OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: New Quarter Backs for the Handball team!

Peat

Registered User
Jun 14, 2016
29,653
25,463
He’s trying to hold the organization hostage over it too…they absolutely should not resign him for another two years at his age…disappointing…he’s being paid $16M this season at his age and that’s a good coin

He's being paid more than that, he gets 22.4m for this season.

But that's kind of besides the point. Him sitting out OTAs is a pretty milquetoast form of hostage taking. It's pretty common. I'm not going to get up in arms about him doing it.

That commenter has such "My Uncle works at Nintendo vibes." I can't take seriously anyone who's source is basically "Trust me, I heard it" and their absolute complete bias against someone screaming through their narrative to the point they can't even call Tomlin by name.

On the one hand, yeah - although isn't pretty much everybody's source on these sorts of things, trust me, I heard it? It's not like Kaboly or Dulac or whoever are producing transcripts or audio recordings to back up their stuff like "Rudolph u-turned when he heard about Wilson".

On the other... it just sounds credible to me. I'm not saying it's what happened, but I'd be completely unshocked if someone produced hard evidence that it did.

Not to mention, most of it is corroborated by the team's public statements and beat reporters. We know the Steelers dramatically changed their tune on Pickett and Rudolph because we heard them do it. Their initial quotes on Johnson and their later actions don't exactly match up either. We've been told Heyward was internally pro-Wilson. We've been told the Steelers promised Wilson the starter's role, although that's been refused, and we know he's been put in pole position for it in an org where pole position rarely loses. And obviously we know Pickett and Rudolph chose to be elsewhere.

In fact the only part of it's that new is the idea that Heyward said "make changes or I go". Which, yeah, sounds plausible enough.

Tbh, I mainly threw it out there because I thought it'd be fun to post the completely unsubstantiated rumour posted in the very sensationalistic way... but looking closer, 80% of it is the story we've already heard.
 

Andy99

Registered User
Jun 26, 2017
50,997
33,079
He's being paid more than that, he gets 22.4m for this season.

But that's kind of besides the point. Him sitting out OTAs is a pretty milquetoast form of hostage taking. It's pretty common. I'm not going to get up in arms about him doing it.



On the one hand, yeah - although isn't pretty much everybody's source on these sorts of things, trust me, I heard it? It's not like Kaboly or Dulac or whoever are producing transcripts or audio recordings to back up their stuff like "Rudolph u-turned when he heard about Wilson".

On the other... it just sounds credible to me. I'm not saying it's what happened, but I'd be completely unshocked if someone produced hard evidence that it did.

Not to mention, most of it is corroborated by the team's public statements and beat reporters. We know the Steelers dramatically changed their tune on Pickett and Rudolph because we heard them do it. Their initial quotes on Johnson and their later actions don't exactly match up either. We've been told Heyward was internally pro-Wilson. We've been told the Steelers promised Wilson the starter's role, although that's been refused, and we know he's been put in pole position for it in an org where pole position rarely loses. And obviously we know Pickett and Rudolph chose to be elsewhere.

In fact the only part of it's that new is the idea that Heyward said "make changes or I go". Which, yeah, sounds plausible enough.

Tbh, I mainly threw it out there because I thought it'd be fun to post the completely unsubstantiated rumour posted in the very sensationalistic way... but looking closer, 80% of it is the story we've already heard.
His cap hit is $22M because of restructuring. Actual $ paid Cam this season is $16M
 
  • Like
Reactions: Peat

WickedWrister

Registered User
Jul 25, 2008
9,469
4,174
Philadelphia
I hate these "strength of schedule" bits in May. Go back 1 year ago when the schedule was released and tell me SOS. Some teams overperform due to expectations and others under-perform.

This tweet was more about the unprecedented amount of divisional games in the back half of the season, but I hear your point. Sharp uses Vegas projected win totals instead of 2023 W/L record, which I think is better process.

