Bungles @ Steelers MNF -- Week 4 2019 -- GDT

[shafnutz05]

Last night was a nice, well-needed feel good game.

[Kovyfalcon27]

FanDuel boosted the Steelers -3.5 to +100 a few hours before kickoff, and let’s just say that’s some of the easiest money I’ve ever made.

[NTP66]

One of my favorite things to do here is to read the Steelers GDT the next morning. What a wave of emotions.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Same. "Can't run. The wildcat sucks. The d-line can't get penetration. Can Rudolph throw a pass longer than 6 yards?" etc. It's fun to look back after a win.

[Morkle]

I truly don't know why they're seemingly keeping Rudolph from throwing more than 5 yards most of the time. The kid looks like he can do it, did it in college, why the need to protect him so much? Does he lack confidence?

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

I wonder what the average number of posts in a GDT in a win compared to a number of posts for a thread w a loss

[nocera]

Same. "Can't run. The wildcat sucks. The d-line can't get penetration. Can Rudolph throw a pass longer than 6 yards?" etc. It's fun to look back after a win.

I stand by those. Except I never saw a post about the d-line.

[Dickie Dunn]

I truly don't know why they're seemingly keeping Rudolph from throwing more than 5 yards most of the time. The kid looks like he can do it, did it in college, why the need to protect him so much? Does he lack confidence?

I think it's more because the offensive line can't block long enough for this group of receivers to get open. Dinking and dunking to open up a quick hit downfield worked pretty good last night, but the real test will be against a team who doesn't completely suck. The running game is still a mess because the offensive line isn't consistently opening holes, we never use a fullback, and are running out of the shotgun 99% of the time, but it was nice to see them FINALLY use Conner and Samuels on the field at the same time. That needs to be something that continues.

[Morkle]

I think the wildcat is going to work against a team like the Bengals. I see no real success otherwise.

The major learning is how stupid is the coaching staff for ignoring Samuels so much the first few weeks.

[Morkle]

I truly don't know why they're seemingly keeping Rudolph from throwing more than 5 yards most of the time. The kid looks like he can do it, did it in college, why the need to protect him so much? Does he lack confidence?

I think it's more because the offensive line can't block long enough for this group of receivers to get open. Dinking and dunking to open up a quick hit downfield worked pretty good last night, but the real test will be against a team who doesn't completely suck. The running game is still a mess because the offensive line isn't consistently opening holes, we never use a fullback, and are running out of the shotgun 99% of the time, but it was nice to see them FINALLY use Conner and Samuels on the field at the same time. That needs to be something that continues.

If they wanted to be "Patriots-Lite" this is the time to do it. Two back, a bunch of average WRs. I don't know why they don't utilize slants in the offense more.

[robbiestoupe]

One of my favorite things to do here is to read the Steelers GDT the next morning. What a wave of emotions.

A guilty pleasure for sure

[NTP66]

Bush had a terrific game last night, BTW. He was all over the field making plays.

[blackjack68]

Kudos for the fine work by @slappybrown .

Keep up the good work.

[tifosi77]

I truly don't know why they're seemingly keeping Rudolph from throwing more than 5 yards most of the time. The kid looks like he can do it, did it in college, why the need to protect him so much? Does he lack confidence?

I wouldn't necessarily presume the play calling is limiting him here. Give it four or five starts before expecting him to be driving the ball downfield and throwing receivers open.

He had one throw that ended up being a 1st down conversion to that new TE guy, but if the LB covering him had turned around it would've been a clear pick six. I have no reason (as yet) to doubt that Rudy will get there. But he needs to cook a bit longer.

[Morkle]

I guess I don't understand the cook a bit longer phrase. With the emergence of young quarterbacks, if you're telling me they need to coach him that much, he wasn't a third-round pick, let alone a "projected" first.

I'm more apt to blame the WRs being poor than not stretching the field. Just seems weird, again though, if they'd incorporate more slants into the game plan, I'd imagine he'd amass more yards.

[Dickie Dunn]

I swear I remember hearing that the playbook lacks slants because, just like QB sneaks, Ben doesn't like them for some reason. But Ben's dead so it shouldn't be too hard to add them back in.

[tifosi77]

The receivers aren't getting great separation, but he does have throws available to him. But they're NFL throws, not OK State throws, and he's passing them up for checkdowns. That will change in time.

[Morkle]

I swear I remember hearing that the playbook lacks slants because, just like QB sneaks, Ben doesn't like them for some reason. But Ben's dead so it shouldn't be too hard to add them back in.

Like I said, nows the time to start throwing in pick slants, especially if separation is an issue. They're more likely to not get called for it than it would be successful.

[willeyeam]

you guys should watch Deshaun Watson's press conference response to not throwing downfield. Sometimes it's just not there. Take the W and move on

[blackjack68]

There were three passes that went completely into open field with nobody around.

Were all three route issues? One looked like Rudolph was complaining the receiver got bumped.

[tifosi77]

Yeah, those were a couple wtf moments. Somebody did something wrong there, and since it repeated more than once I'm guessing it was the noob under center. It happens. Yay, winning.

[shafnutz05]

It was Juju every time I think. Makes me wonder whose fault it was. Maybe if he would spend less time on social media and more time studying game tape and the play book. Smdh

[NTP66]

Shut up, NP.

[meow]

He was probably tweeting instead of paying attention in the huddle

[Morkle]

you guys should watch Deshaun Watson's press conference response to not throwing downfield. Sometimes it's just not there. Take the W and move on

IIRC Fichtner said after the game, there were looks, Rudolph just chose other receivers.