Props to Tomlin for benching Rudolph

[Steel G]

Really? If that's the case, this team is ******. Seriously. Guy goes 5-11, 118 and a TD with 79 of those yards coming on 1 damn play and this is somehow seen as better. I guess it is. He threw a TD pass. Man, there are going to be a ton of disappointed Steelers fans regardless of who starts.

The other guy goes 8 of 16 for 85 with 35 of those yards coming on 1 damn play. Throw in a redzone turnover and you get a QB rating of 39.8. Mason ******* sucks and other only other QB worth anything on the roster is Hodges. And the team was ****** the moment Ben went down. What, you thought Mason was the heir apparent? Based on what, chucking it up to Washington in the preseason against guys who aren't in the league?

 

[slashsteel]

It was his only good play. Let's not pretend that this guy is the next Tom Brady if only Tomlin would just play him. Face it, the Steelers just suck on offense, and Devlin Hodges isn't going to ride in on some white horse and save the season. It was a lucky play. Why do I say that? Because the rest of his game looked just like Rudolph. If you wanna hang your hat on Hodges, be my guest. Personally, I think he gives the Steelers a slightly better chance because of his mobility, but most of what he did today was pedestrian.

And he was responsible for 7 points. The rest was running the damn ball. Yeah, he was the QB but best I can tell, the difference is he threw it away with style.

He made enough plays to come away with 13 points when Rudolph came.away with three. Rudolph had his second consecutive passer rating in the 30s. Ducks was over 100. I not pretending anything with Duck but one thing I do know is right now he is playing better than Mason. And being a 6 and 5 club we have to be all about the right now. What gives this club the best chance to win.

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[Ron Burgundy]

From the sounds of his press conference, I think Duck is the QB going forward.

Especially since we're playing Cleveland.

 

[Cras108er]

The problem is coaching.
Ben learned enough under Cowher/Whisenhunt etc to cover for any of Tomlin’s goofs.

Now that Tomlin has more of a hand on the roster, the inability to groom a QB is evident.
Hodges is similar to Ben in terms of freestyle play, but still lacks the vision for reads. Rudolph is just flat out hesitant.

I honestly don’t know what to make. I’ll say is if Hodges is the guy moving forward, he’s capable of giving us those freak touchdowns like today with Washington’s big play.

Oh give me a F’in break. Can we stop with the Cowher was the Bellichick of the 90’s. Cowher didn’t “make” Ben. If anything Ben made Cowher. If you need proof, look no further than the average QB’s that played under him prior to Ben’s arrival and how he could never win in big games, despite having a HOF defense.

Don’t get me wrong. I liked Cowher I’m the same way I like Tomlin, but both had/have their limitations

Neither of them was going to win consistently with Rudolph or Hodges. In fact Tomlin has done pretty damn good this year given the hand the team’s been dealt this year.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Rudolph seems to have more throwing talent. Duck seems to read the pressure much better. It seems like there is a disconnect with the offense and Rudolph. I don't think Mason is as bad as he is showing which isn't good. A lot of excuses can be made about the protection,, no run game. Practice squad receivers,,,etc. But I look at Minshew at JAX, and Allen in Carolina and wonder whats up . IDK if its all on Rudolph,, or some can be thrown on Fictner for not catering more to Masons abilities and comfort. Either way.. They are getting a good look at what they have.

 

[slashsteel]

Oh give me a F’in break. Can we stop with the Cowher was the Bellichick of the 90’s. Cowher didn’t “make” Ben. If anything Ben made Cowher. If you need proof, look no further than the average QB’s that played under him prior to Ben’s arrival and how he could never win in big games, despite having a HOF defense.

Don’t get me wrong. I liked Cowher I’m the same way I like Tomlin, but both had/have their limitations

Neither of them was going to win consistently with Rudolph or Hodges. In fact Tomlin has done pretty damn good this year given the hand the team’s been dealt this year.

To be fair Tombert is responsible for the hand they were dealt. They drafted the QB they were high on, and failed to properly fortify the offense when talent left the building. So as you can give him props for the good things, you also have to identify the not so good things he is responsible for. The good and the bad. I think fans at times tend to lean on one side of the pendulum. But make no bones about it he has obvious plus and minuses. Good enough to keep the team on the winning side, bad enough to not do much more than that.

