Home Quick Hitters SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The “Mandatory” Edition

SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The “Mandatory” Edition

by Steeldad

Good Monday to you Steelers fans.

Today begins the final mini-camp of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ OTAs for 2021 and this one is of course “mandatory.” That word has taken on a lot of different meanings in the sports world in recent decades. At the high school or club sports level, volunteer practices usually mean mandatory. At the college level, volunteer practices do mean mandatory if you actually want to see the field. At the NFL level however, mandatory means exactly what it says, “contractually obligated to be there.” Well, sort of it does. Teams may still excuse players for a variety of reasons and teams may also fine players who do not show up without a previously scheduled reason. Take Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay for instance. If he doesn’t show, he’ll likely be looking at fines that total just shy of $100,000. In Pittsburgh, all eyes will be on T.J. Watt. Unless we hear otherwise from the team, he is expected to be at the mini-camp which runs through the 10th. Should Watt not be there then I believe the term “holdout” may start to be used. It usually isn’t applied until Training Camp but for all intents and purposes that will be where we are headed. What’s the issue (if there is one)? Money. Watt has far exceeded his rookie deal and has every right to demand a new deal now. It’s that simple.

Tweet of the Day… Ahhh the good ol’ days!!

The Podcast

We will return this week with our thoughts on the final mini-camp, a few position battles to consider, why the summer is “hold your breath” time for many fans and all 32 organizations and…. We have some big news to share as well! Tune in to the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc!

Media Blackout

You may have missed this but the NFL announced recently that media members will not be allowed in the locker room for the 2021 season. As one writer put it, “We can sit 70,000 fans together but 50 vaccinated journalists can’t go into the locker room?” It’s a really good point. I often have many issues with media members that cover pro football but I also believe that their access is vital to us getting good and accurate information. I’m hoping the league reconsiders this or comes to a compromise.

Grateful

There are several Steelers’ blogs out there who compete with us for you, the reader. Some of these sites are under very strict rules and guidelines about what they can write about, how often they have to write and so on. One of the things I’m grateful for here is that I have no such conditions on myself or those who write for us. We write when we want to. We aren’t wasting your time or ours with a 160-word article about JuJu Smith-Schuster’s hair color. If we are writing we want to give you food for thought, our opinions and our analysis. So thank you for being here. I hope one of the reasons you’re here is that you appreciate our approach.

Our Stuff

If you’d like to get some of our stuff you can visit DC4L for tees and hoodies and hats too and RedBubble for decals, stickers and even masks!!

 

Have a great day Steeler Nation!

QH is presented by

walker

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.