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Ben Roethlisberger: Don't plan on Mason Rudolph replacing me for a while

Rudolph is not likely the real deal if he can't overtake Ben in 3 years. A 25 year old should be better than a 40 year old, if he has potential to be a franchise type QB.
Ben might want to play longer, but likely he ages out.
 
nitsuj1225 said:
I just think back to Ben's 5 picks against the Jags early in the season and how many fans would be calling for Rudolf to start if Ben does that again this season. Despite the horrible game, Ben still went on to have one of his best statistical seasons and was the only reason we were remotely close in the playoff game against the Jags. So as a fan who tries to have a level head about things, it will be frustrating to see fans calling for Rudolf when Ben throws some head scratching picks (because it WILL happen). Which IMO is what Ben is more worried about than actually losing his job to Rudolf. The QB transition distraction is inevitable but if Ben is planning on playing 3-5 more years, is it worth starting the distraction now? Only time will tell but you can't blame the team for planning for the future.
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I hear you but I'm thinking back to last year when Ben said he told his wife that he'd like to play a few more years so his kids could remember him playing and his wife, who is a CNP, said "Yeah, but I want you to be able to remember your kids". I strongly think he will play out this contract and retire.
 
nitsuj1225 said:
I see 2 downsides.

1. If Ben gets hurt and misses a few games, Rudolf comes in and lights it up and then begins the incessant talk of having a QB controversy for years to come. Not a terrible problem to have but could become a distraction.

2. We picked Ben's replacement a couple years too early and Ben doesn't retire until Rudolf's rookie contract expires and we have to overpay to retain an unproven backup expected to fill Ben's shoes or risk losing him to someone else willing to pony up the money. See the Pats situation with Garoppolo.

To me, it seems like a risk willing to take and the insurance only cost a 3rd and 7th round pick.

I just think back to Ben's 5 picks against the Jags early in the season and how many fans would be calling for Rudolf to start if Ben does that again this season. Despite the horrible game, Ben still went on to have one of his best statistical seasons and was the only reason we were remotely close in the playoff game against the Jags. So as a fan who tries to have a level head about things, it will be frustrating to see fans calling for Rudolf when Ben throws some head scratching picks (because it WILL happen). Which IMO is what Ben is more worried about than actually losing his job to Rudolf. The QB transition distraction is inevitable but if Ben is planning on playing 3-5 more years, is it worth starting the distraction now? Only time will tell but you can't blame the team for planning for the future.
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If those are the downsides they still have a big positive, Rudolph can be traded for a first or a second rounder like garoppalo did. So still is a win win win situation

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So many seem ready to anoint Rudolph as the second coming. Ben being Ben, gets insecure and starts running his yap. Maybe what we have is something to light a fire under Ben's ***. I like it.
 
Not at all worried about the contract. Ben is 36. If he plays 3 more years hes damn near 40. They have Rudolph for 4. By then they will know what he is. They could franchise him for the fifth and start him. Work out a long term deal. Chances are they will need someone after two more seasons.
 
If you ask me its all a big deal about nothing. Let the hype and hysteria begin after we have had a chance to see him play. After all the kid might be the next Mike Tomczak or Bubby Brister.
 
everyone loves the backup quarter back..... especially the one that has never thrown an NFL pass.

Feel like we've had this thread when Landry was drafted, too.
 
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This pick has already paid for itself. We have a motivated HOF QB who is irritated just enough to come to camp in amazing shape and keep the young buck in his place...

Love it :popcorn1:
 
JMM said:
If you ask me its all a big deal about nothing. Let the hype and hysteria begin after we have had a chance to see him play. After all the kid might be the next Mike Tomczak or Bubby Brister.
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Don't bag on Bubby. The best QB we had between Bradshaw and Roethlisberger.
 
nitsuj1225 said:
I see 2 downsides.

2. We picked Ben's replacement a couple years too early and Ben doesn't retire until Rudolf's rookie contract expires and we have to overpay to retain an unproven backup expected to fill Ben's shoes or risk losing him to someone else willing to pony up the money. See the Pats situation with Garoppolo.

To me, it seems like a risk willing to take and the insurance only cost a 3rd and 7th round pick.
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What’s being missed in this conversation is the assumption by the time Ben hangs up the cleats, whether 3-5 years, we lose the Rudolph pick. This is entirely untrue.

Nothing has changed with the pecking order at QB. Ben is 1. Period. Landry is the backup now, but his contract runs out in 2019. If Rudolph shows enough progression, he will supplant Landry as the back up, most likely next year. If Ben is still playing at a high that’s great. Steelers usually negotiate QB contracts at least a year prior to expiration. Rudolph could be signed to an extension in his 3rd year (much like how they did with AB) at a value. Landry would be gone and Rudolph would take over from Ben while still on his first contract extension.

