Bengals look to avoid making history against the Steelers

By Ben Baby

https://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers

September 27, 2019

(Getty Images)

CINCINNATI -- Those around Cincinnati have let first-year Bengals coach Zac Taylor know the importance of the annual games against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“They’re pretty frank about it,” Taylor said this week.

If folks around town are pretty fed up, there’s a good reason. The Bengals are carrying an eight-game losing streak against the Steelers into Monday night’s game at Pittsburgh (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App). Should Cincinnati lose the contest between two of the NFL’s remaining winless teams and stretch the streak to nine, it will be the longest of its kind in franchise history.

And if there’s ever been a time to break the streak, Monday’s nationally televised game will be as good as any.

“Sometimes it takes one,” Taylor said of a potential victory against the Steelers, who like the Bengals are 0-3. “It just takes that first one to get it rolling. We’re hungry for that one and we desperately want it right now. The important thing is we don’t deviate, and we stay the course, and we know where we’re headed.”

Despite the optimism, the trajectory for the Bengals’ season should be much clearer after Week 4. Over the past 10 seasons, every team that started 0-4 has missed the playoffs. After Cincinnati dropped the first three games of the season, the odds overwhelmingly favor a top-five draft pick in 2020 instead of a potential postseason run.

But if there’s any solace for the Bengals during their slow start, it’s that their rivals have been equally bad. While the sample size is still relatively small, the Steelers are one of two teams that have scored fewer points (49) and allowed more (85) than Cincinnati (54 points scored, 83 points allowed). The other is the Dolphins, who are losing by an average of 39 points per game.

The state of both franchises hasn’t dissipated the distaste for the rivals.

“It’s been a long time since we beat those guys and I want this game so bad,” Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard said. “I think a lot of guys in this locker room want this game so bad. We’re not focusing on the records.”

The 100th game between the Bengals and the Steelers is unique because of the new cast of players on both sides.

Pittsburgh no longer has running back Le'Veon Bell or wide receiver Antonio Brown on the roster. Second-year quarterback Mason Rudolph will be starting in place of Ben Roethlisberger, who is recovering from elbow surgery.

And in Cincinnati, polarizing linebacker Vontaze Burfict is no longer in the Bengals’ locker room. Burfict had the vicious hit on Brown in a 2015 AFC wild-card game that led to the Steelers’ winning field goal and extended Cincinnati’s postseason victory drought that stretches back to the 1990 season.

Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who was drafted out of Pitt a few months after that 2015 playoff game, understands why it is such a rivalry.

“Guys trying to go out there and destroy each other,” said Boyd, who played his college games at the Steelers’ Heinz Field. “It was crazy for me to watch it.”

But over the past few seasons, the results have been one-sided. Boyd is among the many starters in Cincinnati who have never beaten Pittsburgh. A victory Monday could be particularly significant for a Bengals team still learning how to win.

“We’ve gotta find that killer instinct inside of us,” Taylor said.

Steelers coaches live in their fears with game plan

By Mark Madden
https://triblive.com/sports/mark-madden-steelers-coaches-live-in-their-fears-with-game-plan/
September 23, 2019

It’s difficult to blood a second-year quarterback into starting duties, especially when it wasn’t supposed to happen this way.

Mason Rudolph isn’t proceeding on the expected timetable. Rudolph is deputizing for future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger because of the latter’s season-ending injury.

Rudolph is a third-round pick. It was hoped he wouldn’t have to assume the Steelers’ QB job until Roethlisberger’s contract expires after the 2021 season.

It always was going to be hard when Rudolph assumed the helm. He’s done nothing in his six quarters of NFL football to make anyone believe he can’t grow into the job. The Steelers’ gameplan, understandably, is designed to protect him.

But there’s a fine line between protecting Rudolph and living in your fears. We saw that Sunday at San Francisco, and it helped cost the Steelers the game.

The Steelers got two first-quarter turnovers in 49ers territory. Conventional wisdom says you take a shot at the end zone while the other team is reeling.

The Steelers didn’t.

After T.J. Watt’s interception gave the Steelers the ball on San Francisco’s 33 after just 73 seconds, Rudolph threw three short passes that netted 5 yards. The Steelers played it safe to make sure of getting a field goal.

