Mason Rudolph can be a good NFL backup

[polamalubeast]

A few years ago, the Steelers offseason optimism was based around players getting better from year one to year two of their NFL careers.

James Conner became the Steelers starter in his second season. He made the Pro Bowl. T.J. Watt went from being a seven sack guy in year one, to a 13 sack player in year two. JuJu went from being a 917 yard receiver to a nearly 1,500 yard dude.

The Steelers were optimistic those players could each take a step and they crossed their fingers hoping they could get there.

They did.

I keep hearing that Mason Rudolph "sucks" and is an inadequate backup.

How about some nuance? Why can't the same happen for Mason Rudolph? Why can't he get better? In order to progress, one must get an opportunity. Rudolph got an opportunity last year

So many have written off the Steelers QB in his first year as a full time backup. I think that’s wrong. Matt Williamson, whom I trust, says he still thinks Mason can be a good backup in this league.

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[st33lersguy]

Exactly. He was playing in his first NFL game action in his career without a strong offensive supporting cast around him I must add and even then off the bench I thought he did fairly well. He's probably not an NFL franchise QB barring major upgrade, but I can't see why he can't be a guy who can do well as a sub playing spot-duty

[polamalubeast]

Exactly. He was playing in his first NFL game action in his career without a strong offensive supporting cast around him I must add and even then off the bench I thought he did fairly well. He's probably not an NFL franchise QB barring major upgrade, but I can't see why he can't be a guy who can do well as a sub playing spot-duty

Yeah,I agree...In a good situation he can be decent ... I believe that if he has the opportunity to play some game this year, he will be better, unless our offense is still depleted.He was awful in 3 games in a row in november against the rams,browns and Bengals but our offense had so many injuries.

The thing he needs to improve is to be more aggressive and to be aggressive at the right time.

[Born2Steel]

So were saying he may be better than Landry Jones? Wonderful.

[polamalubeast]

Landry Jones has a good reputation as a backup because of his game against the Cardinals in 2015 (a game I don't even know if Bruce Arians knew who Landry Jones was before the 2nd half) and 2 of his wins were against the 1-15 and 0-16 Cleveland Browns

Jones has never had 2 starts in a row with the steelers.Jones had his moments, but I hope Mason is going to be much better than that.

[Born2Steel]

Landry Jones has a good reputation as a backup because of his game against the Cardinals in 2015 (a game I don't even know if Bruce Arians knew who Landry Jones was before the 2nd half) and 2 of his wins were against the 1-15 and 0-16 Cleveland Browns

Jones has never had 2 starts in a row with the steelers.Jones had his moments, but I hope Mason is going to be much better than that.

OK. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/n...-dak-prescott/

This article ranks 2019 backup QBs heading into the 2020 season. Rudolph ranks at 15!!! Even with a middle of the pack ranking he is rated pedestrian at best as a backup and horrific as a starter. I really don't care about Landry Jones, I just threw his name out there since he was the previous backup. "Mason Rudolph CAN be a 'good' NFL backup", but he'll need to improve to reach that, is not something to be proud of. Just my opinion.

[polamalubeast]

OK. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/n...-dak-prescott/

This article ranks 2019 backup QBs heading into the 2020 season. Rudolph ranks at 15!!! Even with a middle of the pack ranking he is rated pedestrian at best as a backup and horrific as a starter. I really don't care about Landry Jones, I just threw his name out there since he was the previous backup. "Mason Rudolph CAN be a 'good' NFL backup", but he'll need to improve to reach that, is not something to be proud of. Just my opinion.

First 2 month of the season,he was of course not very good for a starter but it was still fine for a backup.....After that he had 3 awful games vs Rams,Browns and Bengals and he was benched during the Bengals game.But if he play a bit better that the first 2 months of the season,the steelers can survive if Ben is out for 2-3 games.Of course, it would be because of our defense but I'm going to give Rudolph one last chance, if of course he has the opportunity.

[Born2Steel]

First 2 month of the season,he was of course not very good for a starter but it was still fine for a backup.....After that he had 3 awful games vs Rams,Browns and Bengals and he was benched during the Bengals game.But if he play a bit better that the first 2 months of the season,the steelers can survive if Ben is out for 2-3 games.Of course, it would be because of our defense but I'm going to give Rudolph one last chance, if of course he has the opportunity.

And I'm not saying he doesn't get the chance to improve and become. But if his goal(Thread Title) is to aspire to be a good backup, who needs him? That was my entire issue with Landry Jones. Jones never wanted to be a starter. My evidence was his last contract. As an UFA he signed a $2M contract to come back and be Ben's backup without even testing the FA waters. Would another team have brought him in to try for a starter role? We will NEVER know because Jones NEVER tested the waters. IF Rudolph's greatest achievement is to be another Landry Jones then no thanks. I don't want to depend on a guy that CAN BE a good backup if he improves. I want a guy that IS a good backup and CAN BE a good starter if he improves. What exactly are we working toward here?

