Pre-Season Game 4: Carolina @ Pittsburgh

Joshua Dobbs to start vs. the Carolina Panthers in 4th preseason game

The Pittsburgh Steelers will put their second year quarterback on the field first to play against the Carolina Panthers this Thursday night.
By Jeff.Hartman@BnGBlitz Aug 28, 2018, 3:44pm EDT

James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers have one more preseason game left before the organization and coaching staff have to trim their roster from 90 players to 53. With that said, it is the last chance for some players to put a quality product on the football field, not just for a shot to make the Steelers’ roster, but also to put some tape out there for other teams who might want to pick them up off the NFL scrap heap.

One position which is certainly intriguing for the Steelers would be the quarterback position. The team has four quarterbacks, and fans are assuming they will keep just three, but there is a very outside chance they could keep all four.

When Mike Tomlin was asked about keeping four quarterbacks at his weekly press conference, his answer was simple:

“If you look at what happens in today’s NFL it has been done. But in today’s NFL two are probably kept more than four. So, it is probably less frequent than two at this juncture.”

Not really showing his hand, but one thing he is planning on doing is giving Joshua Dobbs the start Thursday night at Heinz Field. But don’t read too much into it, as Tomlin stated the reason behind Dobbs, and not Mason Rudolph, starting is so every quarterback will have received a chance to start a preseason game under center.

Week 1 at Philadelphia: Landry Jones started
Week 2 at Green Bay: Mason Rudolph started
Week 3 vs. Tennessee: Ben Roethlisberger started
Week 4 vs. Carolina: Joshua Dobbs slated to start

If you want a glimpse of how the playing time might be allocated between Rudolph and Dobbs, expect the Packers game, just reversed. It was there when Rudolph started, played the first half and then Dobbs came in relief starting in the third quarter.

With Dobbs starting odds are he will get a full half of time, with Rudolph coming in for the second half. It is unclear, although unlikely, Jones plays at all.

 

I still vote to kick Landry Jones off the island

 

And what's with his cop/porn 'stache?

 

TE Bucky Hodges is getting a chance to show his stuff as a first year Steeler. With all the injury in that group, I'm watching this kid to see how he handles the position, his situation, the urgency of the moment tempered by smart but aggressive play ... I wasn't too familiar with him but found an article and googled the rest ... IMO, very athletic and has potential... can he get to the 53 in a game?

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/bucky-hodges?id=2558011

 

The game will replay for the first time on NFL Network on Friday @ 10:00pm EST

 

What is the problem with him? The highlights look incredible, his stats at VT are 133 , 1700 , 20 TDs. They look pretty solid, yet he is on his 4th NFL team. I would like to think he could at least beat out Grimble, but he was cut by three teams.

 

He may not block well, at least from the one play I noticed him he didn’t block well on that play

 

A receiving TE would be a nice weapon, but we will see, he might get to play pretty extensively Thursday night.

 

Here's a glimpse of his professional career...

On December 2016, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Hodges along with Alabama's O. J. Howard as his top tight ends on the draft board. He gave both a first-round grade, ranking Hodges as the No. 32 prospect overall.[17]

Minnesota Vikings[edit]
Hodges was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, in the sixth round, 201st overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft.[19] He was the second Hokie off the board, joining safety Chuck Clark, who went earlier in the sixth round to the Baltimore Ravens. Hodges ended up being the 13th tight end off the board. He was the first offensive player selected from Virginia Tech since quarterback Logan Thomas (now a tight end) went to the Cardinals in the 2014 NFL Draft.[20] On September 3, 2017, Hodges was waived/injured by the Vikings and placed on injured reserve.[21] He was released on September 12, 2017.

Carolina Panthers[edit]
On September 15, 2017, Hodges was signed to the Carolina Panthers' practice squad.[22] He was released on October 31, 2017.[23]

New York Jets[edit]
On April 3, 2018, Hodges signed with the New York Jets.[24] He was released on July 29, 2018.[25]

Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]
On August 2, 2018, Hodges signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[26]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucky_Hodges

It appears to me he tires haven't even been kicked on this kid.

"Hodges was waived/injured by the Vikings and placed on injured reserve.[21] He was released on September 12, 2017."

Don't know what this is ... no more info in article but even with IR he's picked up immediately by Panthers only too be released a month later. Jets give him a few months over the summer and release him... was he just viewed as camp fodder? It doesn't seem to me he has had enough time with any one organization to get comfortable and show his stuff. ? And , he seems, per video, very athletic 6'6'' 250# and if as advertised he has played all the receiver positions including slot, ... if he has all that under his belt and shows up tonight, maybe we have our new Vance McDonald ...

ok, I know, that's a crazy tall order, but it's still the preseason so ... ... that shit flies !

 

The Steelers need to finish strong.

Tunch's Keys to Panthers at Steelers (the three rookie free agents that have a legitimate shot to make the 53-man roster)

Key # 1 - Matthew Thomas (Florida State)
Key # 2 - Olasunkanmi Adenyi (Toldeo)
Key # 3 - Damoun Patterson (Youngstown State)

 

DirectTV running a streaming test of all preseason games so I’m able to watch now.

Dobbs looks really good so far - 2 drives 2 TDs

Matkavich & Bostic look like crap against 2nd and 3rd stringers

 

Let's kick an extra point instead of working a 2-pt play. Makes sense

Are we trading Dobbs or Jones?

 

Brian Allen looks pretty good. Impressed with the TD from Rudolph, not happy he took a big shot on the two point conversion. Like how his teammates came to his defense too

 

Not sure what more Dobbs could do at this point. He deserves to make this team.

 

I’ve been thinking about this since watching Dobbs’ performance tonight. If it’s me I’m trading Jones and here’s why. With Ben we all know they have a chance to make the playoffs and win the SB. With Jones, Dobbs, or Rudolph they do not. With Jones starting over Dobbs or Rudolph he may win a game or two more but that’s about it. Dobbs and Rudolph have a higher potential ceiling. Right now I would give a slight edge to Dobbs over Rudolph to start a game but in the long run Rudolph should be the next potential franchise QB.

Rudolph looked pretty good too In the 1st half.

 

Agree

 

Gano has a cannon. Remember that

 

Agreed on Dobbs making the team. He has shown substantial improvement over last season.

Jones on the other hand has won against 1-14 Cleveland (2016) and 0-15 Cleveland (2017) - both at Heinz Field. He won against Cleveland at Heinz in 2015 when he started over injured (foot) Big Ben and got hurt early. Ben came in and dominated in that game.


I could see the Steelers trading Jones prior to this Saturday (cut-down day) or keeping 4 QBs on the initial 53-man roster. Then fielding trade offers for Jones.

 

Bucky Hodges!!!

 

Hell of a snag by Henderson! Loved you as a Panther