They did. But winning in today’s NFL isn’t about scoring three points at a time.

Then, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s interception put the Steelers on the 49ers’ 24 after 10 minutes, 16 seconds was played. Same thing: three short passes, a run, a scramble and a field goal.

If Roethlisberger is playing, the Steelers lead 14-0 or 10-0 after that sequence.

It’s the first quarter. You’ve got to take shots. Have faith in Rudolph, because right now you’ve got no choice. Rudolph didn’t look scared. He seemed anything but.

But the coaches were scared on his behalf, and that did damage.

The Steelers led 6-0 after one quarter. They got two more turnovers in the second quarter but led just 6-3 at halftime. They finished with five takeaways but lost 24-20. The 49ers got two takeaways, converting theirs into 14 points.

How the heck do you get five takeaways and throw touchdown passes of 76 and 39 yards but still lose the game? (Even stranger, Rudolph’s only two completions beyond the line of scrimmage were those TD throws.)

The Steelers’ defense mostly got shredded, allowing 436 total yards. Fitzpatrick showed a nose for the ball, but the prior problems remain.

Too many good players aren’t playing well enough: Joe Haden and Cam Heyward are disappointing. The inexperience of Devin Bush and Terrell Edmunds is understandable but frustrating. Mark Barron was eviscerated on San Francisco’s winning drive. Bud Dupree’s contribution was minimal despite lining up against a rookie left tackle making his first NFL start. (Has Dupree forgotten he’s playing for a contract?)

Same goes on offense, where the heralded offensive line continues to struggle. Both tackles spin like revolving doors. JuJu Smith-Schuster was on the receiving end of a 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown but was mostly invisible, grabbing just two other balls for 5 yards. James Conner got just 43 yards on 13 carries and had a soul-crushing fourth-quarter fumble that led to San Francisco’s winning touchdown.

Conner’s rushing totals are partly excused by the Steelers too often lining up in the shotgun and giving him sidecar handoffs which see him get the ball flat-footed and rob him of his power. But there’s no absolving Conner for his crucial cough-up.

Stupid idiots like me crowed about “addition by subtraction” when Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown hit the bricks, and it’s still good they’re gone (as witnessed by Bell’s mini-meltdown and Brown’s major insanity on Twitter yesterday).

But Conner and Smith-Schuster have to step up to make those departures palatable. Conner did last year but not so far this season. Smith-Schuster has made two big plays in three games but otherwise has disappeared. (He did yell, “Get me the (bleeping) ball” after his TD reception. He’ll be a No. 1 receiver in no time.)

That said, Bell and Brown don’t win that game at San Francisco without Roethlisberger. He made them. That’s apparent now and only will become more so.

This season is going down the drain at a rate that could make that deal for Fitzpatrick a disaster unless Fitzpatrick puts a bunch of All-Pro campaigns together. Miami bet on the Steelers imploding when they picked their trade partner for Fitzpatrick. What if that swap nets the Dolphins a top-five pick?

Categories: Sports | Steelers | Mark Madden Columns

MORE STEELERS/NFL STORIES

Kevin Gorman’s Who Runs the North?: What to make of a winless weekend 

Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger undergoes surgery

Steelers have rebounded from 0-3 starts but never made playoffs 

Steelers owner Art Rooney II to head compensation committee

Tim Benz, Mark Madden criticize Steelers coaching, debate merits of James Conner

Mixed results for Rudolph, Minkah in Steelers loss

By Brooke Pryor
http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers
September 22, 2019


(Associated Press)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Mason Rudolph sought out defensive tackle Cameron Heyward after the Pittsburgh Steelers' 24-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

"The game is on us," the quarterback told him. "We had so many opportunities with turnovers in the first half and the momentum swing with the defense. We've got to put more points on the board for you guys."

On an afternoon where the defense forced five turnovers, the offense's failure to capitalize on the takeaways resulted in the Steelers' third consecutive loss. Meanwhile, the 49ers forced two turnovers and scored a touchdown off each.

"We turned the ball over twice," coach Mike Tomlin said. "They scored two touchdowns in the second half, and really that's the difference in the game. In the first half, we were getting turnovers and we were settling for field goals. That's the storyline of the game."

