OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Doritos Bowl Match Up - Taylor Swift vs San Andreas Fault

[bambamcam4ever]

Cousins is a solid QB, but nothing special. Minnesota was 16th in ppg when he started and he was throwing to Jefferson, Addison, and Hockenson. He's not going to make the Steelers a contender alone. Look at the Bills. Even if the Steelers had Josh Allen at QB, they were still going to lose on Monday. The Bills are better at every other position aside from OLB and probably RB.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-players-want-mason-rudolph-back

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Steelers making history. Glad that Tomlin sold out everything for the defensive side of the ball.

With superstars on that side, the Steelers have allowed 202 points in their last five playoff games, all losses, and that is an NFL record for most points allowed over a five-game span in NFL history.

Steelers Set Brutal Playoff Record Following Loss to Bills

The Steelers’ loss to the Bills was their fourth straight trip to the playoffs, ending with a one-and-done appearance. But it’s the trends that continue to happen in the same manner over and over again that raise alarm bells. Since their loss to the New England Patriots in 2016 during the AFC...

steelersnow.com

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I think Johnson is overpaid for what he brings but you can’t just trade him without needing to replace him immediately. Neither he nor Pickens are true WR1s but they’re not really in a position where they can afford to move either.

Their WR group is already pretty thin as-is, especially if they cut Robinson like they should. They should be using like a 2nd to draft a WR regardless, but I still don’t think they’re in a position to trade Johnson right now.

He has the 20th highest cap hit amongst wr next year once Higgins Jefferson smith get paid in fa that will drop even more

 

[ZorkEnchanter]

Steelers making history. Glad that Tomlin sold out everything for the defensive side of the ball.

Steelers Set Brutal Playoff Record Following Loss to Bills

The Steelers’ loss to the Bills was their fourth straight trip to the playoffs, ending with a one-and-done appearance. But it’s the trends that continue to happen in the same manner over and over again that raise alarm bells. Since their loss to the New England Patriots in 2016 during the AFC...

steelersnow.com

Brutal.

The Steelers have allowed 202 points in their last 5 playoff games, the most in any 5-game span in NFL history.
The Steelers Offense is a -10 in Turnovers.
But Yeah, Tomlin totally deserves more because he squeaks in with no real plan year after year.

Also, before we worry about Kirk C. or any other QB ... we really need to see who/what the OC and staff plans are. I don't think too many QBs are jumping at the chance to run the Bottom Tier NFL Offense with a Coach who only has 1 year left.

 

[Rossi Rat]

More and more stuff is jiving with Madden’s 100% true report of him refusing to back up Mason in Seattle, as well as my sources telling me some… very alarming things about him. They need to cut ties. He’s the worst Steelers QB ever. Pathetic arm. Looks like he’s throwing a shotput when he throws a football. There is something to his tiny hands.

https://x.com/steelersdepot/status/1747728287554805782?s=46&t=fPqjFuG2GhqaQuPKHlWV6Q

https://x.com/ppp_benjamin/status/1747737262492700825?s=46&t=fPqjFuG2GhqaQuPKHlWV6Q

I’ll say more when the time is right. And the good thing is - I’m betting it’s sooner rather than later. He’ll be here next year, but he will crash and burn HARD. And that’s why it would be a prudent move for Mason to stay.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Cousins is a solid QB, but nothing special. Minnesota was 16th in ppg when he started and he was throwing to Jefferson, Addison, and Hockenson. He's not going to make the Steelers a contender alone. Look at the Bills. Even if the Steelers had Josh Allen at QB, they were still going to lose on Monday. The Bills are better at every other position aside from OLB and probably RB.

Minnesota was a top-10 offense last year (2022-2023) with him at QB.

More and more stuff is jiving with Madden’s 100% true report of him refusing to back up Mason in Seattle, as well as my sources telling me some… very alarming things about him. They need to cut ties. He’s the worst Steelers QB ever. Pathetic arm. Looks like he’s throwing a shotput when he throws a football. There is something to his tiny hands.

https://x.com/steelersdepot/status/1747728287554805782?s=46&t=fPqjFuG2GhqaQuPKHlWV6Q

https://x.com/ppp_benjamin/status/1747737262492700825?s=46&t=fPqjFuG2GhqaQuPKHlWV6Q

I’ll say more when the time is right. And the good thing is - I’m betting it’s sooner rather than later. He’ll be here next year, but he will crash and burn HARD. And that’s why it would be a prudent move for Mason to stay.

