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Paul Zeise's Steelers chat: 10.24.19
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Paul Zeise
11:57
OK we are up and running with this week’s chat so I am ready when you are. Start submitting questions and I’ll answer them to the best of my ability!
Gene
11:58
Are there any updates on how Ben’s rehab is going?
Paul Zeise
11:59
Have not heard much about it other than when he talked to Ron Cook recently and said he is doing well and fully expects to be ready to play next year so that sounds good
'Double Divot Dewey
12:02
Patiently awaiting for Mason Rudolph to open up the offense.  Do you think come Monday night they will take the handcuff's off of him and we will see a couple of 40-50 yard down field completions?  I know it's going to happen and just can't wait for it to take place.......
Paul Zeise
12:05
I don’t know if he will throw that far down the field but - provided it isn’t raining -  I do think he will throw the ball more and to more targets. I also think we will see more of those intermediate passes and yes he will take a couple of shots. They have to know they can’t survive the way they are playing offense even if their defense is good and playing well. They need to make Vertical passes in the passing game.
rman
12:05
Why is there so much angst about the possibility of losing to the Dolphins?  Can't we just drive off that bridge when we get there?
Paul Zeise
12:09
I think a bunch of fans have convinced themselves that Mike Tomlin loses bad games often. I don’t have the numbers in front of me but I’d be willing to be Tomlin doesn’t lose “bad games” any more or less than just about every other coach. I mean Belichick loses to Miami almost every year and the Dolphins have stunk for years. It is the NFL and every team is capable of beating any other team because the difference in talent from the best teams to the worst teams is not that much. Steelers fans are self loathing in recent years because of the losses to teams like the Raiders. They will be fine
PB
12:09
Any update on the injured players?
Paul Zeise
12:11
Not yet. That won’t come until after tomorrow’s practice that’s usually when we have a good idea of who is in and who is out. There is an extra day for guys to heal this week though so that should be good for the guys who are just bruised or bumped or whatever
Bubby Brister
12:11
Where would you rate Tuzar Skipper amongst the greatest linebackers to ever wear the Steeler's uniform? I'm thinking maybe somewhere between Lambert and Ham.
Paul Zeise
12:13
I’m drinking a Coke. I must now pause to wipe off my scream as I just spit it out all over the place laughing at this question. Well done. That is hilarious. To hear people talk this week he is the greatest linebacker in Steelers history. Hey he dominated the preseason!!!! I see he got picked up again by the Giants so they have seen the error in their ways!
Luigi
12:13
IF mason rudolph turns out to be the REAL deal, any chance ben gets traded to tampa bay for a high draft pick?  Ben could finish out his career with his buddy Arians, who desperately could use a veteran QB to give him time to find and groom a youngster.
Paul Zeise
12:15
That’s not that far fetched. I know a lot of people think there is no chance Ben will get traded but if Rudolph proves he is ready for the job and can lead the Steelers to wins, it would be the right move. Ben is a great player but Father Time is undefeated. If a younger guy proves he is just as capable the Steelers would be fools not to look into that
Tampa Too
12:15
I really like using 2 running backs during a game.  I think it gives a change of pace to the offense and keeps the defense guessing sometimes. I do believe this is a better game plan than “running someone until the wheels fall off. “Your thoughts?
Paul Zeise
12:20
I agree to a point. If you have a stud you need to give him the majority of the carries. You need to ride him as much as you can but you can still use a second running back to give him a rest. In general though most teams don’t have a stud running back and as a result the running back by committee is the way to go. That’s especially true if you have two completely differently runners who can keep the defense off balance a little bit
Alan in Nashville
12:20
Good morning! I have to say that although I’d never want to see our franchise QB go down, I’m very excited about Mason having an opportunity to show whether or not he’s the long-term guy. It’s much better than going towards the end of his rookie contract without having seen what he’s got. Also, I like the way this is playing out. He played a little “turtle” football, sat out two weeks, and now he should be prepared to get started. What do you think?
Paul Zeise
12:22
I honestly believe that Rudolph will get the job done. I like him, I like his confidence, I like his skill set. He seems to command the huddle and he is a winner. They need to commit to petting him play and see what he can become this year.
Lynz
12:22
Do you think Miami will blitz Mason hoping he's gun shy?  If they do have that approach the short passing game should produce big gains..agree?  I know everyone wants him to air it out but why force it.