The loss also marked the first start for two important members of the franchise going forward this season: Rudolph and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Their afternoons were mixed bags, but each finished the Steelers' 24-20 loss with a handful of positive signs.

Rudolph struggled in the first half, completing eight of 15 attempts for only 40 yards, and he opened the third quarter with an interception. Early on, he looked out of sync with his young receivers, including rookie Diontae Johnson, who made his first start. But Rudolph finished strong, going 14-for-27 for 174 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

While conservative play calling kept Rudolph from getting much of anything going in his first half as the Steelers' starter, Fitzpatrick immediately showed why the Steelers (0-3) traded away their first-round pick for the first time since 1967.

Primarily playing free safety, Fitzpatrick contributed to the Steelers' victory in the turnover margin -- a strong predictor of the final score most of the time -- with a first-half interception and forced fumble.

"My coaches prepared me well, and my teammates helped me out a whole lot," he said. "We went out there, and they allowed me to just play my game of football. They kept it simple, and we just went out and played."

Late in the first quarter, the former Miami Dolphin ran in to help cornerback Joe Haden, who was covering running back Matt Breida. Haden tipped Jimmy Garappolo's pass, forcing it to go off Breida's hands, and Fitzpatrick was there to collect the interception. He ran it back 14 yards, giving the new Steelers' quarterback prime field position to start the drive. But instead of adding six to the board, the Steelers only managed a field goal.

Fitzpatrick ended the 49ers' next drive, too, this time, tackling running back Raheem Mostert low to jar the ball loose. Rookie linebacker Devin Bush recovered it, diving to snap it up for the third takeaway of the game. That time, the offense couldn't add any points to the board.

"We just didn't complement the defense very well all day," offensive lineman David DeCastro said. "Even when we started to get better as the game wore on, toward the second half, we just didn't finish."

With Fitzpatrick's help, the Steelers, for the second time in two seasons, racked up four takeaways in a half. Last year, they hit that mark against the Buccaneers, but prior to that, they hadn't forced four turnovers in a half since 2010.

But after a first-half performance that gave the Steelers a 6-3 lead at the break, Fitzpatrick and the defense couldn't keep pace in the second half as they stayed on the field for 73 plays. They allowed an eight-play, 38-yard scoring drive off Rudolph's third-quarter interception and a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to close out the quarter.

"Good defenses get the hell off the field," Heyward said. "We didn't in the second half."

The Steelers offense, dormant for so much of the game, came alive in the second half thanks to a couple of deep passes by Rudolph and a brief burst in the run game.

Rudolph hit wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown to cap a three-play, 82-yard drive late in the third quarter.

The Steelers then opened the fourth quarter with a 10-yard run by James Conner, followed by a deep pass attempt to James Washington that drew a defensive pass interference flag and set up for Rudolph's 39-yard touchdown to Johnson -- the rookie's first of his NFL career.

"It was a matter of finding the right time to take the top off the defense," Rudolph said. "Maybe I have to be more aggressive. We'll watch the tape and figure that out."

But even with Fitzpatrick's immediate contributions and Rudolph's second-half touchdown passes, the Steelers winless streak continued as a result of Conner's fumble and the 49ers' subsequent fourth-quarter touchdown drive.

The Steelers now look to a Monday night matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals to avoid their first 0-4 start since the 2013 season, a year where they would up at 8-8 and missed the postseason.

Steelers vs. 49ers Week 3 Highlights | NFL 2019

Focus on Pittsburgh: Without Roethlisberger, are Steelers a threat to 49ers?

By Jon Becker
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/09/17/focus-on-pittsburgh-without-roethlisberger-are-steelers-a-threat-to-49ers/
September 17, 2019


Mason Rudolph (AP/Don Wright)

As blasphemous as it may sound for a team that hasn’t been close to .500 in five years, over-confidence could be one of the 49ers’ biggest adversaries heading into Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

The 0-2 Steelers make their first visit to Levi’s with six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gone or the season, with top play-maker Juju Smith-Schuster yet to score a touchdown, and with a defensive unit that sometimes looks like the antithesis of the “Steel Curtain” from yesteryear.

Not surprisingly, the oddsmakers like the 49ers’ chances to go 3-0 for the first time in 21 years.

