Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Thursday.
The Kickoff
I get it. I don’t like it but I get it. The National Football League announced this week that they would be playing another international game during the regular season in Berlin. Make no mistake, this is about two things. Money and influence. Roger Goodell is adamant that the great American game be spread across the globe. I fully acknowledge that the game has grown and that there are millions of NFL fans across Europe and other parts of the world. But I can’t help but think of those that are affected by these decisions. Start with the “home” team who is losing a game in their own stadium. This means that stadium workers lose an opportunity to earn a paycheck. Hotels, restaurants, bars, cabs, etc all lose the opportunity to make money. The decision to continue playing regular season games overseas is a slap in the face to the very fans that grew the game. But the NFL doesn’t care about them and never has. Carry on Roger.
The Podcast
Episode 399 of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc will air live tonight on our YouTube channel. We’ll discuss the win over Cleveland, look ahead to the final stretch and much more!
Pickens
It was perceived earlier this week that I suggested George Pickens was not hurt and instead was being punished when he didn’t play last week. If I said that, I apologize. What I was intending to say was that Mike Tomlin has used the tactic of saying a guy was hurt when in fact he was being disciplined. With Pickens likely sitting again this week it’s clear he is dinged up as Tomlin wouldn’t impose discipline for more than one game.
This Game Will Come Down to the Trenches
They all do but my biggest concern this week is whether the Steelers’ young offensive line can handle the Eagles and whether the Steelers’ veteran front seven can handle the Eagles’ offensive line. And don’t forget that this week’s crew, led by Alan Eck, will factor in here. One quarter of all the penalties they call are holding penalties.
A Belichick Thought
Why would a guy so close to the record for all-time wins as a head coach choose to go back to college? Makes me wonder if he hasn’t been told he isn’t getting a gig in the NFL anytime soon.
Problems in the Nest
As you may have heard, veteran D-Lineman Brandon Graham made some comments this week about some dysfunctional issues on the team especially between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. Graham immediately apologized and tried to walk back those comments but the horses were already out of the barn. Don’t forget this same duo torched the Steelers in 2022 for three TDs. In other words, I’m not banking on it being an issue this week.
Random Reads
Few people piss me off more than porch pirates. Robbing and stealing from others is reprehensible enough but the act of going onto someone’s porch to take things that you don’t even know what they are irritates me. Do better people… Don’t be surprised if Mike Williams has a big game this week. Call it a hunch… Give a social media follow to Matt Speck. He has done some cleats for my son and he is doing a ton now for many of the Steelers and other pro sports figures. Matt is a great guy… If Cam Heyward gets to double-digit sacks, is it fair to suggest he could be an All-Pro? I think it’s very fair.
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