Justin Fields in the pocket & other thoughts

[tbsteel]

Here's a live look of Justin Fields in the pocket:



*He is just so uncomfortable in the pocket and under center, and everything in his body language screams "LET ME OUT, I DON'T LIKE IT HERE!!" In year four, I think he's a lost cause. He looks so rushed and unsure of himself, has no natural pocket movement abilities, and instantly folds under pressure. I heard over a week ago that while the media was blowing him up that internally he had no chance to supplant Wilson because he was "really still struggling the pocket." Let's just hope he only ends up costing a sixth next year as this offense would be a mess with him as starter.

*Not to mention, as anti-turnover and ball control oriented as Tomlin naturally is, a turnover machine like Fields will not get much if any of a grace period.

& other thoughts:

*Payton Wilson is a little rough around the edges, but man he stands out. He has a nose for the ball and movement skills that no one else on the D has. They will have a hard time keeping him off the field.

*I still don't get the experiment of Leal at OLB. But of course, this team is obsessed with forcing guys to play out of their natural position to their own detriment. He'll never have that quick twitch/first step needed to succeed outside.

*My prediction: our QB play this year will make both Jones and Fautanu look like busts. Are they even sure what they want to do with Jones? It takes awhile for the OL to gel and get up to game speed, and Fautanu got a little bit of that welcome to the NFL last night, but I still think there's questions if he'll stick at tackle.

*JPJ going to lead the NFL in penalty yardage this year? Great talent, but I'm suspicious of a sophomore slump.

*As much as I want Aiyuk (our WR core is just so pedestrian), you just can't give up a first round pick for him. Despite Steelers fans and Steelers Twitter types putting their head in the sand, QB has to be the #1 pick next year. The goal until then is to build up the team enough so it's not a disaster when we put a rookie QB out there. Everything this team does going forward from a FO standpoint should be geared to 1) finding the next franchise QB, no matter how many dart throws it takes and 2) keeping the roster competent so that a rookie QB has a real chance to succeed.

*Season prediction: the end of NHALS is secured with a 7-10 record and a last place finish in the division. The Steelers do their usual slow start but can't feast late in the year on hobbled teams and teams not playing for anything to pull off their usual strong finish, and sputter towards the finish line. The offense is plagued by ill-timed turnovers and inconsistent play coupled with a castrated passing game and a running game that is just okay, the defense, while solid, can't hold the line, and Boswell falls off a bit.

[.Kodiak]

He's barely a 60% career passer. That's like the Mendoza line for QBs. Eli is the only one I saw start out below that and become a franchise QB.

I guess you can win without a franchise QB in the NFL today. But Tomlin and his neanderthal offense can't do it.

[Havoc]

Hilarious opening statement and pic, TB

I thought the celebration of getting Fields was odd.

We need a creative mind who is willing to let Fields be what he is to get the most out of his skillset.

[.Kodiak]

Hilarious opening statement and pic, TB

I thought the celebration of getting Fields was odd.

We need a creative mind who is willing to let Fields be what he is to get the most out of his skillset.

Dude fumbles a lot. What was his hand size?

[W&M_Steeler]

Hilarious opening statement and pic, TB

I thought the celebration of getting Fields was odd.

We need a creative mind who is willing to let Fields be what he is to get the most out of his skillset.

Can Justin Fields catch? I think he'd be better as Slash 2.0 than as a full-time QB.

[Orangesteel]

Upon reflection I liked the playcalling/play design from the game. It wasn’t perfect (three straight runs from the 3 yard line before Allen misthrew CA3 for an easy TD) but Artie’s offense combined running, getting the mobile OLs in space and looking to light people up and a nice balance of play action to intermediate routes.

For months now alot of pundits have commented that this could be the type of offense that can revive RW’s career. He doesn’t need to be 25 year old RW to have success here; he needs to be smart, make athletic throws and not turn the ball over. I know Fields can make athletic throws but I question his smarts and I KNOW he doesn’t protect the ball.

If SF ain’t going to trade Aiyuk to us then there is nothing we can do. Van Jefferson hopefully has a chip on his shoulder because all of this trade talk probably makes it clear that he isn’t considered a true #2. He’s got good size and speed and has always had above average hands. George, Van and some scheming of Calvin and Roman might be enough to make this offense tick.

