FBR: Fields struggling in shorts

[Moriarty]

For the first time this morning, I did a sim draft where I gave myself a R4 from Pitt, instead of a R6. Clearly it works just like voodoo.

[LacertineForest]

[Rusty Trombagent]

justin officially getting the start today.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Wilson's not even active for the game, so as long as Fields doesn't get hurt he should play every snap today regardless, with journeyman Kyle Allen the other QB. Wilson is the emergency QB if something happens to both.

Let's hope come what may the Steelers run a ton of offensive plays.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Fields led the Steelers to the win even if it was with 6 FG drives.

He completed 17 of 23 pass attempts () for 156 yards (6.8 ypa) with no TDs or INTs and a 91.9 passer rating. He also had 14 carries for 57 yards and was only sacked twice.

The Steelers ran 66 plays to the Falcons 50.

That's not a bad day's work as far as the Bears are concerned. If Wilson comes back and doesn't perform better and win games then Fields could well claim that starting role.

[RichH55]

Fields led the Steelers to the win even if it was with 6 FG drives.

He completed 17 of 23 pass attempts () for 156 yards (6.8 ypa) with no TDs or INTs and a 91.9 passer rating. He also had 14 carries for 57 yards and was only sacked twice.

The Steelers ran 66 plays to the Falcons 50.

That's not a bad day's work as far as the Bears are concerned. If Wilson comes back and doesn't perform better and win games then Fields could well claim that starting role.

It wasn't super great - Defense *much like today for the Bears) won that game

You don't really want to rely on Defense holding other team to 10 plus a big Pick to bring it back inside the 20. And your FG Kicker making MULTIPLE 50+ FG

But just get to 51% of the snaps Justin - even if you have to Elizabeth Berkley to Wilson's Gina Gershon

[Arkansasbear]

I see Fields is due a bit more than $3M for 2025 from Pitt. I would think regardless of his performance this year they keep him on. Short of Wilson winning the SB (or having a season for the ages), he'll be gone as they're not going to want to invest significant bucks in him. So Fields could be the 2025 starter.

The Steelers declined his 5th year option, fields is a FA in 25 unless resigned. If they owe him anything they reworked his deal to add void years.

I guess they could tag him if somehow he turns out to be who I thought he'd be. (but that's not happening).

[dplank]

If they keep winning then hopefully they keep playing him. But he didn’t light it up by any means, hoping he gets the nod again next week as I feel Tomlin still has an easy out to switch back to Russ. One more win though and he faces criticism for switching.

[Arkansasbear]

If they keep winning then hopefully they keep playing him. But he didn’t light it up by any means, hoping he gets the nod again next week as I feel Tomlin still has an easy out to switch back to Russ. One more win though and he faces criticism for switching.

Like the move back to Cutler.

[Rusty Trombagent]

guy just will not throw over the middle

[LacertineForest]

guy just will not throw over the middle

That's pretty unreal. Has to make it pretty easy on the defense to gameplan when such a huge part of the field is ignored.

[crueltyabc]

I wonder if his legs are enough to deter the obvious overload to the sidelines. If the D clears out the middle he can just take off

[Moriarty]

I wonder if his legs are enough to deter the obvious overload to the sidelines. If the D clears out the middle he can just take off

Yeah, that threat probably helps him a lot.

[HurricaneBear]

Glad it's someone else's issue. Looked like the same old Justin to me. Hopefully he gets us a better pick back.

[Rusty Trombagent]

KEEP THOSE STARTS COMING, BABY

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootba ... -in-week-2

[Moriarty]

I think it probably works in our favor if he doesn't play too long now.

If he starts the first 4 or so, I don't think he'll make a good case to keep the job, or have the Steelers in any hurry to switch back to him, if Wilson underwhelms.

[Moriarty]

I wonder if his legs are enough to deter the obvious overload to the sidelines. If the D clears out the middle he can just take off

Yeah, that threat probably helps him a lot.

I wonder if, and how many, teams have tried a really soft middle with a spy to try and prevent that?

[HisRoyalSweetness]

JT O'Sullivan's 25-minute breakdown of Fields' debut for the Steelers:



Pretty much the same tantalising talent with good runs and the occasional impressive throw but somehow misses the easy stuff and doesn't always get the ball out quickly enough.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Mike Tomlin could ride hot hand at QB if Justin Fields leads Steelers to 2-0 start

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has ridden the hot hand quarterback before.
...

Based on the results of today’s game against the Denver Broncos, history could repeat itself.

Justin Fields, who did not turn the ball over in an 18-10 win over the Falcons, will start again in Denver, sources say. The former Bears first-round pick, who impressed in camp while Russell Wilson was sidelined with a calf injury, must follow a similar script: Execute the game plan, take care of the football and let one of the NFL's best defenses perform.

If that happens, don't be surprised if Tomlin continues to have Fields start, sources say, even if Wilson has recovered from his aggravated calf injury. It would not necessarily be a benching, but more of a continuation of what is working under center.
...

Tomlin was asked on Tuesday about the possibility of Fields keeping the starting job over Wilson, who was named QB1 ahead of the regular season but was limited in practice leading up to Week 1 after his experiencing calf tightness.

"I'm not going to soothe you with hypothetical scenarios," Tomlin said, explaining that he'll allow the injured players' participation to be his guide. "Our energies and attention are on those that are available and are scheduled to play. When those that are not [get] healthy, we'll ponder it at that time."

That's different from saying Wilson is the starter when he's healthy. It's also not saying that Fields will be anointed starter in Week 3 if all goes well. There is still the thought that Wilson can be a successful starter for this team and may well eventually be. But if Fields starts the season 2-0, taking him out might not make sense.
...

