watching a qb actually play the QB position well is something we havent seen in awhile. it's a nice change of scenery for sure.. WIlson's stats over the last 2 games:
111 QB rating,
542 passing yards,
3 TD passes,
0 interceptions..
Steeler defense
- Thread starter Pittisit4me
- Start date
111 QB rating,
542 passing yards,
3 TD passes,
0 interceptions..
Yeah, he kind of makes it obvious that everyone who was nitpicking every throw and decision made by Ryan Pickett and Justin Fields were really just missing the forest for the trees. Both of those guys are very much backup-caliber. Wilson even put some zip on some passes when he needed to. I walked away encouraged. We'll see how this plays out at defenses continue to adjust.
Only thing that sucks is that he and Najee are both playing their way into big contracts.
if the 2 point conversion rate is 50%, (or even slightly above)...
In that the extra point kick does not go off at a 100% clip then why not go for two on every td? Analytics, whatever the hell that is in that it is never defined nor parameters given, would say that is the correct course based on percentages...
we are perfecting the play action passes from under the center. love it. the play action game helping the run game and vice versa..
time to admit, arthur smith was a good hire (So far anyways).
NFL teams have succeeded on just 31 percent of two-point conversion attempts this season
The two-point conversion turned 30 this year.
www.nbcsports.com
He wasn't looking like so hot of a hire with Fields back there, though. Having someone who knows how to play the position definitely helps.
How often was Fields throwing over the top, for instance? Wilson must have completed at least 8 of those the last two weeks.
Last year it was 55%, and historically it's a tad under 50% so my guess is that number will normalize as the year continues.
I think analytics don't account for a whole bunch of stuff that goes on because we're humans and not robots. However, if you believe in the go for 2 after scoring when down 14, you have to do it every time. You can't pick and chose when.
There is merit to increasing the chance to win, because you have to score 3 times if you kick the extra point.
Minkah is doing what he’s asked to do- which is be over the top coverage against the WR1.
Correct .
And the chiefs are now a defensive team , since Mahomes has been a turnover machine this season .
teams win in over time all the time. or you have a chance to win it in regulation by going for two when/if you score the 2nd touchdown..
like i said before, with a 31% success rate, i loved seeing the giants go for it. made the 4th quarter much more relaxing to watch since i know they put themselves in a position where a win was impossible.
the more times coaches play the analytics game over the common sense game, the more they lose.
Arthur Smith’ offense didn’t look too good while Justin was QB, any success was predominantly Fields’ running.
But the offense is night and day now with Wilson. It’s only 2 games but I’ll now give Arthur’s offense a thumbs up but with Russell contributing a good bit to that.
Heck, even Van Jefferson is making a presence now. Under Justin, he had to be the biggest MIA WR2 in the league by a wide margin.
Arthur Smith was calling a different game with Fields at QB, and rightfully so. Look no further than the play action game with Wilson compared to fields.
Fields strength is running, his weakness staying in pocket and making throws.
My
Russ had 20 red zone TDs last year. He’s good at it.
And last night 1) Jefferson ran the wrong route, 2) Pickens couldn’t get his foot down, and 3) Broderick wiped out a 3rd.
I’m not worried about the red zone at all. Actually just the opposite.
My son and I debated Russ in the red zone before the game. I said Russ is good in the red zone. My son argued he isn’t and that’s why people were saying Fields should be the red zone QB.
Russ had 20 red zone TDs last year. He’s good at it.
And last night 1) Jefferson ran the wrong route, 2) Pickens couldn’t get his foot down, and 3) Broderick wiped out a 3rd.
I’m not worried about the red zone at all. Actually just the opposite.
But you understand -
Using your way - they would only tie at best to force overtime -
Which was the same situation they would still be in going for 2 again .
In other words - require scoring 2 points in either event .
Although if they succeed - they win win an XP on another TD .
They have zero chance of winning in regulation kicking XP when down 14 in the 4th .
It’s just math .
Which means Smith was a good hire who adapts playcalling based on his personnel and the defense .
In other words - a real OC .
The idea of Fields in the red zone sounds cool. He has a cannon to fit the ball into tight spaces, and he can run. However, when you start budgeting for about 1 in 10 snaps being fumbled, etc., the idea becomes a little less appealing.
Jefferson didn’t read the defense right , more specifically . Russ did.
In fairness - Pickens got knocked out the back by the safety . Was a good defensive play to push him out before he could bring his other foot down -
But - I still the rule is dumb if you are able to double tap a foot .
Yeah of course he was calling a different game with Fields at QB. That doesn’t change the fact that his offense sucked then. In other words, he wasn’t any miracle worker with his offense.
