Tag Archive for: Pittsburgh Steelers

QB Controversy in Pittsburgh?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Since Ben Roethlisberger retired last year, there has been a big question mark at the quarterback position for the Steelers. Time is running out for Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff to make a decision as the regular season begins in less than a week. It still feels unlikely that one QB is going to start every game this year, and it’s creating uncertainty with the best offshore sportsbooks because it makes it so much harder to predict what the Steelers are going to be like this year.

Mitch Trubisky has been the front-runner through camp and improved his case during the pre-season. In the final game, Trubisky went 15-19 with 160 yards. His accuracy and precision was put on display and turned some heads in the process. After a disappointing stint with the Chicago Bears, Trubisky hopes to make a new name for himself in Pittsburgh. However, you simply cannot count out Kenny Pickett. In Week 3 of preseason play, Pickett lead a game-winning drive against the 1st string Jaguars defense.

On that drive, Pickett went 6-7 with 76 yards and 1 TD. The University of Pittsburgh graduate is fresh of an ACC Championship and seems to have carried his game over perfectly to the professional level. These two may still be fighting for the spot deep into the season. I do believe it is just a matter of time before Kenny Pickett is given his opportunity. Last but not least, we have Mason Rudolph. 

Mason has had some extremely bright spots in his time with Pittsburgh and most of it can be credited to being behind Ben Roethlisberger. Ben was Rudolph’s mentor and took him under his wing. Rudolph started against the Jaguars in Week 3 of the preseason and had a great game. He went 17-21 with 127 yards and a touchdown. He made some great reads and proved himself as a quality QB.

Now that the pre-season is over, Mike Tomlin has to make a decision. It may be the toughest decision he has had to make in his career. However, he must continuously remind himself that this is a good problem. If one of these QB’s doesn’t take advantage of their opportunity, there are two more highly-talented guys waiting to be put in. The Steelers are going to be just alright.

The Dolphins' free agent signings fit into coach Brian Flores' scheme. (Tony Capobianco for Five Reasons Sports)

The Miami Dolphins are starting to lose the right way

/0 Comments/in /by

This was closer to the perceived plan prior to the season.

Lose, but with dignity.

Fall, but with pride.

Get closer to franchise changing quarterback Tua Tagliovailoa, but stay reasonably close on the scoreboard.

After an abominable start to the 2019-20, Brian Flores and his increasingly well-organized Miami Dolphins have been doing that lately.

They took a 14-0 lead Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, before dropping the game, 27-14. That dropped their record to 0-7,  and marked the third straight game that they didn’t entirely embarrass themselves. In fact, they covered again — the spread at BetDSI.com and other sportsbooks was 13.5 or 14 at kickoff.

This game turned on a mistake we would be lamenting for weeks if we really wanted them to win — Nick O’Leary letting a ball bounce off his chest, with the carom corralled by former Dolphin defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, the first of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s two interceptions. From there, Miami inexplicably called an all-out blitz on a 3rd-and-20, which caused a short screen to go the distance. The offensive line stopped blocking, and Ryan Fitzpatrick started running for his life. Xavien Howard sat down, a consistent pattern whenever it appears the Dolphins might mess up and win.

And the tank was back on.

The tank that is required to top (or bottom) Cincy, the Jets, and all the other terrible teams this season.

The tank that Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young isn’t so happy about…

Here are some of the tweets that told the story (there’s actually some good in here!):

 

Reshad Jones

Dolphins safety Reshad Jones intends to stay for the long haul

/0 Comments/in , /by

Tanking has a negative effect on players in the locker room. Frustration quickly sets in. That eventually leads to players wanting to find new homes, which has clearly happened to the Miami Dolphins this season. Minkah Fitzpatrick made it a point to express his desire to leave, and he was traded to Pittsburgh for a first round pick. Its understandable, given his winning background. Losing on purpose goes against everything he stands for. His argument was regarding his position, but he doesn’t seem to mind being versatile for the Steelers, leaving the losing as a likely cause for wanting out. But what of safety Reshad Jones?

Jones is a common name when discussing trade bait. He infamously “quit” on the team during a matchup against the New York Jets last season, giving credence to the theory he wanted to be traded. However, Jones insists that Miami is where he wants to be.

