OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Steelers need a new ball thrower for the handball game thingy

[bigdaddyk88]

Agree that Mason's arm isn't a problem- he can throw ropes if needed and delivers appropriate trajectory.

For me his biggest issue is pocket awareness. He does not feel pressure and therefore does not step away as needed.

I don't think that can be taught so therefore to me MR is a career backup in this league.

And Pickett pocket awareness was bad last year in college

 

[Coastal Kev]

So, we're back to the wildly inconsistent on field performances of a super senior against maybe the worst ACC in history then. Perfect.

What part of his game concerns you the most?

Can he excel with pre snap reads?
Does he have NFL arm strength?
Is he an accurate thrower?
Is he an accurate thrower on move?
Does have good mechanics?
Does he have good size?
Is he mobile?
Does he have pocket awareness?
Does he work through his progressions?

He checks the box for me with all of those traits.

 

[ChaosAgent]

What part of his game concerns you the most?

Can he excel with pre snap reads?
Does he have NFL arm strength?
Is he an accurate thrower?
Is he an accurate thrower on move?
Does have good mechanics?
Does he have good size?
Is he mobile?
Does he have pocket awareness?
Does he work through his progressions?

He checks the box for me with all of those traits.

The last two he does not. He leaves clean pockets for no reason.

 

[xlm34]

If Mark Whipple was the OC at Pitt when Kenny Pickett started instead of Shawn Watson, he would have had a way better and more consistent college career.

2018: Shawn Watson as OC. Their offense was line up under center and hand the ball off to the two 1,000 yard rushers on the team. It’s not really shocking a guy from OK State had better numbers.

2019: Watson fired and Mark Whipple was hired. He implemented a completely different offense than the year before. Whipple himself has said it takes around three years for him to get the players he needs to fully implement his offense. Tough year for Pickett. Their running game was non existent. Line struggled. Best weapon on offense was Maurice Ffrench.

2020: Pickett actually took a decent step forward this year. Still no run game. OL was bad. Receivers led the country in drops. Injured his ankle against BC early in the season and needed surgery. Probably shouldn’t have even come back that year but did and clearly wasn’t 100%.

2021: Everything came together this year. To say this was the worst ACC ever is an exaggeration. They still had I think 4 top 25 teams. They just weren’t Miami and Florida State and Virginia Tech. Even with a down year, Clemson’s defense was still a top 5 defense in the country

Some of the inconsistencies make some sense if you look beyond the stats.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

If Pickett didn’t go to Pitt people wouldn’t want him. His college numbers are worse than Mason to old to sit behind Mitch.

I hate Pitt with a passion, so kind of a dumb ass blanket statement.

KP is mobile, accurate, the most accurate in this class when he’s on the run, and he understands a pro style scheme.

He will be a winner at the next level unless a shifty org takes him.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Bailey Zappe had an amazing year, best year ever for a QB, guess the Steelers should take him. Or maybe they should find out what Timmy Chang is up to......

 

[Coastal Kev]

The last two he does not. He leaves clean pockets for no reason.

I heard a scout say the same thing on Cowherd last week. Not sure that I agree, it's something that didn't stand out to me while watching him last year. I will spend some time tonight looking further; but looking briefly, I found one example that counters that arguement.

7:40 his center is getting destroyed and pressure is coming right up the middle. Most qb's struggle with pressure right up the middle. Pickett stays fixed and throw a good pass short of the first down. We can argue if he should be throwing past the sticks, but maybe the play was designed to pick up yards for the punt, we don't know. But have a look:

 

[xlm34]

I heard a scout say the same thing on Cowherd last week. Not sure that I agree, it's something that didn't stand out to me while watching him last year. I will spend some time tonight looking further; but looking briefly, I found one example that counters that arguement.

7:40 his center is getting destroyed and pressure is coming right up the middle. Most qb's struggle with pressure right up the middle. Pickett stays fixed and throw a good pass short of the first down. We can argue if he should be throwing past the sticks, but maybe the play was designed to pick up yards for the punt, we don't know. But have a look:

I’ve definitely watched enough of him to say that he does bail on a pocket a little too much instead of just stepping up. But he also 100% capable of going through progressions.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

If ppl are concerned about KP leaving the pocket too much, better avoid Willis’ tape.

 

[The Old Master]

If ppl are concerned about KP leaving the pocket too much, better avoid Willis’ tape.

this is a "LIKE".

 

[Coastal Kev]

I heard a scout say the same thing on Cowherd last week. Not sure that I agree, it's something that didn't stand out to me while watching him last year. I will spend some time tonight looking further; but looking briefly, I found one example that counters that arguement.

