Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Tuesday.
The Kickoff
Righting a wrong? Correcting a mistake? I’m not sure what you want to call it but the Pittsburgh Steelers have brought Linebacker Elandon Roberts back. Despite limiting the Colts on Sunday to just 66 yards rushing the team still felt it needed help at the inside backer position. Roberts, who played last season with the Steelers, was brought into Camp and played a lot during the preseason. He was ultimately released however leaving most fans a bit perplexed. At 32 years old, there are reasons that Roberts was still available five plus weeks into the season. Therefore, let us not pretend this is a “game changer.” Roberts is a run-stopping, two-down linebacker with coverage limitations. But he’s also a great tackler, gets off blocks and has a Super Bowl winning resume.
MASH
Since the movie first came out and then the television series after it in the 1970’s, it’s common to call a team with a rash of injuries a “MASH Unit.” This moniker is something no team wants associated with it. The Steelers however are moving in this unfortunate direction. Michael Pittman, Jr, Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek are all banged up. Derrick Harmon and Jamel Dean are also dealing with injuries among others. This is nothing we haven’t seen before but the issues are growing rapidly.
Rodgers
Based on five games this season I’m of the opinion that Sunday was the best one so far for Aaron Rodgers. There were still some missed throws and missed opportunities but he managed the game well, used his legs at times and hung in the pocket more often than not. I still think he’s taking too much of a beating and I worry just how much longer that can go on.
JuJu?
There appears to be a demand for JuJu Smith-Schuster to return to the Steelers due to the injuries at the wide receiver position. I’m not against it, I just don’t know what he has left. Both of his knees have seen better days. You’d still get the effort as a blocker but I’m not sure what else he can provide.
What’s Going On?
From the game in London to the atrocious end game situation in Washington, it feels like coaches and players are completely choking on clock management. There were questionable decisions in last night’s Monday Night Football game as well. It feels like coaches have suddenly forgotten how to coach.
Random Reads
Niners LB Dre Greenlaw was rightfully suspended for a game after headbutting a helmetless player on Seattle’s sideline. This comes a week after he also told Denver Coach Sean Payton to “Get the fuck off his field” after the Niners beat the Broncos… I’m out on Arch Manning. I’m just not convinced he’s a top tier quarterback… I’m not going to claim that I understand everything about Manchester City’s violations in English soccer but taking it out on the players seems harsh. Wasn’t all of this done at the corporate level?… While it’s about time the Steelers settled on Jaylen Warren as their featured back I still think someone has to step up as a viable number two. Warren can’t do everything.
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