Last years for reference:
1715884675497.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Buddy Bizarre

Peat

Registered User
Jun 14, 2016
29,653
25,463
All predictions are obviously inaccurate but at the same time, if you could wave a magic wand to get a softer SoS you would, right? Yeah things go wonky but you'd still rather not have, I dunno, Eagles-Ravens-Chiefs in 11 days or whatever the hell it isn't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ulf5

WickedWrister

Registered User
Jul 25, 2008
9,469
4,174
Philadelphia
Also its the middle of May, what the hell else are we supposed to talk about :laugh:. Schedule release day has somehow become a thing.

Steelers did a dad joke video with James Harrison that was kind of funny. Chargers social media team is still the GOAT.
 

Rave7215

Registered User
Mar 12, 2010
524
837
He's being paid more than that, he gets 22.4m for this season.

But that's kind of besides the point. Him sitting out OTAs is a pretty milquetoast form of hostage taking. It's pretty common. I'm not going to get up in arms about him doing it.



On the one hand, yeah - although isn't pretty much everybody's source on these sorts of things, trust me, I heard it? It's not like Kaboly or Dulac or whoever are producing transcripts or audio recordings to back up their stuff like "Rudolph u-turned when he heard about Wilson".

On the other... it just sounds credible to me. I'm not saying it's what happened, but I'd be completely unshocked if someone produced hard evidence that it did.

Not to mention, most of it is corroborated by the team's public statements and beat reporters. We know the Steelers dramatically changed their tune on Pickett and Rudolph because we heard them do it. Their initial quotes on Johnson and their later actions don't exactly match up either. We've been told Heyward was internally pro-Wilson. We've been told the Steelers promised Wilson the starter's role, although that's been refused, and we know he's been put in pole position for it in an org where pole position rarely loses. And obviously we know Pickett and Rudolph chose to be elsewhere.

In fact the only part of it's that new is the idea that Heyward said "make changes or I go". Which, yeah, sounds plausible enough.

Tbh, I mainly threw it out there because I thought it'd be fun to post the completely unsubstantiated rumour posted in the very sensationalistic way... but looking closer, 80% of it is the story we've already heard.
You and I have a very different definition of credible then. Coming from an academic background, when the information is so clearly coming from a biased standpoint, it calls into question the motive.

You are right, 80% of this is known. It's the 20% that this commenter made up to put the pieces together that I'm calling into question. It's not hard to make wild assumptions and make up stories about that last 20%. This guy clearly has an agenda against Tomlin, can't cite his source, and thus is not credible. Fun story though.
 

Peat

Registered User
Jun 14, 2016
29,653
25,463
You and I have a very different definition of credible then. Coming from an academic background, when the information is so clearly coming from a biased standpoint, it calls into question the motive.

You are right, 80% of this is known. It's the 20% that this commenter made up to put the pieces together that I'm calling into question. It's not hard to make wild assumptions and make up stories about that last 20%. This guy clearly has an agenda against Tomlin, can't cite his source, and thus is not credible. Fun story though.

I don't find the source credible; I find the story credible.

The source is equivalent to to a fat drunk in a bar telling you he was the first man into Osama's cave.

The story is credible insofar as I'm saying "yeah I wouldn't be surprised". I don't definitely believe it but it's plausible. The only thing that'd surprise me is if Tomlin really had a thing against Rudolph because if he did, who kept signing him?
 

Buddy Bizarre

Registered User
Jul 9, 2021
5,723
4,029
All predictions are obviously inaccurate but at the same time, if you could wave a magic wand to get a softer SoS you would, right? Yeah things go wonky but you'd still rather not have, I dunno, Eagles-Ravens-Chiefs in 11 days or whatever the hell it isn't.

Yea it'd be an interesting data dive to do ANTICIPATED vs ACTUAL sos over the years to see how things really panned out.

And agree that it's May so not much else to talk about :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goalie_Bob and Peat

JTG

Registered User
Sep 30, 2007
50,534
5,787
Looking at this roster, the Steelers are getting into a mode where if they could trade a pick in 2025 for a player...they should seriously consider doing that. If not this year, definitely 2025 offseason with 2026 picks.