7:40 his center is getting destroyed and pressure is coming right up the middle. Most qb's struggle with pressure right up the middle. Pickett stays fixed and throw a good pass short of the first down. We can argue if he should be throwing past the sticks, but maybe the play was designed to pick up yards for the punt, we don't know. But have a look:

Take a look at the 27:05 play. Pickett is getting pressure all quarter from every direction, this time from his RT side. He has such a small window, he has little time to diagnose and he threads the needle to complete a huge gain.........then a fumble. Only got through 1 quarter.....damn work stuff, but I'm now thinking the Steelers should trade up to get the kid.

31:50 That throw has NFL written all over. And those questioning his arm......have a look

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Slightly different topic, but came across this and had to chuckle even though I generally disagree w/ HorseFace:

"Don’t care what anyone says, for every Steelers WR to get unsportsmanlike, taunting penalties or exhibit behavior seen in the last decade. It’s coached in Pittsburgh and Coach Tomlin condones it. Tell me I’m lying," -Shannon Sharpe

 

[OnMyOwn]

If ppl are concerned about KP leaving the pocket too much, better avoid Willis’ tape.

The first day I heard he was a consideration I reviewed tons of video. I hate Willis’ game with a passion.

He won’t make it in the NFL. He may have a random productive year or two with his feet and some cool athletic plays, but the dude won’t be a long term solution. I’d gladly be wrong, because what do I care if a random athlete proves me wrong, but I just don’t want the Steelers to take that gamble.

 

[Night Shift]

Slightly different topic, but came across this and had to chuckle even though I generally disagree w/ HorseFace:

"Don’t care what anyone says, for every Steelers WR to get unsportsmanlike, taunting penalties or exhibit behavior seen in the last decade. It’s coached in Pittsburgh and Coach Tomlin condones it. Tell me I’m lying," -Shannon Sharpe

Hey, the National media is finally noticing.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

1:23.07 Let me know the next time Rudolph makes a throw like that.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

The first day I heard he was a consideration I reviewed tons of video. I hate Willis’ game with a passion.

He won’t make it in the NFL. He may have a random productive year or two with his feet and some cool athletic plays, but the dude won’t be a long term solution. I’d gladly be wrong, because what do I care if a random athlete proves me wrong, but I just don’t want the Steelers to take that gamble.

Exactly what I see - and for the 147th time, no QB like Willis has ever done shit in the NFL - ever. Like all time. As long as the league has existed. Entire history of the league.

Scouts, org and fans are gullible and constantly fall for these super athletic, can’t read a D or throw an accurate ball guys - but that arm and ‘dos legs!

 

[Coastal Kev]

1:23.07 Let me know the next time Rudolph makes a throw like that.

Look at that arm strength to make that throw!

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Exactly what I see - and for the 147th time, no QB like Willis has ever done shit in the NFL - ever. Like all time. As long as the league has existed. Entire history of the league.

Scouts, org and fans are gullible and constantly fall for these super athletic, can’t read a D or throw an accurate ball guys - but that arm and ‘dos legs!

Josh Allen?

 

[Night Shift]

Exactly what I see - and for the 147th time, no QB like Willis has ever done shit in the NFL - ever. Like all time. As long as the league has existed. Entire history of the league.

Scouts, org and fans are gullible and constantly fall for these super athletic, can’t read a D or throw an accurate ball guys - but that arm and ‘dos legs!

Reason they will take this guy is because hes almost like Lamar! and they need to be like the Ravens! And and and..hes not like cement shoes!

That's the brain trust over here.

 

[Night Shift]

Josh Allen?

What about Josh Allen?

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Genuine question - how reliable a guide to performance are college numbers? Because I've seen plenty of higher scoring NHL prospects fall behind guys with better skillsets, but I don't know where it is here.

In terms of NFL success? Personally, I believe that they’re so unimportant that they barely factor into my consideration. Tape before all. I would think some weigh them more heavily than that, but mostly everyone agree would that traditional football stats aren’t the biggest deal for NFL prospects.

#s are good measure of how good a college player is at playing college though (of course).

I’m no authority though

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

What about Josh Allen?

Unrefined athlete when he came out like Willis. Has developed into an elite QB.

And I’d avoid Willis, but I just disagree with @Mr Jiggyfly

 

[Pens1566]

Unrefined athlete when he came out like Willis. Has developed into an elite QB.

And I’d avoid Willis, but I just disagree with @Mr Jiggyfly

Didn't watch enough Allen in college, and haven't seen enough Willis personally but from reading reports it reminds me of some Mahomes talk. And I did watch a ton of him in college. Freak athlete, great arm, pulls it down and playgrounds at first sign of trouble. Lots of people were wrong about him too.

Not saying Willis will repeat that though.

 

[Coastal Kev]

I'll say this as well; I may be undervaluing Trubisky and his potential. That year of sitting could have done him wonders.

I have to be honest; If I'm the Steelers this is a tough call in round 1.

 

[ChaosAgent]

I'll say this as well; I may be undervaluing Trubisky and his potential. That year of sitting could have done him wonders.

I have to be honest; If I'm the Steelers this is a tough call in round 1.

Trubisky is a better prospect than the majority of the guys we are talking about.