Here’s a closer look at San Francisco’s Week 3 game:

Game essentials: 49ers (2-0) vs. Pittsburgh (0-2) at Levi’s Stadium, Sunday at 1:25 p.m. (PT) on CBS-TV. Odds: 49ers -7.

THREE REASONS FOR 49ERS’ OPTIMISM:

Big Ben tolls no more

Elbow pain drove Roethlisberger out of Sunday’s 28-26 loss to the Seahawks in the second quarter, and it was announced Monday the 37-year-old will undergo season-ending surgery. So, for the first time since 2004, the Steelers will have a new starting quarterback — second-year man Mason Rudolph of Oklahoma State replaces the man who won two Super Bowls for Pittsburgh. Worse yet for Pittsburgh, it will spend more than one quarter of its salary cap this season on two players who won’t suit up — Roethlisberger ($26.2 million cap hit) and ex-Raider, current Patriot Antonio Brown ($21.2 million hit).

Sputtering stars

Running back James Conner was going to duplicate Le’Veon Bell’s production and receiver Juju Smith-Schuster was going to make everyone forget about Brown. Two games in, the Steelers and their fans are still waiting for deliveries on those promises. Conner, who’s been hobbled with a nagging knee injury, has averaged just 2.6 yards per carry and has rushed for just 54 yards. Smith-Schuster, while thankfully not duplicating any of Brown’s quibbles or quirks, so far has pedestrian averages of 5.5 catches and 81 yards in two games after making the Pro Bowl following a 111-catch, 1,426-yard season last year. Not having the threat of Roethlisberger extending plays like only he can, the 49ers should have an easier time trying to contain both Conner and Smith-Schuster again.

Coverage concerns

Steelers’ linebacker Devin Bush, the 10th pick of the draft out of Michigan, may be one of the favorites to win Rookie Defensive Player of the Year, but he’s also having some troubles covering receivers. He’s not the only Pittsburgh linebacker with pass troubles as Mark Barron has also been targeted. In fact, Seattle had 13 catches by backs or tight ends during its win over Pittsburgh.

THREE REASONS FOR 49ERS’ PESSIMISM:

Stealing a star?

The Steelers pulled off a stunning trade late Monday to acquire star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins for a first-round pick. On the surface, it seems a curious move to unload what appears to be a top 10 pick next season for a defensive back not named Jalen Ramsey, but Fitzpatrick will stabilize Pittsburgh’s secondary. The Steelers allowed 61 points through two games and permitted Tom Brady and Russell Wilson to post an aggregate QB rating of 131.3, so they obviously felt something bold needed to be done. This just made things a bit tougher for Jimmy Garoppolo.

Say it ain’t so, Joe

Without Joe Staley protecting his blind side, Garoppolo’s time in the pocket could be compromised, especially considering the Steelers have a pair of stout defensive linemen in All-Pro Cam Heyward and also Stephon Tuitt, who earned a five-year, $61 million contract. 49ers rookie tackle Justin Skule will be counted on to help keep Garoppolo off the Levi’s turf, which may be a bit challenging.

The heart of a champion

One would assume at some point the Steelers would snap out of their current mess, even if only on a temporary basis. After all, Mike Tomlin knows a thing or two about winning games as he’s gone 125-68-1 with a Super Bowl title in 13 yards as the Steelers head coach. Despite the 0-2 start, there remains a lot of talent on the team and let’s not forget Pittsburgh has yet to have a losing season under Tomlin.

PROBABLE DIFFERENCE-MAKER: Mason Rudolph.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Rudolph certainly has Roethlisberger-like size, but now the former Oklahoma State star will need to produce at least close to what Big Ben delivered if the Steeers are going to threaten teams this year. Rudolph may not have a great arm, but scouts rave about his pocket presence. He replaced Roethlisberger against the Seahawks last week and completed 12 of 19 passes for 112 yards and a pair of TD tosses to ex-49ers tight end Vance McDonald. With Big Ben, the Steelers led the NFL in passing attempts with 675, so it’s likely Rudolph will come out throwing Sunday.

