The controversy relating to who the beginning quarterback needs to be for the Pittsburgh Steelers on the highway in Week One in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8 continues to rage on.
Ought to it’s the skilled, robust chief in Russell Wilson together with his Corridor of Fame resume? Or ought to it’s the younger, electrifying participant in Justin Fields, who has all of the bodily abilities on the planet however nonetheless must put all of it collectively persistently?
Proper now, coming off of the preseason loss to the Buffalo Payments by which Wilson had a tough efficiency and Fields was up and down as nicely, the controversy has by no means felt extra actual than it does proper now.
With the Steelers’ offensive line having main points defending the quarterback and coping with accidents, and the run recreation being non-existent at occasions, there are main considerations for the Steelers on the offensive aspect of the soccer.
To alleviate these considerations, former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, throughout an look on ESPN’s Get Up! Tuesday morning, said that the Steelers ought to begin the potential “ascending participant” in Fields over Wilson, particularly after Wilson confirmed the lack to get the ball out rapidly and effectively and keep away from the sacks, which have plagued him his complete profession.
“…Russell Wilson is a decade older than Justin Fields. Justin Fields nonetheless has the potential to be an ascending participant. There are bodily attributes that he has proper now at this stage of his profession that Russell simply doesn’t have,” Hasselbeck stated relating to why he would select Fields over Wilson, based on video through ESPN on YouTube. “After which so in the event you say, ‘okay, nicely how in regards to the expertise?’ Is Russell enjoying like an skilled, educated, wiser participant, that might provide the benefit to be extra environment friendly a quarterback? And while you watch him and he’s taking sacks and the ball’s not popping out on time, the reply is not any.
“And so, I truly assume that that is a better resolution than it was a month in the past while you actually didn’t know what you have been getting from both man. I believe it’s extra evident what you’re getting from every quarterback. I’d clearly go along with Fields right here.”
On the floor, it appears a bit unfair to make a snap resolution like that after Wilson tried simply 10 passes in his first preseason recreation, was underneath duress from the soar, and performed simply 5 collection after lacking time in coaching camp with a calf harm and was slowly being eased again into the fold.
However wanting nearer on the efficiency in opposition to the Payments, it was a tough one for Wilson. He didn’t precisely execute the short passing recreation in addition to he ought to have, making some incorrect selections with the place the ball ought to have gone based mostly on what the protection was doing, resulting in brief or no features via the air.
Wilson seemed a bit rusty on the evening, after which taking three sacks, even underneath duress, has many questioning if he’s the correct match.
It’s not as if Fields has been lights out, although.
Fields held onto the soccer too lengthy within the preseason opener in opposition to Houston and took two sacks, and in addition had two fumbled center-QB exchanges. He confirmed some flashes in opposition to the Payments together with his legs, ripping off a 20-yard run after which creating magic by getting out of a sack and firing a dart to broad receiver Dez Fitzpatrick alongside the sideline for a pleasant acquire.
Nonetheless, with the struggles the offensive line is having, the problems in go safety, and the Steelers desirous to be a run-heavy workforce underneath offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, possibly it’s higher to roll with Fields attributable to what he brings to the desk together with his legs.
He nonetheless has loads to scrub up from a ball safety and decision-making standpoint as a passer, however there is no such thing as a denying the dynamic talents he brings to the desk within the run recreation. That simply would possibly assist the Steelers’ offense early on, one thing that Wilson can’t present.
