For the reason that Pittsburgh Steelers turned to veteran QB Russell Wilson as their starter, the discuss there being a particular bundle for backup QB Justin Fields has gotten louder and louder.
It reached a crescendo final Sunday in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens because the Steelers lastly dusted off the Fields bundle and had some success with it.
On a brief week in opposition to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Evening Soccer, they utilized the bundle of Fields much more, which led to some irritating outcomes and left many questioning some teaching choices.
Whereas Fields did have a pleasant 30-yard run, he additionally was on the sector for a failed third and 4, wanting deep to George Pickens on a low-percentage throw in a giant spot, a spot for which Russell Wilson ought to have been on the sector.
That call alone has former NFL extensive receiver James Jones annoyed with the Steelers’ utilization of the Fields bundle.
“Hate it. And the primary purpose why I hate it’s as a result of the most effective quarterback on the soccer workforce is Russell Wilson. We all know that, proper? We’ve seen that. That’s the most effective. He offers you the most effective probability to win. Jared Goff don’t come off the sector on fourth downs, man. And so they [Lions] go ahead loads. They received two good working backs just like the Steelers do. They’ve good extensive receivers, and you set the ball within the quarterback’s fingers,” Jones mentioned, in accordance with video by way of FS1. “Matthew Stafford don’t come off the sector. There’s numerous gadget gamers on this league. The Niners have numerous them. Have we seen Deebo Samuel [at] quarterback? No, Brock Purdy’s on the dang subject and we now have fourth-down performs.”
The Steelers have made it a degree of emphasis to state to the media that they consider they’ve two beginning quarterbacks and have all the religion on the planet in each sign callers. Wilson and Fields have an important relationship and proceed to push one another to be nice.
However in large spots like what occurred Thursday night time, there needs to be no query what quarterback is on the sector when tasked with dialing up a deep ball. It’s Wilson all day.
And but on a third and 4 late within the sport, it was Fields on the sector throwing a deep ball to Pickens, one which in the end fell incomplete.
Earlier within the sport with Fields within the sport, he was largely a blinking crimson gentle for the protection that he was going to run the ball. It didn’t assist that the Steelers had been sloppy of their resolution making, and communication wasn’t nice, resulting in a rushed snap and poor execution.
Later within the sport he ripped off a 30-yard run due to an important block from TE Connor Heyward that took out two Browns defenders. However even then, the Browns knew run was coming. So, the Steelers received cute and requested Fields to throw the soccer a couple of instances.
The deep shot on third and 4 with Fields within the sport as a substitute of Wilson is simply inexcusable, particularly contemplating how good Wilson was enjoying to that time.
“I don’t perceive why you’re placing Justin Fields within the sport. I don’t care if it’s the run, the read-option, none of that. Go away Russ within the sport and have some fourth-down performs that you simply like with Russell Wilson,” Jones added. “After which like Shady [McCoy] mentioned, man, it’s third down, man and also you throwing a bomb. Defenses is not only…you’re not simply gonna come out right here and trick defenses.”
The Steelers had been seemingly attempting to trick the Browns in these moments. There’s loads of tape on Fields up to now, although, in Pittsburgh, so groups are going to be ready for the run and the cross.
It’s not gadgety, nor ought to it’s. It’s simply one other wrinkle with Fields for defenses to be ready for. However in that second, the Steelers tried to go galaxy mind and outthink the Browns, and it backfired.
Having that bundle is ok for Fields to provide a unique look, but it surely must be utilized in the suitable moments, and on Thursday night time the Steelers botched these moments.
“Go away Russell Wilson within the sport, man. I completely hate it. You understand, they all the time say for those who received two, you ain’t received one. Go away the one in there. He offers you the most effective probability. He was on a five-game successful streak. Go away him within the soccer sport,” Jones mentioned. “I don’t perceive. He’s gonna make the suitable throws whether or not the play is made or not. And he’s exhibiting you that he can transfer outdoors the pocket and make some performs along with his legs. It’s loopy.
“And I completely hate it as a result of I performed with numerous good quarterbacks, they usually by no means got here off the sector. On third down, on fourth down for no devices.”
Wilson ought to have been within the sport in that large second, interval. The truth that he wasn’t is teaching malpractice, and it backfired on the Steelers.
He was on a four-game successful streak because the starter, not 5. However he’s proven time and time once more that he could make performs, nonetheless seems quite cell at instances, and throws an important deep ball. He ought to have been within the sport, interval.
The Steelers merely botched it.