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[Supersteeler]

Hodges has better pocket presence and make quicker decisions on his throws whereas Mason holds on to the ball too long. That's the difference.

 

[Coryea]

I’m not putting Duck in the Hall of Fame...I’m just saying he is more comfortable in the pocket, more confident and more mobile. Mason’s tendency to underthrow receivers somewhat regularly is also troubling.

Exactly, if anyone says they think Duck should play, everyone immediately thinks you're saying he's great. Duck looks to be the better of two options

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[Buster]

Rudolph seems to have more throwing talent.

I’m not sure how you come to that opinion. His accuracy is erratic (some of which can be attributed to poor OL play). His arm strength is often questionable on deep throws even when he is not pressured.

I was really hoping the guy was going to take over for Ben at some point, but unless something changes, I just don’t see it.

 

[Cras108er]

To be fair Tombert is responsible for the hand they were dealt. They drafted the QB they were high on, and failed to properly fortify the offense when talent left the building. So as you can give him props for the good things, you also have to identify the not so good things he is responsible for. The good and the bad. I think fans at times tend to lean on one side of the pendulum. But make no bones about it he has obvious plus and minuses. Good enough to keep the team on the winning side, bad enough to not do much more than that.

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Can’t argue with the fact that he has pluses and minuses and that fans tend toward the more extreme views. I think many younger fans have unrealistic expectations. HOF QB’s don’t grow on trees. How many QB’s did we go through between Bradshaw and Ben? I lived through that era. I can tell you. It’s not pretty.

I have to disagree with saying Tomlin and Colbert are responsible for our situation. This team has been snake bitten this year. One of Tomlin’s
strengths is keeping the team together when presented with adversity. He has some glaring weaknesses too (like any coach)


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[VaSteelerFan]

What's the point of making the playoffs only to be embarrassed in the first game?

 

[Steelworth]

Hodges has better pocket presence and make quicker decisions on his throws whereas Mason holds on to the ball too long. That's the difference.

And that's a pretty big difference IMO. Look, I'm a fan of Mason, but he just looks shell-shocked out there. And I'm not saying Duck looked great or anything, but he looked better and let's give him a week practice to see how he builds on it.

Because let's face it, Tomlin isn't putting Mason in the game against Cleveland.

 

[mdk2]

What's the point of making the playoffs only to be embarrassed in the first game?

Whats the point of posting here if you say **** like this? Some of you *** clowns on here are completely miserable people. Enjoy a damn win for once.

 

[slashsteel]

Can’t argue with the fact that he has pluses and minuses and that fans tend toward the more extreme views. I think many younger fans have unrealistic expectations. HOF QB’s don’t grow on trees. How many QB’s did we go through between Bradshaw and Ben? I lived through that era. I can tell you. It’s not pretty.

I have to disagree with saying Tomlin and Colbert are responsible for our situation. This team has been snake bitten this year. One of Tomlin’s
strengths is keeping the team together when presented with adversity. He has some glaring weaknesses too (like any coach)


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Sure they are responsible. They decided to go with an unproven backup over an experienced option. Mason hasn't lived up to their first round grade hype. They didn't adequately replace the dumb and dumber twins. I will not tunnel vision this season when they had three Juggernauts that together couldn't get the team to a SB. Some of that adversity many would dispute that they let it grow and enabled that culture. Which has been discussed per nauseum. The lack of a decent playoff record speaks volumes as well. Cherry pick the good if you want but you are riding the pendulum one sided in being in denial.

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[Litos]

Right now you have to go with the duck until Rudolph gets that funk off him, he wasn't playing this bad against Seattle, he wasn't So inaccurate or tentative.

Today he had a chance in the end zone and just threw the pass behind (again) allowing the CB to deflect the pass with his helmet. The WR (was it tevin Jones?) Did a good job at the LoS of selling the out and running free to the inside, a good pass on stride from Mason was an easy TD.

His bell got rung by that ratbird and he isn't the same since. He will probably need the off-season to be back to a decent level of play.

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[topseed]

Rudolph has 5 TDs and 7 INTs since returning from the concussion, and a passer rating of less than 40 in both of his last two starts.

The Steelers can't win with those types of numbers, but given the big playmaking ability of the defense, they can remain competitive with a mobile game manager at QB. And that's exactly what Duck is.

