Making the case for starting Rudolph vs. Browns
From the notebook of a sportswriter whose job today is to remind Steelers fans that developing a young quarterback — let alone two — is a process, particularly if you don’t have a high first-round wunderkind like the one you had 15 years ago.
It’s also a relief that said wunderkind will return from the injured list next season. This raggedy play we’re watching now is understandable and at the same time not as consequential as similar QB derbies from the 1980s and 90s.
And, frankly, the 50s, 60s, and early years of both Super Bowl decades.
Of course, this Steelers team has a chance to make the playoffs. And making the playoffs would accelerate this process by providing invaluable experience for the young players who’ll serve as Ben Roethlisberger’s weapons next season.
THE CASE FOR RUDOLPH
Mason Rudolph should be the quarterback for Sunday’s rematch against the Browns based on the fact that “Duck” Hodges has a relief pitcher’s mentality and would keep the same routine intact.
Also, this is Rudolph’s game. The Browns are justifiably upset about losing Myles Garrett, but are unjustifiably using Rudolph as their scapegoat. Suspending Rudolph for allegedly precipitating Garrett’s vicious assault is in itself ridiculous. People suggesting that is tiresome. It ends any conversation.
And, as far as the late excuse from Garrett that Rudolph used a racial slur, I’m pretty we’ll see that’s a lie.
The Steelers handled the latter extremely well. In the players’ opinions, it’s not even worth discussing.
Anyway, the Browns are going to come after Rudolph, correct? But thinking this nice young man should probably not risk any kind of payback, or mental anguish — and it would be a good excuse to turn to Hodges in this difficult decision — that’s not how Rudolph would see it. He’s a tough kid who plays a position that requires toughness, particularly emotional toughness.
This isn’t a time to mollycoddle Rudolph. He’s tough enough and must prove he is.
Rudolph was not good against the Bengals. Write some of that off to an emotional and difficult week. But that’s where the coddling must end to see what he’s made of. Hodges has proven himself as a relief pitcher and expect Mike Tomlin to come down on that point, probably at Wednesday’s practice.
QBs’ PERFORMANCES REVISITED
Hodges really didn’t do all that much after his 79-yard touchdown pass. And, as Tomlin said, “don’t take anything away from James Washington.”
Say Washington did not deliver a Vance McDonald-like stiff-arm to the final defender at the 20-yard line, he was tackled there, and his 59-yard catch resulted in a field goal. That would put Hodges’ passer rating at 77.1 after completing less than 50 percent of his passes for less than 100 yards.
Rudolph’s passer rating was still a staggeringly bad 39.8, due mainly to the interception off a deflection. Take that away and he’s at 65.9. Still bad, but not the dramatic difference the current stats suggest.
Rudolph can play better and his weaponry is improving, particularly Washington. Washington’s leadership skills are becoming apparent, at least to those hunting for leadership types for comment after the game.
TOMLIN’S THOUGHTS
Tomlin was thrilled after the game, and thrilled in a way perhaps only a coach can be thrilled.
“We struck a blow for the team today,” he said, and he meant it. Tomlin referred back to the team concept repeatedly during his post-game comments, as in “Man, we’re just all rowing together.”
DEFENSE SHINES AGAIN
This game was on the defense’s shoulders, they knew it, and they responded in kind. Cam Heyward led the effort, with big-play help from Devin Bush and Minkah Fitzpatrick. The latter two are the players for whom the Steelers ransomed next year’s draft. They paid off again on the Play of the Game, which turned a Bengals threat inside the Pittsburgh 10 to Steelers’ ball at the Pittsburgh 42. The Bengals were down three with 8:45 left, at home, and looking for their first win, against a hated rival. It had the makings of another defensive disaster.
That defense is proving that it’s real right now. The last nine years — even the last 10, going back to the Green Bay game in 2009 when the Steelers kicked onsides with a lead — haven’t been kind to this defensive rebuild. But one extra step of speed by Bush and one careful step of instinct by Fitzpatrick showed why special players come at a cost.
And, of course, there’s the bookend duo of T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree. While T.J. is the no-brainer at multi-year contract time, Dupree has put himself in position for a $16 million franchise tag next season, which I suspect the Steelers will find a way to pay.
The three inside linebackers all have their niches, and are sometimes all on the field together. Mark Barron isn’t really appreciated in town, but he adds to the overall speed element. His first-quarter sack didn’t quite result in a safety, but it led to the first points.
The other new package, with four defensive tackles, remains in use as well, and it’s good to see it used on obvious run downs. Shout out there to rookie Isiah Buggs, too, in this team-splain.
Cornerbacks Joe Haden and Mike Hilton made critical PBUs (pass breakups), and they sometimes did so spectacularly with diving breakups. Meanwhile, no one’s throwing at Steven Nelson. As for the fourth corner, the dime corner, Cam Sutton is probably the first outside backup with Artie Burns hurt. But the other backup, Justin Layne, had an outstanding showing as a punt gunner and punt stopper. Yes, Virginia, there really is a secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS COVERAGE
Speaking of special teams, Chris Boswell was 3-for-3 to make him 31-for-31 in field goal attempts in his career against the Bengals. One of those was a 47-yarder in the fourth quarter for the lead. Boswell’s also 17-for-17 on extra points against the Bengals.
The coverage units continue to excel. Andrew Erickson averaged 4.5 per punt return, and the best Bengals start following a kickoff was their 31. Layne and Johnny Holton continued to Steelers’ fine gunner play this season. Layne made the tackle for no gain following a 60-yard Jordan Berry punt out of his own end zone.
Berry, by the way, had a net average of 42.6 while downing three punts inside the 20 without a touchback. This year he’s grossing 46.3 and netting 41.6 with a inside the 20-touchback ratio of 9-to-1. Last year his respective numbers were 43.7, 38.8 and 7-to-1.
Also, in kick coverage, Robert Spillane was in on four tackles and Ola Adeniyi forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, which the Bengals recovered.
GAINING GROUND
With the young quarterbacks learning their trade, and center Maurkice Pouncey suspended, the running attack needed to produce Sunday. Newcomer Kerrith Whyte kick-started it with runs of 21, 6 and 16 on his first three carries with the team. Benny Snell ended it with 63 yards on nine fourth-quarter carries. Snell finished 21-for-98.
One of my favorite players on the team, Trey Edmunds, had two solid runs to get the Steelers in field goal range following the 35-yard catch by the other newcomer, Deon Cain. Edmunds also provided pass protection amid a group of young backs who struggle reading blitzes.
Late last week, when Snell finally acquiesced to an interview, reporters crowded around his locker and thus blocked the locker of Edmunds, one of the guys Snell pretty much replaced in this game. As Snell was telling the group of reporters — who didn’t touch on the marijuana charge from August that just came to light — how they weren’t as cool as his college media, Edmunds looked over at the mob blocking his locker and unflinchingly allowed us to finish. I appreciate his understanding as he no doubt wondered whether the cool and great Snell is rendering Edmunds’ spot on the 53 moot. Edmunds is a player for whom I unabashedly root.
ALL HANDS ON DECK
It takes all kinds to pull off the total team effort required in Cincinnati, with the two young quarterbacks struggling to find their grooves. And, the Steelers have all of those kinds. Tomlin even thanked the group for supporting Rudolph after he was pulled. They did that, while at the same time honking their respective beaks along the sideline in support of Hodges.
It’s truly a team, with stars, veteran wisdom, youthful potential and role players willing to do their part. And, they’re all working toward what truly could be a special 2020 upon the return of their quarterback.
In the meantime, don’t forget to appreciate this as an ongoing process. It’s not going to be pretty, nor should it. But it’s working.