Pittsburgh Steelers Fact or Fiction: The Postseason Aftermath edition

The Steelers offense was embarrassing down the stretch of the 2019 season, and the postseason dreams of the entire team subsequently died because of it. But Steeler fans are always there through thick and thin. There is never a fair weather bone found in one’s body. Now the franchise and their followers are focusing on 2020. BTSC takes some bold statements and labels them as fact or fiction. Are they on point? Only time will tell.

The Duck Hodges Era has ended in Pittsburgh

Fact

I think he may get an invite to camp, but the fact of the matter is that Hodges accomplished way more than ever expected. I will look back fondly on the service provided by Devlin Hodges, but I don’t expect him to ever start a game in the NFL again. He valiantly extended the season with passion, but teams figured out his game and he had very little help. I would think that Paxton Lynch would get a stronger and deeper look.

Terrell Edmunds getting an All-Pro vote is less of a head scratcher than Maurkice Pouncey receiving four.

Fiction

Yes, it may seem inconceivable Maurkice Pouncey received four votes. Despite a slight regression in play, he still played well at times. Pro Football Focus ranked Pouncey at 36 for his position. But the offensive line that No. 53 anchors acres ranked 10th overall. Edmunds highlights were very few and way too far between and the second-year safety ranked 60th among those at the safety spot. Maybe they mistook him for bro Tremaine who is a defensive standout for the Buffalo Bills or his RB brother, Tre, who had more picks for the Steelers than he did.

All Steeler fans should be rooting for Tennessee this coming weekend

Fact

Maybe I’m the only one offended by John Harbaugh‘s team trying to embarrass the Steelers over and over again in the fourth quarter of the game they were thoroughly dominating. I hear some Steeler fans saying that they would root for them to win the Super Bowl because they are in the AFC North as well. Maybe I’m not that nice or being a yinzer in Maryland has made me even more bitter, but don’t ever root for arrival. Especially one as hated as the Ravens..

Rookie Diontae Johnson’s Second-Team selection as an All Pro will not be his last

Fact

Not many people were excited about the selection of the Toledo wideout in the third round of the 2019 draft back in April. However, Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers Scouting Department know a lot more than we do. Although Johnson made it as a punt returner, his 59 catches for 680 yards and five touchdowns led the team in 2029. No. 18 seems to be a superstar-in-waiting and nobody is questioning the selection now.

If you can only keep one FA defender between Javon Hargrove and Bud Dupree...It should be Dupree

Fact

This is a tough one, because iIt comes down to value, price tag, skepticism and need. The Steelers value both of these players and they both contributed to a great 2019 season on defense. But when it comes down to it, the front office needs to assess who along with Cam Heyward, TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick was more responsible for the change in fortune and culture. While the price tag for one may be higher than the other...Dupree seems to be the more impactful of the two stalwarts.

Are these statements valid? We will soon see. What matters most is your opinions on the matter. Please state them in the comments below.