Good Thursday to you Steelers fans.
The Reese’s Senior Bowl is in full swing, or as I like to call it, the ‘Peanut Butter Bowl.’ This is our first real opportunity to see guys entering the Draft. Keep in mind that the majority of these players are not going in the first round. That does not mean that some will not, but it these are mostly middle to late round guys simply showing what they can do. In some cases, guys are improving their draft stock while in other cases guys may in be deep-sixing themselves with poor play or poor interviews. As you know, Mike Tomlin has been active as usual in terms of his interaction with players. Tomlin has not been shy about where he spends most of his time either. Like last year where he was with the quarterbacks a lot, this year he’s been paying close attention to the offensive and defensive linemen. For more on the latest from the ‘Peanut Butter Bowl’ check out my observations below.
The Podcast
Episode 305 of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc will record tonight. We will discuss the comments by Pat Freiermuth in regards to Matt Canada’s offense and we’ll definitely talk some more NFL Draft, free agency and officiating.
Tweet of the Day… Enough said.
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow which means 6 more months of Bengals fans crying they were screwed.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) February 2, 2023
Day Two Observations
Mike Tomlin may be looking heavily at offensive and defensive lines but I’m looking at literally everything. One guy that stood out a bit was linebacker Daiyan Henley of Washington State. So get this… He used to be a wide receiver. I’ve heard of safeties or running backs becoming LBs but wide receivers? That’s pretty rare. What was noticeable was his demeanor. He has the presence of a wide receiver – the ‘alpha dog’ type if you will – and he showed some really good coverage skills. If this guy proves he can play three downs then he immediately improves his draft stock… Keep an eye on Michigan State’s Jayden Reed. This is a guy who can play any receiver spot, will block and will make the tough catches. He isn’t going to ‘wow’ you with anything in particular but he has the look of a Tomlin type wideout… Monstrous tackle Dawand Jones was out sick and his availability for the rest of the week is uncertain… You know how the Steelers like family stories? Then keep an eye on cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly. His father Brian played DB for Mike Tomlin down in Tampa Bay… This kid from Bowling Green, Karl Brooks, looks like a ‘Black and Gold’ type of guy on the defensive line. He’s built like a nose tackle (which the Steelers could desperately use) but he flashed some real versatility which as you know, the Steelers love.
In Passing
Former Steelers’ running back Sidney Thornton passed away this week. He was 68. He appeared in 74 career games for the Steelers between 1977 and 1982.
Stop It With Lewan
Apparently the new age of free agency, or moving teams in general, is to put yourself on social media. Taylor Lewan, once a very good tackle for the Tennessee Titans is still under contract. However, many believe that with the Titans being in salary cap Hell, he’ll be a casualty and will be cut. Besides the fact that Lewan will be 32 when the season begins, he’s also played in just 20 of a possible 50 regular season games in the last three seasons. He’s been constantly hurt and if you talk to some Titans’ fans, they’ll tell you he really hasn’t been effective in four years. Lewan took to social media this week to plead with T.J. Watt (who has allegedly declined three invitations) to be on his podcast. He wants to be a Steeler in the worst way but in the the immortal words of Regina George in ‘Mean Girls,’ “It’s not going to happen.”
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