For EVERYONE slamming Mason Rudolph!

[Kodiak]

It's time to start a Roeth to Rudolph screen name.

When Rudolph wins a Steelers Super Bowl I will.

You mean like actually win it, or get a ring for just being on the team?

[Lynch]

It's time to start a Roeth to Rudolph screen name.

When Rudolph wins a Steelers Super Bowl I will.

You mean like actually win it, or get a ring for just being on the team?

Like Ben in the 05 SB?

[Texas Black & Gold]

It's time to start a Roeth to Rudolph screen name.

When Rudolph wins a Steelers Super Bowl I will.

You mean like actually win it, or get a ring for just being on the team?

Either way is fine by me.
But wouldn't that be sweet if MR ran in the winning touchdown and was the MVP.
I just woke up

[El Kabong]

When Rudolph wins a Steelers Super Bowl I will.

You mean like actually win it, or get a ring for just being on the team?

Like Ben in the 05 SB?

Uh, no.

[Steelafan77]

... what I don't get is how folks can just expect Mason to play as good as Ben has.

People keep saying this, but I haven't seen anyone comparing him to Ben or expecting him to be that good. It's a strawman intended to deflect and excuse the fact that he's sucked.

What most people hoped for was better than what he's been, which by every objective measure is the worst starting QB in the league.

This is the only straw man excuse.

You all wanted or should I say 'secretly wanted' Rudolph to play as well as Ben has. The first signs of Rudolph struggling sent this board into a tailspin of negativity and hate. Truth is..., Rudolph has played as well as we could hope for without any supporting cast to help contribute. No fucking Run Game! No fucking Receivers can Catch a pass and Now the OLine has begun playing Soft! Those are the real reasons the Steelers Second Year QB [just 8-9 starts in the NFL] is struggling epically.

[Kodiak]

... what I don't get is how folks can just expect Mason to play as good as Ben has.

People keep saying this, but I haven't seen anyone comparing him to Ben or expecting him to be that good. It's a strawman intended to deflect and excuse the fact that he's sucked.

What most people hoped for was better than what he's been, which by every objective measure is the worst starting QB in the league.

This is the only straw man excuse.

You all wanted or should I say 'secretly wanted' Rudolph to play as well as Ben has.

Bullshit. People wanted him to play better than the 35th best starting QB in the NFL. What "we all wanted" was Rudolph to look like an NFL QB, and not a back-up journeyman who struggles to make throws over 5 yards.

The only comparison of Rudolph to Ben have been misguided efforts of his supporters trying to make excuses for Rudolph. There are probably like 2 people who ever thought Rudolph could have HOF potential, and they aren't exactly critics of his play.

[Orangesteel]

Yeah 77’, I think you are off base here pal. Sure we might want MR to play like Ben, but who thought that was actually going to happen?

The thing that gets me is that MR looked pretty damn good in his preseason outings; enough to solidly kick Dobbs out of town. MR made some really good throws in the preseason but man, I’m not seeing any of that now.

I can’t with specificity quote the stats that Perch fired off in this weeks podcast but if you haven’t listened, go do it. As Kodiak said, we don’t need him to be a top tier QB; not even a top 15 QB. But statistically he’s putting up some atrocious numbers. Re: Perch’s stats, I think he’s top 15 in only one statistical category. The rest? He’s 30th or worse in all. He’s completed 10% of his throws to his right that go further than 10 yards down field (10%!!!!). I think that’s 41st in the league or something, and on a no-bye week Sunday there are only 32 guys throwing footballs.

[Ice]

When Rudolph wins a Steelers Super Bowl I will.

You mean like actually win it, or get a ring for just being on the team?

Either way is fine by me.
But wouldn't that be sweet if MR ran in the winning touchdown and was the MVP.
I just woke up

Only if it was on a called QB sneak. The board would instantly self-destruct.

[bradshaw2ben]

Yeah 77’, I think you are off base here pal. Sure we might want MR to play like Ben, but who thought that was actually going to happen?