 

[IndySteel]

If Tomlin wanted to be coach of the year, he would bench...himself. “I felt the team needed a spark, a jumpstart, if you will. Obviously we play within the game and don’t let our fears control us. But there comes a point where you can’t be selfish. We win and we lose as a team, and I made the call, after numerous fuckups, to bench myself and hand the reigns over to Big Ben for the rest of the season, in which we will unleash hell. At the end of the season I will recuse myself and become the assistant defensive backs coach for a ****** middle school in Virginia, which is my true calling. Obviously.”

 

[6Lombardis]

Where oh where did McDonald go? It’s like he’s not on the team anymore.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

What's the point of making the playoffs only to be embarrassed in the first game?

Because the team has lots of young guys and that playoff experience, overcoming adversity just to get there, will pay huge dividends even if they lose by 30 in the wildcard game.

Besides, which 3 or 4 seed is unbeatable? Right now they'd be matched up with Houston. They are nothing special. They could get matched with the Chiefs. Their defense is terrible.

This season is all about building for next year. Playoff experience could pay off huge next year when Ben is back and they add to the offense.

 

[IndySteel]

Where oh where did McDonald go? It’s like he’s not on the team anymore.

Play calling. Except for Duck’s first two passes they do dink and dunk bullshit. They need to target Vance 15-20 yards downfield, like they did with Heath. This is a good example of why Ben should be in charge of the offense.

 

[LastRide]

I was a supporter of Rudolph in the "beginning". He's was playing fine and showing small improvements. We were having problems all over the offense, ****** running, receivers dropping balls, pass and run protection. As of the last few weeks Rudolph went for a ****, but we still had our share of problems on offense. The blame can go around. Rudolph was taking 3 steps back instead of showing improvement, and each week was no better. Enough is enough, it was time to make a Duck call.

We were all wondering where are the quick throws, the slants. We figured that idiot Fichtner wasn't calling them. Why call them for Duck and not Rudolph. Makes no sense. I think those plays were called, but Rudolph was too gun shy to throw them, not confident to make the throw and or poor judgement. Now he's looking at his 2nd and 3rd option receivers. The receivers were running thinking the ball was where it was suppose to be thrown. They notice Rudolph still has the ball in his hand and they try to adjust to get open. The plays are talking way to much time and now he's taking a sack, throwing a pick, or throwing it away. The TE position has been non-existent.

Duck only played half a game plus whatever in the Chargers game nobody is saying Duck is the answer. What Rudolph was showing the last few weeks wasn't good. Like I said the blame can go around.

 

[Vader]

Can’t argue with the fact that he has pluses and minuses and that fans tend toward the more extreme views. I think many younger fans have unrealistic expectations. HOF QB’s don’t grow on trees. How many QB’s did we go through between Bradshaw and Ben? I lived through that era. I can tell you. It’s not pretty.

I have to disagree with saying Tomlin and Colbert are responsible for our situation. This team has been snake bitten this year. One of Tomlin’s
strengths is keeping the team together when presented with adversity. He has some glaring weaknesses too (like any coach)


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What was their excuse last year when everyone was healthy? The Steelers aren't the only team with injuries and they have an extremely easy schedule. They are also playing against many teams with brand new coaching staffs including 4 games in their own division. They are the ones that said Rudolph had a 1st round grade. So yes this is of their making.

 

[madinsomniac]

Play calling. Except for Duck’s first two passes they do dink and dunk bullshit. They need to target Vance 15-20 yards downfield, like they did with Heath. This is a good example of why Ben should be in charge of the offense.

Yeah football 101 is when you have a you g qb you rely heavily on the TE... it’s utterly absurd how they are basically an afterthought

 

[madinsomniac]

What was their excuse last year when everyone was healthy? The Steelers aren't the only team with injuries and they have an extremely easy schedule. They are also playing against many teams with brand new coaching staffs including 4 games in their own division. They are the ones that said Rudolph had a 1st round grade. So yes this is of their making.

If you want to blame them, blame them for not having a qb coach despite years of having a young qb...
Rudolph obviously needs work. He stays in the pocket to a fault.. Hodges is rolling right every time he feels pressure... these are easily correctable things with practice... the OC doesn’t have the time to be qb coach

 

[Ron Burgundy]

What was their excuse last year when everyone was healthy?

Last year 75% of the defense sucked and likewise 100% of the special teams.