SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The ‘Choosing Sides’ Edition

Good Monday to you Steelers fans.

Fans are taking sides. Not that they haven’t before and won’t again in the future but it’s getting pretty bad in the Steel City. There’s the group that wants Mike Tomlin fired and the group that doesn’t. There’s the fan base that empathizes with George Pickens and his frustration versus the one who wants him to just grow up. And perhaps the biggest one of all is the argument over whether Kenny Pickett is “the guy” or if it’s time to look elsewhere. These are the things that happen when team success is not there. Oh sure, the team is still in the playoff hunt and has a winning record but if you’ve seen this team all year then you know how they’ve achieved seven wins. Cam Heyward may not like the phrase but they’ve done it with smoke and mirrors. A favorable call here and some dropped passes by the opponent there and boom. There you go. The only thing that settles these debates is winning. In other words, we shall see.

Trubisky-Rudy

Mitchell Trubisky will start on Saturday in Indianapolis and there’s a few reasons for that. One, he’s more athletic and two he’s making a boat load of money and you don’t sit the guy making this much cash unless his play just really falls off. And there’s the rub. What will it take for Tomlin to give Mason Rudolph a shot? Yes yes yes… we know what Rudy is. We’ve seen more than enough to know what to expect right? But what do you have to lose? He doesn’t turn the ball over nearly as much as Trubisky so he’s got that going for him. I digress, it really might not matter. If the defense can’t keep the opponent down it won’t matter.

Tomlin Monday?

Yeah that’s right.  With the Steelers playing on Saturday Mike Tomlin will host his weekly press conference today at Noon. The cliches will be flying to be sure but I’m curious to see his body language and the manner of his replies when the significant issues are raised by the beat writers.

Minkah

Although he’s been in the news more this week for his comments following the loss to New England, the bigger question for me is why is Teryl Austin using Minkah Fitzpatrick the way he is. Since returning from his injury, Minkah has been primarily used as a box safety. There are definitely situations where I can see this being warranted especially with the problems we have at inside linebacker but this isn’t using Minkah where he’s best. When he can sit back and see what’s happening in front of him from a free safety position he’s just better. That’s where the turnover potential comes from. For whatever reasons other than what I’ve stated, Austin continues to use Minkah in strange ways.

Around the NFL

I think what you saw from Patrick Mahomes last night was frustration. Few of us have ever seen him so emotional. He was visibly angry after an offsides call on his receiver that nullified a touchdown. It’s my hope that he apologizes to the official he berated because the call was CORRECT! Kadarius Toney was almost on the Bills’ side of the ball for crying out loud… I have to believe the LA Chargers will be looking for a new head coach. With their loss to Denver at home, Branden Staley’s days are numbered… Hate to say it but there’s a decent chance our Black and Gold finish in the basement of the AFC North. There’s still four weeks left but all three of the division teams are playing better than we are.