Good Tuesday to you Steelers fans.
On the same day that Tyson Alualu came off of the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, Ulysees Gilbert III told reporters he would be laid up for a few weeks with an ankle injury. It’s the NFL story in a microcosm. One guy is up while another is down. Alualu returned on a day in which Larry Ogunjobi also made his debut with the first team and looked good. For Gilbert, it’s a broken record. The guy has wonderful athleticism but just cannot stay healthy. As the old saying goes “If you’re in the tub you can’t make the club.” Gilbert has had a nice camp but his chances have to be wearing out. He needs to be healthy and play in at least one of the three preseason games to have a shot in my opinion.
Two Announcements
Much like the “up and down” topic above, life here at SCB can often be the same. First, I want to thank my long-time behind-the-scenes guy Aaron for everything he’s done here. His graphics and images have been a huge part of the success we’ve had here. Like many of us, he’s got a lot of irons in the fire and needs to focus more on those right now but he knows the door is always open. Secondly, we’ve made Ryan Scarpino an “official” member of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc. The one-time Public Relations man for the Steelers has been a terrific addition to the crew and will likely do some writing as well.
Tweet of the Day… This really is nuts.
Probably the craziest 2021 Steelers stat:
T.J. Watt rushed the passer 439 times last season while breaking the NFL’s single season sack record. He drew just ONE holding penalty.
That’s incredibly hard to fathom and/or super unlucky. Incredible season for #90 nonetheless.
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) August 8, 2022
Frustration
You always know when it’s time to start hitting people in other uniforms because there’s a difference in energy, animosity and frustration the closer the first preseason game gets. This is as normal as the birds that fly South for the winter and North for the summer. The quarterbacks aren’t immune either. Mitchell Trubisky is showing frustration and so too was Mason Rudolph. Rookie George Pickens has raised his intensity and ‘in-your-face’ level as well. It’s all part of the process.
What We’ve Heard
I mentioned recently that the Steelers could keep seven defensive linemen this season and there’s starting to be some speculation that they could keep six wide receivers too. The reason is Miles Boykin. While he’s been ‘OK’ as a receiver, he’s been lights out on Special Teams. That isn’t a surprise. He made his mark in Baltimore as a gunner and he’s out-performing everyone including Justin Layne who could find himself in trouble in terms of finding a roster spot… We’ve talked many times about the need to get Najee Harris more breaks and believe it or not the Steelers seem serious about it. I wouldn’t hold my breath however… OLB Genard Avery is playing well enough to be considered the top depth player at the position according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. That’s good news for the Steelers who needed him to be exactly that as their depth there is flat-out bad… Mason Cole has been better than hoped at center. My expectations for him haven’t been all that great based on his tape in Minnesota and Arizona but our people report he’s more than holding his own… Happy Birthday to Steelers’ Outside Linebacker Alex Highsmith!!
Celebrating 50 years of “Immaculate”
We’ve got a brand new shirt/hoodie in our online store with DC4L Custom Tees celebrating the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception!” Get yours right here.
FOCO
The great people at FOCO have released their brand new Steelers Spring Collection and I’ve got it right here for you. We get a small percentage back on anything that you buy so please consider it! AND…. Check out their selection of reusable bags too! There are tons of great Steelers item on their site outside of the Spring collection too!
Our Online Store
Please visit our online store! We have been so fortunate to work with DC4L Custom Tees! They are wonderful to work with and are willing to work with you on just about any design you can come up with!
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