Trubisky makes case for QB job as Steelers top Lions 19-9
PITTSBURGH (AP) Mike Tomlin will meet with the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers' braintrust before announcing who will be the starting quarterback in Cincinnati in two weeks.
Mitch Trubisky presented a pretty compelling case to make sure the conversation is a short one.
Unharried behind an offensive line that remains very much a work in progress, Trubisky finished off a steady if not spectacular preseason with 80 seconds of precision, leading a crisp 92-yard touchdown drive to end the first half in a 19-9 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Trubisky's final throw of a busy August was a 6-yard dart to Steven Sims that gave the Steelers a 16-point lead and likely erased any doubt as to who will run onto the field with the starting offense against the defending AFC North champion Bengals on Sept. 11. Trubisky finished the preseason 24 of 34 for 283 yards and two touchdowns against no interceptions.
''I feel confident with where I'm at,'' Trubisky said.
He should, even with rookie Kenny Pickett doing his best to apply some pressure. Pickett went 10 for 14 for 90 yards while playing the majority of the second half and completed 80% (29 of 36) of his passes during the preseason, with three touchdowns and no picks.
''If it's me (as the starter), I'm going to play as hard as I possibly can and be the best I can be,'' Pickett said. ''If it's Mitch or Mason (Rudolph), whoever it is I'll support them and be ready when my number is called and be the best QB on the sideline that I can be.''
Pickett remains very much a part of Pittsburgh's future. Trubisky, however, appears to be part of the present. Five months after signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh in hopes of reviving his career, Trubisky's professionalism and play since training camp began has given Tomlin little reason to hand the keys to the franchise to the 20th overall pick in the draft so quickly.
Tomlin has grown tired of fielding questions about the quarterback position, maybe because it so rarely happened during his first 15 years on the job with Roethlisberger's name written in permanent marker atop the depth chart. Clarity will come at some point in the next few days, though Tomlin called the situation ''a good problem'' to have.
There are a handful of not-so good ones too.
The starting offensive line, excoriated following a shoddy half of work last week against Jacksonville, was again sloppy and at times disorganized. Twice the Steelers started a series inside the Detroit 30 in the first half. Twice they failed to record a single first down and were forced to settle for one of Chris Boswell's four field goals.
Tomlin played most of his starters on both sides of the ball in the first half, and it nearly cost the Steelers after All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt and Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson both left with injuries.
Watt, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, injured his left knee after receiving a cut block from Detroit tight end T.J. Hockenson in the second quarter. Hockenson seemed to apologize to Watt immediately after the play, and Watt remained in the game briefly before being pulled.
Johnson, who signed a lucrative extension earlier this month, also left in the first half with a shoulder injury after landing awkwardly following a nice 38-yard reception down the sideline.
Tomlin said both injuries appeared to be minor and that they possibly could have returned if the game counted, shrugging off the risk involved with playing them in a meaningless game.
''You can't box without sparring,'' Tomlin said.
BACKUP PLAN?
The Lions (1-2), who have spent the last month taking a rare turn in the spotlight as part of the ''Hard Knocks'' docuseries, have a slightly lower-profile quarterback competition going. With starter Jared Goff taking the day off, Tim Boyle and David Blough tried to provide some clarity to the backup position.
Neither exactly distinguished himself. Boyle completed just 5 of 15 passes for 64 yards while working the first half. He also threw an interception directly to Pittsburgh cornerback Cam Sutton, who didn't even have to move as Boyle hit Sutton right between the 2 and the 0 on his jersey as he sat down in zone coverage.
Blough was a little more effective while working against players who are hoping they'll still have a job in the NFL after teams trim their rosters to 53 on Tuesday afternoon. Blough finished 17 of 32 for 160 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown flip to Quintez Cephus with 30 seconds to go.
''I think (the backup situation) became very clear,'' Lions coach Dan Campbell said. ''I think we got things answered and I would leave it at that.''
The Lions could be in the market for a backup quarterback this week. There could be one available in Pittsburgh, where Rudolph appears very much to be the third-man in the three-way race.
UP NEXT
Lions: Welcome Philadelphia to Ford Field on Sept. 11.
Steelers: Begin the season on the road for the eighth straight year when they head to Cincinnati. The Bengals swept the season series from Pittsburgh last fall.
