Good Friday to You Steelers’ fans.
“Rice-o-roni… the San Francisco treat!!!!‘
I’m assuming many of you older folks remember that commercial jingle from times gone by. Now our Steelers head West in need of a treat of their own and it isn’t going to be easy. The 49ers defense is really good. They had two pick-sixes in week one in Tampa Bay and shut down the Bengals who looked good in Seattle. Running the ball and using play-action will be of utmost importance in not only finding offensive success but also in settling Mason Rudolph too. Defensively, the Steelers have to face tight end George Kittle just a week after getting torched by a Seattle tight end no one had ever heard of before. Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t getting the ball out of his hands at an alarming rate of quickness which is ultimately what led to success for Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh. There are no moral victories in this game or any other. A ‘strong’ or ‘good’ performance only matters if the Steelers win and it’s not going to be easy. Oh, there’s that “Mike Tomlin can’t win on the West Coast’ thing too.
Taco Thursday?
I was informed late last night that the Steelers put in a waiver claim on recently released defensive end Taco Charlton. He was eventually granted to the Miami Dolphins (I thought they were tanking) thus not giving the Steelers a shot at him. Tomlin likes Michigan guys so it’s not a huge surprise. That said, I’m not sure where they would have fit him anyway.
Tweet of the Day… I would say this is pretty accurate.
The NFL has clarified the Roughing the Passer rule
Defenders are not allowed to:
-Run toward a QB
-Tackle a QB
-Hit a QB
-Touch a QB
-Breathe on a QB
-Look at a QB
-Say the letters “Q” and “B” togetherAs long as they do none of that, they will avoid a roughing penalty
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 20, 2019
The Latest Podcast is Up
We recorded the Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast presented by 26hshirts.com/Pittsburgh last night and its ready for your enjoyment. Ian, Ben and I looked at what Mason Rudolph needs to do to be successful, discussed the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick and we admitted our patience is worn out with Keith Butler.
Thursday Injury Report (via steelers.com)
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) – Full, TE Vance McDonald (Back) – Full, LB Bud Dupree (Ankle) – Limited, LB Mark Barron (Not injury related) – DNP 49ERS RB Tevin Coleman (Ankle) – DNP, DE Dee Ford (Quadricep) – DNP, WR Jalen Herd (Back) – DNP, T Joe Staley (Fibula) – DNP, WR Trent Taylor (Foot) – DNP, S Jaquisky Tartt (Toe) – Limited, DE Nick Bosa (Ankle) – Limited, DB Jimmie Ward (Hand) – Limited
Done Dealing?
You’d think the Steelers, after trading away a third in the move for Devin Bush and then a first for Minkah Fitzpatrick, would not be in any hurry to make any more trades right? That might not be so accurate. I’ve learned the Steelers could be in the market for a veteran wide receiver or tight end before the trade deadline. We already know we’ve seen things that are very “un-Steeler-like” so maybe it keeps rolling? I do wonder however if the loss of Ben Roethlisberger changes their plans.
Stepping Up
If Randy Fichtner puts this entire game in the hands of Mason Rudolph then my expectations are low. Rudolph will need guys to step up and make plays who otherwise haven’t yet this year. James Washington, Rudolph’s college teammate, could be that guy. But so too could it be Jaylen Samuels or Diontae Johnson. The bottom line is that someone needs to help Rudolph because he shouldn’t and can’t be expected to carry things himself.
Have a great day Steeler Nation!
QH is presented by
