Gameballs and Goats - Steelers/Bills

Gameballs:

Defense - Kept us in the game despite Duck and the offense turning the ball over a billion times.

Goats:

"Duck" Hodges - Horrible all around. Staring down receivers, throwing soul crushing INTs, holding on to the ball too long and eating sacks. For all the complaints about Rudolph, we saw no better from Hodges tonight.

Randy Fichtner - The offense was dormant for all but a pair of drives. Play calling was trash. When the run was working, we got away from it. Didn't open things up early enough and played scared the whole first half. Don't even get me started on the wildcat BS, enough with that crap it doesn't work Randy.

Offensive Line - Garbage. Supposedly one of the best units in the league, definitely didn't see that tonight. Feiler was getting beat like a drum, and Villanueva wasn't consistent either. Last thing you need with a young, undrafted, rookie quarterback under center is tackles that can't protect him.

Gameballs:

Defense....if we only had Ben and JuJu w with this D. Even with as badly as the offense was we still had a legitimate shot to win this game because of the D

Goats:

Offense....it was tough to watch Duck tonight. He's been such a good story. The rest of the offense and coaching not much better. Miserable night but we still have the 6th seed although with the O's play tonight it's not too much to look forward to.

If it weren't for Duck we wouldn't even be in playoff contention. While this was his worst game as a professional, he is without a doubt the best healthy QB on our roster, and no one else is even close (does anybody even remember we have Paxton Lynch? Or even care?). Duck Hodges gives us our best chance of winning. He has, up until this game, easily exceeded expectations. But there are growing pains for a young QB, and he definitely experienced growing pains this game. Here's hoping he puts it behind him and keeps growing as a QB.

I'm 100% behind him.

Gameballs:

Defense but especially TJ. If he doesn't get DPOY there's something wrong.


Goats:

Fieler was terrible and the rest of the line wasn't much better except Pouncey. Fitchner is about as unimaginative as an OC can get. I think I can draw up better plays in the dirt.

In his defense Duck was running for his life half the night but that doesn't excuse the mistakes he make throwing into double coverage and telegraphing his throws.
I still think he is better than he played. I also agree with Nine that he is the best we have right now.

solardave wrote:

Gameballs:

Defense but especially TJ. If he doesn't get DPOY there's something wrong.


Goats:

Fieler was terrible and the rest of the line wasn't much better except Pouncey. Fitchner is about as unimaginative as an OC can get. I think I can draw up better plays in the dirt.

In his defense Duck was running for his life half the night but that doesn't excuse the mistakes he make throwing into double coverage and telegraphing his throws.
I still think he is better than he played. I also agree with Nine that he is the best we have right now.

I think how well Duck responds to this ultimately will show how good he can be. I don't get the feel it will rattle him from the type mindset he seems to have. The experts were saying all along he didn't have the physical skills to make some throws, after the Arizona game you were hearing some say he was making the throws. Now it seems back to he's just a 3rd stringer who doesn't have the skills. The sample size is small here, but he's done ok in 3 of 4 starts. He came into 2 games in relief, won 1, and came close to pulling out the 2nd had the refs not gifted the ravens with penalties.

I was listening to local talk radio this morning and there were callers asking when they play Paxton Lynch. I think people need to ease up. He had a bad game, some of that is on him, but it also was influenced by the players around him.

Hopefully Tomlin doesn't get in his head to make a switch this week. We started this year 1-4, lose HOF QB, have gone 7-2 since. We very likely overmatched by any good defense in then playoffs, but it's not likely we even have a shot at playoffs right now if not for Duck.

LambertWardSteel wrote:

solardave wrote:

Gameballs:

Defense but especially TJ. If he doesn't get DPOY there's something wrong.


Goats:

Fieler was terrible and the rest of the line wasn't much better except Pouncey. Fitchner is about as unimaginative as an OC can get. I think I can draw up better plays in the dirt.

