OT: NFL

[iupgroundhog]

Amid all of the talk about what is and what isn't targeting, Brett Favre announced today that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

[Chuck Norris]

Steelers usually play good defense, and Fields has something of an o-line there, something he didn't have in Chicago. There has been a photo online from the Bears-Colts game Sunday in which four of the Bears' o-linemen are sprawled out on the ground while four Colts converge on the Bears' running back. It's amazing how even at the highest level of football that some executives think bringing in a new QB will change things when they don't have a good o-line.

The Steelers O-line is in quite a bit of flux due to injuries and now the Broderick Jones saga takes another turn, as it appears he’ll be back at RT for the remainder of the season after this year’s 1st round pick went out with an injury. Jones had a fairly uneventful day yesterday so that’s a good start. Throw in a rookie center and Fields’ solid start is all the more encouraging. I’m not ready to anoint him the guy for this season and beyond but so far he’s been better than I expected.

[Ship69]

It’s not perfect by any means, but Justin Fields has come a long way barely being able to take a snap from under center. They seem to be giving him more of the offense each week and he keeps responding positively. He even spread the ball around to the point that the Steelers receiving corps looked downright competent.

And even though I think they’ll need him at some point, I do wonder if Russell Wilson finishes the season in Pittsburgh. Unless Fields takes a big step backward, Russ isn’t getting the job back as soon as he’s healthy.

Steelers usually play good defense, and Fields has something of an o-line there, something he didn't have in Chicago. There has been a photo online from the Bears-Colts game Sunday in which four of the Bears' o-linemen are sprawled out on the ground while four Colts converge on the Bears' running back. It's amazing how even at the highest level of football that some executives think bringing in a new QB will change things when they don't have a good o-line.

[Chuck Norris]

It’s not perfect by any means, but Justin Fields has come a long way from barely being able to take a snap from under center. They seem to be giving him more of the offense each week and he keeps responding positively. He even spread the ball around to the point that the Steelers receiving corps looked downright competent.

And even though I think they’ll need him at some point, I do wonder if Russell Wilson finishes the season in Pittsburgh. Unless Fields takes a big step backward, Russ isn’t getting the job back as soon as he’s healthy.

[iupgroundhog]

Anybody see this blocked punt by Irv Charles?

https://www.nfl.com/videos/irvin-cha...s-punt-attempt

[Ship69]

I'm not saying that Caleb Williams doesn't have tremendous talent, but Tyson Bagent is the better QB at this moment.

The Bears biggest problem for the last few years has been the o-line. Until they shore that up, it's not going to matter a lot who is at QB.

[Ram040506]

From the Panthers perspective it looks even worse when you remember that they traded up to get Young. They gave away two firsts; which became Caleb Williams (perhaps an even more hyped QB prospect) and Jalen Carter (not necessarily elite but had an acceptable season as a rookie rotational DL), two seconds; one of which became Brenton Strange (looks like a potential bust at TE but when you’re as bad as the Panthers you just kinda need high picks and they could have taken someone else) and one that conveys in 2025, and D.J Moore (a good but not necessarily great receiver). There’s still time for Young to turn it around but I would be shocked if he ever makes this trade worth it even if he avoids total bust status.

Jalen Carter is much more than a rotational DL. He's the best player on the Eagles defense, a home run pick that fell in their lap.

[Ram Tough]

I'm not saying that Caleb Williams doesn't have tremendous talent, but Tyson Bagent is the better QB at this moment.

[TheBigCat2192]

No. Andy Dalton is better than all of them. LOL.

It's starting to look like Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud could be one of the great draft bombs of all time.

From the Panthers perspective it looks even worse when you remember that they traded up to get Young. They gave away two firsts; which became Caleb Williams (perhaps an even more hyped QB prospect) and Jalen Carter (not necessarily elite but had an acceptable season as a rookie rotational DL), two seconds; one of which became Brenton Strange (looks like a potential bust at TE but when you’re as bad as the Panthers you just kinda need high picks and they could have taken someone else) and one that conveys in 2025, and D.J Moore (a good but not necessarily great receiver). There’s still time for Young to turn it around but I would be shocked if he ever makes this trade worth it even if he avoids total bust status.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Bryce Young to the bench in Carolina. Would the Panthers take Russ and a draft pick to send Diontae Johnson back? Lol.

