SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The ‘More Than a Survey’ Edition

Good Thursday to you Steelers fans.

The second annual NFLPA Survey results were announced yesterday and things got a lot worse for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Players ranked them near the bottom in most categories other than coaching (A) and strength coaches (B+). Those coaches by the way are no longer employed by the Steelers. Some very fair questions have been asked about the authenticity of the survey. How many players took part? When was it given? and so on but surveys like this, no matter how imperfect, still matter. The Kansas City Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in the last four years yet ranked near the bottom in many categories too. This is leading many to suggest that these surveys matter even less if players “overcome” these concerns to win championships. Look at it this way, whether you make minimum wage or millions of dollars, everyone wants to work in an environment that is at the very least ‘welcoming’ and ‘respectful.’ Yes, these men are paid a lot of money but they also put their bodies through hell. Is it too much to ask that their families are treated well on gamedays? I’ve also been told that some teams prefer to have locker rooms that are a bit more “stale” rather than something that’s filled with glitz and glamour… Here’s why that’s total bullshit. Have you seen the locker rooms at Alabama? Georgia? Michigan? They make most NFL locker rooms look embarrassing yet those teams consistently put out winning teams. The idea that having those amenities ‘softens’ the team up is just stupid. Look, almost all of us have taken surveys that we feel will go unheard and unread but that doesn’t mean all surveys are bad. No one is suggesting the Steelers build the ‘Taj Mahal’ of facilities but expecting some basic upgrades is totally fair.

Moving the Trade Deadline?

Our division rivals, the Cleveland Browns, have suggested that the NFL move the trade deadline back from week eight to week ten. It pains me to agree with anything the Browns might suggest but I whole-heartedly agree with this. Week eight isn’t even the halfway point. Moving it a couple of weeks allows teams more time to decide whether they are still in the playoff hunt or if they are going to sell off some players.

The Podcast

The latest edition of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc airs LIVE tonight on our YouTube channel at 10pmET. We will discuss the NFLPA survey, dive into the key roster decisions the Steelers are facing and also talk about everything going on at the NFL Combine!

Congratulations and Thank You

The Steelers announced today that long-time radio play-by-play man Bill Hillgrove was retiring. He will still call Pitt Panthers football and basketball but his time calling the Steelers is over. His duties with the Steelers started over 30 years ago. Hillgrove called four Super Bowls in his time and countless postseason games. Radio voices are a dying breed these days. His is a voice that will be missed.

Combine Meetings

The Steelers have already been hard at work in terms of interviews with potential draft picks. Here are some names of note that they’ve met with so far. Byron Murphy, DT, Texas… EDGE rushers from Michigan Braiden McGregor and Jalen Harrell… Inside Linebackers JD Bertrand of Notre Dame, Tommy Eichenberg of Ohio State, Junior Colson of Michigan and Jeremiah Trotter, JR of Clemson. Keep in mind that only the linebackers and D-Linemen have been available so far. If you’re looking for a radical take after just some meetings it’s this; the Steelers will draft both a defensive lineman and an inside backer in this year’s draft.

Draft Prep

Click on this link which will take you to all of our Draft Profiles and Mock Drafts. We’ll start rolling out more profiles later this week.