Steelers News: Mason Rudolph thinks he should be more aggressive, but is that a good thing?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving into Week 4 of the NFL regular season, and as the team prepares for the Cincinnati Bengals, 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 Mason Rudolph realizes he could have been more aggressive vs. the 49ers, and declares to be aggressive vs. the Bengals on Monday night. But is this a good thing?

Let’s get to the news:

• Rudolph wants to be more aggressive. This could be good and bad...

Steelers’ Mason Rudolph: ‘I could have been a little more aggressive’ against 49ers

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Until Mason Rudolph threw a 76-yard touchdown pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster and a 39-yard score to Diontae Johnson in the second half, the Pittsburgh Steelers scheme last Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers was more generic than a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Passes consisted of screens, quick outs and short crossing routes. The longest play through the first 40 minutes was a 10-yard gain by tight end Vance McDonald. Of Rudolph’s 14 completions overall, only the two touchdowns were on passes thrown more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage.

It gave the appearance of a dumbed-downed, conservative game plan drawn up for a second-year quarterback making his first NFL start.

But offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner insisted Friday that the Steelers didn’t intentionally prohibit the record-setting passer from Oklahoma State from stretching the field with deep passes.

“We had some opportunity. We had some throws for shots,” Fichtner said. “If you don’t connect or throw them, it never really materializes.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Are you still believing in the Steelers? This article is a downer then...

Mark Madden: It takes a cockeyed optimist to like Steelers’ chances

By: Mark Madden, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

If you’re thinking rationally, you know the Steelers’ chances of significant accomplishment this season lie in a bloody heap.

Being 0-3 is the head of the spear. Ben Roethlisberger being out for the year twists the knife.

Either of those facts bodes poorly. Combine them, and it’s time to get an Uber to Palookaville. No return trip.

But what fun is thinking rationally?

Optimism springs eternal, or at least until about 11:30 p.m. Monday.

After all, the Steelers acquired Ronnie Lott Jr. (Minkah Fitzpatrick) to play free safety.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• What will the playbook look like for the Steelers in Week 4? According to Randy Fichtner, a lot of deep passes.

Steelers OC: We’ve got to throw the ball down the field

By: Josh Alper, ProFootballTalk

The Steelers threw a lot of short passes during Mason Rudolph‘s first start at quarterback last week, but it doesn’t sound like that was exactly the game plan that offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner drew up against the 49ers.

Rudolph hit Dionte Johnson for a 39-yard touchdown in the second half and JuJu Smith-Schuster turned a 12-yard pass into a 76-yard touchdown, but the offense was otherwise unsuccessful when the ball traveled a long way through the air. Fichtner was asked about a lack of deep throws during a Friday media session and said that there were opportunities to do so early that Rudolph didn’t take.

“We were able to go down the field early,” via Josh Rowntree of KDKA. “You’ve got to throw them. You’ve got to throw it. You’ve got to attempt to throw it there.”

Fichtner went on to say that he wasn’t second-guessing Rudolph because many things come into play for a quarterback deciding whether to pull the trigger. Rudolph didn’t disagree with Fichtner when the same topic came up during his own press conference.

to read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Mason Rudolph Media Scrum

• Social Media Madness