Steelers: How many ways can you spell S-T-I-N-K?





… the Steelers have to get serious about a backup QB 

Okay, I am cheating this preseason. I figured if Mike Tomlin was not going to take the preseason game seriously, then neither am I.

Consequently, I watched neither of the first preseason games.

I can watch the highlights -- about ten seconds of those -- and read a few stories to let the brilliant people analyze strengths and weaknesses.

However, one thought after reading Ed Bouchette's story on the PG website:

"This one was hard to watch even by preseason standards … It was not a particularly good outing for quarterback Landry Jones, in his second preseason start sans Roethlisberger ,,, He threw four interceptions in his one full half of play … Three of them cost the Steelers points one way or another, and the Eagles turned the fourth one into another score … He had a 35.6 passer rating … " 

 First, Roethlsberger did not play nor did Antonio Brown nor did Le'Veon Bell nor did DeAngelo Williams.

You get the drift.

Note to Tomlin: you need a bona fide backup QB

 Memo to Tomlin: The first person to talk to tomorrow is Todd Haley. Tell him that the "Landry Jones experiment has failed." Get a couple of backup QBs in there and quick -- someone not named Michael Vick or Tim Tebow [they are probably still paying Vick from last year's failed experiment. That one's on Tomlin, not Haley].

The next major mess lands in the lap of Tomlin and Haley:

Jones is set as the Steelers backup quarterback, especially with Bruce Gradkowski out with a second-degree hamstring pull. That could keep him out for six weeks or more, which will prompt a decision by the Steelers whether to consider him for short-term injured reserve or even try to reach an injury settlement with him." Bouchette

What happens If #7 goes down in the first game and is out for the season. He is not a youngster any more, and he cannot move outside the pocket like he used to.

Do you mean to tell us that we will have to suffer through a whole season of Landry Jones?

The boo birds will be out for every game.

The injury-prone LBs 

This is really brutal to read. "… the Steelers were without three of their top five outside linebackers – starters Bud Dupree and Jarvis Jones along with Anthony Chickillo, all with minor injuries. Dupree and Jones have now missed both games."

If the Landry Jones era is history, poor old Jarvis has to join him. I feel for the guy since I was hurt all through my high school years. Most of the time it is just bad luck … but they are paying Jarvis and Dupree big bucks, so they have to contribute mightily.

Steelers believe in the draft. Here are the top dogs. We really some success from the recent picks.

Recent history

 First round picks 

2016 Artie Burns: will be a project but apparently has some upside. We will see.

2015 Bud Dupree: Like Jarvis, injury prone. Has potential.

2014 Ryan Shazier: Great speed, but not big enough for inside. Also injury prone. Need another solid season from him.

2013 Jarvis Jones: Another one of their busts unless he has a marquee season. Last year of contract.

2012 David DeCastro: Lived up to expectations. One of the best in the league.

2011 Cameron Heyward: Has come along great. Need him and Tuitt to have great seasons.

2010 Maurkice Pouncey: Great when on the field. Need a few more outstanding seasons from him. 

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/08/18/Steelers-lose-17-0-to-Philadelphia-Eagles/stories/201608180207






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