Good Tuesday to you Steelers’ fans.
The second guessing has begun. Since Duck Hodges threw four interceptions on Sunday the growing sentiment has been that it’s time to go back to Mason Rudolph. It’s only fair right? Rudy was benched after he threw four picks so it would seem only fair to give him another shot. The problem that Mike Tomlin faces though is this; who gives me a better chance of winning these final two games? Whatever Tomlin chooses he knows there will be second guessing but that’s part of the job. Both the Jets and Ravens are very good defensively especially against the run so does that mean you go with the better overall passer in Rudolph knowing you’ll have to throw more? Then there’s the question of just what do the Steelers think of Rudolph going forward? I’ve been told all kinds of things about how they view him but if he really is the heir apparent then why bench him at all? Duck is a wonderful story but he isn’t a future starter in the NFL. We’ll find out later today when Tomlin holds his presser. My gut feeling? He sticks with Duck. [UPDATE]: Tomlin announced he is sticking with Hodges at QB.
Tomlin Tuesday
As I mentioned above, Tomlin will hold his weekly press conference today at Noon ET. The players are off as is their usual schedule.
Tweet of the Day… Zach Banner is a treasure.
I told my girlfriend’s dad to wave that towel over his head… Don’t hold it like a 2nd grade art project #Family pic.twitter.com/wzPFU7YP0X
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) December 17, 2019
Run vs. Pass
I’m as guilty as everyone else when I say “Why didn’t we run more on Sunday night?” By ‘guilty’ I mean I know why they didn’t but my bigger issue is how they ran it. After James Conner opened with a 15 yard run, his next bunch of carries literally went for short to zero yardage. That in part, is why Fichnter was forced to throw so much. But let me get back to the how… Fichtner often used heavy packages or five wide formations early in the game. I do not understand why he doesn’t split the difference and use more 11 personnel. You can still have a tight end but you also can spread out the defense in an effort to run. This has been a problem in my opinion for Fichtner going back to last season. Understand that this is no guarantee to rushing success but I honestly don’t understand why they don’t use it more often. And is some play-action on first down or some designed roll-outs too much to ask?
Playoffs? Are you talking Playoffs????
I don’t understand the number of Steelers’ fans talking about “who they’d rather we played in the playoffs.” First of all, can we just get into the playoffs first? Secondly, it doesn’t matter who we play. Houston or Tennessee… If this team makes the postseason then it has already been a great run considering all that has occurred to them. Sunday night was pretty much a playoff game in my opinion so my expectations are not high should we get in.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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