The last day of preseason practice came with Big Ben wearing #5; we assume as a shout out to his buddy, and now IR backup, QB Bruce Gradkowski. That’s significant, as a surprise, newly acquired QB Zach Mettenberger was wearing number 7, his number when he was a starter for the Titans.

Yes, our team captain Roethlisberger’s number.

An interesting statement to make with Zach playing in his first practice with the team on Monday. After his practice on Monday, per Post-Gazette.com, he was quoted as saying:

“I think that was just a little joke played on my by the real #7, since that was my number in Tennessee, and he thought that would be funny. But I think that’s the last day I’ll wear that number.”

By all accounts he is being embraced by the team as the potential #3 QB behind Ben, and Landry Jones is the assumed #2.

However, Jones’ spot directly behind Roethlisberger on the depth chart isn’t secure. Looking at experience alone, there is an argument to be made for Mettenberger to get a hard look at the backup spot. Mettenberger, the 6th round pick of the Titans in 2013, has played in 14 games in the NFL, compared to Jones’ 8. Zach has also started in 10 of those games; Landry only has 2 career start, both last season.

Mettenberger had a cup of coffee with the San Diego Chargers this offseason, while Landry has been on one team, the Steelers, for his entire career. As he heads into his 4th season, Jones has the advantage of knowing the playbook, in an out. (Or at least should at this point he should.)

This is an advantage for Jones, as Zach has to learn a new system. It’s one reason why Joe Kuzma mentioned on the SCU podcast, that he and Eric Herrmann both felt Mettenberger would not have been available as a roster casualty; former Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who drafted Zach, took the offensive coordinator position in San Diego after losing the Titans job.

Typically, an OC has their terminology set: their language, their system, is better understood by players who already know it and can translate the terms to their new teammates. Even as a 3rd stringer with the Chargers, it was thought that Mettenberger at least had that value. However, after a subpar performance in the preseason (going 2-for-8) Mettenberger struggled for additional playing time, and was eventually released.

What stands out the most, as far as Jones is concerned, when he enters regular season games, he gets sacked a lot. At times, he looks lost, with no peripheral vision, or read on when to get rid of the ball, instead of taking the hit for loss of yardage. He does not have that escapability quality that Ben does when the pocket is collapsing, but then again, he is usually coming in cold; a situation of “relief pitching and bases loaded, no outs.”

Only analogy that is fitting for the back up that is expected to be king for the day. Landry, in his 4th season with the Steelers, seems to have had a slow learning curve, but did show some good signs of growth this preseason. In the New Orleans Saints game, he went 9-22 with 206 yards and TD. He also had more starters around him than previous games. His progress shows when he has playmakers surrounding him, rather than camp bodies.

Yet, many fans were clamoring to stop the developmental experiment that is Landry Jones, and seek a new quarterback. They felt their prayers were answered with the arrival of Mettenberger; but looking at his numbers, he and Jones are virtually the same as far as stature, QB rating, and both are at about a 60% completion rate for their careers.

If you look at the the starts Zach has had in the NFL, you might think he does in fact have an edge on Landry. In previous starts, Mettenberger makes better anticipatory throws than Landry, and has a bigger arm to move the ball down field. The downside, unfortunately, is that Zach has more interceptions than touchdowns in his career, with an 0-10 record as a starter.

Not exactly solid numbers when you want that “hail mary QB” to save the day.

The silver lining is that Mettenberger is now on a better team. He will be working with Coach Todd Haley, has a new mentor in Big Ben, and is surrounded by world class talent such as Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell.

He can only learn and improve.

For now, Landry Jones is still our best option as the #2 on the depth chart, and Mettenberger will remain at #3; where he will need to continue to prepare as a starter, even though he will be inactive most games (unless, an injury occurs.)

As a pocket passer who likes to throw the ball deep, with a history of good health throughout his 4-year career, Mettenberger gets a pass for his time spent with lesser franchises, particularly the Titans.

By all accounts, I feel this was a great pickup for the Steelers.