A look back at the Steelers week that was from a black-and-gold mind

It was an eventful week in Pittsburgh and just another seven days in paradise for the author. With so much going on with the Steelers, BTSC decided that we should recap those events for our readers. But where they went wrong was asking the one narcissistic writer that would put a bizarre spin on it. So let’s all take a look at a BAD week in the Burgh together.

• The Steelers announced the signing of of G/T Joe Haeg and ST specialist Miles Killebrew officially on Tuesday, but it happened a few days earlier. The moves kind of dispelled the theory that JuJu’s contract led to the Steelers not being able to afford Steven Nelson. Killebrew is a big deal on special teams and Haeg just won a ring in Tampa. You may remember his drop of a Tom Brady pass in the end zone in the Super Bowl win, but that doesn’t discount this being a solid depth signing. Just don’t expect him to be a top receiving target of Big Ben.
• This week, former Steeler and current Brown Ryan Switzer took to social media again asking prayers for Christian, his nine-moth old son who was undergoing a transfusion and back in the hospital for unexplained bleeding. Switzer had said doctors still weren’t sure what was causing the bleeding. This is so much bigger than the trivia of football statistics. Blessings and prayers to the Switzers.
• The Steelers signed a player at Georgia’s Pro Day by the name of Tyler Simmons on Monday. The receiver could be a significant camp competitor for a roster spot in August.
• Ian Rappaport announced on Twitter that Ola Adeniyi, the Steelers special teams ace, would be following fellow linebacker Bud Dupree to Tennessee. I liked Adeniyi and thought he was a solid depth piece in Pittsburgh, but he wasn’t widely considered an “ace” on Danny Smith Jr.’s unit. Ola, not Ole, was more like a seven of diamonds. Looks like Mr. Rappaport may want to follow the Steelers a little more closely for a number of reasons. Nuts! I just remembered that Rap blocked BTSC co-editor Jeff Hartman on Twitter. Will I be subjected to the same punishment?
• Ate from Jimmy’s Famous Seafood truck for the first time in my life. A great thing to come out of Baltimore. (It’s too bad that Wang Harbs and his band of purple jerks have sullied the image of such a great city.) I need some Bud Dupree or Ted Danson money (See Seinfeld’s final episode to enjoy that reference) fast to be able to continually my new obsession...the Crab Cake Egg Roll. Hartman! Schofield! It’s time to renegotiate my contract.
• Speaking of getting a new deal, Steven Nelson was cut by the Steelers after the team agreed to let him seek out a trade. Still don’t know what really happened to lead to the divorce between the franchise and a player that seemingly loved each other. Well, business did get in the way, just don’t know the deets. In fact, it seems like both sides were protecting their best interest in this unforgiving era of football and there might not be a true bad guy here. Just victims of gridiron circumstance.
• Binged watched four seasons of the Sopranos this week. My 13-year old son came into the room and I didn’t turn it off. Good parenting decision? My wife didn’t think so. I guess her disillusion with me was justified when her baby boy threatened to whack his sister with a cannoli.
• The Steelers gave Cassius Marsh a new contract on Wednesday. He’s got the bad-ass look not typical of a trading card game aficionado. There wasn’t much of a sample size since showing up in late November of 2020, but Marsh could be a Pokemonster on special teams and on the edge for the black and gold.
• TMZ caught Chase Claypool on camera engaging in a brawl. It has been alleged that the Steelers 22-year-old receiver was defending a woman at an establishment in Costa Mesa, California. I’ve been in a similar situation before defending a family member and I had some people look differently at me from that point forward. I get that it is not a good look for Chase, but I want to hear more before I label No. 11 as a problem. I’m hoping that this is a one-off situation.
• Filled in briefly on The Curtain Call with Michael Beck on Wednesday evening. I’m thinking that the Steelers could go to the Fighting Irish well again this season, this time for an offensive lineman or a tight end. The Steelers have drafted more players from Notre Dame than any other franchise.
• Bud Dupree’s love letter to the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh was beautiful. I hope others join me in giving No. 48 a standing ovation and a Terrible Towel wave when he visits Heinz Field this Fall. Alvin will officially always be a Bud of the Burgh.
• Inexplicably, my 11-year old daughter and I engaged in a Beverly Hills Cop movie marathon. I really need to get a job. Another bad parenting decision according to Mrs. BAD. Again, I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because HBO Max is awesome. The biggest surprise is that the trilogy from Eddie Murphy was so much better than I expected. It really held up. Neither one of us can get Harold Faltermeyer’s brilliant instrumental, Axel F, out of our skulls now.
• Art II mentioned on a fan forum that the Steelers are dedicated to fixing the running game. Does it mean that we should start brushing up on Najee Harris, Travis Ettiene and Javonte Williams or is it the offensive line that is going to get the attention?
• Somebody called me an idiot on YouTube because of a comment on The Steelers Preview. It made me soul search. I think I’m more of a boob or a moron, but maybe he’s right.
• Spring cleaning kind of blows.
• I’m thrilled that Artie Burns got re-signed by the Bears for another season. It didn’t work out here, but I hope the Steelers former top pick of 20116 has a career resurgence.
• On Saturday, news got out that Tyson Alualu got Covid-19, couldn’t get to Jacksonville to sign his new deal and decided to stay in Pittsburgh with an assist going to Karl Dunbar, the Steelers’ defensive line coach. Two Steelers now have spurned bigger deals to stay in Pittsburgh. Makes me feel good that players want to be a part of the organization that I love so much.
• The Penguins with a three-win week and the Alualu news ended my week on a high note.

This is the significant week that was for the Steelers, mixed-in with my binge watching and black-and-gold loving life. I’m sure next week will be full of Steeler happenings as well, so we’ll have to do this again. Have a great week, but better yet have a BAD one.