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Backup Quarterback

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steelermania

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It's obvious that the Steelers got burned by going with young guys as the backups, rather than having a veteran journeyman on the roster. Going forward, with Ben's elbow being an uncertainty at his age, an experienced backup for next year is a must. You keep Rudolph, and let Duck get on with his life's work. Who do you try to bring in, a journeyman like Fitzpatrick, Keenum, or even a lower level game manager type like Tyrod Taylor; or do you do what the Titans did, and bring in a high draft pick that failed at his first location, thinking that he might possibly even be able to step in when Ben retires? The best backup we ever had was Mike Tomczak. Had experience as a starter, and you always knew that he wouldn't usually kill you. We even made the playoffs with him as a starter. We'd be planning for the playoffs if we had a guy like that.
 
Yeah, Why we didn't bring in a vet is beyond me...

We could have traded for Fitz or at a higher tag Bridgewater...
 
SteveA said:
Yeah, Why we didn't bring in a vet is beyond me...

We could have traded for Fitz or at a higher tag Bridgewater...
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Because they drafted qbs in two consecutive years, they were caught in a spot where they really didn't want to give up on one of them. Instead of bringing Duck back when Ben got hurt, maybe they should have tried to find a vet. I don't know who was out there though. They did find Lynch later. At least there are some physical tools there.
 
Prior to the start of the season the mentality seemed to be that the back-up QB didn't matter because if Ben went down they weren't going to be contenders. Unfortunately that was a bad assumption. If they would have had a serviceable back up they'd probably be sitting at 10-5 right now maybe better.
 
steelermania said:
Because they drafted qbs in two consecutive years, they were caught in a spot where they really didn't want to give up on one of them. Instead of bringing Duck back when Ben got hurt, maybe they should have tried to find a vet. I don't know who was out there though. They did find Lynch later. At least there are some physical tools there.
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Tannyhill was available and that is without looking as their was options. They gave up on Dobbs early so that is who should have been replaced with a vet.It is a fail that should not be repeated next season.
 
steelermania said:
It's obvious that the Steelers got burned by going with young guys as the backups, rather than having a veteran journeyman on the roster. Going forward, with Ben's elbow being an uncertainty at his age, an experienced backup for next year is a must. You keep Rudolph, and let Duck get on with his life's work. Who do you try to bring in, a journeyman like Fitzpatrick, Keenum, or even a lower level game manager type like Tyrod Taylor; or do you do what the Titans did, and bring in a high draft pick that failed at his first location, thinking that he might possibly even be able to step in when Ben retires? The best backup we ever had was Mike Tomczak. Had experience as a starter, and you always knew that he wouldn't usually kill you. We even made the playoffs with him as a starter. We'd be planning for the playoffs if we had a guy like that.
Click to expand...

Charlie Batch was our best backup.


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mdk2 said:
Charlie Batch was our best backup.


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Love Charlie, but Tomczak was able to be a serviceable starter in 1996. Batch would never have been able to fill that role. He was even more of a China doll that Conner is.
 
There will be a number of FA QB's available this off season. Steelers rarely go after the high priced models, but there will be many to choose from.
 
Its not likely with the cap structure they are bringing in a vet qb... it’s been said on the radio over and over by all the guys who cover the team that they still believe Rudolph is the guy who is going to develop. Its extremely probable that next years qbs are exactly the same unless lynch does something to displace Duck...

I would not expect a vet because they won’t want to stunt whatever young guy they keep ... practice throws are limited....
 
madinsomniac said:
Its not likely with the cap structure they are bringing in a vet qb... it’s been said on the radio over and over by all the guys who cover the team that they still believe Rudolph is the guy who is going to develop. Its extremely probable that next years qbs are exactly the same unless lynch does something to displace Duck...

I would not expect a vet because they won’t want to stunt whatever young guy they keep ... practice throws are limited....
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Maybe they'll actually hire a real QB coach if they're going to try to develop young QBs. It'd be one thing if Fichtner was one of those QB friendly OCs, but he isn't.
 
The offense was designed around Ben Roethlisberger and he was injured week 2. I can only blame the QB's so much. Fichtener was unable to figure out what they could do well and capitalize at least somewhat. If you watched this team, you know damn well those were all Big Ben plays. They finally ran a RB screen with Samuels and a convoy in front and got 30 yards. Where the **** was that?
 
i doubt Fitz comes here. He will start somewhere. I would be ok with Red. He would be a fine backup if he’ll accept the role. Is Bortyles available?
 
I would not give up in MR just yet
 
They had a first round grade on Rudolph, not many teams are going bring a vet in when they have a franchise QB and his back up is in year 2 and has a first round grade.
And that Vet has to want to come here, probably not many vets are going to want to come and be 3rd string

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steel dino said:
You betcha!

Bortels game mirrors Bens very well..

Size, movement in pocket, arm strength, etc..
He would of been a perfect fit to continue to run Bens offense.
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Except for the part where he completes passes and wins games.

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Coryea said:
They had a first round grade on Rudolph, not many teams are going bring a vet in when they have a franchise QB and his back up is in year 2 and has a first round grade.
And that Vet has to want to come here, probably not many vets are going to want to come and be 3rd string
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As many times as we've seen this, I don't believe the Steelers had a first-round grade on Rudolph. You don't pass on a quarterback with a grade that high twice, including once when you take his college teammate at wide receiver.
 
Coryea said:
They had a first round grade on Rudolph, not many teams are going bring a vet in when they have a franchise QB and his back up is in year 2 and has a first round grade.
And that Vet has to want to come here, probably not many vets are going to want to come and be 3rd string

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Difference was that that aging QB is in the late parts of his career. So if you have a green QB you better bring in an experienced vet so you don't have to rush that green QB into the lineup. Just not smart planning. Ben's age should have been factored in. It is like a fail safe approach. Oh our green QB just didn't get it done, who knew! They have been missing on a decent enough amount of draft prospects, enough not to roll the dice.

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Coryea said:
Except for the part where he completes passes and wins games.

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Not talking about his being Ben successor.. just the type of veteran back up that would of propelled us into the playoffs this year.

At least we would have some January football to talk about
 
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