Protecting Rudolph

[stillthere]

I know most of you will recall Brady in 2001-2003 when Charlie Weis was running the O in NE and how he basically never threw a pass more than 10 yards downfield. I seem to see the Steelers doing the same with Mason. Also I think they don't want him sitting back there burping the baby on 5 and 7 step drops because if he gets clobbered the season is a wrap. They are giving him 1 side of the field to read moving the pocket a little bit. Short dump offs and let athletes make plays and when he does take shots they seem to be available because the D is creeping up closer and closer to the line. Maybe it is just me but that is what I have seen developing in the game plans we have put forth so far. I am not even mad at the concept.

Any different takes?

[Kodiak]

If they don't let him run an NFL offense, we win 3 or 4 games. So the idea of babying or protecting him because they still hope to make the playoffs is an inherently contradictory course.

Obviously young QB's improve every week and every year, but defenses also learn how to play them better. There's no longer this big, long performance curve they have to climb - it is usually pretty clear fairly quickly if a guy has the potential to be a franchise QB.

That said, we can't really judge until they let him run an NFL offense. I don't think what they did against SEA and CIN has any hope of working against BAL. They may be struggling on defense, but if you're going to make it that easy on Harbaugh he'll shut you down.

[LakecrestSteeler]

If they don't let him run an NFL offense, we win 3 or 4 games. So the idea of babying or protecting him because they still hope to make the playoffs is an inherently contradictory course.

Obviously young QB's improve every week and every year, but defenses also learn how to play them better. There's no longer this big, long performance curve they have to climb - it is usually pretty clear fairly quickly if a guy has the potential to be a franchise QB.

That said, we can't really judge until they let him run an NFL offense. I don't think what they did against SEA and CIN has any hope of working against BAL. They may be struggling on defense, but if you're going to make it that easy on Harbaugh he'll shut you down.

Why don’t you think this game plan will work against Baltimore?

If they think they can run the exact same thing then I agree. But if they have a part B to this game plan for the Baltimore adjustments, it should work.

The only way to really stop these off tackle sweeps is to bring up the safeties. It was a good first step, and they need the same amount of creativity every week.

Start bringing up safeties and the TEs should be able to sneak out.

OC needs to put WR3 to the bottom of the passing pecking order. WR1, then WR2, then spread the rest between RBs and TEs, then WR3.

John Harbaugh isn’t Belichick.

[Kodiak]

Why don’t you think this game plan will work against Baltimore?

If you limit your QB, Harbaugh absolutely will eat that up. He's not Belicheat, but he's pretty damn good and his defense almost always plays us tough...and that was when we had Ben.

[COR-TEN]

I don't think they were protecting Rudolph. After what happened in the three games prior, instead of trying to open holes in the middle, they used misdirection jet sweeps to run to the perimeter, and made the D back off.

I suspect we'll be seeing a similar attack, but using the middle of the field more when Vannett learns more of the playbook.

I'm actually optimistic. I said this in the old forum, but I'm calling it here. There will be a QB controversy next year. Or at least that's what the media will read into it for clicks.

[Donnie Brasco]

I don't think they were protecting Rudolph. After what happened in the three games prior, instead of trying to open holes in the middle, they used misdirection jet sweeps to run to the perimeter, and made the D back off.

I suspect we'll be seeing a similar attack, but using the middle of the field more when Vannett learns more of the playbook.

I'm actually optimistic. I said this in the old forum, but I'm calling it here. There will be a QB controversy next year. Or at least that's what the media will read into it for clicks.

I think they were indeed protecting Rudolph, which actually is smart. Why get the kid killed and have him become David Carr 2.0?

I said in another thread that I hope this offense becomes less conservative as Rudolph grows. My fear is that they won't because conservative has won them some games.

[bradshaw2ben]

I don't think they were protecting Rudolph. After what happened in the three games prior, instead of trying to open holes in the middle, they used misdirection jet sweeps to run to the perimeter, and made the D back off.

I suspect we'll be seeing a similar attack, but using the middle of the field more when Vannett learns more of the playbook.

I'm actually optimistic. I said this in the old forum, but I'm calling it here. There will be a QB controversy next year. Or at least that's what the media will read into it for clicks.

[COR-TEN]

I don't think they were protecting Rudolph. After what happened in the three games prior, instead of trying to open holes in the middle, they used misdirection jet sweeps to run to the perimeter, and made the D back off.

I suspect we'll be seeing a similar attack, but using the middle of the field more when Vannett learns more of the playbook.

I'm actually optimistic. I said this in the old forum, but I'm calling it here. There will be a QB controversy next year. Or at least that's what the media will read into it for clicks.

I think they were indeed protecting Rudolph, which actually is smart. Why get the kid killed and have him become David Carr 2.0?

I said in another thread that I hope this offense becomes less conservative as Rudolph grows. My fear is that they won't because conservative has won them some games.

I just re-watched some of the Seattle highlights. He did in fact throw downfield. I think it was an appropriate game plan since the first three games were opponents stacking the box. And were likely to see the same thing from the brownies. They just ran around it with speed. The jags gashed the steelers with the same shit. Spread the d line, find holes and attack them.

[Donnie Brasco]

I don't think they were protecting Rudolph. After what happened in the three games prior, instead of trying to open holes in the middle, they used misdirection jet sweeps to run to the perimeter, and made the D back off.

I suspect we'll be seeing a similar attack, but using the middle of the field more when Vannett learns more of the playbook.

I'm actually optimistic. I said this in the old forum, but I'm calling it here. There will be a QB controversy next year. Or at least that's what the media will read into it for clicks.

I think they were indeed protecting Rudolph, which actually is smart. Why get the kid killed and have him become David Carr 2.0?

I said in another thread that I hope this offense becomes less conservative as Rudolph grows. My fear is that they won't because conservative has won them some games.

I just re-watched some of the Seattle highlights. He did in fact throw downfield. I think it was an appropriate game plan since the first three games were opponents stacking the box. And were likely to see the same thing from the brownies. They just ran around it with speed. The jags gashed the steelers with the same shit. Spread the d line, find holes and attack them.

I should have clarified: they went conservative last night. It's hard to determine what was happening vs the 49ers because did he go short bc he was getting pressured or was that designed?

Yes he did go downfield vs the Seahawks but I think they altered their approach from that game.

Our coaches are simple minded that they likely concluded:

Throw downfield = losing
Conservative = winning

There's a time and place to wing it, I think Rudolph is capable...we'll see if the coaches agree or just pucker up

[steelmann58]

this game help him bulid and now they will expand but the WR still need to get open