Paul Zeise
12:23
I’d assume every team is going to come after him until he proves that he can make them pay for it. I would expect to see a lot of pressure. And short passes are one way to counter it - the better way is to line up and run right at them and the Steelers haven’t done enough of that this year
Larry
12:24
If you have lemons make lemonade the saying goes.  The Steelers have more defensive linemen than linebackers; why not go to a 4-3-4 a little more often?  What could go wrong with a crappy win/loss record to date?  Sorry if that blows your mind.
Paul Zeise
12:24
I think they do more than you think. Watch how ai
12:26
often you see them use various subpackages and different alignments of linemen. And you are right this week they will have to be creative in how they line up with Watt possibly out and Chickillo definitely out
mark
12:26
have you heard any reason why the steelers didn't contact skipper z
Paul Zeise
12:27
I’m going to assume that since they just paid Ben a bunch of money, they knew they couldn’t afford to sign perhaps the best defensive player in NFL history. His price tag would have been astronomical!!! 🤣🤣🤣
Bruce
12:27
Should the Steelers be searching for their next franchise QB? Mason Rudolph's not that guy. More like a combination Bubby Brister & Neil O'Donnell BUBBY O'DONNELL
Paul Zeise
12:29
So you are ready to write him off after, what, three, four starts or whatever? Wow I’m glad I never had you as a teacher, your grading scale must have been brutal!!! And I think by the end of the season they will have a good idea of what they have in Mason Rudolph so I’ll wait until then before I fire him.....
Gerry Mora
12:29
Hi Paul! how confidence feel the steelers with starter QB mason Rudolph? do you think he can put the steelers into the playoffs?
Paul Zeise
12:31
I’ve answered this I think before but one more time for the cheap seats: I think Mason Rudolph has a chance to be a very good NFL QB and he will give the Steelers a chance to get into the playoffs this year.
Mark
12:31
Paul, I think we'll see big games from Watt and Dupree, who should be able to harass R Fitzpatrick into some fumbles and interceptions, and from Ju Ju, who should be able to take advantage of a weak Miami secondary.  How do you see it?
Paul Zeise
12:33
I agree that the Steelers will have success getting after Ryan Fitzpatrick. I also think he will make some big plays. But his mistakes will outweigh this big plays so I think the Steelers defense will score a touchdown this week. Is that a prediction? Yeah why not - I’m calling a Steelers defensive touchdown this week against the Dolphins.
DJPAULHOWARD
12:34
Who will emerge as the #2 WR by years end? It seems like no one wants that title??? lol
Paul Zeise
12:36
You would hope it would be James Washington but boy it hasn’t happened for him so far. I like the Diontae Johnson kid, he has some potential and has flashed some really great things so far. So I’ll say him.
DJPAULHOWARD
12:36
If Devin Bush continues on the trajectory, is he a lock to win DROY???
Paul Zeise
12:37
I think he has a shot at it and mostly because even though he makes mistakes and misses plays - the reality is he makes plays that come with stats - turnovers, sacks, tackles - and voters for those awards love statistics
574 Fan
12:38
Odds that we will see some "heavy" run formations (QB under center, FB, maybe 2 TEs)  this week with Rosie Nix available?
Paul Zeise
12:39
We may see some but I don’t think they will go crazy with it. Nix will get a few snaps but it is clear the Steelers don’t think it is their best formation with him in and use different personnel packages
Baghdad_Ben
12:39
Do you ever remember seeing so many really bad teams in the NFL? The Pats-Jets game was another real embarrassment for the NFL. They shoot for parity but it is really becoming the haves and have nots (i.e. the Chargers have not any fans in their home town).
Paul Zeise
12:41
I don’t and this isn’t about parity. The AFC stinks. It absolutely stinks. That’s why the Steelers have q real chance to get back into the playoff chase. The Patriots are legitimate. The Ravens and Chiefs are good. The Colts might be OK. The rest of the AFC is a dumpster fire
Baghdad_Ben
12:42
Let me answer rman - on the Dolphins angst among Steeler fans - experiences lead to beliefs. No one should fault anyone for programming the nearest cliff into their map app. They just shouldn't hit Go yet.
Paul Zeise
12:42
Well I hope it works out for the sake of the mental stability of the city!!
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