Week 2 NFL: Bills Go for State Championship of either New York or New Jersey

David Aldridge reports ...

 

It's not a steal, but it could be a fair deal. Fitzpatrick has been good, not great, as a pro and there has to be some concern about a guy publicly pushing to get away from his own team no matter how much of a mess things are in Miami.

He still has to show he can settle at one position and develop into a better player. He hasn't had the chance to be a full-time safety yet and that is clearly where the Steelers need him with Davis on IR and unlikely to return next season.

If you want to say a first-round pick is fair value, that's fine, but be aware that it could absolutely be a top-10 selection. The Steelers are 0-2. The defense looks terrible so far. They have problems at receiver and they have struggled to run the ball. Now they have to go the rest of the season with an untested quarterback. I like what we've seen from Rudolph so far, too, but he has a long way to go to prove himself. The biggest issue is that Rudolph doesn't have a strong arm. Teams are going to be able to game-plan that. They are going to dare him to hit out routes, for example. If he can't put the necessary zip on those throws, that makes him easier to defend. That's something that is going to show up in future defensive game plans that the Seahawks likely didn't prepare to do.

Maybe he will play well and Fitzpatrick will help shore up the secondary enough that the Steelers can be decent, but bottoming out and going 6-10 or worse is not out of the question. That is absolutely not a steal if the pick is in the top 10. Just look at what the Steelers had to give up to move up to the No. 10 slot in the first round this season.

 

The Jets may sign Kaepernick BECAUSE of the distraction he would cause. I'd welcome it if only to put an end to the question of whether he's still an NFL caliber QB.

 

At least they aren't bringing back Tebow or Favre

 

Seems unlikely with Trump fan Woody Johnson serving in the administration.

 

He should do.... better. He's younger and can run faster. In theory.

...And has better arm strength at this point. In theory.

 

How can Nick Sudfeld have a job and Kaepernick not? I get that you want someone who will follow your directions and run the O, but at some point you've got to need talent. Simien, I give him huge credit for taking the big hits but he had nothing to offer, even if the Jets stink.

 

I rooted for Steve Young's laundry and have enjoyed his radio talks with the local guys but this is why I think people need to check themselves when they listen to talking heads:

Steve Young Wielded Leverage as a Player, But Now Doesn't Want NFL Front Offices to Capitulate

Do these guys not realize that they will look like hypocrites?

 

Montana didn't have a strong arm either. He did ok. NOT staying Rudolph is the second coming of Montana, just saying QBs that don't have cannons for arms, still make out pretty well in the NFL.
Rudoplph is better than any backup the Steelers have had in the last decade. He'll be Ok.

Fitzpatrick was the No. 11 pick in the draft. The Steelers traded a potential top-1o pick - where they take who knows - for a guy who has established himself as a pretty good player.
Better than Edmunds, the team's No. 1 pick in 2018.
I don't care if the Steelers get the No. 3 pick in next year's draft (and it goes to Miami), they made a good trade. They got a player on a rookie deal, who can immediately improve the defense.

 

And saved the signing bonus (both ways). That’s why it’s a good deal for Pitt, so long as he plays like the stud he’s been.

 

He’s a Mormon, a lawyer and as establishment as it gets.