Good Thursday to You Steelers’ Fans.
With apologies to all other NFL fan bases no one overreacts quite like Steeler Nation does. We are passionate and we are largely knowledgeable about the game but we really do have quick trigger fingers when it comes to expressing our best and quickest hot takes. On Sunday in San Francisco, Mason Rudolph will make his first career NFL start. He will make good plays and he will make bad plays. This is as certain as fog on San Francisco Bay. Win or lose, by Sunday night there will extreme opinions offered that will either make him out to be the next Tom Brady or the next Ryan Leaf. Despite knowing better, I still caution all of us not to overreact. He’s the guy this season for the long haul regardless of what happens in Levi’s Stadium. Let us not get carried away with our rushes to judgment and instead let’s just throw our support behind the young man and see where we after by mid-season. I realize just about everything I’ve written has little to no chance of coming true but I had to say it. Give the kid a chance through several games not just one.
On the Injury Front
From Wednesday’s practice: STEELERS CB Joe Haden (Shoulder) – DNP, FB Roosevelt Nix (Knee) – DNP, LB Vince Williams (Hamstring) – DNP, LB Anthony Chickillo (Foot) – DNP, RB James Conner (Knee) – DNP, TE Vance McDonald (Back) – Limited 49ERS RB Tevin Coleman (Ankle) – DNP, DE Dee Ford (Quadricep) – DNP, S Jaquisky Tartt (Ankle) – DNP, WR Jalen Herd (Back) – DNP, T Joe Staley (Fibula) – DNP, WR Trent Taylor (Foot) – DNP, DE Joey Bosa (Ankle) – Limited, DB Jimmie Ward (Hand) – Limited
Staley is a big loss for them as he has a broken leg. If Bud Dupree can’t take advantage here than I don’t hold out any more hope for the former first rounder… I expect to see Haden, Conner and McDonald play on Sunday for the Steelers.
Tweet of the Day… Another amazing shot of the Steel City here from Dave.
The way the sun rises behind the #Pittsburgh skyline from the West End Bridge, especially on somewhat cloudy mornings, is an incredible scene. There's this beautiful golden glow that contrasts perfectly with the silhouetted buildings that makes being a photographer pretty easy. pic.twitter.com/ECT8RrAzJE
— Dave DiCello (@DaveDiCello) September 19, 2019
More Reasons to Question What is Going On With the Defense
Yesterday I wrote a pretty scathing article on the Steelers’ defense and their ‘miscommunication’ problems which have plagued the unit for several years now. Here’s another perfect example of what I was talking . Note: He means Pittsburgh in the second clip. This is literally the exact same formation and the exact same routes run by the receivers. Are there differences? Yes, of course there are but it doesn’t excuse the fact the defense still didn’t understand what they were supposed to do.
Now here's Seattle at KC from this past weekend. Nearly the same spot on the field and everything: pic.twitter.com/Q4Dx4TlFOw
— Mark Schofield (@MarkSchofield) September 19, 2019
Bos is Back (Crosses Fingers Behind Back)
So far Chris Boswell has been perfect on his PATs and field goals in 2019. This has largely flown under the radar due to the injuries and the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick. This is how it should be quite frankly. When the kicker does his job it’s just another day. When he doesn’t, it becomes front page news. Here’s hoping that Bos remains on his current pace.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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