It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Unable to attend most player pro days and participating in the NFL’s first virtual draft, the Steelers keep pushing forward toward a return to football activities. Just because the NFL has cancelled the 2020 Hall of Fame Game and cut the preseason to an undetermined amount of games 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 a former XFL player currently on the Steelers roster who had a lot more than football on his mind this offseason.
Let’s get to the news:
- Jarron Jones knew with both of his parents in the healthcare profession they would be at higher risk during the pandemic
Jones: ‘It was very scary’
By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com
This wasn’t the way the last few months were to have supposed to go for Jarron Jones.
Not even close.
Never in his wildest dreams did he think things would go in the direction they did, and it all happen so quickly.
Six weeks into the XFL’s season, the New York Guardians’ offensive lineman was preparing for a March 14 game against the Houston Roughnecks at MetLife Stadium. He was excited and ready to go to work with his team for another big game. But the game never happened. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the XFL to cancel all games that week, and for the remainder of the season.
“It was different. It was a surprise,” said Jones. “We had a game that weekend. A lot of players were coming down to get their lockers together so they could send our equipment to MetLife Stadium. When we got there our equipment wasn’t there. That is when they let us know that our season is going to be done because of all of this.
“We never had circumstances like that before. I never had a season just end like that. It took some adjustment. I had to figure out getting home, adjusting to the new norm, new rules they have placed in society. Trying to find workouts, stay in shape, work around it, adjust.”
And as the country was shutting down, there were two people who weren’t getting a break, Jones’ parents Matthew and Lakiescha Jones, both who are nurses. They were doing quite the opposite, as frontline workers being asked to step to the plate while putting themselves at risk.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Previewing the Steelers Week 12 matchup against Washington
Countdown to 2020: The Redskins
By: Mike Prisuta, Steelers.com
Date: Dec. 6
Time: 1 p.m.
Venue: Heinz Field
All-Time Regular-Season Series: Redskins lead, 42-33-3
Last Meeting: The Steelers started slowly but finished with a flourish in a season-opening, 38-16 victory over the Redskins on Monday Night Football on Sept. 12, 2016 at FedEx Field. RB DeAngelo Williams rushed for two touchdowns and WR Antonio Brown caught two of QB Ben Roethlisberger’s three TD passes. The Steelers trailed 6-0 after the first quarter but scored at least 10 points in each of the following three quarters and didn’t allow a touchdown until 13:01 remained in regulation.
Last Season: The Redskins went 3-13 and finished fourth in the NFC East. Washington ranked 31st in total offense (22nd rushing, 32nd passing) and 27th in total defense (31st rushing, 18th passing).
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- More of T.J. Watt’s perspective of having his brother Derek join the Steelers
T.J. Watt played ‘both sides’ as Steelers pursued brother Derek in free agency
By: Brooke Pryor, ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt didn’t want to ruin the surprise.
When Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called him earlier this year and told him the team was preparing to seriously pursue his older brother, Derek, 27, in free agency, T.J., 25, thought carefully about what he would tell him.
He wanted to give Derek a heads-up that the Steelers would be calling, but he didn’t want to reveal too much.
“I didn’t want to ruin the surprise or get his hopes up,” T.J. said in an interview with ESPN this week as part of his new partnership with Six Star Pro Nutrition. “I was trying to play both sides of the card.”
Derek’s agent took a similar approach and downplayed the Steelers’ interest in his client until the three-year, $9.75 million offer was on the table.
“They knew how excited I would be for that opportunity to play with T.J. and to play for such a great organization,” Derek said in March. “Then they revealed that, ‘Hey, buddy, all along they were one of the teams all along that wanted you bad. They really respect your game,’ and they think it’s a great fit for me there.”
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- BTSC articles you may have missed
The Steelers offense ranks higher than the defense in the new Madden game
Can Paxton Lynch make it on the Steelers roster again?
5 What Ifs from the past few seasons
The NFL needs to have better support for team personnel to report problems
The Cleveland Browns have been waiting for a turning point for far too long
- Social Media Madness
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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 17, 2020