The follow-up tweet to the one you posted literally says it’s bullshit and based on nothing:



But I am shocked that you of all people is posting nonsense to shit on Pickett. Never would have seen it coming!

 

[ZorkEnchanter]

But I am shocked that you of all people is posting nonsense to shit on Pickett. Never would have seen it coming!

Yeah, the Picket issue to me is just more BS. Did Mason really do well...

11 - 34 vs Burrow less Bengals who were 8-7
30 - 23 vs Seahawks 8-8. There were skidding at the end... barely playing offense or defense.
17 - 10 vs Ravens who were resting everyone.

They are both NOD type ceilings until we get an OC and prove they can play at a high level.

With how bad and random this team plays on Offense and Defense... I doubt any player has the right to call out another- except maybe TJ. Poor TJ.

 

[pistolpete11]

I'm starting to talk myself into Cousins more and more because I don't think the Steelers roster is as far off as people think.

Other than QB on offense, I think they really only need a T and a C. The rest of the line is solid to good. RB duo is good. I think Pickens is a #1. He had the 16th most yards in the NFL this year in this offense with this QB situation. Even if you say he's a lower end #1, I think DJ is a higher end #2. He has many flaws, but he does get open. He would have been just under 1,000yards if he played in all the games this year (~30th in the league) and again, in this offense with this QB situation. Muth isn't a game breaker, but he's a solid receiving TE. A better 3WR would be nice, but I don't think it's critical....If we all agree the OC and QB were major problems this year, then we should expect all of these guys to look better with a better QB and hopefully a better OC.

On defense, I think they need a CB and an ILB, maybe 2 depending on what the deal is with all the hurt guys. An upgrade on Kazee would be nice. Another DE to spell Heyward would be nice. It's not the Steel Curtain or the 2008 defense, but it would be a solid defense.

And they need a P. I don't know how much a punter actually matters, but it's so painfully obvious Harvin sucks, so I thought I'd add it.

I'm not declaring they'd be the favorites or win the division or anything like that. But I think they would be good enough to give it a go. I'd rather do something like that than incrementally build a better team just for it to come together as Watt starts declining, Heyward retires, Fitzpatrick is past 30, the RBs are broken, Pickens and DJ mouth off 1 too many times, etc. f*** it. Go for it. If it blows up in their faces, who cares? Fire Tomlin, start selling off everything you can, get some top 10 picks for a couple of years, and do the rebuild right instead of trying to build on the fly.

 

[Peat]

If it blows up in their faces, who cares? Fire Tomlin, start selling off everything you can, get some top 10 picks for a couple of years, and do the rebuild right instead of trying to build on the fly.

I think you made the point when I was advocating a "do or die" philosophy on Pickett or Rudolph (preferably Pickett for me) that Tomlin teams never really die and have it blow up in their faces. The face of Cousins going wrong is probably more 10-7 seasons, maybe a 12-5, maybe a playoff win, but same old only more attractive on attack, then Tomlin getting another go a drafted QB after and more of the weird conservative stuff, and then maybe Tomlin walks in, I dunno, another six-seven years of pleasant/frustrating but going nowhere seasons.

Which fair enough if people say they can live with that.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Neither DJ or Cam should get extensions. I've had enough of DJ and while Cam has been a terrific Steeler he is slowing down big time.

Heyward apparently had a grade 3 groin strain and needed the ligaments reattached to the bone.

So that explains why he had a bad year, but with his age I agree he’s at the end of the road with an injury like that.

If he’s back, it should be for a big discount.

1) Literally right there at the top of the post you quoted that this isn't an either/or with the QB

2) You see Kenny Pickett like Brandon Tanev sees ghosts. Chill.

3) But since you brought it up, given Pickett's pressure rate was 25%, 5th highest in the NFL, which is not a compliment to his offensive line. However, it's curious that he only took 23 sacks from that. Maybe his happy feet aren't such an awful thing? In fact...