What a four-day period for Pittsburgh sports

By Ron Cook
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron-cook/2019/09/17/felipe-vazquez-arrest-pirates-minkah-fitzpatrick-trade-ben-roethlisberger-injury/stories/201909180062
September 17, 2019


Felipe Vazquez (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)

Let me begin by writing this quite comfortably:

There never has been a four-day news period in the history of Pittsburgh sports that rivals the one we just experienced.

Saturday, the magnificent 100-game college football series between Pitt and Penn State came to a controversial end with Pitt losing, at least in part, because of one of the worst coaching decisions of all time. Pat Narduzzi didn’t give his kids their best chance to win by electing to kick a field goal late in the game on fourth-and-1, down seven points.

Sunday, the Steelers lost a game to the Seattle Seahawks and lost franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a serious elbow injury. Roethlisberger will have surgery this week, his Hall of Fame career very much in jeopardy.

Monday, the Steelers traded their No. 1 draft choice in 2020 to the Miami Dolphins for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. It is the first time they traded their top pick in 52 years, going back to the Bill Austin days. (Be thankful if you’ve forgotten them.)

And Tuesday, a story more horrific than any I can remember …

Pirates All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez was arrested on felony charges of soliciting a child for sexual purposes and giving obscene material to a minor. If he’s found guilty, the next mound we should see him on is on a prison yard. We can only hope.

Click on the link below to read the rest of the article:

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron-cook/2019/09/17/felipe-vazquez-arrest-pirates-minkah-fitzpatrick-trade-ben-roethlisberger-injury/stories/201909180062

Minkah Fitzpatrick should have significant impact on Steelers secondary

By Kevin Gorman

https://triblive.com/sports/kevin-gorman-minkah-fitzpatrick-should-have-significant-impact-on-steelers-secondary/

September 17, 2019

Not long ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers trading a future first-round draft pick for a free safety on the same day they lost their franchise quarterback to season-ending surgery would have seemed like a case of misplaced priorities.

Seriously, who would have ever imagined the day would come when the Steelers would be more concerned with the severity of Sean Davis’ shoulder injury than replacing Ben Roethlisberger?

The Steelers are taking a great risk by showing so much confidence in quarterback Mason Rudolph after only one half of an NFL game, but there is potential for a resounding reward in acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The Steelers are 0-2 not so much because of the play of Roethlisberger — or even Rudolph — but rather a defense that had no answers as Tom Brady and Russell Wilson completed a combined 75% of their passes for 641 yards and six touchdowns without an interception.

The Steelers couldn’t contend for the playoffs without a defensive upgrade, especially in a pass-oriented AFC North that saw 300-yard passing performances from Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton and Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield through the first two weeks.

“It is our job to keep this train rolling,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “If anything, from a competitive standpoint, it energizes me and us. We’re excited about balling up our fists and fighting and fighting together.”

If the Steelers have any hopes of salvaging this season and making a playoff push — and the jobs of general manager Kevin Colbert and Tomlin might depend on it — trading for a standout safety was their best short-term solution.

I’ll say this: It’s infinitely better for the Steelers to add Minkah Fitzpatrick rather than Ryan Fitzpatrick.

When the Steelers won Super Bowls, it was with a star quarterback and the NFL’s top defense. They’ve had only one of those the past few years, and Big Ben couldn’t carry the Steelers even with All-Pros Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.

Now, the Steelers have no choice but to build around the defense. The safety play this season has been, to put it in Tomlin terms, at a junior-varsity level. Second-year strong safety Terrell Edmunds is coming off an awful game against Seattle where he whiffed on a tackle, was called for a critical pass interference penalty and gave up the game-clinching touchdown.

Still, Tomlin was adamant the Steelers traded for Fitzpatrick more so because Davis’ shoulder injury forced the fourth-year safety to be placed on injured reserve.

“All of us share those levels of concerns in today’s NFL, but Sean’s injury was significant,” Tomlin said, emphasizing each syllable of the last word, “in terms of making the move that we did, and I’d be less than genuine if I said otherwise.”

Even more sig-nif-i-cant is the immediate impact the 22-year-old Fitzpatrick could provide the Steelers secondary. The 6-foot-1, 207-pounder was the No. 11 overall pick last year — Tomlin called it a “pipe dream” to draft the playmaker — and had 80 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions as a rookie.