[polamalubeast]

And I'm not saying he doesn't get the chance to improve and become. But if his goal(Thread Title) is to aspire to be a good backup, who needs him? That was my entire issue with Landry Jones. Jones never wanted to be a starter. My evidence was his last contract. As an UFA he signed a $2M contract to come back and be Ben's backup without even testing the FA waters. Would another team have brought him in to try for a starter role? We will NEVER know because Jones NEVER tested the waters. IF Rudolph's greatest achievement is to be another Landry Jones then no thanks. I don't want to depend on a guy that CAN BE a good backup if he improves. I want a guy that IS a good backup and CAN BE a good starter if he improves. What exactly are we working toward here?

I believe Rudolph wants to be a starter in the NFL, but the steelers just need Rudolph to be just fine if Ben is out 2-3 games .... Of course if he's better than that, we'll be happy and we'll are going to need this if Ben is out for the season once again (if so Ben's career is probably over) but it's the worst case scenario for the steelers.

To be honest, I don't think Rudolph can be a very good starter, unless he gets more aggressive especially in 3rd down and he is successful with that and he is able to choose the right time to be safe and to be aggressive.

But it's gonna be up to him to prove that if he gets the chance.

[Rotorhead]

Well, how much of it was he wasn’t aggressive vs the let’s play not to lose game plan and injuries and first time starting. I will see how he grows for another year or two before I make a decision about him. We didn’t have the Bettis running game Ben had his first season so I can give him a pass, he’ll I can give both QBs a pass for last season honestly, we almost got into the playoffs.

[polamalubeast]

Well, how much of it was he wasn’t aggressive vs the let’s play not to lose game plan and injuries and first time starting. I will see how he grows for another year or two before I make a decision about him. We didn’t have the Bettis running game Ben had his first season so I can give him a pass, he’ll I can give both QBs a pass for last season honestly, we almost got into the playoffs.

Being passive has nothing to do with coaches ... I mean, he was passive in college, in practice, preseason, etc ... Too many checkdowns, especially in 3rd down.It was my big concern with him,even before his first NFL regular season snap.But yes, he deserves another chance and he'll need to take that chance if he gets one.

[RunNGun]

A few years ago, the Steelers offseason optimism was based around players getting better from year one to year two of their NFL careers.

James Conner became the Steelers starter in his second season. He made the Pro Bowl. T.J. Watt went from being a seven sack guy in year one, to a 13 sack player in year two. JuJu went from being a 917 yard receiver to a nearly 1,500 yard dude.

The Steelers were optimistic those players could each take a step and they crossed their fingers hoping they could get there.

They did.

I keep hearing that Mason Rudolph "sucks" and is an inadequate backup.

How about some nuance? Why can't the same happen for Mason Rudolph? Why can't he get better? In order to progress, one must get an opportunity. Rudolph got an opportunity last year

So many have written off the Steelers QB in his first year as a full time backup. I think that’s wrong. Matt Williamson, whom I trust, says he still thinks Mason can be a good backup in this league.

read more

https://espnpgh.iheart.com/featured/...e=local_social

It's a no for me. In all of the games he played in, I cannot recall him ever flashing something that made me think he belongs in the NFL. Just calling it how I see it. He looks the part and acts the part, but he can't put it together on the field. They probably keep him around until his contract is up.

[Butch]

And I'm not saying he doesn't get the chance to improve and become. But if his goal(Thread Title) is to aspire to be a good backup, who needs him? That was my entire issue with Landry Jones. Jones never wanted to be a starter. My evidence was his last contract. As an UFA he signed a $2M contract to come back and be Ben's backup without even testing the FA waters. Would another team have brought him in to try for a starter role? We will NEVER know because Jones NEVER tested the waters. IF Rudolph's greatest achievement is to be another Landry Jones then no thanks. I don't want to depend on a guy that CAN BE a good backup if he improves. I want a guy that IS a good backup and CAN BE a good starter if he improves. What exactly are we working toward here?

This

[steel striker]

Maybe I'm wrong but, last year Mason got hurt twice not to mention the Miles Garrett BS. I know Mason was check down Charlie at times but, I think he could turn into a solid back up. He was thrown into a tough spot with Ben going down for the season and, it was ugly at times. Let see what happens from here.

[Blue Marvel]

I think they draft BB successor next draft, and Jamie Newman of Georgia comes to mind

[polamalubeast]

I think they draft BB successor next draft, and Jamie Newman of Georgia comes to mind

Possible, but if Ben has a very good year and the steelers are very good, they'll have the luxury of waiting....The thing I don't want is a big reach or a desperate move on a QB.