Steelers QBs Sack to Pressure ratio:

Rudolph 6 sacks, 12 pressures, 50%
Trubisky 7 sacks, 21 pressures, 33%
Pickett 23 sacks, 93 pressures, 25%

So Pickett was in fact our best QB at avoiding getting sacked when the pressure was on by those numbers. Fun stat...

This poster just regurgitates the same dumb shit about KP like the other one, you’d have better luck trying to reason with a potato.

 

[Factorial]

Agreed, Tomlin’s time is up, but if all conversations devolve into that then we might as well lock this thread up.

Perhaps a second Stiller thread could be created here dedicated to Tomlin's future as head coach.

Then this thread would be limited to insightful posts about the performance of the team.

 

[pistolpete11]

I think you made the point when I was advocating a "do or die" philosophy on Pickett or Rudolph (preferably Pickett for me) that Tomlin teams never really die and have it blow up in their faces. The face of Cousins going wrong is probably more 10-7 seasons, maybe a 12-5, maybe a playoff win, but same old only more attractive on attack, then Tomlin getting another go a drafted QB after and more of the weird conservative stuff, and then maybe Tomlin walks in, I dunno, another six-seven years of pleasant/frustrating but going nowhere seasons.

Which fair enough if people say they can live with that.

You're right (or I was right?), more mediocrity is a possibility, but then still...who cares? That's what we're gonna get anyway, so swing for the fences with a PB QB like Cousins over Pickett who hasn't shown much positive in the NFL and still has a long list of red flags.

I'm also not sure I agree that Tomlin would get another shot at drafting a QB. I think if they bring in someone legit like Cousins and they continue to be mediocre, I think the noise is just going to get louder and louder. Tomlin was able to stave off the mob after the NE and ARI losses by making the playoffs, but I still think there's a lot of heat on him. Definitely more so than there has ever been at season's end.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I mean... yeah? We know he's got happy feet that causes eye catching mistakes.

We don't have a video study or extensive stats that shows how big a deal they are. The one stat I could think of to prod at that, pressure to sack ratio, suggest continuing to prod at that. Pressure is a very blunt and unnuanced stat so maybe it's misleading. But then maybe the fact all the Steelers QBs are quite high suggests that when the Steelers' OL lets through pressure, they let through screaming hot pressure.

In any case, this is a tangent. The subject is the OL sucks. It's affected everything depending on it hard. Let's make fixing that a big, big priority. People want to put QB above it? Cool, the team can do multiple things at once.

We've all tried to make sense of Kenny as a future QB since basically the first game he started to the end of that first season. He's gotten more chances than Mason ever has and more support in every way possible whether it was good or not, that's on Tomlin and his dumb hires.

I just can't waste any more energy on a QB that they scouted heavily since he was near by, then even hired the idiot that was once the OC at his school to support him as well and have it fail. Meanwhile they shit all over Mason, that disgusting loser Ben goes on to trash him then now he's saying he should battle for the #1 job like people forgot how shitty he was towards Mason.

I'd rather put my money on the bloke that had to work hard on his own without much support and then showed up when called upon and won 3 straight and kept them in a game they had no business being in, until turnovers and some pathetic attempt at a hit, ruined that for him. It says a lot about a bloke to work that hard after the team has basically turned its back on you. Meanwhile everyone made every excuse in the book for Pickett the last 2yrs.

I recall the vile shit about Mason the year he started a few games because of Ben being hurt, none of that support or hope was ever there for him. Even that first year, he shouldn't have had to start that soon but he went 5-3 and did well, only to barely get any chances for almost 3yrs. So yeah, I couldn't care less about KP and the supposed potential or support or any of the horse shit he needs as much as I do now.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I honestly don’t see the downside of bringing in Cousins if you can afford it. Pickett is more suited as a backup at this point anyway, and while I haven’t written him off but it would likely benefit him to sit behind a proven starter like Cousins. Bringing in Cousins also let you “maximize” the remaining years with Watt, at least in terms of what could reasonably be possible.

They’re less likely to be contending in 3 years than they are next year because Watt and Minkah will be declining. I don’t think worrying about future cap penalties really makes any sense, they don’t have any potential future superstars on the roster right now like they have current superstars in Watt and Minkah.

Cousins?