In his defense Duck was running for his life half the night but that doesn't excuse the mistakes he make throwing into double coverage and telegraphing his throws.
I still think he is better than he played. I also agree with Nine that he is the best we have right now.

I think how well Duck responds to this ultimately will show how good he can be. I don't get the feel it will rattle him from the type mindset he seems to have. The experts were saying all along he didn't have the physical skills to make some throws, after the Arizona game you were hearing some say he was making the throws. Now it seems back to he's just a 3rd stringer who doesn't have the skills. The sample size is small here, but he's done ok in 3 of 4 starts. He came into 2 games in relief, won 1, and came close to pulling out the 2nd had the refs not gifted the ravens with penalties.

I was listening to local talk radio this morning and there were callers asking when they play Paxton Lynch. I think people need to ease up. He had a bad game, some of that is on him, but it also was influenced by the players around him.

Hopefully Tomlin doesn't get in his head to make a switch this week. We started this year 1-4, lose HOF QB, have gone 7-2 since. We very likely overmatched by any good defense in then playoffs, but it's not likely we even have a shot at playoffs right now if not for Duck.

You make too much sense.

Its amazing that some people want to see Lynch. It is obvious that he has nothing to offer but uninformed people are desperate for a savior.

Duck has played well. Not a good game this time out but if it weren't for him, playoffs wouldn't even be a possibility.

Put the ball back in his hands, he will be fine.

Duck hasnt played all that great. You can be a fanboi all you want but his performances have been pretty mediocre against pretty poor quality teams. This wil be a 9-7 team at best and 1 and done in the playoffs if they even make it in. Ducks story is nice but some folks need to take off the fanboi glasses. He made huge game altering mistakes last night that cost the team a victory when the defense played its ass off. Rudolph did the exact same against Cleveland and he got benched. Duck killed the team last night you can place blame elsewhere but he made piss poor decisions and throws.

I don't know who you're referring to as a 'fanboi', but I haven't seen anyone say Hodges had a good game. But you are flat out wrong - he did play well - for several games. And I am right when I say he's easily the best healthy QB on our roster.

Not to mention having to navigate a shaky O-line this game, a flurry of different receivers and backs to try and get used to and work out timing with. He's certainly not in an easy situation and he's played admirably up until last night.

nine vegetable wrote:

I don't know who you're referring to as a 'fanboi', but I haven't seen anyone say Hodges had a good game.  But you are flat out wrong - he did play well - for several games.  And I am right when I say he's easily the best healthy QB on our roster.

Not to mention having to navigate a shaky O-line this game, a flurry of different receivers and backs to try and get used to and work out timing with.  He's certainly not in an easy situation and he's played admirably up until last night.

I agree. Trying to see the best in a bad situation. By bad I mean missing major components on offense. Playing with an under performing O line and rookie/cast off WRs except for JW who is playing great.
I don't recall anyone saying this team should make it all the way with Duck at QB unless it was in jest.
We'll have to stay tuned to see who Tomlin starts against the Jets. MR had his bad game against the 0 and Bengals. Duck had his against the 9-4 Bills with a top 5 defense. I think for what it's worth if Tomlin goes back to MR or God forbid he puts Lynch in he is making a mistake.
This is not about can we win it all. It's about how far can we go on 3 flat tires and who gives us the best chance at the wheel. My money is still on DH.

its not like we havent seen Ben throw 4 picks in a game and he wasnt even a rookie in his first few starts.. ...with that said do i think hodges is going to be a star qb...nope....i think he lacks the physical tools to be a great qb in the NFL. if only he had the arm strength of patrick mahomes ... do i think with a supporting cast playing better he would be better ? yes i do.

In 2017, Ben threw 5 interceptions in a loss to the Jaguars. After the game, fans (including myself) did what fans do best ... overreact. Go back and look at articles from after that game. Everyone was saying Ben was done. After a horrendous game in 2017, most of were saying Ben's Hall of Fame career was finished, but now we're hoping he returns in 2020.

