KP8 Crow

[Works At A Bank]

I was one of the guys who didn’t think KP was gonna be anything special. Middling at most I thought. Wasted first round choice in my opinion back then. Now? After seeing the work KP put in during the offseason? Ok I’m onboard. I think I was wrong about the young man! Watching him lead long drives the second half of the season was when I started to change my mind. His throws have some zip now and he’s bulked up a little to absorb nfl hits. I really like what I’ve seen from him so far. It appears as if he just might have that “it” factor.

There - Im officially on the KP8 bandwagon.

[franco32]

Welcome aboard. When you stop comparing him to Ben or other Hall of Famers, and try to see what he has to offer, it's an easier evaluation. He's not Josh Allen but he's got a lot more talent than people think, and we may have something there. Now can Canada put him in the best position to succeed when the real bullets start flying?

[langer]

I think saying that Picketts ceiling is Kirk Cousins is an insult.

I haven’t seen him break down mentally like Cousins and from what I’ve seen so far he won’t.

Cousins is a spaz.

[the-other-burg]

It amazes me how much people undervalue intelligence and dedication when it comes to the QB position. Guys like Pickett have learned to work twice as hard at their craft, because they werent born with the same level of natural athleticism that some QBs have.

How many naturally gifted QBs flame out in the NFL because they havent developed the work ethic required to take their game to the next level.

I am excited to see what KP does this year, what kind of leap he makes, if he has improved some of the physical components if his game.

Give me a QB that can read a defense pre-snap, and then make multiple progressions through all his targets in under 3 seconds. Even if he doesnt have elite arm strength.

You can have the one read, tuck it and run guys.

[Jizz Mop]

There still are “fans” on this board who would rather KP suck to “prove” they were right about him

Mind numbing

[Orangesteel]

I’m excited to see what Kenny can do and how he can manage the albatross that is NHALS to the WHALS. Can’t ball out if your coaching is obsessed with low-risk play it safe football.

[K_C_]

There still are “fans” on this board who would rather KP suck to “prove” they were right about him

Mind numbing

The KP8 haters overall have been very, very quiet this preseason.

Exactly as I expected.

[Smashmouth21]

This is exactly why it is so difficult to evaluate QBs and why I especially hate when people talk about a QB’s “ceiling”. It’s almost comical. KP8 has as much arm talent as Tom Brady. Yes, I know (and B2B said this the last time I brought it up) that comparing a rookie (now second year player) to an all time great or unicorn isn’t going to be the most apt analogy the vast majority of times, but it’s also precisely why you cannot and should not write a signal caller off early for “tools” reasons. Once certain minimum thresholds have been reached, the most important attributes are passing accuracy and football IQ. KP8 appears to have those in spades.

Aside over and back to KP8, what makes him this good even early is his decision making and accuracy, especially on the move. He is also a very underrated athlete. And I have not seen very many QBs with his accuracy on the move, particularly when going to his left. Uncanny. KP8 has the potential to be something truly special. Time will tell but I have been and continue to be very optimistic about his growth in year 2.

For the haters:

[Jizz Mop]

That’s great Smashmouth

[Mick]

I’ve been on the KP bandwagon since before we drafted him, but I don’t see it as time for I Told You Sos. Great QBs contend in Year 2. If and when he does that, I promise to be insufferable.

[tbsteel]

Can we get through a couple of months into the season before serving out crow?

He looks markedly better, but preseason is preseason.

[955876]

Can’t ball out if your coaching is obsessed with low-risk play it safe football.

Exactly. This is my only concern at this point t with KP and it has nothing to do with KP.

I think the kid has drive and is a hard worker. He is accurate (very important) and athletic enough to make plays with his legs when plays break down.

Was concerned about arm strength but he seems to be answering that question.

Hoping to see better downfield passing this year.

Even without a huge cannon like say Herbert he has enough physical tools to get the job done if….

His offensive coaches do their part.

And that remains to be seen.

[955876]

Give me a QB that can read a defense pre-snap, and then make multiple progressions through all his targets in under 3 seconds. Even if he doesnt have elite arm strength.

Look at the immediate success Brock Purdy had last year as Mr. Irrelevant.