Why not just keep Rudolph (cut Mitch obviously) and start him with Kenny as the back-up? I think the way this Steelers team cut the drama down in the last 4 games while Rudolph was playing, they rallied around him and there's a ton of respect there for a QB that played well enough in 4 games to earn that shot again.

Another journeyman stop gap while hoping Kenny figures it out is the dumbest scenario imaginable.

 

[T1K]

Cousins?

Why not just keep Rudolph (cut Mitch obviously) and start him with Kenny as the back-up? I think the way this Steelers team cut the drama down in the last 4 games while Rudolph was playing, they rallied around him and there's a ton of respect there for a QB that played well enough in 4 games to earn that shot again.

Another journeyman stop gap while hoping Kenny figures it out is the dumbest scenario imaginable.

I know you love Rudolph, but your description of Cousins isn’t accurate. He’s not a journeyman QB — 39k passing yards, 270 TDs, 110 INT, 98.2 rating over his career.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Cousins?

Why not just keep Rudolph (cut Mitch obviously) and start him with Kenny as the back-up? I think the way this Steelers team cut the drama down in the last 4 games while Rudolph was playing, they rallied around him and there's a ton of respect there for a QB that played well enough in 4 games to earn that shot again.

Another journeyman stop gap while hoping Kenny figures it out is the dumbest scenario imaginable.

Because Cousins is actually a proven starter while Rudolph is a backup who had a few nice games?

You go with Cousins over Rudolph because he’s obviously better. When healthy, Cousins is a top-10 QB in football.

Cousins has been doing what Rudolph did for 2 games this year for basically the last decade. The only question with him is health and the contract.

 

[Peat]

You're right (or I was right?), more mediocrity is a possibility, but then still...who cares? That's what we're gonna get anyway, so swing for the fences with a PB QB like Cousins over Pickett who hasn't shown much positive in the NFL and still has a long list of red flags.

I'm also not sure I agree that Tomlin would get another shot at drafting a QB. I think if they bring in someone legit like Cousins and they continue to be mediocre, I think the noise is just going to get louder and louder. Tomlin was able to stave off the mob after the NE and ARI losses by making the playoffs, but I still think there's a lot of heat on him. Definitely more so than there has ever been at season's end.

Let us just say we're both right.

Ultimately I don't think you can get close enough to the fences with Cousins on Cousins' salary. It's possible that someone might show me a roster that changes my mind given the team is rookie heavy, but I doubt it. I kind of hate this part of the NFL, where the importance of QBs and the difference in salary between rookies and non-rookies and the difference between the elite and the very good goes hard on guys like Cousins, but that's how I see it. I would rather look for the long shot that does potentially have enough power, even if it is very long.

As for Tomlin's future... we will see. But I feel like Rooney is very noise resistant and suspect that it's quite possible that in his worldview, Tomlin did a fine job with a tough task. I think I'll change my mind on that if the incoming extension is one year only, or when Rooney moves on/starts taking public shots at him, but otherwise, I think Tomlin with a guy like doing Cousins will be able to do enough to buy himself more rope.



Also re the list of what needs to be upgraded - I don't think you need an upgrade on Kazee as much as a guy who can do all the dirty work and free up Fitzpatrick to be Fitzpatrick. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm regretting the team letting Terrell Edmunds go.

If there are two things that I'm convinced the Steelers must do as a matter of the utmost priority this off-season, it's making sure Broderick Jones and Minkah Fitzpatrick are put into one role and one role only rather than being used as utility patches to the roster. Those are two things more or less entirely in their hands that make potentially huge impacts on next seasons.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

This KP vs. Rudolph vs. Whatever retread loser they could bring in debate reminds me of when my girlfriend asks me if I prefer off-white or beige to paint the walls.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Because Cousins is actually a proven starter while Rudolph is a backup who had a few nice games?

You go with Cousins over Rudolph because he’s obviously better. When healthy, Cousins is a top-10 QB in football.

Cousins has been doing what Rudolph did for 2 games this year for basically the last decade. The only question with him is health and the contract.

You already cited why I wouldn't go with Cousins, behind this OLine, its pointless to go and sign an already fragile QB. If anything, I maybe don't even care who the QB is as long as it's not Kenny. I expect Mason to sign elsewhere, he should sign elsewhere. He deserves better.

