Ask Alex: Steelers Mailbag

Welcome back to your weekly Pittsburgh Steelers mailbag. As always, we’re here for the next hour to answer whatever is on your mind.

To your questions!

David Shoff: Alex, I read an article on here that said the Steelers won’t get much time to see Justin fields much in the preseason games and that struck me as odd. Shouldn’t Fields get more time to play than Wilson??

Alex: I didn’t see that one. Was it us saying that or some outsider? He’ll play and should play a fair amount. And I think he’ll shine. A talented guy like him against backups and rookies and a defense that isn’t cohesive? Fields can make starters look silly. He can definitely do that against backups. Of course, the key and the issue he’s always had is staying consistent with his accuracy, decisions, and ball security.

We’ll see how they handle reps. It’s a new offense, new quarterbacks, new offensive coordinator. I imagine Wilson will play the first quarter of the first game, the first half of the second, and then a drive/sit the finale. Fields probably gets something like the second/third quarters of the first game, the third quarter of the second, and two quarters in the finale. Something like that.

But you play things by ear in camp and preseason based on player and team needs. No hard and fast plan, especially not this far out.

J Alexander Wright: 

Hey Alex,

Regarding Russell Wilson, I’ve noticed two potential career parallels.

When he was drafted, the Seahawks had signed Matt Flynn to be their QB. However, Wilson performed so well during the preseason, it was undeniable that he should be the starter.

The next season, the Seahawks were scrutinized during the year for having lackluster receiving options. I recall an analyst calling them “pedestrian” and that fueled them in their way to winning Super Bowl 48.

In this hypothetical scenario, which option seems more probable: Justin Fields does so well in camp/preseason that the Steelers start him week one OR the receivers are not a weak link of the offense and are good enough to win it all?

sorry it’s so wordy but the idea has been floating in my head for a while and I wanted to get your take. Thanks!

Alex: I really don’t see Fields starting Week 1. Even though I think he will impress in the preseason for the reasons I cited above. So I guess my answer would be the second one, not that I see that as an incredibly likely/accurate scenario. I guess the latter if you made me choose. If the run game is good enough, if someone can be just good enough as a No. 2, with a top defense, Pittsburgh can make a playoff run.

It’s just really hard to see a non-injury scenario in which Wilson isn’t starting at Atlanta to open up the year.

David Shoff: Alex, I think Benton can be an all pro very soon if he gets another pass rush move. I would LOVE to see him use the same move except to the left (Left hand slap and swim). Do you think he could learn that move to the other side and be effective? I just think it would be a matter of working on it over and over.

Alex: Potentially. He’s really the only one who can answer that. Most guys have a dominant hand so he might not be as natural or comfortable going to his left than his right. I assume the right is his side because that’s where he always goes. T.J. Watt’s talked about a move of his he likes better on his current LOLB spot he had more trouble with early in his career on the other side.

He needs a bull. He’s gotta be able to threaten down the middle more to really open up the club/swim to the edges. So bull/long-arm is my recommendation to take his game to the next level.

SteelCurtain570: Is this finally the year when we’ll see an I formation with a FB lead blocking between the tackles?

Alex: Yeah, I think we’ll see some. Not really sure who will man the FB role, (Heyward, Puritt, Colletto?) but it’s generally been in Smith’s offenses. How much we see it…we’ll get a feel in camp, hopefully.

George Hareras: 

Hey Alex,

Just as a fan, which draft pick in the last 20 years were you most excited about?

Alex: Hmm…good question. It’s hard to think back sometimes. This was a miss by me but probably Devin Bush. He was the guy we knew the team wanted but also knew he wouldn’t be on the board at No. 20. And then they make the rare trade up to get him. So as bad as it turned out to be, it was exciting to get the guy you didn’t think was possible.