No. Andy Dalton is better than all of them. LOL.

It's starting to look like Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud could be one of the great draft bombs of all time.

[Chuck Norris]

Bryce Young to the bench in Carolina. Would the Panthers take Russ and a draft pick to send Diontae Johnson back? Lol.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Steelers are preparing as though Fields will start on Sunday. Tomlin asked twice if Wilson will start when healthy and will not commit.

Oh boy. Here we go.

For the theatrics of it, I'd have loved to see Wilson start against the Broncos. There's just something appealing to seeing a team paying a player $30m to play against them.

In case anybody wasn't aware, Denver is paying about $29m of Wilson's $31m salary this year. That's how badly they apparently wanted him out of Denver.

[Chuck Norris]

Steelers are preparing as though Fields will start on Sunday. Tomlin asked twice if Wilson will start when healthy and will not commit.

Oh boy. Here we go.

[IUP24]

I think Tomlin has hit the point that Andy Reid did with the Eagles where it was time to move on. You had great success together in the past but both need a fresh start. The negative for Steeler fans is the bottom has never fallen out with Tomlin like it finally did with Reid or Belichick in New England to force ownerships hand. One Division championship (Covid year) since 2018, me not being a Steelers fan what would you all say has been Tomlins signature win the past 5 years? Ben's last home game? The cold as hell Christmas eve vs the raiders?

There hasn't been one.

Look, I think there's a ton of value in not adopting a "losing culture." One where you just mail it in for a high pick every year you realize you aren't in it. But the Steelers need a total organizational reset. Top to bottom. I cannot tangibly look anywhere and say they are better now than last year. And I don't think they are at quarterback either. They believe grinding out wins and going 9-8 and getting the 7 seed or just missing the playoffs means something. But they are so far away. They aren't close to some of these teams in the AFC. The live and breathe Steelers fans will tell you that they own Baltimore and Cleveland still can't really take the next step. But the macro is that they aren't close to those teams, or KC, Miami, Buffalo, etc., when you look big picture.

The organization is so obsessed with defense and running the football that they believe they can plod their way to a Super Bowl. Football, at least now, is about scoring more points faster. Atlanta is a bad team and you plodded to the tune of 6 field goals and 0 touchdowns. People complained about Kenny Pickett (largely because there is a huge Penn State and WVU presence in the Steelers fan base and in the Pittsburgh media - and to be clear, he needed to be better), but their offense won't be any different without him. And my point in saying that is what every Steelers game has looked liked since Ben returned from his elbow injury. It's Tomlin's scheme and vision for how he wants to play football.

Nothing is more emblematic of their outdated approach than when Roethlisberger went down in 2019 and they traded their first round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick. I said above I see value in not wanting to have a losing culture, but what exactly are you doing there? You still have most parts and pieces of your 13-3 team of 2017. That was still a good football team. They were going nowhere without Ben at QB that year. But they felt there was value in going 8-8 and winning games by hoping the defense could score a touchdown. Had they won 2-4 games, like they probably should have, they'd have Burrow or Justin Herbert. Tomlin and the Steelers cannot see past the next Sunday.

[Chuck Norris]

Tomlin is an interesting cat. He's still very young, coaching-wise. He's only 52 (seems like 65).

He could retire this year and have networks in a bidding war for him. I don't think he will, however. I've listened to him rant forever. I don't know what would be so appealing about hearing Tomlinisms on network TV but rest-assured he'd be in very high demand.

He'd also have 10 job offers tomorrow if the Steelers were to fire him (which they never will).

He's got a QB mess. No doubt. One is a reach. One is a has been. QB is a funny position. There's apparently about 12-13 people on this whole planet that are classified as a good NFL quarterback. They aren't easy to find. The Pickett draft may be one of the worst QB classes in history. We'll see.

As a fan ... I don't love him. I don't hate him. I'm a 'college guy' and, while I cheer for the Yinzers ... I don't really care if they win or lose. People were tired of Cowher at the end. He's now remembered as being on par with Jesus Christ around these parts. I do firmly believe coaches have a shelf life.

Of the 9 QBs drafted in 2022, Brock Purdy and Skylar Thompson are the only 2 still with the team who drafted them. Only Purdy played on opening weekend. Though it could be Malik Willis time in Green Bay for a week or so if Jordan Love can’t play.