It’s looking good now so, like I said, I’ll give Arthur a thumbs up now but while doing so, know that a good bit of that is due to Russell.
I guess it’s a team effort, success depends on both the coaching/scheme and the players talent and execution.
You maybe go wing T with Fields as another RB , maybe .
I don’t want him taking snaps .
Isn't one guy never under center, while the other is under center quite a bit?
I agree with most of what you’re saying here. Just one small nitpick, Jefferson didn’t necessarily run the wrong route, he just wasn’t smart enough to break it off and settle into the open space the defense gave him. Sure looked like that’s what Russell was expecting.
yes, probably doesnt trust fields to put his back to the defense or maybe he's worse under center, who knows. but it's working marvelously for WIlson
Yep-
Folks pretend routes are set in stone -
Both the WR and QB are reading the coverage and optioning routes .
It’s also why when Pickens is manned up without a safety drifting - his routes are mostly go routes -
Because that’s the chance for him to win .
Russ gives the Steelers some hope of actually winning a playoff game.
Would be nice to get Slayton off the Giants for a pick swap. He had a good game last night and will be UFA.
Sutton should help the defense after the bye.
Would be nice to get Slayton off the Giants for a pick swap. He had a good game last night and will be UFA.
Sutton should help the defense after the bye.
Fields is a fumble machine under center -
He also doesn’t read defenses well , so he can’t execute a fake handoff .
Its really not more complicated than that
And even on that turnover that’s one of those plays where you just tip your hat to the other guy. Russ didn’t do anything wrong, that dude just made a really nice play punching the rock.
I’ve been the only one here beating the broken drum for play action since Canada never ran it. Canada had a QB who was good at it yet he refused to do so and the entire offense failed Smith is known for it and so is Russ. Is it any wonder Najee and the passing game looks better? It’s elementary.
Russ has surpassed my expectations so far, so I'm pleasantly surprised. Hopefully he can stay healthy behind this offensive line. Broderick Jones should be cut if they had anyone with a pulse behind him. He's playing lazy and uninterested.
Smith did a good job with Fields by reigning him in and not letting him have the rope to hang himself. Fields isn't a long term option as QB1.
Smith did a good job with Fields by reigning him in and not letting him have the rope to hang himself. Fields isn't a long term option as QB1.
i hate to be this guy, HATE It, but i think pickett would have looked alot better under Arthur Smith lol..
He definitely would have. I still don’t think he’d be Russ, as Russ is an experienced HOFer, but Canada was in way over his head.
Look, Smith loves play action, it’s his thing, and yet he had to tailor the offense to exploit Fields strength and hide his weaknesses. That’s what NFL coordinators do. So Fields wasn’t under center much. Canada could never do that. He couldn’t deviate from what he does. He wasn’t an NFL coordinator. Period. Kenny would have been better last year and Najee would have been better last year if they had a real coordinator. That’s all I’ve ever been saying in every Kenny thread on this board. If Kenny had a center who could pass protect, his weakness inside the pocket would not have been exploited as much. If he had a coordinator who ran play action, his strength would have helped the offense. Not to mention what it would have also done for the run game.
Also, remember, when everyone was saying Russ won’t succeed here as he’s old and this OL stinks and Fields should remain the guy…I was the one saying let’s wait and see what Russ does using play action.
It’s only been two games…but it’s fun watching a real NFL offense again. It’s been many years.
Jefferson needed to sit and it’s a touchdown.
George’s would have been an above average catch for his QB. Except it wasn’t a catch sadly because these kinds of things keep happening to him. I know you think I have an axe to grind with him. I don’t. He still has so much upside. He’s good. But he can be great. Clean up the little details.
I would love to know what position on defense you think the Steelers would be able to upgrade ?
WR's seem to be at a premium ? They are getting traded left and right for almost nothing.
Diontae Johnson just went to the Ravens for 5th and 6th round pick swap.
I was told he sucks and was one of the 39 components of the very intricate conspiracy to derail the career of Kenny Pickett and prevent him from achieving his inner Joe Montana. So I won't expect him to have much of a stat line against us.
guys, we are getting back after the bye, Herbig, trice, sutton, frazier too. that's pretty big news.
Herbig back, with Watt and Highsmith? Sick. Love Frazier. Sutton we'll see, who knows but it will help.
Herbig back, with Watt and Highsmith? Sick. Love Frazier. Sutton we'll see, who knows but it will help.
Honestly, if the Steelers can keep winning 75% of our games without some of those guys, I'd say let them rest another 4 or 5 weeks. They'll be much more valuable if completely healthy come postseason time.