Now having said that......things could also end up like how Ben became the starter. Which would NOT be the same as Ben replacing Maddox. We won’t have a Bettis to make things easy for the QB.



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At 33, the Steelers expected Bradshaw to play several more years so they passed on Marino...
The Green bay Packers had a HOF Rockstar in the fold in Favre, yet they took Rodgers.. that move turned out well..
The bottom line is if you think a guy has starter ability at that position you have to take him and cover your bases

Mason has upside... in some recent drafts he'd likely have been a first rounder... this year was chock full of potential franchise QBs... its nice to have options at that spot in case of calamity...

I hope Ben plays 5 more years.... but I don't want the Steelers betting everything on that
 
All I can say is Ben just isnt very smart with the media sometimes. Now there is a story about the 76ers guard saying he stopped being a Steelers fan when he was a kid because Ben was such a prick. Just keep your trap shut or just say the PC thing and move on. Saying something doesnt change anything. It just adds oxygen to the Ben is a ***** narrative.
 
madinsomniac said:
At 33, the Steelers expected Bradshaw to play several more years so they passed on Marino...
The Green bay Packers had a HOF Rockstar in the fold in Favre, yet they took Rodgers.. that move turned out well..
The bottom line is if you think a guy has starter ability at that position you have to take him and cover your bases

Mason has upside... in some recent drafts he'd likely have been a first rounder... this year was chock full of potential franchise QBs... its nice to have options at that spot in case of calamity...

I hope Ben plays 5 more years.... but I don't want the Steelers betting everything on that
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Apparently some folks were expecting the Steelers to do just that. And now that we have Rudolph, don't even begin to think he will eventually take over for Ben because Ben can play as long as he wants. I believe that these are the guys who grew up with Ben as "Our QB". Those of us who grew up with Bradshaw as "Our QB" know that nothing is promised and you don't pass on a potential replacement when the QB is getting up there.

The first rule of Ben Club is: you do not talk about Ben Club. The second rule of Ben Club is: you DO NOT talk about Ben retiring or God forgive, his level of play eventually falling off. Third rule of Ben Club: if they draft a possible "heir", someone must yell “stop!”and point out that Ben played well last year and has said he would like to play for another ***** years. Fourth rule: only Ben plays QB in Pittsburgh

Now, before any panties get in a wad. The above was said somewhat tongue in cheek. But, you never know what could happen with an aging QB. It's a good thing to have a younger guy on the squad who they believe is a high quality player, or can be groomed to be one.
 
JMM said:
Hey we also had Mark Malone and Cliff Stoudt in there. Don't discount their greatness.
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HEY, Mark Malone held the longest passing touchdown record in franchise history for a LONG LONG time. ONLY thing is though, he caught it NOT throw it. A-N-D having Bubby be our measuring stick between Bradshaw & Rothlesberger goes to show you how hard it can be to find the GEM. Having Rudolf to polish while in waiting is a good thing.



Salute the nationb
 
SteelerSask said:
All I can say is Ben just isnt very smart with the media sometimes. Now there is a story about the 76ers guard saying he stopped being a Steelers fan when he was a kid because Ben was such a prick. Just keep your trap shut or just say the PC thing and move on. Saying something doesnt change anything. It just adds oxygen to the Ben is a ***** narrative.
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So ******* what! **** the 76ers!
 
madinsomniac said:
At 33, the Steelers expected Bradshaw to play several more years so they passed on Marino...
The Green bay Packers had a HOF Rockstar in the fold in Favre, yet they took Rodgers.. that move turned out well..
The bottom line is if you think a guy has starter ability at that position you have to take him and cover your bases

Mason has upside... in some recent drafts he'd likely have been a first rounder... this year was chock full of potential franchise QBs... its nice to have options at that spot in case of calamity...

I hope Ben plays 5 more years.... but I don't want the Steelers betting everything on that
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Steelers didn't draft Marino because they already had Malone. **** me....
 
Cope said:
Steelers didn't draft Marino because they already had Malone. **** me....
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Well, hopefully they are smart enough not to have Rudolph playing WR. I believe to this day that Malone would have been a hell of a QB if his leg hadn't gotten messed up while playing WR.
Still no excuse to pass on Marino.

Edit: From time to time I look online for a story that I remember being on the news when I was a kid. During half-time of one of Malone's bad games for the Steelers, a man from Wintersville, OH (near Steubenville) drove from his home to the parking lot of Three Rivers Stadium. There he listened to the rest of the game. After the game, he waited in the parking lot for Malone to leave the stadium and head to his car. When Malone did so, the guy floored his gas pedal and tried to run Malone over.
 
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Cope said:
Steelers didn't draft Marino because they already had Malone. **** me....
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So in other words they had invested in one qb, had a star older starter, and thus passed on a falling high end talent.... that doesn't sound at all exactly like where the Steelers are at now lol....
 
David Woodley?
 
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