Steelers News: The Steelers are starting to see some separation at the backup QB spot

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the gridiron with the NFL preseason upon us. With exhibition games underway, the news surrounding the black-and-gold is just starting to heat up. As the team prepares for the coming season, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the season starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how after three preseason games the Steelers are finally starting to see some separation between Mason Rudolph and Joshua Dobbs for the QB2 spot on the depth chart.

Let’s get to the news:

• There was never a doubt who would be the Steelers’ starting quarterback, but the discussion of who will be the backup has been an ongoing debate for months. The Steelers are finally starting to see some separation between the two vying for the job.

Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: In battle of backup QBs, Steelers see some separation

By: Kevin Gorman, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Taking his shot: Rudolph wasted little time to show he is worthy of the second-string job, needing only 45 seconds to put the ball in the end zone.

Rudolph’s first pass was picture perfect, as he dropped a deep ball over James Washington’s shoulder in the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown and 15-0 lead.

It was the kind of pass that proved Rudolph has made great strides since his rookie season. It doesn’t hurt that he has a history with Washington, his teammate at Oklahoma State, or that the second-year receiver has 40-plus-yard catches in each of the first three preseason games.

But opponents also are aware of their connection, and Rudolph was intercepted on another deep pass intended for Washington. That’s the blemish on his performance.

Rudolph finished 6 of 9 for 75 yards but wasn’t able to maintain the momentum from his strong start. The question is whether he did enough to move past Dobbs. The Steelers certainly hope so, considering they gave Rudolph a first-round draft grade and invested a third-round pick in him.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The Steelers gambled by playing their starters nearly a half in Week 3 of the preseason, but left relatively unscathed.

Tim Benz: Steelers tempt fate, escape unscathed in Tennessee

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers played Russian roulette with their veteran starters and won.

For the most part. Let’s see how bad safety Sean Davis’ ankle injury is. And linebacker Bud Dupree’s thumb. At least Mike Tomlin didn’t give a dire diagnosis about either player after the Steelers beat the Tennessee Titans 18-6 in a preseason game Sunday night.

Teams such as the Houston Texans (running back Lamar Miller, ACL) and the New York Jets (linebacker Avery Williamson, ACL) haven’t been as lucky.

Ben Roethlisberger and most of the Steelers offensive regulars absorbed three series, scoring a touchdown on the third try.

Meanwhile, many of the front-line defensive regulars stayed on the field well into the second quarter.

Or at least I think they did. Based on that horrid NBC camera angle, “Mean” Joe Greene and Mel Blount could’ve been playing and I wouldn’t have been able to tell.

To read the full article click HERE (Free)

• Mason Rudolph represented himself well in Week 3, but he doesn’t buy into anything about him having the edge over Joshua Dobbs.

Mason Rudolph doesn’t read anything into being second QB on Sunday night

By: Josh Alper, ProFootballTalk

The Steelers have been holding a competition for their backup quarterback job this summer and Sunday night’s game against the Titans was the latest data point to take into consideration.

Mason Rudolph followed Ben Roethlisberger into the game and threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Washington on his second snap. He threw an interception later in the first half and then gave way to Josh Dobbs for the second half of the game. After the game, Rudolph said the order wasn’t a sign of how the competition is playing out.

“We switch it up every week, so I don’t read anything into it,” Rudolph said, via Mark Kaboly of TheAthletic.com. “When I am out there, I want to produce and do well and that’s the stuff I read into.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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