Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Thursday.
The Kickoff
Troy Fautanu left for just a play or two on Sunday before returning. That was the good news. The bad news is that he didn’t practice Wednesday. The injury report lists him with an ankle and while I hate to speculate, if it’s the dreaded high-ankle sprain then this could be serious. The beat writers made the immediate connection at practice noting that Dylan Cook was on the left side. This likely means Max Iheanachor is in line for his first start if Fautanu can’t go. You may have also noticed this week that the Steelers had two tackles in for tryouts, Charlie Heck and Austin Deculus. Neither has signed with the team but it’s clear they need help at the position.
Brand New Show Tonight
Episode 490 of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc airs tonight at 10pmET. We’ll recap the good and bad from week one and look ahead to the Patriots as well.
Something to Consider
While teams can always find ways to make room for a player, many teams have their rosters set save for a few million needed for signing some depth. Any team truly considering trading for Joey Porter, Jr will therefore need to have some room. And also, the team listed JPJ as “limited” due to conditioning rather than his back issue. I found that odd.
Re-Visiting Jones
As the Steelers deal with what could be major issues at tackle, one has to wonder whether or not trading Broderick Jones was a good idea. Hindsight is always 20/20 right? Honestly, the way Jones was pass blocking was poor at best. Finding a guy off the street who does the same thing is easy especially knowing you got two draft picks in exchange for Jones. In other words, I do not believe the Steelers are regretting their decision to trade him.
100% Accurate!
Harmon
I saw someone on social media suggest that Derrick Harmon not having a better statistical game Sunday was the result of him being a “poor pass rusher.” Go back and watch the tape. Harmon was double-teamed more often than he wasn’t. Does he need to learn how to deal with those double teams better? No doubt but let’s not pretend he was left one on one all game either.
Random Reads
Aaron Rodgers says he isn’t worried at all about D.K. Metcalf’s “drops” issues last week. I’m glad he’s not because I am… If and this is one of those big “If’s,” the Steelers can continue that OLB rotation that we saw last week then that should go a long way for them during the season… Big thanks to the NCAA for telling us what we already knew. Western Michigan was 100% robbed of their win at Michigan… I see LSU has listed star QB Sam Leavitt as “doubtful” for their huge matchup at Ole Miss. Don’t buy it. This is Lane Kiffin being an ass… If Michael Pittman, Jr can’t go Sunday then Roman Wilson REALLY has to step up.
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