Full article: https://www.nfl.com/news/mike-tomlin-co ... -2-0-start

[HisRoyalSweetness]

It's looking good fellas. Fields has just had a super first half.

10/12 for 101 yards (8.4 ypa), 1 TD, 0 INT, 129.5 rating
4 carries for 26 yards

Steelers up 10 - 0.

He also had a great deep pass caught by Pickens that was called back for a hold.

I've only been keeping an eye on NFL Red Zone so I haven't seen every play, but from what I have seen he's been playing really, really well.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Not a good second half. Final numbers:

13/20 for 117 yards, 1TD, 0 INT
8 carries for 27 yards
1 fumbled snap (not lost)

He did draw 2 PIs, one for 27 yards and 1 for 37 yards.

He also had a couple of completions negated for holding including one where he had a rusher right in his face and took a hit.

13 - 6 win.

He's done well enough to win two games, but that offense isn't exactly lighting up the scoreboard. It's difficult to know what Tomlin will do if Wilson is healthy.

[dplank]

I watched the full game and he played really well, better than the stats show for sure. The announcers were saying how he was “one step ahead of the defense all day”. As you noted, several big plays and a TD were called back or negated by PI

[LacertineForest]

I'm glad Fields is winning in Pittsburgh, and I hope he continues to do so - both for him and the Bears. He was always able to win against bad teams like the two he's faced so far, but the question has always been can he do enough to lead an offense to wins against the better teams in the league. Looks like he has a couple more weeks before the first real defensive test (Cowboys in week 5). I hope he continues to grow and stack up W's and show that growth.

[dplank]

I'm glad Fields is winning in Pittsburgh, and I hope he continues to do so - both for him and the Bears. He was always able to win against bad teams like the two he's faced so far, but the question has always been can he do enough to lead an offense to wins against the better teams in the league. Looks like he has a couple more weeks before the first real defensive test (Cowboys in week 5). I hope he continues to grow and stack up W's and show that growth.

Not sure how many watched that game since it was a stinker compared to the KC game, but I have a Steelers fan in town so I had to watch it lol...

It looked a lot like "2nd half of last season" Justin. He played solid, unspectacular football - mainly played it safe. Got the ball out and looked very much in control out there, minimized sacks / negative plays and created some big plays when needed (although they kept getting wiped out by PI's or penalties, so they didn't make the box score). The team moved the ball ok and generally controlled the game, but didn't score a lot and settled for too many FG's. They played it pretty safe as their defense was dominating Bo Nix and the Broncos, and they won.

I'd be surprised to see Tomlin change horses after as 2-0 start, he'd get absolutely flamed if Russ loses. That 4th round pick is looking a lot better right now. And like you Lacertine, I am rooting for Justin at a personal level and wish him success.

[RichH55]

I watched the full game and he played really well, better than the stats show for sure. The announcers were saying how he was “one step ahead of the defense all day”. As you noted, several big plays and a TD were called back or negated by PI

Love it.

13 Points. Now the stats and points are lying! Wowzers

Any Henry Burris mentions?!?!?

I mean how could you when you score 13 monster points!!

Oh - are the reactions different for Caleb when we score the magical 13 points? (Caleb didn't play well - and if someone say he was "one step ahead of the defense ALL DAY" they should be shot down....Fair is fair)

Fields is on pace for 17 TD (Rounding UP!) , 2320 Yards, and 17 Fumbles

His ESPN QBR slightly lower than last year too (and last year wasn't good)

Such a weird time to be taking a victory lap.....Almost like the Fields play and results don't matter and everyone will just be great no matter what!

[HisRoyalSweetness]

@RichH55 this isn't necessary.

Did you watch any of the game like dplank and I did? Are you in a position to provide first hand observations of Fields' play in that game?

The fact is Fields did play better than his statistics indicate even if he didn't light up the scoreboard. That's a positive for Bears fans not because of any argument about Fields versus Williams but simply because the better Fields plays and the more the Steelers win the greater the chance Fields hits that 51% snap target and Poles gets a R4 pick rather than a R6.

That is the only reason this thread exists. It is not a vehicle to pointlessly try and rake up old disagreements about the Bears decision to move on from Fields and draft Williams.

[RichH55]

I did - And I watched last week too - and I watched every game as a Bear (And more than I wanted to as a Buckeye - I cannot speak to his Georgia tenure though)

And yeah - It would be pretty hard to play worse than his Statistical production (not sure why the stats are liars here?) unless you are Nathan Peterman or Caleb Hanie

We can all agree we want him to hit 51% - that's a no brainer.

It doesn't actually make his game play GOOD though.

The One Step Ahead of the Defense All Day! Cmon. That's bad.

We are allowed to call Bad Takes bad right? Just asking

[HisRoyalSweetness]

The One Step Ahead of the Defense All Day! Cmon. That's bad.

We are allowed to call Bad Takes bad right? Just asking

Then take it up with the announcers who said it.

[RichH55]

The One Step Ahead of the Defense All Day! Cmon. That's bad.

We are allowed to call Bad Takes bad right? Just asking

Then take it up with the announcers who said it.

I'm taking issue with it being presented as Gospel. Anything Fields positive was always treated as truth (See Top 100 list) and all the other issues (Stats, Points, etc) were more or less to be ignored.

If the announcer makes a bad call - We don't have to double down on it!

Just saying!

Did he at least throw over the middle or it that part of the field still Lava?

[wab]

I'm tempted to merge all of these into an "Arguments that are at least 3 years old" thread.