No wonder Tomlin named Fitzpatrick the starter at free safety for Sunday’s game at the San Francisco 49ers before he ever took a practice snap with the Steelers.

Tomlin noted the allure of Fitzpatrick is his ability to play a “myriad” of positions, from slot cornerback and outside cornerback and both safety spots to dime linebacker. That the Dolphins had Fitzpatrick do all of the above is what prompted his trade request.

No worries there, as Fitzpatrick will be paired at safety with fellow 2018 first-rounder Edmunds on a defense built around 10 former first-round picks, including a young core that includes linebackers Devin Bush and T.J. Watt.

“That’s exciting,” Tomlin said, “thinking about those guys having an opportunity to play together as soon as this weekend but, big-picture, to grow together systematically.”

But, small-picture, the Steelers need them to grow together quickly. And they need Fitzpatrick to make an immediate impact — and a significant one at that.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

Categories: Sports | Steelers | Kevin Gorman Columns

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Steelers' move for Minkah Fitzpatrick bold, calculated -- and a bit desperate

By Jeremy Fowler
https://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/31210/steelers-move-for-minkah-fitzpatrick-bold-calculated-and-a-bit-desperate
September 17, 2019

On the surface, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to deal a first-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick reeks of desperation. They are 0-2, just lost their franchise quarterback for the year and see the Super Bowl window closing fast. The stage was set for Pittsburgh to get a high pick in 2020.

But the Steelers have never done business with draft positioning in mind. Win now is always the culture. The Steelers feel strongly enough about Fitzpatrick’s talent -- and affordable rookie contract with an average base salary of $2.1 million for the next three seasons -- to justify any pick the team could muster in April’s draft.

The move says a lot about where the Steelers are, and where they will be:

Roethlisberger isn’t retiring

Despite an elbow injury that could take the better part of 12 months from which to recover, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is likely back for next season. He’s not a lock to start Week 1, but Roethlisberger said in his statement Monday he’s honoring all three years of his deal.

Roethlisberger will be 38 in March, which is a reasonable number thanks to the blueprint set by Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Surrounding him with high-level pedigree is crucial.

The defense needs the help

As news broke midweek that the Dolphins were willing to deal Fitzpatrick, the 11th overall pick in 2018, I was told the Steelers wouldn’t be involved in the preliminary wave for him. Giving up a first was too steep for a franchise that values such capital.

But giving up 61 points through the first two weeks with what should be an improved defense must have pressed Pittsburgh to negotiate harder. They are tired of watching their safeties almost make plays. Terrell Edmunds’ athletic gifts should turn into consistent performance eventually, but they haven't yet.

Fitzpatrick gives the Steelers a versatile safety who can help cover the slot and erase mistakes on the back end. He also can serve as a potential replacement for Sean Davis, who’s a free agent in March. A three-man safety lineup of Fitzpatrick, Edmunds and Davis is much better than what the Steelers rolled out in a 33-3 loss to New England in Week 1.

The defense now has eight former first-round picks in its starting lineup. If Mike Tomlin can’t make that work …

This speaks loudly about Rudolph

The Steelers had no intentions of selecting a quarterback in the top 10 next year despite Roethlisberger’s injury. General manager Kevin Colbert believes Mason Rudolph is a first-round talent, and the team is clinging to that belief with this move.

Teammates say they believe in Rudolph and their words don’t feel empty. He prepares hard, and that has earned their respect.

They also probably looked at the draft class of quarterbacks and figured they would win enough games to have no shot at Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert.

But that outside chance makes this move incredibly risky. If the season tanks and the rebuild is on, the Steelers just traded away a potential replacement quarterback.

But the Steelers will sell this: We have two good quarterbacks already. That promotes bold ideas.

Ben Roethlisberger’s injury tops long list of Steelers’ problems

By Mark Madden
https://triblive.com/sports/mark-madden-ben-roethlisbergers-injury-tops-long-list-of-steelers-problems/
September 16, 2019


Mason Rudolph (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)

It was hoped that the departure of Antonio Brown would make the Steelers a more focused and disciplined team by way of removing distraction.

It hasn’t turned out that way.

Losing Ben Roethlisberger for the rest of the season trumps any other problem. But the Steelers are in a state of perpetual sloppiness that won’t be corrected as long as Mike Tomlin is coach. Lack of accountability has taken firm root. Rome will keep burning as long as it’s the same fiddler playing the same tired tune.

