Jones replaces hurt Vick, sparks Steelers to victory
Unless Ben Roethlisberger returns next week, the best option for the Pittsburgh Steelers at quarterback is likely a third-year pro who hadn’t thrown an NFL pass until Sunday.
Landry Jones, a 2013 fourthround draft pick from Oklahoma, made a strong case that he’s a better choice than Michael Vick by throwing for 168 yards and two touchdowns after taking over for injured Vick in the third quarter of the 25-13 victory against the Arizona Cardinals.
“I just still can’t believe I got in the game and got to play, you know what I mean,” Jones said, chuckling. “I’m still kind of reeling from it. Next week will be next week. Today I’m going to enjoy it.”
So will the Heinz Field crowd after growing frustrated in watching Vick again struggle mightily in the passing game. It’s been a recurring theme since Roethlisberger sprained a medial collateral ligament in Week 3: Vick’s inability to get the ball downfield to receivers.
At one point Sunday, Antonio Brown was wide open downfield and held his hands in the air, to no avail. Brown has expressed frustration in not getting the ball more with Vick as quarterback.
“It’s been uncomfortable for him, no doubt,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s got a great rapport with Ben Roethlisberger. Ben’s not playing.”
Asked if he had found a quarterback, with the health of his franchise quarterback still uncer- tain, Tomlin said, “You know, we have some options here.”
Jones saw brief action in the second quarter after Vick was sidelined because of what officials said was dirt in his eye. In the third quarter, Jones relieved Vick after Vick injured his hamstring on a running play.
Despite Vick’s struggles — he completed three of eight passes for 6 yards — Tomlin said he did not consider inserting Jones before Vick’s injury.
Jones, who completed eight of 12 passes, said he sometimes doubted he would get a snap with the Steelers (4-2). He struggled at times during training camp. And Pittsburgh signed Vick in August.
“Landry probably played more preseason snaps than anybody in the history of the National Football League this year,” Tomlin said. “He got better, and it was displayed today. He had the opportunity to contribute in a big way.”
The Cardinals outgained the Steelers 279-59 in the first half. Pittsburgh had 1 passing yard.
Once Jones took over on Pittsburgh’s second series in the third quarter, he threw an 8-yard TD pass to Martavis Bryant on his second throw. Then he led the Steelers on scoring drives on each of their next three possessions.
He quickly found a rapport with Bryant, who missed the first four games because of a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. A short fourth-quarter pass to Bryant turned into an 88yard touchdown reception.
“It’s unbelievable, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Jones said. “The guys are resilient. … Today we showed the world what type of team we are.”