In 2007, Peyton Manning threw 6 interceptions in a loss to the Chargers. Even great quarterbacks have atrocious games. I'm not sure why anyone would be surprised that an undrafted rookie quarterback would have a bad game.

https://triblive.com/sports/mark-madden-steelers-should-go-back-to-mason-rudolph-at-quarterback/

SteelerFreak58 wrote:

https://triblive.com/sports/mark-madden-steelers-should-go-back-to-mason-rudolph-at-quarterback/

Madden has 0 credibility. All he does is try to stir shit up. I'm sure we would have won that game if MR was playing.

Over-reacting reporter who is dead wrong on all counts. Rudolph is NOT better than Hodges. And he doesn't possess more talent either.

Just because the guy has a column doesn't make him an expert.

Madden is not wrong on some of his take. The offense has only scored 6 TDs in 7 games. That is an indictment of the offense in general. If the offense can't put more than 7 points on the board, does it really matter who is QB? Yes, the Steelers have won. However, some of the teams are really bad. We also have an incredible defense this year. That helps a lot.

Duck has shown he is willing to go downfield with the ball, but has questionable arm strength. Mason has the strength to go downfield, but is lacking in accuracy to hit the receiver in stride and unwillingness to throw it downfield.

There isn't a good answer to this problem. Quite frankly, if the offensive line doesn't play better, it is not going to matter at all. The QB will be under constant pressure, and no run gaps will open up.

Post Gazette reporting Duck is starting this week.

I don't think anyone is expecting Duck to be the next Ben. With the D, when they can run the ball well, I think he's proven he can be a good game manager and he can make some throws. In the short sample size the picks were atypical for him. Maybe they become commonplace, hard to say. I've never felt like I can adequately rate someone's skill level at certain areas over a TV screen, but to me I don't see a great difference between him and Rudolph throwing the ball. Duck does seem to have the mental aspect for an NFL QB. I would be very surprised if he doesn't respond to this with a better game.

Gameballs:
Defense - everyone did their damn job, slowed down the Bills running game and made plays throughout the night to keep the Steelers in the game.

Goats:
Fichtner - it's almost like he forgot what helped the offense since Duck took over
Hodges - I'm sure he's aware this had to be his worst game ever. He regressed and his failure to capitalize on Bill's mistakes while creating way too many of his own killed our momentum
Berry - WTF Moment of the night goes to Berry's 22 yard punt which set the Bills up wonderfully
O-line - On the night our running game needed them most, and Duck needed protection, the line couldn't block anyone and with the exception of a few plays when things looked good, they looked more like a rag tag team of linemen instead of the pro bowlers we're use to seeing

After having a couple of days to ease my frustrations with Sunday nights loss, I have to say I agree with giving Hodges a chance to redeem himself. I do think that should Hodges begin playing as poorly as he did against the Bills, that they should then give Rudolph a shot. That being said I think Hodges will handle himself well and redeem himself after the worst game of his very young career.

Listening to the Steel City Underground podcast I share in the opinion that this loss wasn't just on Duck. He definitely helped sink the ship with some horrible picks, but a lot of the blame for the offensive woes has to lie with Randy Fichtner. I just don't understand #1 why he abandoned the running game, and #2 why you are calling wildcat plays with James Conner (who'd been out for weeks with a shoulder injury) handing off the ball to Diontae Johnson (who has had fumbling issues this season). The offensive gameplan was terrible, and they never adjusted. They just kept right on doing what wasn't working.

The identity of this offense has to be running the ball (smashmouth), and throwing the ball when we can. They have to use the run game to set up the passing game. They have to let Duck manage the game, and not ask him to do too much. They should've known this and had a better gameplan playing against one of the top defensive units in the league. I think Duck had something like 38 passing attempts, that was too much. Why do we have Conner, Snell, and Samuels if we're going to give them minimal carries?