That was evidenced by a host of miscues in Sunday’s 28-26 home loss to Seattle. Eliminating almost any one of them would have meant victory.

Defensive lineman Daniel McCullers stands at the front of the line.

Somebody who barely plays can’t commit a personal foul on a field-goal attempt and allow three points to become seven. (Do the math.) McCullers made contact with the long snapper, which is illegal. If he knew the rule, he’s an idiot. If he didn’t, he’s unprepared. Either way, it’s inexcusable.

Wide receiver Donte Moncrief is public enemy No. 1 in Pittsburgh right now.

Moncrief opened the season with four drops at New England.

But the Steelers still would have lost at Foxboro had Moncrief caught all those balls, then tacked on generous YAC. It was a slaughter.

But Moncrief’s lone drop (and lone target) against Seattle was devastating. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph was pressed into service when Roethlisberger got hurt. Rudolph’s second pro pass, despite being perfectly thrown, clanged off Moncrief’s hands and into the waiting mitts of Seattle’s Bradley McDougald.

The Seahawks were in the end zone six plays later to go ahead, 14-10. They never lost that lead.

Moncrief didn’t play a snap after that. Even though it’s just two games into his Steelers’ tenure, it’s going to be difficult putting him on the field ever again in a meaningful situation. His failure has been epic, and extremely damaging.

The Steelers missed numerous tackles. It’s become a trademark of their defense.

Linebacker Anthony Chickilo flubbed a chance to tackle Rashaad Penny in the backfield on third-and-2 at the Steelers’ 37. Penny ended up covering all 37 of those yards as Seattle extended its lead to 21-13.

Compounding the embarrassment, Seattle QB Russell Wilson led the downfield blocking to complete that play.

Safety Sean Davis made a bonehead play in the first quarter, negating Mark Barron’s fumble-return touchdown by drawing a flag for a totally unnecessary block in the back. Luckily for Davis, the Steelers scored a TD on the possession that followed.

Losing Roethlisberger is a dagger. But the Steelers were 0-2 before his elbow was diagnosed, and seemed unlikely to rally significantly. It’s difficult to read very much into body language, but the Steelers look like they know they’re not very good.

Rudolph played fine Sunday: 12-of-19, 112 yards, two touchdowns and that interception that really belongs to Moncrief.

But the adrenaline Rudolph felt vs. Seattle will dissipate by next Sunday’s game at San Francisco. The gravity of the situation will sink in for Rudolph and his teammates. It’s not easy to replace a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who threw for 5,129 yards last season, let alone rally the Steelers from starting 0-2.

Except Twitter seems to think it is. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news…

During preseason play, Rudolph made the notion of replacing Roethlisberger as the starter upon the latter’s retirement more palatable. His progress is tangible.

Roethlisberger haters and eternal optimists are comparing the current situation to 2004 when Tommy Maddox got hurt, Roethlisberger took his place and the Steelers went 15-1.

But Rudolph now isn’t Roethlisberger then. Roethlisberger was a first-round pick, 11th overall, and would have gone higher except for Eli Manning (first overall) and Philip Rivers (fourth). That Steelers team in 2004 was a lot better than the current squad.

The only good thing about Rudolph playing now is getting a jump start on the inevitable rebuilding.

But there’s pressure on Rudolph, too.

Barring injury, Rudolph will start 14 NFL games. If he’s less than impressive, the Steelers may be compelled to draft another quarterback.

They’ve also got to sign another QB tout de suite, because they are a heartbeat away from Devlin Hodges. Duck and cover. Welcome back to the NFL, Colin Kaepernick! (Zero chance.)

With Roethlisberger out, we will see who made who.

Tomlin has always had Roethlisberger. JuJu Smith-Schuster has to elevate himself to No. 1 receiver catching balls thrown by Rudolph. Did the offensive line make Roethlisberger look good, or vice-versa? Tomlin, Smith-Schuster and the offensive line certainly haven’t covered themselves in glory so far this year.

But we haven’t seen the last of Roethlisberger. He’s got 40 million reasons to play out his contract.

Categories: Sports | Steelers | Mark Madden Columns

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