Good Thursday to you Steelers fans.
We often forget that even the best of NFL players and the worst can have feelings. Some share theirs while many will never say a word. With Vince McDonald now off to the world of retirement, Eric Ebron remains the Steelers only real choice at tight end. With Zach Gentry and Kevin Rader behind him, there isn’t much in the way of competition. Ebron however likes to be on social media and he doesn’t always like what he finds. When a tweet suggesting that the Steelers hadn’t found a tight end since Heath Miller was posted Ebron replied with “I must suck (Sad face emoji).” The honest truth here Eric is that the tweet is accurate. We haven’t come close to the combination of blocking and receiving that Miller offered and while Ebron can be a serious receiving threat, his drops and complete lack of in-line blocking skills leave no comparison to the former Steelers’ great. I’m sorry he has sore feelings over this but the truth hurts.
$6 Million? Right.
I understand that Bud Dupree is rehabbing his torn ACL right now. Will that affect his chances of getting a huge free agent payday? Yes it will because teams will want to see how well he returns to form. That said, the great John Clayton, formerly of Pittsburgh and ESPN, said yesterday on local radio that he expects Dupree sign for one year and $6 million. I have always enjoyed Clayton’s work but I can’t in any universe see a guy who was producing the way Dupree was taking just $6 million per season. I could be wrong but I would be totally stunned. He’s still a very good pass rusher and he’s a notoriously hard worker so I don’t think the rehab will be an issue. And also this… If he actually played at that amount he would be around the 45th highest paid EDGE rusher…
Tweet of the Day… I dunno. 33-year old QB who has had some injury issues? Not sure I’d give up a first.
Peter King says at least 5 teams will likely offer at least a first-round pick to trade for Matt Stafford.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 28, 2021
The Running Back
As I type this (and this week I’ve started my Draft work), I just don’t see the Steelers taking a running back in the first round. If the offensive line was let’s say, one guy away from being a solid unit again, then I’d be able to see it. But this unit needs multiple bodies. recent history has also proven that you can find starting-caliber running backs outside of the first round. Don’t forget they are also much less likely to sign second contracts these days as well. So yeah, as of right now in late January, I don’t see it happening.
And to Clarify…
I get the sense that some fans believe Dwayne Haskins was signed to potentially be the starter especially if Ben Roethlisberger retires. Make no mistake here, Mason Rudolph will be the starter next fall if Big Ben is gone. We would need to see a monumental shift in Haskins’ play in order to even consider his being the starter. The Steelers signed him to the absolute lowest deal they could and will have nothing to concern themselves with financially if they cut him. This is about giving a guy a chance at no risk and hoping that maybe you strike gold with him down the road.
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Have a great day Steeler Nation!
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