His physical tools obviously didn’t impress anyone or he would have been taken higher than dead last.

A smart QB in a well run QB friendly scheme can succeed.

[955876]

There still are “fans” on this board who would rather KP suck to “prove” they were right about him

Mind numbing

Crazy is t it?

These folks are simply Linus with their blankets.

And Ben Roethlisberger is that blanket.

I loved Ben. However, I don’t think it’s fair to say Jibbs only won three playoff games over the last 12 years or so without also pointing out Ben also only won 3 playoff games over those last 12 years or so.

I’m excited about the new blood on the offensive side of the ball.

Hopefully Jibbs stops living in his fears and lets these guys play “varsity” football. He loves his college references so maybe someone should point out to him that the offense he runs is eerily similar to watching the freshman squad.

Run run pass behind the sticks punt.

[ol skool]

I’ve been on the KP bandwagon since before we drafted him, but I don’t see it as time for I Told You Sos. Great QBs contend in Year 2. If and when he does that, I promise to be insufferable.

QB-touting is the most high-stakes touting we fake GMs who love doing mock drafts can engage in. If you're right about that position, you get to strut around like jackass. If you're wrong, you deserve the tarring and feathering.

I'll be right there with you on KP8. I spent a good 10 minutes typing "HAIL TO PITT" over and over again in the group chat on draft day; both to celebrate a pick I didn't see coming, and to annoy numerous posters.

[Professor Half Wit]

I’m excited to see what Kenny can do and how he can manage the albatross that is NHALS to the WHALS. Can’t ball out if your coaching is obsessed with low-risk play it safe football.

You can if you’re a generational talent like BR7.

Here’s to hope-ity hope hope hoping we have a Favre to Rodgers situation on our hands.

Chances of that are pretty damn low.

[Professor Half Wit]

There still are “fans” on this board who would rather KP suck to “prove” they were right about him

Mind numbing

Crazy is t it?

These folks are simply Linus with their blankets.

And Ben Roethlisberger is that blanket.

I loved Ben. However, I don’t think it’s fair to say Jibbs only won three playoff games over the last 12 years or so without also pointing out Ben also only won 3 playoff games over those last 12 years or so.

I’m excited about the new blood on the offensive side of the ball.

Hopefully Jibbs stops living in his fears and lets these guys play “varsity” football. He loves his college references so maybe someone should point out to him that the offense he runs is eerily similar to watching the freshman squad.

Run run pass behind the sticks punt.

I’m starting to wonder that we didn’t have more success w/ Ben not bc Tomlin is living in the 1980s, but bc of roster mismanagement (which would be a Tombert problem).

[fractalsteel]

I didn't like the pick when it was made. Mostly because I thought of KP as a second round talent and I thought he would be there in second for the taking.

But the more I see of him the more I'm coming around to the notion that he might be a very good QB in this league.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

I would add one checkbox, 'There's only one Ben and no one can possibly replace him"

[955876]

There still are “fans” on this board who would rather KP suck to “prove” they were right about him

Mind numbing

Crazy is t it?

These folks are simply Linus with their blankets.

And Ben Roethlisberger is that blanket.

I loved Ben. However, I don’t think it’s fair to say Jibbs only won three playoff games over the last 12 years or so without also pointing out Ben also only won 3 playoff games over those last 12 years or so.

I’m excited about the new blood on the offensive side of the ball.

Hopefully Jibbs stops living in his fears and lets these guys play “varsity” football. He loves his college references so maybe someone should point out to him that the offense he runs is eerily similar to watching the freshman squad.

Run run pass behind the sticks punt.

I’m starting to wonder that we didn’t have more success w/ Ben not bc Tomlin is living in the 1980s, but bc of roster mismanagement (which would be a Tombert problem).

There is certainly that too. I mean, look at the dogshit line the put in front of Ben for his final season.

As he went to to his final few years they should have made his job easier. Instead they made it harder.

Feel like to some degree Ben was also the coaching staffs safety blanket. They could suck around for 3 quarters then have Ben go fix it for them.

Something didn’t seem right though.

Glad Colbert is gone actually. I like the approach this new FO took in the off-season.