The thing that gets me is that MR looked pretty damn good in his preseason outings; enough to solidly kick Dobbs out of town. MR made some really good throws in the preseason but man, I’m not seeing any of that now.

I can’t with specificity quote the stats that Perch fired off in this weeks podcast but if you haven’t listened, go do it. As Kodiak said, we don’t need him to be a top tier QB; not even a top 15 QB. But statistically he’s putting up some atrocious numbers. Re: Perch’s stats, I think he’s top 15 in only one statistical category. The rest? He’s 30th or worse in all. He’s completed 10% of his throws to his right that go further than 10 yards down field (10%!!!!). I think that’s 41st in the league or something, and on a no-bye week Sunday there are only 32 guys throwing footballs.

Please don't accuse Perch of talking about stats! He'll be very offended. The stat you mention is ACCURACY not COMPLETION %. 10% of throws to the right sideline either hit or would have hit the receiver on target. I quoted the stats seen here (Rudolph is next to last on the chart):
https://nocheckdowns.com/app/location-accuracy/

[COR-TEN]

Let me ask this : If the O line was working better - i.e. like last year - would MR's learning curve get flatter? Add to that a WR group that has been working together for more than one camp and a running game that exists. . . ?

I'm not defending him as others have shown me clearly his deficiencies. And I agree. I just think he's been placed in a frying pan and under the spotlight, so some of those deficiencies are amplified and magnified. Apologies for the mixed metaphors.

[COR-TEN]

.

[meanjustinbarlow]

Yeah 77’, I think you are off base here pal. Sure we might want MR to play like Ben, but who thought that was actually going to happen?

The thing that gets me is that MR looked pretty damn good in his preseason outings; enough to solidly kick Dobbs out of town. MR made some really good throws in the preseason but man, I’m not seeing any of that now.

I can’t with specificity quote the stats that Perch fired off in this weeks podcast but if you haven’t listened, go do it. As Kodiak said, we don’t need him to be a top tier QB; not even a top 15 QB. But statistically he’s putting up some atrocious numbers. Re: Perch’s stats, I think he’s top 15 in only one statistical category. The rest? He’s 30th or worse in all. He’s completed 10% of his throws to his right that go further than 10 yards down field (10%!!!!). I think that’s 41st in the league or something, and on a no-bye week Sunday there are only 32 guys throwing footballs.

Please don't accuse Perch of talking about stats! He'll be very offended. The stat you mention is ACCURACY not COMPLETION %. 10% of throws to the right sideline either hit or would have hit the receiver on target. I quoted the stats seen here (Rudolph is next to last on the chart):
https://nocheckdowns.com/app/location-accuracy/

I just checked those stats and guys like Josh Allen, Chase Daniel, and Luke Falk are popping up in the top 5 left and right. I don't know how much stock I can put in these stats lol.

[bradshaw2ben]

Yeah 77’, I think you are off base here pal. Sure we might want MR to play like Ben, but who thought that was actually going to happen?

The thing that gets me is that MR looked pretty damn good in his preseason outings; enough to solidly kick Dobbs out of town. MR made some really good throws in the preseason but man, I’m not seeing any of that now.

I can’t with specificity quote the stats that Perch fired off in this weeks podcast but if you haven’t listened, go do it. As Kodiak said, we don’t need him to be a top tier QB; not even a top 15 QB. But statistically he’s putting up some atrocious numbers. Re: Perch’s stats, I think he’s top 15 in only one statistical category. The rest? He’s 30th or worse in all. He’s completed 10% of his throws to his right that go further than 10 yards down field (10%!!!!). I think that’s 41st in the league or something, and on a no-bye week Sunday there are only 32 guys throwing footballs.