If the reports are true that Aiyuk wants to play for the Steelers then obviously open arms and all of that, but I’m with OP, the search for the next franchise QB is officially on and I hope Tomlin isn’t involved whatsoever.

[franco32]

It's just so rare that a QB sees the light at this point in his career. Terry Bradshaw turnarounds come about once in a lifetime (or generation at best). Fields looked confused against preseason defensive looks last night. What he is going to do against fully schemed defenses???

[Orangesteel]

It's just so rare that a QB sees the light at this point in his career. Terry Bradshaw turnarounds come about once in a lifetime (or generation at best). Fields looked confused against preseason defensive looks last night. What he is going to do against fully schemed defenses???

Exactly. He’s an athletic freak so he probably can win you a game or two against poorer teams just because you can’t spy a guy like that with great success. He can sling it on the run and he can run like a gazelle, but you can’t expect him to run a designed offense with success.

I’m all for the packages this season where he comes into the game and the defense starts to scratch their heads. But he’s not the guy and won’t ever be.

[jebrick]

On the fumbles, Dan Orlovsky broke down the fumbles and said it was Fields not adjusting to Herbig's movement. My guess is that it s a communication issue with Herbig or the new offense as Fields has been a QB long enough to know he must adjust when the center has to step.

https://x.com/danorlovsky7/status/18222 ... 7qD0xqd6aA

The Oline was a mess last night. Fautanu would not set his feet on pass sets. Jones, at LT looked very slow out of his stance. Not the same as RT. Much like KP not trusting the pocket, Fields had not much time in some cases. I think he made good throws in the 1st 2 series.

It is going to take a while for the Oline to jell. You could have Chuck Noll and Munchik there and it would still be an issue. Frazier needs to be starting. It was clear he was better than Herbig. They need to set a time limit on this Jones ego trip to the LT. I was impressed with McCormick and Frazier. Fautanu can get out there and block on the move. This will be a very good Oline but perhaps next year or at least after 6 games.

[langer]

Frazier came in and looked like he had been there before, he was out in front of plays and looking for contact. A definite improvement.

Fields is not an NFL QB. He doesn't have the brain for it, not sure he even has the physical tools either. Just an over-rated hamandegger. Wilson has to be better than that.

If he isn't, this team is fucked.

Listening to Art Jr on the broadcast, he is delusional. Not exactly a guy with any energy or intellect for football from what bullshit he was shoveling.

[K_C_]

Frazier came in and looked like he had been there before, he was out in front of plays and looking for contact. A definite improvement.

Fields is not an NFL QB. He doesn't have the brain for it, not sure he even has the physical tools either. Just an over-rated hamandegger. Wilson has to be better than that.

If he isn't, this team is fucked.

Listening to Art Jr on the broadcast, he is delusional. Not exactly a guy with any energy or intellect for football from what bullshit he was shoveling.

Agreed on Fields.

He really didn't play that badly yesterday and the fumbled snaps weren't very surprising in a first preseason game, but Fields simply doesn't possess the required mental aspect of the game and the pocket presence required to be an NFL QB.

It just isn't gonna happen for the guy.

[Steeldrama]

Listening to Art Jr on the broadcast, he is delusional. Not exactly a guy with any energy or intellect for football from what bullshit he was shoveling.

Hopefully the barely lucid mope retires to his Lazy Boy in the very near future

Pompeani, Batch, and Deuce

THAT is some really bad TV

[Orangesteel]

Listening to Art Jr on the broadcast, he is delusional. Not exactly a guy with any energy or intellect for football from what bullshit he was shoveling.

Hopefully the barely lucid mope retires to his Lazy Boy in the very near future

Pompeani, Batch, and Deuce

THAT is some really bad TV

I could hear Deuce peeling his ass off of the leather sofa to make it to the game. Sounded like two pieces of industrial strength Velcro being pulled apart…

[fractalsteel]

Hopefully the barely lucid mope retires to his Lazy Boy in the very near future

Pompeani, Batch, and Deuce

THAT is some really bad TV

They did manage to mention Edmund Nelson when the Rib Fest was brought up.

