Fields actually did not get a ton of calls when running. There were multiple times he got hit that would be a penalty with over QB's.
Yup. NFL is a win now league. Just look at how draft picks are valued. The general consensus is that you take a one round deduction to pick swap a this year’s pick for next year’s. For example you would get a next year round 2 in return for this year’s round 3. So, if you were managing for the long term you would trade a bunch of this year’s picks for better next year picks. Your 2,3,4 this year would turn into a second 1,2,3 next year. But fans, pundits and owners would have their heads explode if a GM did this.
I agree with the first half - not at all clear there is proof of the second half.
I don't know. You have a pretty good coach.
Which is why it makes what the Bears, Cardinals, Texans, and Lions have done unique.
Great Arm, Elite Athleticism, and throws a great deep ball.
Unfortunately for him, those attributes are necessary but not sufficient to be a great NFL qb. Above the neck is half the game and he just doesn’t see the field and make sufficiently fast decisions to be a worthwhile starter.
And to think people wanted Tomlins head last season before their run into the playoffs.The Fields situation is an interesting one. The Steelers have had the worst offense in the league and it's not even close for the past 4 seasons including Ben's last two years where he was essentially a 95 year old statue with a noodle arm throwing 1 yard screens. The QB play was beyond pathetic and elementary level at best, yet they won enough games with Duck Hodges, Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, and Mitch Trubisky to be above .500 and make the playoffs 3 times that span in a damn good division. Even with Fields's flaws and negative plays, he would have made PIT 10x better on offense even if he had poor processing skills. I think he has a damn good chance of having a really good career in Pittsburgh. I would have given anything for even below average QB play the past 4 years. Zero playmaking, zero 15+ yard (through the air) completed throws, and an absolute struggle to get a first down all game long. If he doesn't pan out in PIT then that's it. No more excuses for him.
Steelers had 13 passing touchdowns last year TOTAL. 13....and that's with pocket QB's so it's not like they had guys scrambling for TD's instead. Fields is way more capable than that. At least I would hope so
That's the problem. The NFL washed-up pile is littered with guys like that. It is a crazy-hard position.
Do you think if Fields was drafted by Baltimore and put in the same situation as Lamar was with elite coaching, smash mouth veteran o line, all pro tight end, defense, and run game, that his career would be different so far? Lamar got to sit as a rookie and he was still awful his first few seasons of being a consistent processer but the coaching staff and talent around him never put him in position to have to process the entire game. They use his elite athleticism and played complimentary football. Lamar still isn't a great processor. He still needs a very balanced offense. But he is an absolute weapon and is put in position to succeed with his skill sets. I just think so much of it is about the organization and coaching staff you end up with.
And to think people wanted Tomlins head last season before their run into the playoffs.
Tomlin has flaws as a coach, but given what he has had to work with in his tenure.
He has been nothing short of amazing.
The only thing, I will say is that Fields is the backup and you have Russell Wilson "Steeler's Country, Let's Ride" as your rollercoaster starter.
Arthur Smith as OC will probably help a lot with the big plays, but just expect them from Connor Hayward and not George Pickens.
All Smith Jokes aside, he made Tannehill look amazing in Tennessee.
Might be a bad HC, but he is a great offensive mind.
My favorite quote when we are hiring new folks at work -- there is a big difference between 5 years of experience and 1 year of experience 5 times.
Lamar was a better passer in college and a better passer in NFL than Fields. He still uses his feet more than I would like, but he is not a "running back with an arm" in my view.
Agree for the most part but it also comes down to scheme, talent around you, and coaching fit. Josh Allen was horrible his first two seasons and you could argue he was essentially a big athlete with a big arm that took off running all the time. His o-line and supporting cast sucked though which is why he trusted his feet more. He was also a turnover machine. Had Fields sat a year and then been plugged into a system like Baltimore's, I do think he thrives. There is nothing that Jackson does that Fields can't do talent wise. Have the number 1 rushing attack in the league and a top 3 defense all game and your processing becomes easy to hit wide open lanes over the middle of the field. The Ravens physically wear you out all day and the passing lanes are wide open because they are averaging 7 yards a carry all afternoon. Maybe Fields really is awful at understanding the position and making reads. He'll have a chance to prove people wrong and no excuses now.
The advanced stats are interesting. Fields leads the league at time in pocket (the time from taking the snap to getting pressured) and is near the top in getting pressured, sacks, etc. To me, that shows he is holding the ball too long. Is that happening because his receivers suck (common excuse)? and does his Oline suck be he is holding the ball too long? Lamar is near the bottom in lowest % pressured but right behind Fields in time in pocket. Clearly there is a difference somewhere, both individual and team. I agree, an NFL team is a complicated scheme of moving parts that have to work together. Like I said, AI will figure this out eventually.