[Edman]

That’s not exactly a good thing.

[Blue Marvel]

Possible, but if Ben has a very good year and the steelers are very good, they'll have the luxury of waiting....The thing I don't want is a big reach or a desperate move on a QB.

I think Ben Has 2-3 good years left and he's what 38 now? that will give a successor enough time to sit and learn

[polamalubeast]

I think Ben Has 2-3 good years left and he's what 38 now? that will give a successor enough time to sit and learn

A very good young QB doesn't need to sit and learn for multiple years in the current NFL ... The NFL has changed ... So Many young QBs have been very good in their first 2 years in the last decade ... Also it's a luxury for a team to have a QB with a rookie contract, so I don't want to see his rookie contract years wasted on the bench.

[Steeler-in-west]

And I'm not saying he doesn't get the chance to improve and become. But if his goal(Thread Title) is to aspire to be a good backup, who needs him? That was my entire issue with Landry Jones. Jones never wanted to be a starter. My evidence was his last contract. As an UFA he signed a $2M contract to come back and be Ben's backup without even testing the FA waters. Would another team have brought him in to try for a starter role? We will NEVER know because Jones NEVER tested the waters. IF Rudolph's greatest achievement is to be another Landry Jones then no thanks. I don't want to depend on a guy that CAN BE a good backup if he improves. I want a guy that IS a good backup and CAN BE a good starter if he improves. What exactly are we working toward here?

affordable insurance for a couple games if Ben goes down.

And i hope Rudolph doesn't get the chance to show how much he's improved this upcoming season. Let him battle it out with the new draftee's when Ben is hanging them up.

[FrancoLambert]

Yes.
But, he’s clearly not a replacement for a franchise QB.

[Craic]

It's a no for me. In all of the games he played in, I cannot recall him ever flashing something that made me think he belongs in the NFL. Just calling it how I see it. He looks the part and acts the part, but he can't put it together on the field. They probably keep him around until his contract is up.

I would have agreed with you all the way up to the few minutes he played in that last game he was in. It almost looked like something had clicked for him. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to see if it was real or just chance that he strung together a few good plays.

I'm not a Rudolph fan at all and have gone on record from day one saying his arm is too weak for the NFL. In fact, there was a fair amount of opprobrium directed at me for making such comments early on. However, all of that said, while I'm not excited to see what he can do this year, I'm fairly comfortable with him as the QB for a quarter or half. Even a spot-start here and there if what I saw in that last game was a sign that he was improving.

[Steeler-in-west]

I would have agreed with you all the way up to the few minutes he played in that last game he was in. It almost looked like something had clicked for him. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to see if it was real or just chance that he strung together a few good plays.

I'm not a Rudolph fan at all and have gone on record from day one saying his arm is too weak for the NFL. In fact, there was a fair amount of opprobrium directed at me for making such comments early on. However, all of that said, while I'm not excited to see what he can do this year, I'm fairly comfortable with him as the QB for a quarter or half. Even a spot-start here and there if what I saw in that last game was a sign that he was improving.

Not sure if its the arm strength that's the issue. To me he hasn't been able to make find the open man consistently enough. He looked uncomfortable passing for most of the time he was out there last year. That shot that knocked him cold probably didn't help, but people are saying he played well in the last game so who knows? maybe he shrugged that off finally. Just guessing, but I don't think he'll be Ben's successor and i have my doubts he'll stick around to be the backup for the next guy.

[Born2Steel]

There are not many people on this planet that can play QB in the NFL. And exponentially fewer that can be a franchise QB. In the case of Steelers backups it will require Fichtner and Canada taking young players with the tools and turn them into NFL QBs if possible. Right now I have zero confidence in any of these backups becoming legit NFL QBs. We will have to wait and see if the coaches can get rid of these guy's bad mechanics, poor decisions, and overall subpar play, and hopefully help one of them turn into a dependable backup to Ben. IF one becomes a future star then awesome. But I am not holding my breathe for that either. Can MR become a good NFL QB? Nothing I have seen so far backs that up.

[polamalubeast]

Our future QB after Ben is not in the NFL right now...

[Born2Steel]

Our future QB after Ben is not in the NFL right now...

How do you know that? Just take a look around the league at struggling QBs, backups with potential but no chance without injury to the starter, or simply enough patience and coaching for someone to actually develop. I do tend to agree with you but reject such a blanket statement. Just looking at our current roster, Mason Rudolph has 8 total NFL starts, Duck Hodges has 6 NFL starts, and Paxton Lynch has 4 NFL starts. As I said previously, I haven't seen anything that makes me trust them, but I am not there working with them either.