We have about 3-4 more good years of TJ and Minkah. We have to get after it. Right now established > potential.

why are you bringing me into this conversation? :wally
Go back to your f***ing hole! It isn't September yet!
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Old Master

Mr Jiggyfly

Registered User
Jan 29, 2004
34,394
19,435
Silver lining of that schedule- could put an end finally to that stupid, meaningless, damaging, streak once and for all.
Then I'd never have to hear about the stupid, meaningless streak again. 😁

No coach in NFL history has excelled at being mediocre better than Tomlin, and I’m not trying to be a smart ass.

When you have a historical playoff drought, haven’t done anything meaningful in well over a decade, yet still have a majority of the media praising how you are a HOF in waiting coach, that’s some legendary wool over the eyes shit.

Tomlin will find a way to get his nine wins.

Betting against him not being able to be mediocre is like betting against Mahomes in the playoffs.
 

JTG

Registered User
Sep 30, 2007
50,534
5,787
So f*** you, Pittsburgh. Nice.

Whatever. Use it as a rallying point or get killed. PIck which one. Don't finish 9-8.

I wonder if them being so committed to Taylor Swift being at every game also f***ed the Steelers?
 
Last edited:

Mr Jiggyfly

Registered User
Jan 29, 2004
34,394
19,435
Ummm, thanks?



The league probably did the Steelers a favor when you take a deeper dive into it.

They will have a new starting QB, new offense, new OC and two rookies starting on the O-line.

That’s a shit ton of change on the O side.

When you combine all that change with how the Steelers have struggled out of the gate the last few seasons, it really seems like the league did them a solid.

There are only 2-3 out of the first 8 games where you can look at the schedule and think the Steelers shouldn’t win.

If you ask any NFL coach in this situation how he would prefer the schedule to be laid out, I’m sure he’d want the hardest part of the schedule deferred to the end of the season.

This gives all of his new parts time to gel agt the weaker teams before the big boys come knocking and your ultra important division games.
 

Double-Shift Lasse

Just post better
Dec 22, 2004
33,667
14,491
Exurban Cbus
The league probably did the Steelers a favor when you take a deeper dive into it.

They will have a new starting QB, new offense, new OC and two rookies starting on the O-line.

That’s a shit ton of change on the O side.

When you combine all that change with how the Steelers have struggled out of the gate the last few seasons, it really seems like the league did them a solid.

There are only 2-3 out of the first 8 games where you can look at the schedule and think the Steelers shouldn’t win.

If you ask any NFL coach in this situation how he would prefer the schedule to be laid out, I’m sure he’d want the hardest part of the schedule deferred to the end of the season.

This gives all of his new parts time to gel agt the weaker teams before the big boys come knocking and your ultra important division games.
Or it’s time enough for Pickens, Wilson and Fields to all be injured.

Mostly just joking but anything could happen. The teams that we expect to be weaker could turn out to be good or at least come out strong until they get figured out. That’s the thing with projecting the NFL SoS because you can’t know who might be good that was expected to be bad or vice versa.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andy99

Ulf5

Registered User
Feb 21, 2017
1,051
772
All predictions are obviously inaccurate but at the same time, if you could wave a magic wand to get a softer SoS you would, right? Yeah things go wonky but you'd still rather not have, I dunno, Eagles-Ravens-Chiefs in 11 days or whatever the hell it isn't.
3 games in 10 days, ikr. What's that about player safety again?
Appears the Almighty Dollar trumping that shit. Thanks Rog.
 

Mr Jiggyfly

Registered User
Jan 29, 2004
34,394
19,435
Or it’s time enough for Pickens, Wilson and Fields to all be injured.

Mostly just joking but anything could happen. The teams that we expect to be weaker could turn out to be good or at least come out strong until they get figured out. That’s the thing with projecting the NFL SoS because you can’t know who might be good that was expected to be bad or vice versa.

If Wilson goes down they are f***ed anyways.

If that’s week 2 or week 12, it means no playoff win for 8 yrs in a row.

But getting back to the positive, the league has set them up to face a much weaker portion of the schedule in the first half.

