Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Wednesday.
The Kickoff
Mike Tomlin’s final press conference of the year went about as expected. There were a lot of open-ended comments left to interpretation, no promises and plenty of “self-reflection.” Tomlin admitted that things have to change – what that looks like we won’t know for some time. Sadly, one of the issues that has haunted him is the lack of accountability for players. A report by The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo said that George Pickens was late to the Christmas Day game against Kansas City. He was so late that the team had already announced its inactive players list which Pickens was not on. He knew how important he was to the team and flaunted it. When asked today about this Tomlin suddenly turned into a forgetful old man who couldn’t remember that far back. This is further proof that Tomlin continues to enable the young, but immature wideout. At what point is enough, enough with this guy?
To Wit…
I see fans constantly screaming at Tomlin about player discipline and holding them accountable yet with Pickens it’s a different story. Fans suddenly seem to excuse his behavior yet still bitch about Tomlin. Talk about hypocrisy.
Futures Contracts
The Steelers signed a number of guys – 17 I believe – to futures contracts yesterday. This is a very standard practice following the end of the season. A couple of names of note were Skyler Thompson, the QB who was recently released by the Miami Dolphins. With all three QBs not under contract it’s a good idea to get someone in the building. LB Julius Welschof from Bavaria, Germany played collegiately at Charlotte and Michigan. He spent time with the Steelers this past season in Camp and remained on the Practice Squad. OL Dylan Cook is also back as is RB Aaron Shampklin.
The Local Media
I’ve learned in recent days that some in the Steelers’ front office are not happy with many in the Pittsburgh local media community. It’s more than fair to suggest that there are a few bad apples among this group, which is true of any group frankly, but the majority of Steelers beat writers and radio personalities are good people. I have several thoughts as to why the front office is upset but I also have a couple of suggestions. First, stop drafting players who hide from the media. Second, the PR department could do a better job of prepping players for media interviews. Third and most importantly, stop the insanity and start putting a better product on the field.
Random Reads
You know who had a really nice season that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough? Keannu Benton. I thought he showed improvement from the start and all season long… No word on when Team President Art Rooney II will give his annual ‘State of the Team’ Address. Last year, his comments came on January 30th and also came with the word “urgency” in reference to winning in the postseason. My how things change in a year, or do they… Former RB Rashard Mendenhall decided to let everyone know this week that he’s the youngest former Steeler with a Super Bowl ring. That came in Super Bowl XLIII, a game he didn’t play in because Ray Lewis had broken his shoulder during the season… Dane Brugler released his first mock draft. A two rounder in which he has the Steelers taking Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka and Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston… Former NFL QB and current podcaster Chase Daniel said he believes the Cowboys will offer the Steelers a trade for Mike Tomlin. Nothing would surprise me anymore.