Please don't accuse Perch of talking about stats! He'll be very offended. The stat you mention is ACCURACY not COMPLETION %. 10% of throws to the right sideline either hit or would have hit the receiver on target. I quoted the stats seen here (Rudolph is next to last on the chart):
https://nocheckdowns.com/app/location-accuracy/

I just checked those stats and guys like Josh Allen, Chase Daniel, and Luke Falk are popping up in the top 5 left and right. I don't know how much stock I can put in these stats lol.

I would take Josh Allen a million times over Rudolph. Allen has a ton of upside and he makes winning football plays (even if sometimes he has to overcome his own mistakes). Allen has been damn near the best QB in football within 21 yards... which is funny, because the deep ball was his strength in college.

[bradshaw2ben]

Let me ask this : If the O line was working better - i.e. like last year - would MR's learning curve get flatter? Add to that a WR group that has been working together for more than one camp and a running game that exists. . . ?

I'm not defending him as others have shown me clearly his deficiencies. And I agree. I just think he's been placed in a frying pan and under the spotlight, so some of those deficiencies are amplified and magnified. Apologies for the mixed metaphors.

I maintain: the OL is basically playing the same as it did last year. It's getting fucked by the QB. Defenses are sitting on run and short passes and their QB is holding the ball.

[TemporaryDuck]

I'm not defending him as others have shown me clearly his deficiencies. And I agree. I just think he's been placed in a frying pan and under the spotlight, so some of those deficiencies are amplified and magnified. Apologies for the mixed metaphors.

I'll go out on a limb and defend him. In preseason he looked like the 2nd coming of Tom Brady. But, he was never supposed to start, the injuries are a mess. And yet, we are still in the playoff hunt. I'm one of those annoying Duck fans, but I think MR could really light it up as soon as we get some consistency.
The next two games are everything it seems.

[Steelafan77]

Ever notice how folks will only quote a part of your post that if spun enough supports their agenda? Keep on keepin on...

You realize there are 10 other players that have to do their due diligence by doing their job. How many passes that were catchable were either dropped or tipped into the defender for an INT? How many running lanes are open? How many clean passing pockets are generated? How many of those lanes lead to a successful gain? Oh and before we all forget how are all those innovative effective playcalls coming?

Y'all put it on an inexperienced QB in his second year after starting only 8-9 NFL games and blame him for sucking? Talk about Strawman...

[Orangesteel]

If that is directed at me, the stats don’t lie (even if I butchered what Perch said on the podcast)

Mason Rudolph is extremely average, and why are there ppl on this board that are still so hell bent on him? Do you realize what you have to pay to sign even a “decent” QB to C2 these days??? Are you telling me you want to sign him to a contract like that?

Hell motherfucking no.

[Steelafan77]

Orange, I usually don't single folks out. It serves only to bicker. I point out the above because it seems folks have lost the idea of TEAM SPORTS within this "He Sucks" argument. That's all brother. I have no ill will towards anyone here. We're all in this sinking titanic switching rooms as fast as we can together...

[Orangesteel]

Haha. Well said.

[Kodiak]

Orange, I usually don't single folks out. It serves only to bicker. I point out the above because it seems folks have lost the idea of TEAM SPORTS within this "He Sucks" argument. That's all brother. I have no ill will towards anyone here. We're all in this sinking titanic switching rooms as fast as we can together...

I'd expect some drop-off because Rudolph has a lot to learn reading defenses, can't adjust protections like Ben, and isn't going to audible out of a bad play. That's the learning curve of a first-year QB.

Still, there's a large gap from that and where Rudolph is currently. Until he shows some consistency, any at all, throwing to all parts of the field beyond the LOS....defenses are going to squat because they don't respect the passing game, which makes everything else suffer.

Rudolph is not the only problem on the offense, and no one has pretended otherwise, but he is far and away THE #1 problem with this offense.

[Steelafan77]

Fair enough Kodiak. I see your point. I agree with most of your post. I just think back to When Ben took over the reigns... He had a solid corp of guys on offense. Even a decent coach or two... I just believe the Rudolph issue is more than just him being average to subpar as a QB... I guess we'll agree on some and agree to disagree some....Good discussions are what keeps engaged with this site. I'm glad we still have them on civil terms here.

[Kodiak]

Fair enough Kodiak. I see your point. I agree with most of your post. I just think back to When Ben took over the reigns... He had a solid corp of guys on offense.

For the record.....When Ben took over, the team had been 6-10 with a rather anemic offense. What Ben inherited was an OL shitty on pass pro....Receivers named Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El, and I think Cedrick Wilson!!!, and a rookie Plaxico Burress with the wrong prescription lenses. Oh, the following year a rookie TE named Heath Miller.

Also a washed-up Jerome Bettis. A nice back in Deuce Staley who would soon spend most of his time in sweats.

Quit making excuses for Rudolph and accusing others of expecting him to be Ben. It is HIGHLY debatable that Rudolph walked into a worst situation than Ben. Yes, we all get that Rudolph will never be a HOFer. But that's not the only reason why he's sucked so badly.

The reality is if Rudolph was a competent NFL starter we probably wouldn't be having these debates.

[Steelafan77]

Firstly, these post's of mine are Not Excuses. They are observations that are opposite of yours.

Secondly, Ben inherited a corp offense full of veterans that were for all intent and purposes more experienced. A washed up Bettis? Ok if that's your 'observation' and while the WR's weren't your all pro type they could at least catch a fucking pass...

Dude, no matter what you state I will not be convinced of your negativity regarding Rudolph. It is Far Too Early in his career to be referring him as a bust Especially with the injured/inexperienced corp of offensive skill players around him. Guys with either no NFL experience, of limited experience and/or just promoting from the practice squad or street. Wrap your head around that. That was not Ben's reality when he took over.

Holton for example has been targeted 13 times has 1 reception... ONE! Drops a shit ton of passes cause dude fucking sucks donkey ass...Smith-Schuster has 66 targets and has 32 receptions. Not exactly the type of production you want from your #1 WR. Now is injured and will likely not play tomorrow...Johnson has 50 targets with 32 receptions and Washington has 42 targets with 23 receptions. Can these WR's catch a pass more often?

Running game, or lack thereof. Look at the stats and you'll see why Rudolph has struggled beyond his own abilities...
Conner 390 rushing yards approaching game 11? That's some great running game there... oh wait there's more...Samuels with 115 rushing yards...Snell 118 rushing yards... you think that Washed Up Bettis was worse?

Haven't even started talking scheme yet cause we all know there is no scheme. There is no rhyme or reason within this currently Fichtner constructed offense. Just short passes at or just beyond the LOS and little to ZERO running game. With an OLine that includes 3 count them 3 Pro Bowlers they can't get any running game going to help this young QB gain confidence and succeed more often like what happened in Ben's first season. No they try to dink and dunk the shit out of defenses and as a result become not only Very Predictable but Very Stoppable.

This isn't just about Rudolph's limitations Kodiak. And for you and others to insist it is becomes laughable. This is a TEAM Sport after all. From Coaching to fitness and preparation... This team is in shambles and it's not just Rudolph's fault that this offense SUCKS ASS!

That's Not a fucking Excuse! That's a FACT!

[K_C_]

Fair enough Kodiak. I see your point. I agree with most of your post. I just think back to When Ben took over the reigns... He had a solid corp of guys on offense.

For the record.....When Ben took over, the team had been 6-10 with a rather anemic offense. What Ben inherited was an OL shitty on pass pro....Receivers named Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El, and I think Cedrick Wilson!!!, and a rookie Plaxico Burress with the wrong prescription lenses. Oh, the following year a rookie TE named Heath Miller.

Also a washed-up Jerome Bettis. A nice back in Deuce Staley who would soon spend most of his time in sweats.

Quit making excuses for Rudolph and accusing others of expecting him to be Ben. It is HIGHLY debatable that Rudolph walked into a worst situation than Ben. Yes, we all get that Rudolph will never be a HOFer. But that's not the only reason why he's sucked so badly.

The reality is if Rudolph was a competent NFL starter we probably wouldn't be having these debates.

The supporting cast Ben inherited was a SHIT TON better than the one Mason Rudolph is attempting to win with. It isn't close in any way, shape or form.

Rudolph has new RB's and WR's weekly (Conner might as well retire already) with stiffs like Trey Edmunds who couldn't block an oncoming pass rusher if his fuckstick life depended on it.

But I'm getting to the point where I'd love to see Duck play in a game with this supporting cast (no Conner, especially) where a fucking defensive coordinator actually knows what in the fuck his name is.

I assure you during that Ravens game, 97% of the Ravens coaching staff and players had literally NO IDEA who the fuck Duck Hodges was when he replaced an injured Rudolph. Against San Diego I believe Duck went downfield twice one of those was an easy pick (to be fair, whenever you throw a pass to Johnny Fucking Holton, you should expect a bad result. Holton has seen MAJOR snaps at WR for Rudolph).

So yeah, if he has another disaster like the Browns game, I 100% want to see Rudolph take a seat so we can find out exactly what Duck has to offer.

[Steelafan77]

I like Duck KC but I wonder if he can do any better with the Very Limited skill players on this current roster backed by a less than professional game planning OC with his own limitations. I believe Duck will struggle as much as Rudolph if not more... I could absolutely be wrong in this speculation, but knowing what Fichtner has brought to the table already I feel like I'd be more right than wrong at this point. Duck would have to play Super Human to make anything out of the crap Fichtner puts out there. That combined with the rest of the offense playing super human. Against an 0-10 team I guess that's very possible.

[K_C_]

I like Duck KC but I wonder if he can do any better with the Very Limited skill players on this current roster backed by a less than professional game planning OC with his own limitations. I believe Duck will struggle as much as Rudolph if not more... I could absolutely be wrong in this speculation, but knowing what Fichtner has brought to the table already I feel like I'd be more right than wrong at this point. Duck would have to play Super Human to make anything out of the crap Fichtner puts out there. That combined with the rest of the offense playing super human. Against an 0-10 team I guess that's very possible.

Behind this now fairly shitty offensive line and with the skill players we're trotting out there?

We'll be lucky if Duck doesn't die.

[Jobu]

Johnny Holton will likely be the “starting” slot receiver tomorrow...

[tbsteel]

Let me ask this : If the O line was working better - i.e. like last year - would MR's learning curve get flatter? Add to that a WR group that has been working together for more than one camp and a running game that exists. . . ?

I'm not defending him as others have shown me clearly his deficiencies. And I agree. I just think he's been placed in a frying pan and under the spotlight, so some of those deficiencies are amplified and magnified. Apologies for the mixed metaphors.

I maintain: the OL is basically playing the same as it did last year. It's getting fucked by the QB. Defenses are sitting on run and short passes and their QB is holding the ball.

Agreed. I keep seeing this talk about the o-line falling off but they've been fine. They've got an immobile QB who holds the ball way too long because he's can't anticipate or read anything happening in front of him and actually has consistently slid and moved himself into pressure/sacks because he has little to no pocket presence and no sense of where the rush is coming from whatsoever. And it's hard to run the ball against 8-9 man fronts with no respect for any semblance of a passing game and a RB group that leaves a lot to be desired in terms of making defenders miss and making any sort of big play.

Feiler has quietly been a freaking stud too.

[Kodiak]

I was seriously laughing last week where 2-3 times, rather than simply turn to his left, Rudolph spun 270 degrees to his right. He had a rusher coming from his right - so he's spinning toward the rusher...in order to spin away from the rusher and move to his left

[955876]

Agreed. I keep seeing this talk about the o-line falling off but they've been fine.

They haven’t been fine in short yardage. Fail to get any push far too often.

Ruddy hasn’t helped in terms of their pass pro but these guys need to man up and actually bang some heads out there in the run game.

This team is just soft all over.