They could realistically be 7-2 heading into the teeth of that schedule week 11 agt the Ravens.

That’s a ton of momentum to help carry them along.

This assumes Tomlin made the right hire in Smith and the offense gels… Tomlin keeps Tomlin things to a minimum, etc.

If things go poorly during that first half stretch, it’s really safe to assume it would have gone even worse if the schedule was reversed anyways IMHO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Double-Shift Lasse

Double-Shift Lasse

Just post better
Dec 22, 2004
33,667
14,491
Exurban Cbus
If Wilson goes down they are f***ed anyways.

If that’s week 2 or week 12, it means no playoff win for 8 yrs in a row.

But getting back to the positive, the league has set them up to face a much weaker portion of the schedule in the first half.

They could realistically be 7-2 heading into the teeth of that schedule week 11 agt the Ravens.

That’s a ton of momentum to help carry them along.

This assumes Tomlin made the right hire in Smith and the offense gels… Tomlin keeps Tomlin things to a minimum, etc.

If things go poorly during that first half stretch, it’s really safe to assume it would have gone even worse if the schedule was reversed anyways IMHO.
None of this is wrong but I’m just not going to assume anything about 90% of NFL teams year to year. Not to mention that Burrow or Lamar could get hurt or whatever.
 

Mr Jiggyfly

Registered User
Jan 29, 2004
34,394
19,435
None of this is wrong but I’m just not going to assume anything about 90% of NFL teams year to year. Not to mention that Burrow or Lamar could get hurt or whatever.

I hear what you are saying but all we have as of this moment is generalities to make assumptions.

I’m sure things won’t play out how it looks now, but I as of this moment think the league did the Steelers a solid.

I’d also rather they have to run a gauntlet at the end of the season and be battle hardened going into the playoffs than playing creampuffs down the stretch for easy wins.

That back half schedule will either be their undoing or build their character.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Double-Shift Lasse

JTG

Registered User
Sep 30, 2007
50,534
5,787
I think the line upgrade and MLB upgrade will see them get over 10 wins. I have a hard time seeing this line, regardless of how young, falling flat on their faces. I think Queen and Wilson are going to be awesome together.

It's all on Russ for me. If he can come in and manage the game and make a big play when we need him to, this could be really good. If the injury bug comes and the wheels start coming off, when they hit that rough 7 game stretch, that could be way too much to come back from because of the speed at which the losses come.
 

Mr Jiggyfly

Registered User
Jan 29, 2004
34,394
19,435
I think the line upgrade and MLB upgrade will see them get over 10 wins. I have a hard time seeing this line, regardless of how young, falling flat on their faces. I think Queen and Wilson are going to be awesome together.

It's all on Russ for me. If he can come in and manage the game and make a big play when we need him to, this could be really good. If the injury bug comes and the wheels start coming off, when they hit that rough 7 game stretch, that could be way too much to come back from because of the speed at which the losses come.

There’s just so much uncertainty about the schedule and this team in general, including the potential for injuries.

Injuries could hit them early in the season and if they had the murderers row early on, they would be f***ed.

There is always the argument the league could have spaced things out with the harder teams/divisional games, but it’s a 32 league team and they can’t make adjustments like that for every team.

Basically my philosophy is if they can’t handle a difficult schedule down the stretch, then they aren’t going to be a team that can do anything in the playoffs.
 

JTG

Registered User
Sep 30, 2007
50,534
5,787
Basically my philosophy is if they can’t handle a difficult schedule down the stretch, then they aren’t going to be a team that can do anything in the playoffs.

That is going to make or break this team - if this team gets through that stretch and they do well, it could set a tone going into the playoffs for the young team.
 
Last edited:

Mr Jiggyfly

Registered User
Jan 29, 2004
34,394
19,435
That is going to make or break this team - if this team gets through that stretch and they do well, it could set a tone going into the playoffs for the young team.

Exactly.

If they can’t handle that stretch, do we really want them in the playoffs?

I’m weary as f*** of the playoff embarrassments, and rather they just miss them in that case and get a high pick.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad