SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The ‘Not Quite 53’ Edition

Good Wednesday to you Steelers fans.

I’m starting to see more and more roster projections coming out across numerous platforms but personally I think it’s too soon. We’ve yet to see a single preseason game so I have a hard time trying to fit the pieces together. Mike Tomlin has a pretty solid idea of the top 45 players or so already but things can (and sadly will) change. I say “sadly” because injuries happen. They’re inevitable in this business and more than one superstar in the NFL got his chance due to an injury. As to the positions where the tough calls will be made let’s start at wide receiver. In a perfect world, Calvin Austin III handles the return duties superbly and Gunner Olszewski can be cut. But you know how Tomlin loves his veterans… On the offensive line, I tend  to think the only real question is Kendrick Green. It’s not his fault he was drafted in the third round and was thrust into a starting center role with little experience. But, his chances of making it are slim despite them playing around with him as a fullback… Defensively I think it’s about numbers. How many do they keep on the O-Line? Six? Seven? That will matter on how many they keep in the secondary because both the OLB and ILB lineups are set. Outside of injuries, performances in the three preseason games will matter as well especially for guys who can play Special Teams too. In other words, the team is coming into shape but I’m not ready to project anything just yet.

The Podcast(s)

This week on the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc we will actually have two shows. No, we won’t be having a crazy OVERTIME as we did last week… We’ll have the regular show on Thursday at 10pmET but earlier in the day I’ll be interviewing Nick Farabaugh who is now a full time beat writer for SteelersNow. He does terrific work and has been a constant at Camp this season. His insights will be excellent.

Tweet of the Day… Further proof as to why he’s one of the worst radio personalities out there.

This is awful from FS1, Colin Cowherd and everyone invovled.

Cowherd made a list of "QBs that can’t win a Super Bowl" and including the late Dwayne Haskins on it and then read his name as well and didn't correct himself.

Just so bad all around.pic.twitter.com/HlAtO9Tf3V

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 8, 2023

Camp Tidbits

After a few days of struggles the offense roared to a 5-2 win in “Seven Shots.” This segment of practice is always important but it has taken on added significance because of Red Zone incompetence last year. Kenny Pickett had the lowest QB rating of any regular QB in the RZ last year so that has to get better. It’s non-negotiable… There isn’t a rookie alive who has ever entered the NFL as “perfect” and Joey Porter, Jr found that out yesterday. During a one-on-one tackling drill he whiffed twice and no one knows better than him that he can’t do that. Several vets including Minkah Fitzpatrick came over to talk with him afterwards… Ryan Clark was at practice yesterday looking and sounding like he was ready to suit up… Diontae Johnson has had a really nice Camp but he’s flown under the radar mostly because everyone is watching George Pickens. I’m hopeful this is a sign of good things coming for Johnson… I have no idea how Darnell Washington won’t be a huge Red Zone threat. His size, strength and athleticism is nearly impossible to overcome. Any ball thrown to him should either be caught by him or incomplete because it’s out of the end zone.