Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Monday.
The Kickoff
After a few days off, the Pittsburgh Steelers return to work. This is after all, game week. The season opener in New York awaits. And with it, are questions. How rusty will Aaron Rodgers look? Can the run defense – without Derrick Harmon – bounce back from last year? Will the offensive line finally come together? Will the lack of a true number two wideout be as problematic as many think? These are but a few of many questions we all have as the season kicks off on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
QB Stock Up and Stock Down
Something I’m going to do each week is look at the performances of college QBs. As you know, the Steelers are desperate to find their next franchise quarterback and most anticipate next year’s draft – which is in Pittsburgh – will bring one. Here’s a look at what some of the top guys did this weekend.
Cade Klubnik (Clemson) 19/38 230yds INT
Arch Manning (Texas) 17/30 170yds TD, INT
Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) 25/39 257yds 2TD, INT 7 carries 73 yards 2TD
LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) 12/19 209 TD, 13 carries 26 yards TD
Drew Allar (Penn State) 22/26 217yds TD 6 carries 20 yards
John Mateer (Oklahoma) 30/37 392yds 3TD, INT 7 carries 24 yards TD
It’s just one week and you also have to consider the opponents as well. Manning played a very good Ohio State defense, but he never got comfortable in my opinion… Klubnik also played a very good LSU’ defense and got his team in position to tie it up but he couldn’t make enough plays… Sellers is the real deal as a dual threat QB. He’ll need to learn some touch with the ball.
The Podcast
Episode 436 of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc is available. We took a hard look at the Steelers’ roster and much more! And don’t miss this week’s show! It’s our huge Season Preview Show with tons of predictions and prognostications!
No Excuses
Mike Tomlin made the decision to sit many of his best players throughout the preseason. While for some guys it doesn’t mean as much as it does for others, it could be an issue. I don’t care how much experience Aaron Rodgers has, his time to adjust to his new teammates has been limited. T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward also sat out all three preseason games as well. Regardless of the outcome I don’t want to hear a damn thing about “rust.”
Speaking Cam (and Bos)
With less than a week to go before the season opener, both Cam Heyward and Chris Boswell are hopeful of more money. The Steelers are known for not negotiating once the opening kickoff happens so if one of both are going to get something done it has to happen soon. Heyward would like to see the money he’s guaranteed next year given now while Bos is simply arguing that he’s the best kicker and needs to be paid like it.
Random Reads
Younger Steelers’ fans… I hope you learn patience. I see so many hoping the team gets a franchise QB next year. Keep in mind it was roughly two decades before we found one after Terry Bradshaw… Would all of these one-handed catches I’ve seen this weekend happen if these guys weren’t wearing gloves? I wonder… Watched Oliver Stone’s ‘JFK’ with my daughter this weekend. She had never seen it. More than thirty years old and it’s still amazing and relatable in many ways… I predict Alabama will have a new coach next year… An American man hasn’t won the US Open in tennis in over two decades. Pete Sampras where are you???
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