly. What are his strengths he brings, and what are his weaknesses we can maybe exploit?

Even with a new QB,I don't think the Jets will be much patient with the running game....They are pass happy like crazy!

1575601410342719488

At the same time,if the game are more close,who is likely,maybe they will be patient with the running game but they don't have the same commitment as the Browns for the running game.And the Browns have a much better o-line and a top 3 runner at the RB position too

[Born2Steel]

Even with a new QB,I don't think the Jets will be much patient with the running game....They are pass happy like crazy!

1575601410342719488

At the same time,if the game are more close,who is likely,maybe they will be patient with the running game but they don't have the same commitment as the Browns for the running game.And the Browns have a much better o-line and a top 3 runner at the RB position too

You may be right. I'm going by the success the Patriots had in the 2nd half and how the Browns played us. If Saleh follows that recipe we could be in trouble. We may have a tough time either way. I would feel better facing a pass happy attack actually.

[86WARD]

Why is that?

Flacco wasn’t bad in place of Wilson and the Jets offense looks more like an NFL offense when Flacco is running it…

[Steeler-in-west]

Tomlin watches Trubisky in practice everyday and he probably looks great. He’s not getting beat up in practice, he’s going against a defense with massive holes in the zones, he has plenty of time to make throws…

Game comes around and he looks like shit. Back to practice and Trubisky looks better than he did last week…game comes around and he looks like shit. Practice comes around and Trubisky looks better than Week 2. Game comes around, MT almost looks like an NFL QB and then looks like shit. “He’s making progress”.

He’s a practice guy…just like Geno Smith always has been. He looks great in practice, shit in the game. Tomlin isn’t recognizing that…Trubisky is a veteran guy, “with experience” that a Tomlin thinks gives him the best chance to win…remember, this is a guy who used to never, ever play rookies in a starting line up.

Tomlin has had Ben to rely on his whole HC career up till now. He’s also basically a defensive guy, so he needs good input and feedback from his OC and QB coaches now more than ever - and I don’t think he’s getting it