Post eagle game thoughts

[Steelwolf]

I think that may happen with Thomas. The problem is... it may happen after the "Window" has closed for Big Ben, Bell, etc.

I believe you are spot on, weak link in the chain

[Iron City Inc.]

Thomas has had a big camp was solid against Philly playing inside n out. He has looked very good on special teams at Latrobe n was in there often on Thursday night. Don't see him starting in base n will not be out there in 2 2 7 dollar d but I could see him getting reps in dime as the Mike as he is not in the same cookie mold as Bostic Williams Dirty Red. He is a few inches taller longer arms n that 4.58 speed can be seen. So he'll get his chance to contribute be it in a limited capacity this year.

[pittpete]

1 preseason game doesn't predict the regular season.
You think you could come out an make tackles in your first real action in 8 months LOL

[Ghost]

I think that this would be a best case scenario.

Rudolph or Dobbs show the staff that they are better than Jones.

Trade Jones (even for a low round pick).

But, I think that the FO is generally pretty conservative. I think they'll keep Jones unless one of the other guys has a stellar pre-season. With one game in the books, I think neither looked very "stellar". But, there's another game this week for them to prove themselves.

I don't think it's just the Front Office making the decision. Right before the Steelers broke camp, Big Ben had this to say:

“He’s a guy who obviously can play. He can come in and get you out of the game. He can start a game. Someone I truly trust, if I ask a question, he is going to know the answer. ‘Hey Landry [Jones], what was that coverage, what did you see?’ I may be looking left, and I’ll ask him what happened on the right side, and I trust what he is going to tell me.”

I think this is very telling. If Ben believes Jones is helping him during games and he's bouncing thoughts off him between series; Jones is #2.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I don't think it's just the Front Office making the decision. Right before the Steelers broke camp, Big Ben had this to say:

“He’s a guy who obviously can play. He can come in and get you out of the game. He can start a game. Someone I truly trust, if I ask a question, he is going to know the answer. ‘Hey Landry [Jones], what was that coverage, what did you see?’ I may be looking left, and I’ll ask him what happened on the right side, and I trust what he is going to tell me.”

I think this is very telling. If Ben believes Jones is helping him during games and he's bouncing thoughts off him between series; Jones is #2.

Agreed. I think that when the Steelers promoted Fichtner to OC and left themselves without a QB coach they kind of cornered themselves into keeping Jones. The QB coach position is now a triumvirate of 15 year vet Ben/veteran backup Jones/Fichtner to bounce things off.

[feltdizz]

If Ben’s opinion was truly valued we wouldn’t have drafted Mason Rudolph.

Doesn’t matter one bit if Ben trust Jones.

[Eich]

If Ben’s opinion was truly valued we wouldn’t have drafted Mason Rudolph.

Doesn’t matter one bit if Ben trust Jones.

Disagree. Ben's opinion on retirement is exactly why they drafted Rudolph. They're worried he could retire anytime now.

There will be certain opinions of his that they value. And others that they don't. It's not a one way or the other thing. I believe that if Ben truely finds big value in having Jones as his backup, this will weigh in on their decision.

I think Ben had something to do with Haley being gone. Something to do with Fictner coming on the field from the booth last year. They value a HOF franchise QB's opinion when they need to.

[Ghost]

If Ben’s opinion was truly valued we wouldn’t have drafted Mason Rudolph.

Doesn’t matter one bit if Ben trust Jones.

They got rid of the OC because he and Ben didn't get along. The promoted Ben's QB coach to be the OC. They know they have 1 year left with Ben, Bell and Brown. If Ben says Jones helps him during the game then they'd be foolish not to listen. What's more important - you're franchise QB having a second set of eyes during game he completely trusts or the 6th but more likely 7th round pick Landry would bring. Should be a no brainer.

Rudolph was drafted mostly because they were shocked his was available in round 3. Then there's Ben's retirement talk and his age. Nothing to do with not valuing Ben's opinion.

[Northern_Blitz]

If Ben’s opinion was truly valued we wouldn’t have drafted Mason Rudolph.

Doesn’t matter one bit if Ben trust Jones.

I think that Ben's opinion matters a lot. He just doesn't have final say.

And I believe that Ghost is correct that Jones brings more value off the field, so the young guys would need to be significantly better on the field to outweigh that contribution.

[Steel Maniac]

They got rid of the OC because he and Ben didn't get along. The promoted Ben's QB coach to be the OC. They know they have 1 year left with Ben, Bell and Brown. If Ben says Jones helps him during the game then they'd be foolish not to listen. What's more important - you're franchise QB having a second set of eyes during game he completely trusts or the 6th but more likely 7th round pick Landry would bring. Should be a no brainer.

Rudolph was drafted mostly because they were shocked his was available in round 3. Then there's Ben's retirement talk and his age. Nothing to do with not valuing Ben's opinion.

They value what Ben says.

[NorthCoast]

Roethlisberger went down in practice on a relatively minor impact. The Steelers better plan for him being out a few games this season....

[feltdizz]

Roethlisberger went down in practice on a relatively minor impact. The Steelers better plan for him being out a few games this season....

Went down? It’s preseason. Do you really think Ben would miss a regular season game if Gilbert ran into him in practice?