Steelers News: Minkah Fitzpatrick, the perfect amount of confident, not cocky

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season is officially over. After finishing the year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, has another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how recent comments made by Minkah Fitzpatrick regarding Patrick Mahomes is confidence, not arrogance.

Let’s get to the news:

• Confident, not cocky, that is what best describes Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Tim Benz: Minkah Fitzpatrick’s quotes about Patrick Mahomes were confident, not cocky

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

As you may have heard by now, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick “is” the Steelers’ first-round choice in this month’s upcoming NFL Draft.

At least that’s what people keep demanding that I say.

Does that mean Derick Brassard “was” the Penguins’ first-round pick in 2018? You never hear that trade presented in such a fashion. Maybe that’s because, by extension, that now means either Nick Bjugstad or Jared McCann “is” that pick now?

Oof! The accounting trick isn’t quite as impressive when you frame it that way, is it?

I hate employing that logic about the Fitzpatrick trade because it feels like Steelers fans — and Kevin Colbert himself — are trying to shine up a trade that sparkles on its own.

Why bother? Fitzpatrick is a great player. An All-Pro. Worthy of the price paid without the extra elbow grease.

No need to make it sound like you stole something that you already got for a great deal.

In fact, the third-year 2020 first-round pick-to-be (See. It looks really weird when you put it in print, doesn’t it?) is already so good that ESPN appears to be subtly positioning him as defensive foil for NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• A virtual NFL Draft...this ought to be interesting.

NFL going virtual for upcoming draft

By: Associated Press

The NFL Draft will be conducted in a virtual format, with team personnel working from their homes.

In a memo sent to the 32 teams Monday and obtained by the Associated Press, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell outlined procedures for the April 23-25 draft. The guidelines include no group gatherings.

“We have reviewed this matter in the past few days with both the competition committee and CEC (a group of league executives),” Goodell wrote, “and this will confirm that clubs will conduct their draft operations remotely, with club personnel separately located in their homes.”

All team facilities were closed March 26, and Goodell has ordered them to remain shut indefinitely.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Ben Roethlisberger is a big fan of Eric Ebron.

Ben Roethlisberger “really impressed” with Eric Ebron

By: Josh Alper, ProFootballTalk

Ben Roethlisberger and Eric Ebron haven’t played a game or even worked out together yet, but they’ve already formed a mutual admiration society.

Ebron signed with the Steelers as a free agent last month and the tight end said he’s “always had this love” for the longtime Steelers quarterback. He also said he hopes to be Roethlisberger’s “security blanket” on offense, which seems like it has a good chance of happening given how Roethlisberger feels about Ebron.

“I was a big fan of his coming out [of college],” Roethlisberger said, via Ed Bouchette of TheAthletic.com. “I was really impressed with him, thought he was a great football player. Ebron said to me, ‘When I was with [former Steelers receiver] Lance Moore in Detroit, he told me how much you wanted me when I was coming out or a free agent. I just wanted to thank you.’ Now that he’s here, I’m excited to see what he can bring to this team. We know he’s an incredible talent. Speaking to him, I can see his desire, and his passion to be great. I’m excited what he can bring to the table opposite Vance [McDonald].”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• BTSC articles you may have missed...

No “Hard Knocks” for the black-and-gold, reportedly

Handing out some grades for the Free Agents lost by the Steelers

Taking a look at the Steelers’ draft needs, 1.0

Bud Dupree is sitting pretty with his current situation

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