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Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Jackson
22 RB
9 FPTS
|
J. Jackson | 8 | 44 | 0 | 10 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Reynolds
46 RB
6 FPTS
|
C. Reynolds | 6 | 31 | 0 | 17 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jefferson
28 RB
4 FPTS
|
J. Jefferson | 6 | 28 | 0 | 27 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Blough
10 QB
13 FPTS
|
D. Blough | 2 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Igwebuike
35 RB
2 FPTS
|
G. Igwebuike | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Boyle
12 QB
0 FPTS
|
T. Boyle | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Jackson
22 RB
9 FPTS
|
J. Jackson | 2 | 2 | 39 | 0 | 32 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. St. Brown
14 WR
6 FPTS
|
A. St. Brown | 5 | 3 | 34 | 0 | 18 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Pimpleton
83 WR
6 FPTS
|
K. Pimpleton | 5 | 3 | 31 | 0 | 22 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reynolds
8 WR
3 FPTS
|
J. Reynolds | 3 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Alexander
WR
2 FPTS
|
M. Alexander | 2 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hockenson
88 TE
2 FPTS
|
T. Hockenson | 2 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Igwebuike
35 RB
2 FPTS
|
G. Igwebuike | 2 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Kennedy
85 WR
4 FPTS
|
T. Kennedy | 6 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Reynolds
46 RB
6 FPTS
|
C. Reynolds | 3 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Benson
17 WR
1 FPTS
|
T. Benson | 6 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Cephus
87 WR
7 FPTS
|
Q. Cephus | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Funchess
13 TE
1 FPTS
|
D. Funchess | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jefferson
28 RB
4 FPTS
|
J. Jefferson | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Chark
4 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Chark | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Zylstra
84 TE
0 FPTS
|
S. Zylstra | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. Elliott
5 DB
|
D. Elliott | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Joseph
31 DB
|
K. Joseph | 3-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Hughes
23 CB
|
M. Hughes | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Smith
19 CB
|
S. Smith | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Davis
40 MLB
|
J. Davis | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Parker
41 CB
|
A. Parker | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Walker
21 DB
|
T. Walker | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Harris
25 DB
|
W. Harris | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Gilbert
29 CB
|
M. Gilbert | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Woods
51 LB
|
J. Woods | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Okudah
1 CB
|
J. Okudah | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Price
27 DB
|
B. Price | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Hector
92 DT
|
B. Hector | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Lucas
36 CB
|
C. Lucas | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Barnes
55 LB
|
D. Barnes | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Bryant
2 DE
|
A. Bryant | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Board
49 LB
|
C. Board | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Oruwariye
24 CB
|
A. Oruwariye | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Anzalone
34 MLB
|
A. Anzalone | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Harris
53 DE
|
C. Harris | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Hutchinson
97 DE
|
A. Hutchinson | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hughes
33 DB
|
J. Hughes | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. Seibert
19 K
3 FPTS
|
A. Seibert | 1/1 | 36 | 0/0 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. Fox
3 P
|
J. Fox | 5 | 48.0 | 2 | 57 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. Reynolds
46 RB
6 FPTS
|
C. Reynolds | 2 | 13.5 | 15 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jackson
22 RB
9 FPTS
|
J. Jackson | 2 | 26.5 | 28 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Raymond 11 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Raymond | 1 | -1.0 | -1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Alexander WR
2 FPTS
|
M. Alexander | 1 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. Trubisky
10 QB
12 FPTS
|
M. Trubisky | 15/19 | 160 | 1 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Pickett
8 QB
3 FPTS
|
K. Pickett | 10/14 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Rudolph
2 QB
0 FPTS
|
M. Rudolph | 0/3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
B. Snell
24 RB
1 FPTS
|
B. Snell | 5 | 17 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Olszewski
89 WR
4 FPTS
|
G. Olszewski | 2 | 13 | 0 | 12 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Warren
30 RB
1 FPTS
|
J. Warren | 7 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Harris
22 RB
5 FPTS
|
N. Harris | 4 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. McFarland
26 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. McFarland | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
P. Freiermuth
88 TE
7 FPTS
|
P. Freiermuth | 4 | 3 | 45 | 0 | 32 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Boykin
13 WR
7 FPTS
|
M. Boykin | 3 | 3 | 41 | 0 | 29 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Johnson
18 WR
4 FPTS
|
D. Johnson | 1 | 1 | 38 | 0 | 38 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Pickens
14 WR
6 FPTS
|
G. Pickens | 5 | 3 | 35 | 0 | 22 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Vaughns
80 WR
4 FPTS
|
T. Vaughns | 3 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 17 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Sims
82 WR
12 FPTS
|
S. Sims | 5 | 4 | 23 | 1 | 9 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. Olszewski
89 WR
4 FPTS
|
G. Olszewski | 4 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Harris
22 RB
5 FPTS
|
N. Harris | 3 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. McFarland
26 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. McFarland | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. White
15 WR
1 FPTS
|
C. White | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Heyward
83 TE
2 FPTS
|
C. Heyward | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Sternberger
85 TE
0 FPTS
|
J. Sternberger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Snead
84 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Snead | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
T. Norwood
21 CB
|
T. Norwood | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Ogunjobi
65 DT
|
L. Ogunjobi | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Platel
30 CB
|
C. Platel | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Fitzpatrick
39 FS
|
M. Fitzpatrick | 3-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Layne
31 CB
|
J. Layne | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Scott
50 LB
|
D. Scott | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Davis
73 DT
|
C. Davis | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Johnson
45 LB
|
B. Johnson | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Robinson
93 LB
|
M. Robinson | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Witherspoon
25 CB
|
A. Witherspoon | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Bush
55 LB
|
D. Bush | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Riley
33 DB
|
E. Riley | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Sutton
20 CB
|
C. Sutton | 2-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pierre
42 CB
|
J. Pierre | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Davis
68 DT
|
K. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Jack
51 MLB
|
M. Jack | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Edmunds
34 SS
|
T. Edmunds | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Kazee
24 SS
|
D. Kazee | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Jeter
66 DE
|
D. Jeter | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Heyward
97 DE
|
C. Heyward | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Watt
90 OLB
|
T. Watt | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Wallace
29 DB
|
L. Wallace | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Spillane
41 LB
|
R. Spillane | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Leal
98 DE
|
D. Leal | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Tuszka
48 LB
|
D. Tuszka | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. Boswell
9 K
13 FPTS
|
C. Boswell | 4/5 | 54 | 1/1 | 13 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
P. Harvin III
6 P
|
P. Harvin III | 4 | 47.5 | 2 | 56 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. McFarland
26 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. McFarland | 1 | 23.0 | 23 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
G. Olszewski 89 WR
4 FPTS
|
G. Olszewski | 1 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Sims 82 WR
12 FPTS
|
S. Sims | 1 | -4.0 | -4 | 0 |