Steelers News: If Devlin Hodges is the Steelers QB in Week 16, his leash better be short

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving into Week 16 of the NFL regular season, and as the team prepares for the New York Jets we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the next game starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how if the Steelers choose to start Devlin Hodges in Week 16 vs. the Jets, his leash better be short.

Let’s get to the news:

• It was a 4 interception performance that put Mason Rudolph on notice. The same should be true for Devlin Hodges heading into Week 16.

John Steigerwald: Steelers QB Duck Hodges should have short leash against Jets

By: John Steigerwald, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It’s time for the short leash.

Mike Tomlin needs to put one on Devlin Hodges at practice Wednesday and keep it on him when he lines up against the New York Jets next Sunday. He should use it to yank him out of the game in a hurry if he struggles the way he struggled against the Bills on Sunday night.

The legend of the Duck may have run its course. It was fun while it lasted, but if you think he’s the quarterback of the Steelers’ future, you haven’t been paying attention .

The Duck hats and the Duck bills that fans wore to Heinz Field for the game were cute, and NBC did its best to be part of he fun, but the fun ended early.

He was intercepted four times because he was asked/forced to make throws that he either shouldn’t or can’t make.

NBC’s graphic early in the telecast told the story. Coming into the game, Hodges had thrown 80 passes. Sixty-one of them were thrown 10 yards or less beyond the line of scrimmage — not all that unusual in the Dink and Dunk NFL of 2019. Nobody threw more passes of that “length” last season than Ben Roethlisberger.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• While some are suggesting the leash should be short with Duck Hodges, some are saying it should be Mason Rudolph’s turn to shine again...

Mark Madden: Steelers should go back to Mason Rudolph at quarterback

By: Mark Madden, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Every duck has his day.

But for Devlin Hodges, his day is done.

The Steelers should start Mason Rudolph in Sunday’s game at the New York Jets.

Hodges caught lightning in a bottle. He won three games as a starter, one in relief.

But when confronted by a good defense in last Sunday’s home loss to Buffalo, Hodges wilted. The Bills put eight men in the box, stifling the run (though the Steelers gave up on it far too quickly). Hodges threw 38 passes. Four were intercepted. Hodges was floating the ball. Buffalo’s defensive backs could have signaled for a fair catch.

Rudolph won four games as a starter. When he faltered, Hodges went in.

Now Hodges has faltered. Rudolph should go back in.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Despite the loss, James Conner’s performance was a positive for the black-and-gold.

James Conner productive in limited usage during return to Steelers’ lineup

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

James Conner’s first full game since October wasn’t a true full game in that he played 58% of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive snaps on Sunday night.

Still, that was — by far — the most of any Steelers running back, and coach Mike Tomlin insisted Conner wasn’t on a “rep count” during the 17-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

“I wasn’t (doing nothing during) my time off,” Conner said. “I was really working and trying to get back every week and tried to do everything so that when I did come back I could be healthy and just go.”

After the game, Conner said he was — at least inasmuch as his shoulder “fells all right.”

Asked how healthy he was for the game, Conner said, “I played.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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