“I love my home. I’ve been here 10 years. It’s home for me.” He said on Wednesday. “I love the guys in this locker room. I just love South Florida … If I wanted out, I had a chance to make that known. I’m here for the long haul. Like I said, I’m here to help this team win football games.”

There’s no doubt he knows that winning isn’t something Miami will be doing a lot of – if at all – in 2019. Reshad Jones is currently 31 years old, and counts for over $17 million against the salary cap this season. He counts for over $15 million in 2020, and then $14 million in 2021. The best way for the Dolphins to move on from him next season would be to designate him as a post-June 1st cut. It’s possible his desire to stay stems from the fact he won’t make as much money on the open market. Financially, his best interest is to stay with the Dolphins.

Durability is also a problem for Jones. He played a few snaps against the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener, 32 out of 72 snaps on defense, then was sidelined with an ankle injury. He now appears ready to get back on field.

Reshad Jones is still a very good player when he’s healthy. Is he a part of Miami’s future? That remains to be seen. The youth movement the Dolphins are pushing is strong. Jones is one of the oldest players on the team now. But if nothing else, it’s encouraging to hear Jones wants to stay with the Dolphins. He’s a fan favorite, and a playmaker on defense. Additionally, Miami needs some veteran voices in the locker room for the influx of young players.

If he can show he’s still got what it takes to be a top safety in the league, his desire to stay has a decent chance of being fulfilled.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

Ross tried to keep Minkah Fitzpatrick

/0 Comments/in /by

Last night it was announced that the Dolphins would send Minkah Fitzpatrick, a 2020 fourth-round pick and a 2021 seventh-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2020 first-rounder, 2020 fifth, and a 2021 sixth.

The Miami Dolphins have done it again.

In a league where trading, especially top-tier talent, is rare, the Dolphins have moved another player for future draft picks.

The organization did try everything to convince the former Alabama stand-out to remain with the team.

Keep in mind, Fitzpatrick was a fan of Miami’s coaching staff.

However, he wanted to be put in the best situation to succeed, instead of a changing role on a week-to-week basis.

Moving the 2018 first-round pick should mark the end of Miami’s wheeling and dealing of current players. However, if one thing is for certain about the 2019 Miami Dolphins ⁠— anyone is available at the right price.

Minkah

Miami Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick as rebuild continues

/0 Comments/in /by

Minkah Fitzpatrick is no longer a Dolphin.

We have a late-night trade to tell you about, and it will definitely benefit the Miami Dolphins in the long run. The team has traded defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2020 1st-round pick.

Fitzpatrick has recorded 11 total tackles so far this season. His recent track record had him on pace for a solid year. 2018 was a great year for him. In 16 games, he recorded 80 tackles and two interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown.

In the team’s last game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Fitzpatrick recorded  four tackles. That is the same amount he recorded against Baltimore in the opener last week.

What can he bring to Pittsburgh?

Much like he did for the Miami Dolphins, Fitzpatrick will be able to add a physical brand of football to the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary. This is a team that has prided themselves on defense for years. With guys like TJ Watt and Devin Bush on that side of the football, That doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. This is a team that has a mix of players who are both veterans and younger players

Minkah Fitzpatrick is young himself, so adding him to the Pittsburgh secondary will allow for the Steelers to have a nice core to build around. In this day and age of the National Football League, where passing is king and offense runs amok, this is a great move for the Steelers. This will just add another weapon for them on defense.

What does this mean for Miami?

It is no secret that the Miami Dolphins are in rebuilding mode. Right now, the main goal for them is to collect as many assets as possible. This team certainly has a lot of capital to build around. With Ben Roethlisberger out for the rest of the season, this 2020 draft pick could have significant value to it. We will have to see how it all plays out.

Miami currently has three first-round picks and two second round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

This is also a big move for Reshad Jones. He will continue to be the starting safety. Now, he should become the unquestioned leader of the defense. It’s a lot to ask out of him, but I truly believe he can do it.

It will be interesting to see if Fitzpatrick’s trade from the Miami Dolphins will lead to the exits of more players. We have already heard rumblings about players wanting out of Miami.

Minkah Fitzpatrick is a very good player. However for a rebuilding Miami Dolphins team, it was time to move forward. Both teams won in this deal, With a Pittsburgh Steelers team that can still make a run to the playoffs and a Miami team looking to rebuild, this is a great deal for both sides.