Why nothing will change under Russ

Respectfully disagree. He definitely was rusty. However, there were a couple low throws that were intentional as there was nothing there. It's knit-picking putting out he overthrew Muth. That was a damn nice pass and catch. A couple to Pickens underthrown which he made the play.

To my eyes, he sure looked like a savior. It was night and day. Fields doesn't give the players opportunities. Russ does.

 

correct

throw the ball DOWN FIELD and it opens up the running game

THAT is what Mike T wants to see

 

Points scored jumps out at me

 

And I make fun of @steelersrule6 for having to post other peoples thoughts

 

I am gladly eating crow today. I thought Russ would be under constant pressure and it was going to be a disaster. There is something to be said for experience and reading the field and pre snap adjustments etc. It seemed like Russ knew where to go with the ball on every play. The pass to Friermuth when he was under pressure was a thing of beauty. I love that we were pushing the ball down field. Its amazing how everyone looked better. The line looked good , the run game looked good. I am sure there will be games that won’t go this smoothly and Wilson will struggle. I do think we need to mix in Fields at times just to add a wrinkle and keep defenses off balance. Can’t wait to see what this offense looks like once we get Frazier back and add a wr2.

 

A couple things I note:

* Russ doesn't have the prowess to escape and/or extend plays as he once did. He is just 'slightly mobile' now days.
* Pass blocking sometimes broke down, which doesn't help.

About this "Go-ball" stuff.
* In pro-football, it's all about the angles. The sidelines are angles which give a little edge to ball security since the ball is coming from the center of the field to the side of the field which limits the possibility of interceptions.
* "Never throw late in the middle" is a gold standard in the NFL... all kinds of bad things can happen as there is so much playing field available.
* I don't really see the Steelers being opposed or afraid to use the middle of the field but by the same token, they are going to give the defense anything they don't need to. I see a lot of teams do this.
* Russell has always thrown a very catchable deep ball. Again, the sideline limits the defenses chances.
* A defender, when isolated on a sideline pattern, can't really look back to the QB whereas in the middle of the field he does have some of that option.

So, while I am not a Russell Wilson fan nor a Justin Fields fan, Russ did play remarkably well and some the criticisms need to get a little more creative.

I think mobility is a good way to go. He looks just slightly more mobile than Peyton Manning.
I am very impressed with his pre-snap reads; he never made a bad adjustment that I saw.

 

Pass Chart


Sorry, I dunno how to get the link for just the image.

 

Fields had one great half as a passer in six games. Wilson had a strong three quarters in his first game.

Criticize those throws that gave receivers opportunities to make plays all you want, but Fields can't make them. He is in his fourth season and he still can't throw with touch. Wilson saw things Fields was missing. He made throws Fields can't make. Despite what some feared last week, he showed he can still move. He can't run like Fields, but he is still mobile. He is also much more comfortable under center than Fields, which is another reason he was so much more effective in play-action.

Yes, Wilson still needs to be better. It was his first game since December, so that should be no surprise. I don't think he is a savior, but he is a solid veteran NFL quarterback and a superior passer to Fields.

 

I wish I shared your optimism on that!

 

Tomlin loves his wife but she isn’t going under the center next year

Well not in the starting football sense

Tomlin will start whomever gives the best chance to win

 

Those moon balls were always a big part of Wilson's game. He is still very good at it.

Yes, they trusted Wilson more than they trust Fields. That should tell you something.

Wilson will lose to Father Time eventually and he certainly isn't the player he was in his prime, but right now he looks like the Steelers' best option.

 

Please don’t make a “shotgun” joke.

 

To me the offense definitely looked way better with Russell Wilson at QB. I believe that will continue moving forward.

 

Fields may be here, but not QB#1.

 

I didn't expect you to act like this. But you proved me wrong.

 

It could happen.
But Fields just is not going to elevate his game, so the expectations would have to be lowered.
I think some team will see his performance this year and he gets a contract.
But that requires a market to be there for him. I also think teams see his limit too.
So, maybe he does remain. It's not the worst case that could happen.

But I can also see that Tomlin/Omar know his limits and know they need to go into the draft.
Since both QB's are needing a contract, spending money in the best place makes sense.
Wilson on a 1-2 maybe 3-year deal makes sense. I'd say preferably a 2-year deal.
Whereas Fields will want at least a 4-year.

I suppose they could gamble on Fields which nullifies what I think currently.
I think that's a terrible gamble.
I also think as the season winds down, that will be more apparent.
I think they will be looking at the draft. Darn thing with that is, if we finish well, our picks will be not so good.
That seems like that could force the hand.

I see Wilson as a 1 to 2 year stop gap and mentor.
I see Fields in the Mason role... limited ceiling worth taking a shot on. If he would have come with a couple years on his contract, I could see them being complacent.

 

Some people never thought He was awesome, or had a fantasy that he was even great, but many could see he was the best of a bad bunch....just like he is in Tennessee. There is a difference, but sometimes people's hate, or desire not to be wrong doesn't allow for them to see. Just like Russell Wilson, and Fields. Nobody said Russell Wilson is super awesome, but some thought as of now .....He was better than Fields.

 

I agree that he has to be better, but it is fair to think some of that was rust.

The first deep ball to Pickens dropped right into his arms. He made some tough throws on the run. Yes, there were times receivers made great plays on throws that could have been better. He also has negative plays that weren't his fault, such as the throw into the end zone when Jefferson's feet got tangled up with a defender or the third-down drop by Austin in the first quarter.

Tomlin trusts Wilson more than he trusts Fields. That much is obvious. Look at their careers. Wilson has earned that.

 

Is it hard to just say You were wrong??
We scored more points than any game this year....against a very desperate team with a top 10 defense, and a team loaded with offensive weapons.....with a Qb that hasn't played a game since December last year. Our Wrs finally looked like wrs, Muth had the longest play He's had, Washington had more catches then he ever had, and we watched the Jets D actually have to stop playing the run. And again with a Qb that was very rusty. You like saying this about Fields....well Russell is on pace for 33 tds in 11 games. LoL