Steelers News: Forget Antonio Brown, the Steelers want JuJu to just keep improving

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season is over, but if you think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is over — think again. For the drama-filled Steelers, things are just heating up, and this is where the daily links article comes in. You might have missed some key news, and we fill you in and give you the latest, and sometimes greatest, news surrounding the Steelers.

Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the Steelers just want JuJu Smith-Schuster to just keep improving...regardless of where Antonio Brown is playing football in 2019.

Let’s get to the news:

• Forget about Antonio Brown...the Steelers are just hoping JuJu Smith-Schuster keeps improving. And if he does that — watch out.

Replace AB? Steelers want JuJu Smith-Schuster to continue on own career arc

By: Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

“I don’t base that on whether [Antonio Brown] is here or not,” Tomlin said last week from the NFL owners meetings. “I just want to see him grow and mature as a player, as a person. He’s done a good job of that between Year 1 and Year 2.”

Smith-Schuster is his own man now, and that’s exactly how the Steelers want it.

What has become clear is the Steelers don’t want Smith-Schuster focused on replacing Antonio Brown, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders, but rather on maximizing his own enormous potential independent of his NFL receiver peers. A good start is reaffirming his alignment with his quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, in a supportive social media post.

To read the full article, click HERE

• The Steelers secondary is confident, but they might want to be careful what they wish for...

Steelers ‘can’t wait’ to face OBJ twice a season

By: Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

Starting cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steven Nelson have both expressed excitement to match up with the new Cleveland Brown twice a year.

”I can’t wait, man,” Haden told TMZ Sports. “You’ve got to go against the best to be the best.”

Haden is going on his third season with Pittsburgh, but once faced Beckham in 2016 as a member of the Browns. Beckham spent his first four seasons with the New York Giants before the Browns acquired him at the start of free agency. He appeared with new teammates Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett and Jarvis Landry in a news conference Monday.

Last month, Nelson had a news conference of his own in Pittsburgh after signing a three-year, $25.5 million deal with the Steelers.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Sam Darnold is excited to have Le’Veon Bell, and he should be. Bell will be a great weapon, and safety valve for the second year quarterback.

Jets QB Sam Darnold loves signing of Le’Veon Bell

By: Kevin Patra, NFL.com

In an interview with the New York Post before Wednesday’s Yankees game, the Gang Green quarterback glowed about how much the running back can help him, and the rest of the offense.

”I love it. What’s not to love about it? Le’Veon’s a great player,” Darnold said, via The Post’s Brian Costello. “He’s very instinctful, too. He’s very quarterback friendly, which I’ve noticed watching his tape a little bit.”

Bell suggested after signing that he hopes to become Darnold’s “security blanket.” The QB believes there is no better back for that job in the NFL.

”Whenever Big Ben (Roethlisberger) was back there, as a quarterback you sense when time runs out and you start looking for guys and Le’Veon’s always really friendly and right there in your vision or he was always in Ben’s vision. I’m looking forward to that,” Darnold added. “Whenever I need him, just him to be that security blanket that I need, just check it down and he can get yards after the catch. I’m really excited about it.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Many probably don’t forget about Jon Bostic, but after the 2018 season it is easy to even consider him to be an answer at the ILB position. He is ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Bostic prides himself on football IQ

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

When you talk about being a student of the game, you might not find a better example than Jonathan Bostic.

Bostic prides himself on his football IQ, something that came from his dad and not because of football, but because of the importance of education...

“I blitzed a lot more than I ever have,” said Bostic. “I was always the cover guy. I never blitzed that much. In the defenses we ran in the past, I didn’t blitz much. That was new for me. Now heading into my second year here, it’s getting them to understand me even more as a player, how I think, how I play and how I can help the defense.

“For me, I am willing to do whatever is asked. Whatever we have to do to win I am down for it. I like to play fast, play physical. That is what it comes down to.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• AFC North Links

Apparently, RGIII is still considered a commodity
A pair of Ravens are ready to “take the next step”
When Baker Mayfield’s dreams become a reality
Poor, poor Sashi Brown

• Social Media Madness