Good Thursday to you Steelers fans.
No one in sports likes the word “rebuild.” No one hates that word more than the fans is what I should say. After Sunday’s ass-kicking in Cincinnati, that word has been used a lot this week. Here’s my take on it. When this season began, David DeCastro moving on was not something on anyone’s radar. The Steelers realized his ankle was not healing properly and released him. That was the first blow because he was going to be the veteran presence and the “glue” of an otherwise young and inexperienced offensive line. Next was (and is) the Stephon Tuitt situation. No one saw this coming. Tyson Alualu breaks his ankle early in the season and suddenly the defense is in trouble. To add to that, Devin Bush isn’t playing well and the team has had to deal with injuries to Joe Haden as well. Offensively, the O-Line seemed to be coming together during that win streak but it has since reverted or regressed significantly. Throw in the loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ben Roethlisberger put on the Covid-19 list for a week and an under-achieving Chase Claypool and here we are. None of this mentions the coaching staff and their struggles. What I’m getting at is this. When this season started I believe Mike Tomlin thought this team could compete for a postseason berth and I agreed by suggesting they’d finish 9-8 and make it as a wild-card. As the weeks have gone by however (I think it started in the Bears’ game) the outlook has turned more towards rebuilding and gaining experience. Even if this team puts together a couple of wins to make the postseason they aren’t getting to the Super Bowl. Not even close my friends… So yeah, do I think we’ve reached the dreaded “rebuild” word? I do although Tomlin and Kevin Colbert would never admit it. Have faith and have patience everyone, but mostly patience.
The Podcast
After a hiatus for the Thanksgiving holiday we are back with the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc. We’ll record tonight and as you can imagine we have a lot to say on what is happening with our Steelers.
Tweet of the Day… What he said.
[Heyward cont.] "I know there has been a big deal about freaking music, but I’m done talking about it because at at the end of the day I’m here to play with my teammates, these coaches, everybody in the best position, and it’s my job to lead everybody.”
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) December 2, 2021
From the Training Room
STEELERS
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Pectoral/Right Shoulder) – DNP
CB Joe Haden (Foot) – DNP
LB Robert Spillane (Knee) – DNP
OL Trai Turner (Coaches Decision) – DNP
OL Zach Banner (Illness) – DNP
WR Chase Claypool (Toe) – Limited
LS Christian Kuntz (Hip) – Full
TE Pat Freiermuth (Concussion) – Full
RAVENS
CB Anthony Averett (Shoulder/Ankle) – DNP
TE Nick Boyle (Knee) – DNP
C Bradley Bozeman (Shin Laceration) – DNP
WR Devin (Duvernay Thigh) – DNP
OLB Justin Houston (NIR – Rest) – DNP
OL Patrick Mekari (Ankle) – DNP
T Cedric Ogbuehi (Thigh) – DNP
FB Patrick Ricard (Foot/Thigh) – DNP
CB Chris Westry (Thigh) – DNP
CB Tavon Young (Illness) – DNP
WR Miles Boykin (Finger) – Limited
DT Calais Campbell (Concussion) – Limited
LB Patrick Queen (Ribs) – Limited
CB Jimmy Smith (Neck) – Limited
Injury Notes: Great development to see Freiermuth a full participant. Should be able to play on Sunday… Keep an eye on the guys with “illness” next to their names.
Pro Bowl
Voting for the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl is now underway. You can vote for all of your favorite Steelers by clicking this link right here. I’m of the opinion that Chris Boswell, Cam Heyward, Diontae Johnson and T.J. Watt should 100% be on their way to this game.
Our Online Store
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