Good Wednesday to you Steelers fans.
The National Football League is a reactionary institution. Rarely do the 32 owners enact new rules or legislation that are based on a proactive measure. Such is the case with overtime. The owners voted yesterday to make sure that each team in overtime gets at least one possession. The move comes after recent postseason games in Kansas City that saw Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen never get an opportunity to take the field in OT. The change will not affect regular season games. The biggest reason for this is that the game has changed and the owners have finally recognized what they and the league have created. Offenses just have too many advantages and defenses are often left to be perfect in the extra session. It’s the right move and while Mike Tomlin can say he “doesn’t fear sudden death,” he would if his offense is still sitting there never getting a chance.
Added Depth
The Steelers signed LB Genard Avery this week. The 26-year old could work his way into an ‘Arthur Moats type’ who could play both inside and outside. It’s no secret the team needs solid depth at both positions and the former Brown and Eagle, who played collegiately at Memphis, could help with that.
Tweet of the Day… Big Ben was being honored by the Pens last night.
Ben Roethlisberger is standing next to Mario Lemieux as "Renegade" plays.
It's yinzer Heaven!
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) March 30, 2022
Added Protection
The NFL will make OL, DL, LB and TE wear the “Guardian” helmet during Training Camp and into the preseason. Seen in the tweet below, the added protection will help protect against concussions and head trauma. While I appreciate the concern here why not running backs? Wide Receivers? DBs?
NFL owners have approved a mandate for all OL, TE, DL and LB to wear Guardian Cap helmet shells from the beginning of training camp until the second preseason game.
Goal is to reduce avoidable head contact. pic.twitter.com/EMFdvfDVOE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 29, 2022
Trade Rudy?
The Athletic’s Ed Bouchette this morning suggested the Steelers should trade Mason Rudolph and draft a QB next month. Easier said than done but I see his point. It’s crystal clear that Rudy isn’t the QB for this team going forward so why put him through any more misery? Let Dwayne Haskins back up Trubisky. The problem as Bouchette points out is you need a trade partner and that may not happen until late into Training Camp. It’s probably not a bad idea to listen to offers if I’m Kevin Colbert but there isn’t a rush if I’m him either.
Najee Concern
Mike Tomlin loves him some Najee Harris and based on his comments at the Owners Meetings we shouldn’t expect to see a different workload for Harris. That is BIG TIME concerning for me but at the same time it signals exactly what we figured when he was drafted. Tomlin will literally run the wheels off of Harris like he has with most other main backs during his tenure. I can’t help but wonder why Tomlin is so afraid of having that other back or two to get some action. Successful teams in recent years all have two backs at least that are key parts of their offenses. We’ve seen this cost the Steelers in the postseason before so Tomlin better be ready for the criticism should this occur again.
FOCO
The great people at FOCO have released their brand new Steelers Spring Collection and I’ve got it right here for you. We get a small percentage back on anything that you buy so please consider it! There are tons of great Steelers item on their site outside of the Spring collection too!
Our Online Store
Please visit our online store! We have been so fortunate to work with DC4L Custom Tees! They are wonderful to work with and are willing to work with you on just about any design you can come up with! Here’s our latest idea which is a tribute to our two great retired quarterbacks!
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