Well watching the Falcons take out the Eagles in Philly last night tells me that they're not a half bad team and Steelers beat them on the road, not with offense so much but with a strong D. If the offense gets their act together they could have a great season. They might need to put more points on the board this coming Sunday vs Chargers but it's a home game and should be a good matchup. It's still early but they're giving me some hope.
 
The Pitt vs WVU game on Saturday was really good! I was on vacation in Massachusetts but was able to watch it.

With the NFL being one of the fastest games around, it doesn’t surprise me that a bunch of 70 year old refs are making bad calls…. Not saying that age is everything, I’m probably the age of their youngest ref and wouldn’t be able to keep up, yet have the rule book memorized and quick enough in my decision making to throw a flag or don’t throw. It is a tough job and they clearly do not have the best available doing it.
I can’t say it has been any better or worse this year. I know they do the offseason “emphasis” on certain things. That Baltimore/KC game was flat out ridiculous with Ravens line getting a flag on every play for lining up an inch or two off back of the imaginary line. Then KC appearing to do the same exact thing and nothing…. That game, yes, I noticed.

If Stillers can injure the top players of every team they play, maybe more than .500. Second half looked pretty good though. Really like seeing Calvin Austin having a big game. If Roman Wilson can heal up, their WR squad isn’t all that bad.

dbl post

He played well. Seemed like they made some great halftime adjustments that sparked things. That and a few top guys dropping on the other side.

Tomlin's calling card was the secondary...who couldnt make a crucial stop in the 4th. Pickens fumble in redzone in 1st half turned out to be a killer. Muffed snap on final drive pretty inexcusable too. 

bigfoot
Steelers need a quarterback change. Sooner the better.

With how banged up their line is, I’d personally roll with Fields. He is far more mobile and showing he isn’t the long term answer. Their long term answer isn’t on the team. Let him take the punishment of the lack of pass protection. Give the backups on the line a few games to gel. Wilson isn’t 100%, so very likely not going to do much better with the line issues. In 2-3 weeks, hopefully the line is gelling a bit and Wilson is as close to 100% as possible. He is to the age where getting 17 games and maybe a playoff game is asking a lot. Asking him to close out 10 games and possibly a playoff game or two, is more realistic. The later part of the season is going to be rough. They’ll need a lot to fall in place for a playoff spot. Anyone else getting injured on the O line and they may need to pack it in for that high pick they need for a QB of the future. Pick 25 will most likely end up with another Kenny level player.

crappiefisher
 I would sign Fields now to a longer contract.

Unless he is willing to take backup level money, with a bunch of incentives to make starter money. I’m pretty sure he wants starter level money and not worth it to me. Talking in a salary cap context, don’t really care how much any of them actually make. He is NOWHERE near worth 1/8 of their roster cap, which is what starter QB pay is. Some are 1/6 of their roster cap.

Don’t know Chris, he just doesn’t look like a franchise guy to me. He doesn’t look horrible by any means. His first few games looked eerily similar to last year. Looks like a game manager. This past week, the whole team looked like hot garbage for first 3-4 drives. He looked good/okay for the rest of the game. It is hard to say with how bad the line situation is with injuries, how much is him. I think he is the guy for that line injury situation, but his play seems very similar to what was reported in Chicago. Good/okay, not really starter NFL caliber, at least pay/salary cap wise. But who knows. Top 5 pick means nothing. QB redraft ratings mean nothing. Kenny Pickett was rated higher by most ratings than Patrick Mahommes was. Fields as well. I believe Mitch Trubisky rated higher than any of them.

Can’t argue his measurables, that is why the Bears selected him so high.

Negotiating a contract with him midseason, isn’t going to happen, at least at this point. Maybe if he were to really explode. They seem to avoid that at all costs and deal with contracts in the off season. It is just too distracting. Both sides are always trying to get the best deal. Both initial offers are very likely going to be rejected and often perceived by some of the players as being insulting. When you have a guy that is playing relatively good, you can’t risk messing with his head like that. They traded for him with a pretty transparent expectation of this being a prove it year, if he could even play above Wilson. Remember, he was traded to the Steelers for almost nothing. So whatever you may think of those measureables and current play, there are years of “not top 10 NFL QB” film on the guy.

If you are referencing what I said about NFL draft grade, look it up. On NFL.com. Mitch Trubisky was one of the highest rated QB draft prospects of the past decade. My mention of that, was it means nothing. Pickett had a higher draft grade than Mahommes. I wasn’t comparing Fields to either of them. Beyond his draft grade being high.

That said, the first three games of the season sort of looked like Mitch/Kenny. This past game started the same. He looked good on the comeback, but not enough. I wouldn’t put that on him since a team game. Especially dealing with the line injuries.

Hopefully he is a future of the team. But clearly hasn’t shown that in 4 games.

At this point I think Fields has some potential. I don't put much stock in what went on in Chicago it's a lousy team with poor coaching. Over past few weeks I've seen Fields make some accurate throws downfield, I've seen him read the defense and beat it with an accurate timed pass, and I've seen him buy time with his legs and make a play when it opens up. I've also seen him throw it away when theres nothing open. These are the signs of a quality NFL QB. He's still kinda raw but he's showing progress every week. He's no Big Ben, but he's worth more than just cannon fodder for an inexperienced and injured O-line.

Still feeling the same about Fields? Under 140 yards passing. Hayward TD was nice, wide open and good ball in time. Friermuth TD was basically a hand off, great play design and yes better sold since Fields is a threat to run. It’s a team game, o-line is banged up and shuffled, weather delay caused everyone to be off a bit, but no matter how you spin things, Fields looked exactly like Chicago Bears Fields. Maybe even Kenny Pickett comparison, besides being clutch at end of the game? He has had one good game against the Colts in a loss. Other games have been pretty average or bad. Not sure what they do next week.

If Wilson is healthy, I’m leaning towards him, regardless of the line issues. This is the supposedly easy part of the season. Being 3-2 and wins coming 90% from the defense, they could use an offensive spark. If Wilson doesn’t provide that in 2-3 games, then back to Fields. Got to remember that the “plan” was for Wilson to be the starter and Fields the backup. So, it is not Fields technically losing the starting role. They seemed to purposely not move names on the roster for that very idea. They played with the hot hand, which Fields definitely didn’t have yesterday. If they brought in Fields to be the starter and future of the team, with Wilson as the veteran backup, I’d probably stick with Fields a bit longer. Regardless, looks like the typical battle to be mediocre.

Steelers need a head coach change!

Interior line looks okay considering the injuries. Hope Jones can figure it out but not holding my breath.
 
 Even if you watch highlights of Queens best plays last year he wasn't the best tackler. He could slow down a runner but seemed to need help to finish. Way to much trying with his arms and not put his body into it.
 
 I don't dislike Bishop but is confused and the weakest link in the defense. Hope Highsmith can get back soon.
 
 They won't even let Fields change the play