I still find it incredible that Pompeani and Jim Nantz are long time best friends. I guess it just confirms that Nantz is a world class douche.

I can't count over the years how many times I saw Pompeani outside Penguin games walking around the crowds pregame and fans would hurl insults at him from all corners. Good ole Bob would just smile and wave.
Tool.

[BouldernBun]

When/if old man Russ has to sit because of injuries, Justin will work himself into the Tomlin Doghouse pretty quick. Get ready for some Kyle.

[W&M_Steeler]

When/if old man Russ has to sit because of injuries, Justin will work himself into the Tomlin Doghouse pretty quick. Get ready for some Kyle.

Hopefully that happens soon enough so the Steelers don't give Fields a stupid contract.

[langer]

Russ somehow hurt his calf hitting a blocking sled.

Why was he hitting a blocking sled?

With Fields displaying his lack of football smarts, this team could be worse off than last year, by a lot.

[K_C_]

Russ somehow hurt his calf hitting a blocking sled.

Why was he hitting a blocking sled?

With Fields displaying his lack of football smarts, this team could be worse off than last year, by a lot.

Fields is nowhere near Trubisky level bad. Trubisky is the worst Steelers QB I've personally seen since Kent Graham but boy, while Fields will make some jaw dropping plays out there, he'll also make some of the dumbest we'll ever see too.

Kyle Allen is probably about even with Rudolph.

A healthy Wilson, unless he's somehow really degraded with age, should be an upgrade over Pickett. How big an upgrade, I don't know. I still think Kenny could have developed in Pittsburgh but he took a major step back last year after a promising start as a rookie.

[.Kodiak]

I remember when Fields was going to "see significant time and become our starter of the future".

As for Kenny, sounds like he's picking up right where he left off in PIT. I'd say the over/under is trending toward out of the league in 3 years.
"Friday’s game came during the same week Pickett ceded second-team reps to third stringer Tanner McKee, and it came during a training camp when Pickett has at times struggled to move the ball down the field against his own defense in practice. Several plays in practice have ended with him not throwing the ball, getting sacked, or scrambling. "

[K_C_]

I remember when Fields was going to "see significant time and become our starter of the future".

As for Kenny, sounds like he's picking up right where he left off in PIT. I'd say the over/under is trending toward out of the league in 3 years.
"Friday’s game came during the same week Pickett ceded second-team reps to third stringer Tanner McKee, and it came during a training camp when Pickett has at times struggled to move the ball down the field against his own defense in practice. Several plays in practice have ended with him not throwing the ball, getting sacked, or scrambling. "

Fields very well might be the Steelers starter of the future. We don't know what kind of plans Tomlin and Khan have for him or how he'll perform during the season, if he plays at all.

Growing up about 30 miles from Chicago and having a lot of family there, I would say 85% of the Bears fans I know wanted to roll with Fields and wanted to draft pieces to help him. They did not want Caleb Williams. Do I think those people are nuts? Absolutely but Fields is still young and did have an awful supporting cast and awful coaching in Chicago. That isn't even debatable.

Watching Fields though, while he has a gun for an arm and can run like a gazelle, he still looks to have zero pocket presence and simply might not have the necessary intangibles to be a successful NFL QB. The Steelers got him pretty much for free so I don't blame them one bit for giving him a shot.

But again, neither you nor I or anybody on this board has any idea what the Steelers intend to do with Fields and yeah, there's absolutely a chance he ends up the Steelers QB of the future.

[jebrick]

The Eagle fans are over KP already

https://x.com/jkmanring/status/1822073444059509237

[W&M_Steeler]

I remember when Fields was going to "see significant time and become our starter of the future".

Fields is just another in the collection of 1st round busts the Steelers have pulled out of the dumpster the past few years, along with Paxton Lynch, Dwayne Haskins, and Mitch. I have never understood the Fields hype.

[K_C_]

I remember when Fields was going to "see significant time and become our starter of the future".

