Little optimism for 2018 season...........

I realize not TOO MUCH can be inferred from preseason, but not feeling very good about upcoming season like I was the previous two. I'll REALLY be surprised if we can win the division and a playoff game, but right now if I were a betting man I'd take action against either of those happening, let alone the ultimate goal for a handful of teams that have a realistic shot at it each year. I wouldn't consider us one right now. Where to begin:

Health - a huge one. It hasn't been a question of talent for this team for about the last four seasons now, but rather general health and availability (unrelated to suspensions). We've had several projected starters (Watt, DuPree, McDonald, Foster, Burnett, Hilton, miss time at camp, several of them long term, or at the very least prevented them from playing in games or going full go in practice for any period of time. Only one more real preseason game and I'd put odds against seeing any of the aforementioned - save Burnett - in the final dress rehearsal this coming Saturday. Doesn't do much for peace of mind or optimism.

New blood - I don't care TOO MUCH about preseason, and we tend to discount the good and over analyze the bad exactly how much real good have we seen through the first two games? TE is a big question mark, Jesse James is it as far as I'm concerned........I don't think McDonald will ever amount to anything other than a "what could have been - if he could only stay healthy" scenario. Little quality depth on the OL seen thus far, and we know Gilbert has been good for 3-6 games per year missed the last several seasons. We don't have a what I think anyone would consider a quality backup offensive tackle just yet. Inside linebacker is the one glaring weakness on our team, and I'm not sure Bostic/Matakevich bring enough to even come close to providing what Shazier did on a consistent basis. Not many in the league can, but in terms of team goals......good teams in the league should be able to game plan for us and exploit an obvious weakness.

DL - Not sure we're going to see that proverbial "3rd year jump" by Hargrave to become a dominant DT, nor do I think that Tuitt is earning his money yet. Our DEs have to be wrecking balls and ass kickers up front. We only have one of three players that has shown he can be that on a consistent basis.

Bell - Had a rusty start last season, I think we'll see that again. You can replicate reps in practice/training, you just can't.

Receivers - I'm optimistic on Washington, one of few bright spots thus far, but I still think it will take him a while to contribute consistently and get into the starting lineup/base personnel. Great attitude and work ethic, but I question his ability to keep defenses honest and open things up underneath with Brown and J2S2 like Martavis did at times. He's a rook and will be treated as such by defenses until Ben shows he can make them pay with this kid.

Team - You want to at least see flashes of potential and with a handful of new guys or question marks. Not sure we've gotten that with either camp or games outside of Connor.

 

I think it will be a typical Tomlin team...

Shaky first part of the year and they'll have to win a couple of close ones. They'll start to get their groove in the middle of the season and barring any major injuries they will be a really good football team in December.

 

Wow, who do you have winning the division?

 

IMO it’s simple - if the defense is gonna stink it up they go no where no matter how good the offense is, if the defense plays above average they have a chance to win it all.

 

Offensively I believe they'll be capable of a Super Bowl run.

I am not optimistic about them defensively. Two preseason games in and many of coverage issues that plagued them last season appear to still be issues. The guys playing ILB are major liabilities in coverage.

 

I believe Ben will come out on fire this season. It’s the first time he has been challenged by the team picking a QB to replace him.

 

It really isn't much of a challenge, this is Ben's team Rudolph won't even dress barring injury. And after that Packer game, its not a guarantee he becomes that next good starter. Its only his rookie year and it was one pre season game, but that definitely didn't make me feel like the team is set for life after Ben...

 

It really doesn’t matter what you think. It has to do with what Ben thinks.

 

I have ZERO confidence in Rudolph developing into our next "franchise QB" based on what we've seen & read thus far. I don't care about what Colbert says where they think he is in terms of development. You know them when you see them, and they don't usually take 2-3 years to develop. They don't struggle in preseason vs secondary competition, and they are hard to find outside the 1st round. Only 9 of 32 projected starting QBs week-1 were taken after the 1st round (Dalton, Taylor, Prescott, Cousins, Brady, Brees, Carr, Garropolo, and Wilson). And they don't struggle in preseason vs secondary competition. If you can't come in and convincingly beat out Landry Jones as backup, who will never be anything other than a serviceable backup in the NFL, then it speaks volumes. He doesn't have to come in and have everyone say, "Ben who"?, but if he is what they hope he can become, you should see flashes of that immediately.

 

This season might be last the last game vs. the Jaguars. Having to post a ton of points because the defense is soft.

 

Brady did exactly that his rookie season only he was playing against the 3rd and 4ths. He didn't look like he was going to beat out Bledsoe until his second preseason.

Belichick was saying the same things that Colbert is.

I'm not saying he's the next Brady but you're saying his career is over after one preseason game and that is just stupid.

 

Peyton Manning looked like shit his first season & Troy Ailman looked worse than that.

 

It’s expected for QBs to struggle their rookie season. That has no value in the debate over how good Rudolph can be.
As for the Brady argument, his entire career goes against ANY history of late round picks of what he should or shouldn’t be. He’s one of a kind.

As for beloved Rudolph, I agree with what Blackngold posted except for having zero confidence. I thought he showed a couple of flashes of possibly being a franchise QB but he’s been too inconsistent and erratic. It’s still early and he has time to grow behind Ben.

 

words of wisdom from Tim.

Rudolph ended up with my our top rating for quarterbacks in the draft this year, but I also mentioned the idea that Mason would greatly benefit from being in a situation where he could have a couple seasons to work on his game behind an established starter. Pittsburgh was one of my 3 favorite landing spots for him (New England and NYG were the other two) and in the long run I think the Steelers likely filled their need at quarterback for when Ben retires.

I think this is the case for most rookie QB's, maybe more so for some than others. Pittsburgh was an ideal landing spot for any of the available QB's in this years draft. Mason got lucky.

 

The team still has a great eye for WR talent and I'm excited about Washington

I'm also excited about the young CB talent that has been lacking for way too long. Learn to be sure tacklers and they'll be alright

 

I'll do you one better: I have little optimism left for the NFL. Horribly run like many other things these days. Regardless though, watching the Steelers with my eldest daughter is a family tradition and always will be. I do find myself watching a whole helluva lot less of the other NFL games though. I won't be participating in any fantasy football leagues this year either. Way way way way way way better ways to spend time.

 

I’m in 1 league this year after taking a 3 year break. But I’m in it for the money ($1000 jackpot).

I used to do 3-5 leagues a year. I don’t have the time or focus for that anymore.

I think the Steelers win the division again, and if the defense settles a bit, they can make a run for trophy #7. I’m a bit more optimistic than some here, I guess.

 

And if they don't #FireFichtner

 

I was gonna offer some “#fireHaley” work to the Browns board, but I think Sam is their guy for that... when the time comes.

 

Naw. Haley is Sam's chosen one for when they #fireJackson .