Welcome Minkah Fitzpatrick

Doesn't that lend more credence to the idea that this was a panic move?

 

I'd rather be looking for a QB in 2021 if Mason doesn't pan out. This move was needed to shore up a (if not the biggest) hole in our ability to close out games with a competent FS.

 

I guess Bouchette isn't a fan of this trade

 

That wasn't going to happen anyway

 

I'm going to have to pay more attention to college football this year because apparently Jesus is playing for someone out there.

 

Steelers fans: I hate our fronto office they never go after free agents that can help the team, never make trades to move up in the draft and never make trades to get players that can make this team better during the season.

Steelers: sign Nelson in off season, trade up to 10th spot to draft Bush, trade 1st Rd pick for Fitzpatrick a top ten pick from last year at a position of real need.

Also Steelers fans: well yeah but the 1st Rd pick is too much, I meant bundle a 5th, 6th and a comp 7th and get someone who was good.

 

Does it though? We have numerous holes. 1 DB doesn't change a whole lot. It's not as if he's a Revis type who teams actually game plan for and avoid at all costs.

Is MR isn't the future of our team, then chances are that 1st we traded away is a top 15 and maybe even a top 10. With a pick that high, there's options to either grab a QB there or trade up to get one. Teams live and die with QB's and if MR isn't that guy, then we need one, desperately. A good safety might make us slightly better this year, but we aren't winning the SB this year.

I just don't see the risk being worth it in this case. You build from the QB out, not the other way around. I hope MR is the guy, but statistically speaking, he won't be.

 

im hearing reports he is actually a slot CB. My guess he is transitioning to FS and should be good enough to do so. At least better than davis

 

Absolutely love this! Shame Butler is so incompetent.

 

defensive scheme is terrible so we are stacking talent just to do enough lol

 

But that's the thing. When we've had contending teams and likely late round picks, they didn't make those trades. Now Ben goes down and we have a team that is not a contender, which will result in earlier picks, and now we're trading away our picks. It's ass backwards

 

That also scares me. Is our coaching staff so terrible that it won't matter who we bring in? I can't help but think there's some truth to that. I've just lost faith in the coaching and management of this team, especially the coaching.

 

Yep. That`s the way I look at it. A known quantity beats a pig in a poke every time.

 

Regarding Bens injury and Mason starting the rest of the season and its likely implications on our draft spot:

Has anyone considered that Miami was likely asking for more? They probably didn't want to give him up for a 1st in the 20+ or even 25+ range, and likely were asking for our 2nd pick as well, or maybe trading 2nd rounders or something, considering we gave up our 3rd already and don't have a compensatory awarded for Bell yet. They probably had been in talks for a week or more, and then when Ben got injured, things changed. They were then willing to take the 1st more likely in the 10-20 range or possibly lower, which, they probably assume Ben being out = top 12 pick. So considering all of that, and I think our FO and coaches have confidence in Mason to win some games. Getting Miami's 4th round which is likely to be the 1st or top 3 or whatever pick of the round. We will have our 2nd, 3rd compensatory for Bell, Miami 4th round, and our 4th round. Giving us 4 picks, depending on where our pick ends up being, in the top 120ish. Plus a proven player that should instantly improve our defense at its weakest position IMO, and also is saying to our team "Just because Ben is out, and just because we started 0-2, this season is NOT over" and showing confidence in them at the very least, to win enough games to not make them look like complete fools giving up a top 10 draft pick, and at best, making a playoff run based on a strong defense, and a competent balanced offense. Think about it, the defense has lots of potential and room to grow. They were getting pressure early in the game vs Seahawks. Lots of new pieces, Bush, Barron, Nelson, Edmunds in his 2nd year still learning and growing, and now Fitzpatrick in the same position. As the season wears on, the defense should improve, and if they can keep pace with last years sack/pressure amount, having a legit playmaker in the back with Fitzpatrick should pay dividends. I did find myself saying multiple times on Sunday, and last year even "we really need a big time playmaker in the secondary" ... 2 or 3 big time plays in key situations can be the difference between 7-9 or 10-6.

Anyways Im happy with the move and read the first 6 or 7 pages and hadn't seen anyone mention the implications of Ben's injury and the trade. Miami might have wanted more that we were unwilling to give until their perceived value on our 1st round pick went way up.

 

What message would it say to your players if the Steelers are willing to give up on Rudolph after less than a year? We drafted what many considered to be a first round talent in the 3rd round with the intent of grooming him to replace Ben. You don’t give up on him after less than one season

 

I'm kind of torn on this move. Definitely need help in the back field but giving up a number #1 for this guy? Must have a lot of faith in MR when that pick could have been used for a QB or other positions. But then again tomlins picks in the first rounds havent been the best in the west. Hope the kid does well and things work out.

 

Yep...Steeler Insider...Steeler ******* is what Douchette is...Dude has been there forever, And is never right

 

I like this move a lot.

In the limited time I’ve seen him, Rudolph looks real. It’s rare when a QB is good right out of the box like Ben was, you usually need a season or two to see what you actually have in most cases. So it would be too early to draft a QB next year, and Mason fits the team as it is presently constructed, as his style of play is much like Ben’s.
The Steelers have an abysmal record with drafting and developing defensive backs, I have no idea why but it is just really bad. Fitzpatrick is probably better than they were going to do with that first rounder next year if they took a DB. The move may be an admission of that.

Added advantage, perhaps they’ll release Artie Burnt when they shuffle the DBs. One can but hope....

 

I don’t understand either!!!! Not as dumb as having Vince cover a slot wr though!!!

If Edmunds can do Troys job at 75% and Minkah do Ed reeds job at 75% we will have a very solid back end of the secondary !!!

Cajun

 

Who said give up on him? What they should have done is keep that 1st in case Rudolph sucks. Then they could potentially take a QB. If Rudolph is good, they take someone that's not a QB with the pick. Keeping the 1st doesn't mean you have to use it on a QB, it's a backup plan to get a future QB of Rudolph can't get it done

 

Those 2 are arguably the best 2 safeties to ever play. I wouldn't expect either Edmunds or Minkah to come close.

 

While I agree it should be noted he also missed a couple assignments due to poor communication. ...... he’s young, if he doesn’t learn from his mistakes he’s useless long term BUT if he does learn and grow we may have something special.....

Cajun

 

I think what it's are a GM's job. That's what they get paid for. I just don't agree with giving up a potential high 1st when we might need a QB.

You don't always try to make your team better immediately. Sometimes you play the long game. GM's need to understand where their team is, and we are not contending this year.

Unless of course Colbert and Tomlin both feel, or have been told, that they are on the hot seat. Then I understand the trade. They are trying to buy an extra win or 2 this year at the expense of possibly being in a position to draft a QB next year, which we may or may not need. Those decisions are why GM's get paid. Colbert made his call and we'll see if it's the right one. If it's not, he set this franchise back by a minimum of 1 full season and possibly a lot more. It's not easy to find franchise QB's