Fields is just another in the collection of 1st round busts the Steelers have pulled out of the dumpster the past few years, along with Paxton Lynch, Dwayne Haskins, and Mitch. I have never understood the Fields hype.

Haskins and Lynch were never 3 years starters like Fields. They also don't have anything resembling his physicals skills. Trubisky started for 3 years and wasn't awful (went to the playoffs twice and should have won a game if not for the double doink miss from about 20 yards) but something has happened to Mitch since he left Chicago. He literally has to throw INT's. Damn near looks like he's point shaving he looks so bad.

The book hasn't been written on Fields yet. I do not believe he succeeds but I also think the Steelers want to develop him. They understand Fields has outlier talent and has had terrible coaching and a terrible supporting cast. They are going to give him every chance to turn it around and if they can keep Fields at a decent price (and I think they can) don't be surprised if Fields is the starter once Wilson is gone after this year.

[langer]

Shouldn't talent be quantified as being able to play the QB position?

He doesn't have that. Maybe he can run fast, that doesn't really help him.

[.Kodiak]

In other news, Rudolph appears to have an edge over the legendary Malik Willis to BACK-UP future HOFer Will Levis....Can't believe we let that guy go.

[Jobu]

Russ somehow hurt his calf hitting a blocking sled.

Why was he hitting a blocking sled?

I keep hearing/reading this, but I have to believe that Russ wasn’t hitting blocking sled, but actually pushing/pulling a weight sled. Weight sleds are commonly used for strength and conditioning. Given that Russ is known to be a well conditioned athlete, it’s very likely that a weight sled is a normal part of his training regimen.
I know we tend to look for something to blame injuries on, like Roman Wilson and the jet sweep, but more often than not, injuries just happen.

[K_C_]

In other news, Rudolph appears to have an edge over the legendary Malik Willis to BACK-UP future HOFer Will Levis....Can't believe we let that guy go.

You are extra salty about QB's today.

Extray saaaaaltaaaaaay!!

[W&M_Steeler]

I remember when Fields was going to "see significant time and become our starter of the future".

Fields is just another in the collection of 1st round busts the Steelers have pulled out of the dumpster the past few years, along with Paxton Lynch, Dwayne Haskins, and Mitch. I have never understood the Fields hype.

Haskins and Lynch were never 3 years starters like Fields. They also don't have anything resembling his physicals skills. Trubisky started for 3 years and wasn't awful (went to the playoffs twice and should have won a game if not for the double doink miss from about 20 yards) but something has happened to Mitch since he left Chicago. He literally has to throw INT's. Damn near looks like he's point shaving he looks so bad.

The book hasn't been written on Fields yet. I do not believe he succeeds but I also think the Steelers want to develop him. They understand Fields has outlier talent and has had terrible coaching and a terrible supporting cast. They are going to give him every chance to turn it around and if they can keep Fields at a decent price (and I think they can) don't be surprised if Fields is the starter once Wilson is gone after this year.

Maybe. I think athletic tools and arm strength are vastly overrated when it comes to playing QB in the NFL. They're nice to have, but they don't make up for deficiencies in the core QB skills needed- quick processing, ability to read and understand defenses, and throwing accuracy. A QB who has great physical tools but who lacks those core skills is like a WR who is a great blocker but has bad hands and runs bad routes. In other words, not worth much.

We'll see if JF develops, but I tend to doubt it. We've heard the same story about Chicago being the graveyard of QBs before. Mitch was supposedly held back by Chicago and would be so much better with the Steelers. We all know how that went- Mitch was worse in Pittsburgh than he was in Chicago. I think we'll see the same with JF.

[Steeldrama]

I remember when Fields was going to "see significant time and become our starter of the future".

I remember when a Poaster started a Ben needs to retire thread....4 years before he actually retired.

[tbsteel]

In other news, Rudolph appears to have an edge over the legendary Malik Willis to BACK-UP future HOFer Will Levis....Can't believe we let that guy go.

I think Rudolph was tired of being dicked around and wanted a chance somewhere else. That dude was the best QB in Latrobe two years ago and he was forced to be third string behind lil ken and Mitch. I'd want out too.

I mean, he's not a starter, but he's a better backup than ken or Mitch will ever be.