FO Fail?

[fordfixer]

If you draft a quarterback in one of the last two drafts and develop him to replace Ben he would probably be 28 or 29 when he sees the field for the first time. What "good" young quarterback wants to sit and learn for 8 or 9 years?

Pappy

Gary Kubiak

[SDSteel1]

If you draft a quarterback in one of the last two drafts and develop him to replace Ben he would probably be 28 or 29 when he sees the field for the first time. What "good" young quarterback wants to sit and learn for 8 or 9 years?

Pappy

It's the best job in the NFL...most QB's who come in and play, fail. It's not always their fault, but unless you are a top draft pick or a team makes a real investment in you you'd be better off carrying the clipboard for a few years to get the pension.

[Sword]

we entered the season with Ben, Lefty and Batch...

That is the problem you listed 3. but, in my eye's it's only 1 and two ready for retirement. Your 2nd and 3rd string cannot be lefty and Batch together you need one
young good prospect behind Ben. Like when we had Ben as the backup!!!!

[Sword]

If you draft a quarterback in one of the last two drafts and develop him to replace Ben he would probably be 28 or 29 when he sees the field for the first time. What "good" young quarterback wants to sit and learn for 8 or 9 years?

Pappy

sorry Ben only has 3-5 years left they need a great QB draft now!!!

[fezziwig]

Unless some great QB is there at our draft slot I wouldn't take a QB at this time. Why pay a QB all that money that will sit the bench until his next contract ? I would wait two more seasons and then pick the qb of the future.
I did say earlier that picking a qb the second or first round this draft for a backup role if the guy shows sometype of arm and has more brains than happy legs. I take that back now about making him a first round because I forgot about the money that is involved with that pick and as I mentioned above, " why pay him to sit the bench and then need to sign him to a larger contract when, you really won't know what he is like because Ben being the man at the time. "

[Shawn]

I think it's certainly a fail. I mean how hard is it to develop a capable young back up QB? We don't need another Ben on the bench, just a guy who can manage a game...not beat us and make a few throws within the context of a short ball, 3 step system. Instead we have old guys...one with a wind up you can time with a sun dial...and the other who takes metamucil in his gatorade. I mean really?

[NorthCoast]

I think it's certainly a fail. I mean how hard is it to develop a capable young back up QB? We don't need another Ben on the bench, just a guy who can manage a game...not beat us and make a few throws within the context of a short ball, 3 step system. Instead we have old guys...one with a wind up you can time with a sun dial...and the other who takes metamucil in his gatorade. I mean really?

just spewed my morning coffee all over the monitor....LMFAO

[papillon]

sorry Ben only has 3-5 years left they need a great QB draft now!!!

Even still, what quarterback that is highly regarded (2nd or 3rd round) wants to play behind Ben? Ben may play 1 year, 3 years, 5 years or 8 years, there is no way to tell, but based on Ben's ability to absorb hits and stay healthy I would look for Ben to be playing well into his 30s at this point. I just don't think it's a prudent draft scenario at this point and certainly not last year or year before, IMO.

Pappy

[papillon]

I think it's certainly a fail. I mean how hard is it to develop a capable young back up QB? We don't need another Ben on the bench, just a guy who can manage a game...not beat us and make a few throws within the context of a short ball, 3 step system. Instead we have old guys...one with a wind up you can time with a sun dial...and the other who takes metamucil in his gatorade. I mean really?

I would have to say it's harder than you're giving credit, since when most teams have a backup in the game they tend to lose games. The Bears and Colts of last year come to mind. If it were easy to have a backup that can come in make a few throws in a 3 step drop system, manage the game and win games the teams above should have been able to make the playoffs last year.

Many teams, Jaguars, Bills, Miami, Jets have backup quarterbacks starting, so how would it be easy to groom a quarterback that isn't even good enough to earn a starting position on teams with "backups" as starters?

Having a capable backup is a luxury that teams can't afford in the salary cap era and the Steelers probably have two of the most capable backups on their roster. Unfortunately, one is now injured and the Steelers will have to use their 3rd string quarterback.

Pappy

[Oviedo]

Even still, what quarterback that is highly regarded (2nd or 3rd round) wants to play behind Ben? Ben may play 1 year, 3 years, 5 years or 8 years, there is no way to tell, but based on Ben's ability to absorb hits and stay healthy I would look for Ben to be playing well into his 30s at this point. I just don't think it's a prudent draft scenario at this point and certainly not last year or year before, IMO.

Pappy

Ben will be around for another 5 years unless you push him out the door ala Brett Favre.

What we need to draft for NOW is a quality back up who can come into a game and perform not the future starter. That is something that is easier to find because of Haley's offense.

The future starter for Ben needs to be found in about 2-3 years and hopefully it doesn't take another 20+ years like it did between Bradshaw and Ben. The reality is we need to plan to have a losing season in 2-3 years so we are in positon to get our next starting QB.

[papillon]

Ben will be around for another 5 years unless you push him out the door ala Brett Favre.

What we need to draft for NOW is a quality back up who can come into a game and perform not the future starter. That is something that is easier to find because of Haley's offense.

The future starter for Ben needs to be found in about 2-3 years and hopefully it doesn't take another 20+ years like it did between Bradshaw and Ben. The reality is we need to plan to have a losing season in 2-3 years so we are in position to get our next starting QB.

I just don't believe taking a quarterback in the draft to groom as a backup is prudent. First, if he's a rookie and has to play you're done. Second, if your starter remains healthy and you've groomed him for a few years and he gets into games and does well, he'll hit the free agent market and he'll be gone. If he doesn't do well, then you're done again. I would go the route of the Steelers and find a veteran that realizes his days of being a starting quarterback are done and keep him as the backup.

I thought the Steelers were in the best position in the league at quarterback having two veterans that have had some success in the NFL just in case the Steelers needed them. We'll see how it goes this weekend and next.

Pappy

[SDSteel1]

I just don't believe taking a quarterback in the draft to groom as a backup is prudent. First, if he's a rookie and has to play you're done. Second, if your starter remains healthy and you've groomed him for a few years and he gets into games and does well, he'll hit the free agent market and he'll be gone. If he doesn't do well, then you're done again. I would go the route of the Steelers and find a veteran that realizes his days of being a starting quarterback are done and keep him as the backup.

I thought the Steelers were in the best position in the league at quarterback having two veterans that have had some success in the NFL just in case the Steelers needed them. We'll see how it goes this weekend and next.

Pappy

25 for 53 --274 yards 47.2 % -- 1 int -- 55.1 rating-- 3 broken ribs and a separated shoulder and fear of going to the 3rd string, a loss, and you have to wait until next week to decide if it was a bad decision? Come on Pap you are better than that!

[hawaiiansteel]

Instead we have old guys...one with a wind up you can time with a sun dial...and the other who takes metamucil in his gatorade. I mean really?

that's funny stuff right there...

[Steelerphile]

The thing about a developmental QB is that most young QBs need some playing time to develop. There are only a very few that can come in and do a really good job, right away. What you gain in their ability to absorb a hit, you might lose in their ability to process the info on the field and deliver quality results. So that is why I don't think going with Batch and Leftwich was such a bad decision. A developmental QB is mostly going to sit behind Big Ben. Batch had the fragile rep and then he went his last few appearances without being injured. So now he doesn't seem quite as fragile. I don't think Leftwich was considered fragile earlier in his career. He has been injured recently so he has the fragile rep. These type of reps rise and fall based on recent appearances. I always hope that if someone doesn't play much, like these guys, their bones will heal and be stronger, but maybe not. Leftwich is not old at 32 for the QB position, though.