Hopefully this loss was a learning experience, they seem to bounce back when they get punched in the mouth.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

After having a couple of days to ease my frustrations with Sunday nights loss, I have to say I agree with giving Hodges a chance to redeem himself. I do think that should Hodges begin playing as poorly as he did against the Bills, that they should then give Rudolph a shot. That being said I think Hodges will handle himself well and redeem himself after the worst game of his very young career.

Listening to the Steel City Underground podcast I share in the opinion that this loss wasn't just on Duck. He definitely helped sink the ship with some horrible picks, but a lot of the blame for the offensive woes has to lie with Randy Fichtner. I just don't understand #1 why he abandoned the running game, and #2 why you are calling wildcat plays with James Conner (who'd been out for weeks with a shoulder injury) handing off the ball to Diontae Johnson (who has had fumbling issues this season). The offensive gameplan was terrible, and they never adjusted. They just kept right on doing what wasn't working.

The identity of this offense has to be running the ball (smashmouth), and throwing the ball when we can. They have to use the run game to set up the passing game. They have to let Duck manage the game, and not ask him to do too much. They should've known this and had a better gameplan playing against one of the top defensive units in the league. I think Duck had something like 38 passing attempts, that was too much. Why do we have Conner, Snell, and Samuels if we're going to give them minimal carries?

Hopefully this loss was a learning experience, they seem to bounce back when they get punched in the mouth.

I agree with everything you said except the gameplan. I don't believe there was one. Fitchner has no imagination. At all! Even with no imagination if you're team is moving the ball on the ground you keep running and when you do throw it ought to be play action. Not the Wildcat.

solardave wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

After having a couple of days to ease my frustrations with Sunday nights loss, I have to say I agree with giving Hodges a chance to redeem himself. I do think that should Hodges begin playing as poorly as he did against the Bills, that they should then give Rudolph a shot. That being said I think Hodges will handle himself well and redeem himself after the worst game of his very young career.

Listening to the Steel City Underground podcast I share in the opinion that this loss wasn't just on Duck. He definitely helped sink the ship with some horrible picks, but a lot of the blame for the offensive woes has to lie with Randy Fichtner. I just don't understand #1 why he abandoned the running game, and #2 why you are calling wildcat plays with James Conner (who'd been out for weeks with a shoulder injury) handing off the ball to Diontae Johnson (who has had fumbling issues this season). The offensive gameplan was terrible, and they never adjusted. They just kept right on doing what wasn't working.

The identity of this offense has to be running the ball (smashmouth), and throwing the ball when we can. They have to use the run game to set up the passing game. They have to let Duck manage the game, and not ask him to do too much. They should've known this and had a better gameplan playing against one of the top defensive units in the league. I think Duck had something like 38 passing attempts, that was too much. Why do we have Conner, Snell, and Samuels if we're going to give them minimal carries?

Hopefully this loss was a learning experience, they seem to bounce back when they get punched in the mouth.

I agree with everything you said except the gameplan. I don't believe there was one. Fitchner has no imagination. At all! Even with no imagination if you're team is moving the ball on the ground you keep running and when you do throw it ought to be play action. Not the Wildcat.

I agree with both of you (except putting Rudolph back in, I don't think he has anything left in the tank this year).

Run the ball, run the ball some more, and run the ball even more. Bills had a better passing D than running D, yet we threw 38 times. Makes no sense.

I'd still try to run against the Jets even with their high run ranking.

I think it doesn't matter how good the Jets are against the run we have to make an honest effort to move the ball on the ground. Period. This is the game where the Oline has to step up and run block/pass protect. If they don't we could very well lose this game and have "home couch" advantage through out the playoffs.

I will be pissed if Fichtner is still OC next season. That being said Hodges has one big problem and that's that he can't throw to the middle of the field, he doesn't even try. He only throws to the line of scrimmage and to the sidelines. I never have seen him play when he was at Samford, but even if he did it in college and can't do it now because he can't see the middle of the field due to his height, then that doesn't bode well.

Duck's and Rudolph's passing charts compared:
https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/charts/player/devlin-hodges/HOD363523
https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/charts/player/mason-rudolph/RUD321216