As for Kenny? f*** Kenny. Go ahead and sign Cousins, then draft a new QB if that's the plan, otherwise, f*** that.

 

[ChaosAgent]

We could get Cousins (or Murray, or Wilson) and fit a $30M QB onto this roster

Restructure Heyward
Restructure Watt
Nets $20M
Robinson, Trubisky, Peterson, Okorafor, Cole is another $30M

We obviously don't re-sign Rudolph then.
You then decide whether to nibble around the edges with either Holcomb or Roberts at MLB, maybe cut or restructure Ogunjobi.

You then get your QB and have $25M left over.

I'm just saying, it's doable. Plenty of teams have $30-$40M in the QB position and put together something competitive.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

This KP vs. Rudolph vs. Whatever retread loser they could bring in debate reminds me of when my girlfriend asks me if I prefer off-white or beige to paint the walls.

This is what Tomlin has done to us.

It's funny how he gets all this praise for whatever, but the shit that the Steelers are in, is also because of Tomlin. Blokes on the Pens used to love Bylsma too and he got fired because he wasn't cutting it, only for them to turn dipshit with Sully. So all the positive talk about Tomlin, sure, whatever that's normal. But for Watt to come out and say that's the only coach I want to play for?

What the actual f***. Do these idiots actually want to win or have MT just stick around making dumb decisions year after year but having winning seasons with nothing to show for it and rest on that?

We could get Cousins (or Murray, or Wilson) and fit a $30M QB onto this roster

Restructure Heyward
Restructure Watt
Nets $20M
Robinson, Trubisky, Peterson, Okorafor, Cole is another $30M

We obviously don't re-sign Rudolph then.
You then decide whether to nibble around the edges with either Holcomb or Roberts at MLB, maybe cut or restructure Ogunjobi.

You then get your QB and have $25M left over.

I'm just saying, it's doable. Plenty of teams have $30-$40M in the QB position and put together something competitive.

Wilson gets a bad rap for the Bronco's first year, but this past season he wasn't entirely terrible behind a god awful team.

I think they shouldn't sign Rudy either, mostly because I just want Rudy to be away from Tomlin and get a better shot elsewhere. Trade KP and draft a new QB behind the veteran QB signing.

Cousins - Rookie QB
Wilson - Rookie QB

Whatever.

Wait are blokes seriously thinking Kyler Murray is going to be available? Also, I'd want more cap space not blow that wad on a veteran QB, I would hope they would go and spend it on adding some help to the O-Line.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I know you love Rudolph, but your description of Cousins isn’t accurate. He’s not a journeyman QB — 39k passing yards, 270 TDs, 110 INT, 98.2 rating over his career.

I don't dislike Cousins, I dislike his injury history and what this O-Line would do to a player with that.

 

[Empoleon8771]

You already cited why I wouldn't go with Cousins, behind this OLine, its pointless to go and sign an already fragile QB. If anything, I maybe don't even care who the QB is as long as it's not Kenny. I expect Mason to sign elsewhere, he should sign elsewhere. He deserves better.

As for Kenny? f*** Kenny. Go ahead and sign Cousins, then draft a new QB if that's the plan, otherwise, f*** that.

Cousins had 1 major injury, he’s not fragile. It’s just a question of how he rebounds. Before last year, he had missed 1 game in 8 seasons.

This KP vs. Rudolph vs. Whatever retread loser they could bring in debate reminds me of when my girlfriend asks me if I prefer off-white or beige to paint the walls.

Uh, Cousins wouldn’t be much worse, if at all, than Ben before his elbow injury. He’s really, really good.

 

[Peat]

We could get Cousins (or Murray, or Wilson) and fit a $30M QB onto this roster

Restructure Heyward
Restructure Watt
Nets $20M
Robinson, Trubisky, Peterson, Okorafor, Cole is another $30M

We obviously don't re-sign Rudolph then.
You then decide whether to nibble around the edges with either Holcomb or Roberts at MLB, maybe cut or restructure Ogunjobi.

You then get your QB and have $25M left over.

I'm just saying, it's doable. Plenty of teams have $30-$40M in the QB position and put together something competitive.

Competitive as in wins more than it loses and makes the playoffs most years? Yeah. Although arguably that's exactly what we're doing without needing to do that.

Can win the Super Bowl? Not so much.