Just 3 Months Until August / Preseason

Let the long post-draft lull commence.

We have the rest of spring / half summer to enjoy before that though.

(twiddles thumbs)

 

I can’t wait to see Rudolph in action this preseason. Looking forward to what Bush can do too.

 

CBS post-draft power rankings have us as 18th - haven't seen us that low in a while. Browns and Ravens are ranked higher.

 

CBS also thinks only 1 team score below a B in the draft...I do not hold their opinion in great esteem

 

Bush yes. But the fact that Rudolph couldn't come in and immediately supplant Dobbs as the team's backup, despite receiving a "1st round grade" from our coaching staff and management..........doesn't that give you a whole LOT of doubt as to his viability as a long term potential starting QB in this league. I can't think of too many that started their career without even a helmet on game day early in their career. Sure some may have been backup, but 3rd string and inactive on game day? I wouldn't get too hopeful on him.

 

Speaking for myself only, no.

Mike Tomlin went on record that Rudolph would not be given the opportunity to be the #2 quarterback. There was never an open competition for the position.

As of right now, that situation appears to have changed and Mason will get a chance to unseat Dobbs as the immediate back-up, a job I fully expect him to win. That would put him in position to be the transitional quarterback in 2021-22.

Rudolph was always going to be the type of passer that needed to come in and spend time acclimating to the NFL.

 

techheart's post-draft afc north power rankings:

steelers
ravens
browns
bengals

 

It appears the post draft power rankings are on NFL.com and NOT CBS.

Sorry for the incorrect reference.

I think they probably just take the order in which teams finished last year as the base rating. Since our beloved super steelers inexplicably gave multiple games away we look awful right now.

 

Browns are above Steelers in Vegas right now too.

https://steelersdepot.com/2019/04/l...owl-odds-following-draft-still-behind-browns/

 

What Tim said.

 

Yeah, this is the part that's important, regarding Rudolph and his future with the team. Pittsburgh's handling of Rudolph is not necessarily indicative of his talent.

What's important is that fans have to hope the team didn't hand Ben the contract that they did with the supposition that:
A. Rudolph is not a viable successor
B. Rudolph won't be given a real chance to show his viability as a successor

 

I don't necessarily disagree with this, but . . .

Don't Ben's recent contract and Rudolph's rookie contract now expire at the same time? With Ben now under contract for the immediate future, how will Rudolph get enough playing time to ascertain he is good enough to extend and ascend to the starters role?

 

I think Ben will retire after we win our seventh Super Bowl this season. The drafting of Bush has us back in the playoffs and looking for home field advantage.

 

Silly me.

 

Well, that's actually in line with the point I was making. Both contracts do expire at the same time, which leaves some concern as to whether or not the Steelers will / already have decided on either / both options A and B being the case.

Reading back over my prior post, I recognize that it's likely misunderstood without clear tone. That's my bad. I'll edit it.
The point I was making is that Steelers fans had better hope the team hasn't already decided on either of those things, regarding Rudolph and his future.

 

I think Pittsburgh will use the next couple years to evaluate Rudolph to see if he is going to be the guy they tab to take over when Ben hangs it up, but the idea of Ben's contract ending on a similar timetable tells me that they are already comfortable with the possibility.

As for playing time - When you're behind a hall of fame quarterback that is still playing well the time table changes. Rodgers had just under 60 attempts in his first three seasons but the Packers were able to assess him and make the correct decision.

 

I have said all along Tomlin doesn't want a QB controversy.

He is trying to manage this like a Favre to Rodgers transition imo.

 

EXACTLY

 

No way Benny Boy will retire if he wins a super bowl this season! He will wait till he wins two more while playing out his contract.

 

Isaiah Buggs is a DT, he had 53 tackles, 13.5 TFL, and 9.5 sacks his last season at Bama. Those are some good stats. He should push McCullers out.