Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Monday!
The Kickoff
Soft tissue injuries… Stop me if you’ve heard about these before. For whatever reason, they seem to be more common among the Pittsburgh Steelers than other teams. I don’t have the stats on that but the optics are hard to ignore. Broderick Jones has been battling a groin injury and he was joined with the same injury by Alex Highsmith.
At this time, we don’t know how severe Highsmith’s injury is but there is a serious concern here. It’s the third time he’s dealt with this. He did the same thing during Camp last year and it cost him time during the season. After being incredibly durable over his first four seasons, missing six games last year was thought to be an anomaly. Now? We are so sure.
According to Cleveland Clinic, soft tissue injuries are parceled into three different degrees with the first being minor and the third being the worst and often needing surgery. So in the case of Jones, we can assume he’s dealing with a grade one. We can only hope that Highsmith’s is the same.
The Debate Grows
With Jones’ injury adding to his struggles (he did have his best day yesterday) the debate about moving Darnell Washington has increased. This is something our podcast has suggested since Washington was drafted and after Washington’s brilliant day in pass protection this past week, the calls have increased.
We need to understand that the transition isn’t always perfect and it takes time. It largely depends on coaching and one’s ability. Washington himself recently quipped that he should be “paid like a tackle.” He’s not exactly wrong. In two seasons he’s averaging 17 targets per season. When you consider he’s played over 1,000 snaps in two seasons, he has a point.
I don’t see the Steelers moving him simply because they still see his value as a receiver, especially in the Red Zone. Perhaps those targets increase with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
Sad But True….
Defense! No Offense…
Every season we see and hear the same thing. “The defense looks great in Camp while the offense is struggling.” This is extremely normal. That said, there is serious concern about the offense. Aaron Rodgers is still lacking consistency. The best wide receiver right now besides D.K. Metcalf has been Scotty Miller. The offensive line is struggling to protect and is struggling to open holes in the running game. Usually – and I stress “usually” – the offense naturally comes along slower because so much of it is predicated on timing. No pun intended but this takes time. If we’re still discussing it in these terms after the final preseason game then panic is warranted.
Random Reads
I mean no disrespect to Scotty Miller but if he’s the best number two WR guy we have right now at 5’9″ and 180lbs soaking wet, then the Steelers have problems… I still struggle with the fact the Steelers are playing a home, regular season football game in another country… I believe Mike Tomlin has to play his starters on offense at least for a series in the opener. Yes, injuries are always a concern but the unit is struggling and needs to work out the kinks… Derrick Harmon looks the part so far. He’s been stout against the run and has been becoming more of a pass rushing threat everyday… Jack Sawyer also looks as advertised. He is setting the edge as violently as any OLB we’ve had and his pass rushing is coming along. He knows he has to be more than just a power rusher… I watched the movie ‘September 5th’ this weekend. It was a re-telling of the 1972 Munich Summer Games in which terrorists raided the Israeli part of the Olympic Village. I highly recommend it… We finally get to see the Steelers in game action on Saturday at 7pm. The Steelers will take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville. Should be plenty hot and humid!
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