[Pabst]

As someone who defended KP early and often, let me say this....

Let's wait until at least week 4 or 5 to start the eat crow thread. Yes, he's looked great and is doing everything we'd hoped in camp/preseason, but at the end of the day these are still just 3 drives in meaningless preseason games.

[955876]

Exactly. A couple INTs in a loss against the 9ers is all it’ll take to tamp down this enthusiasm.

[Smashmouth21]

Exactly. A couple INTs in a loss against the 9ers is all it’ll take to tamp down this enthusiasm.

I’m not worried about some interceptions. All QBs throw them. Look at Ben’s obligatory WTF picks each few games or so. I’ve seen enough of KP8 to know he has “it”. Unless KP8 completely digresses and starts missing wide open WRs or stops seeing the field well (both of which I think are unlikely) he will be fine. That isn’t to say it will be all roses—there will be growing pains—but the arrow for KP8 is pointing way up.

[955876]

I’m not worried about some interceptions.

I agree the arrow is pointing up. I’m just saying if he’s throwing picks and we are losing games as a result it’ll be hard to have threads about the haters having to eat crow now wouldn’t it???

[Smashmouth21]

I’m not worried about some interceptions.

Well, if he’s throwing picks and we are losing games as a result it’ll be hard to have threads about the haters having to eat crow now wouldn’t it???

Well of course. But that’s a lot of ifs…

[955876]

Not really. It’s really only one if. Throwing picks that lead to losses.

[Smashmouth21]

Not really. It’s really only one if. Throwing picks that lead to losses.

Now let’s be fair. I didn’t slap you around for taking my quote out of context. But now you’re doubling down. All QBs throw picks. Throwing an INT does not mean the team will lose. Particularly not with a strong defense like the Steelers. Add to that, Kenny didn’t throw nearly any to end the season last season. So yeah, lots of wild speculation there 95. One bad throw or even one bad game does not make the haters right.

[955876]

I think you are reading WAAAAY too much into this. By a lot.

Pabst said maybe we should wait until we get into actual games before having a KP hater eat crow thread.

I said a few picks against the 9ers in a loss will tamp down that enthusiasm.

You came back acting like it didn’t matter or trying to explain it away.

I get all QBs throw picks. Duh. I’m not disputing that.

I’m just saying if KP comes out throwing some picks and we lose games it’ll look pretty dumb to have a thread about the haters eating crow.

I’m not speaking at all about his long-term development or if I think he’s any good. I’m on board. I like the guy.

But say we start 1-2 or 0-3 where KP has 1 TD to 4 INTs and then come back and start a thread about how people should eat crow and see how well that goes over.

That’s all I’m saying when I agreed with a Pabst that maybe we should actually win some games that matter before starting a “time to eat crow” thread.

If you wanna crown him for preseason success go right ahead.

[Smashmouth21]

I think you are reading WAAAAY too much into this. By a lot.

Pabst said maybe we should wait until we get into actual games before having a KP hater eat crow thread.

I said a few picks against the 9ers in a loss will tamp down that enthusiasm.

You came back acting like it didn’t matter or trying to explain it away.

I get all QBs throw picks. Duh. I’m not disputing that.

I’m just saying if KP comes out throwing some picks and we lose games it’ll look pretty dumb to have a thread about the haters eating crow.

I’m not speaking at all about his long-term development or if I think he’s any good. I’m on board. I like the guy.

But say we start 1-2 or 0-3 where KP has 1 TD to 4 INTs and then come back and start a thread about how people should eat crow and see how well that goes over.

That’s all I’m saying when I agreed with a Pabst that maybe we should actually win some games that matter before starting a “time to eat crow” thread.

If you wanna crown him for preseason success go right ahead.

Fair. And we can both be right (imagine that!). I didn’t start this thread. Nor do I think any player should be crowned because of the preseason—leave that to the Ratbirds... I see KP8 as in the midst of a natural progression that started last season (yes, in real games) and has a very real chance of being special. I did end my initial post with the time will tell truism but I’m optimistic. I think the well deserved crow is for those that wrote KP8 off ridiculously prematurely.

[955876]

Thank you…