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There’s always so much to talk about when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the inquiries surrounding the black-and-gold are definitely ever-evolving, especially this week with David Carr blasting Steelers again and the future of the quarterback position being discussed yet again. It seems like the musical selection that best fits this week’s Fact or Fiction could be the 90s hit for Supersonic, Closing Time.
Here’s a sample...
Closing time
Open all the doors and let you out into the world
Closing time
Turn all of the lights on over every boy and every girl
Closing time
One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer
Closing time
You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home
Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from
Closing time
This room won’t be open ‘til your brothers or your sisters come
So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits I hope you have found a friend
Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end
You can ponder the significance or wonder whether these lyrics are really related here. Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to listen to some one-hit wonders. But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. BTSC tries to answer some of the poignant wonderings ahead of time. Take a listen to some bold statements on this and more as we label them as fact or fiction.
Are we on point? Only time will tell.
The Steelers can ride Ben Roethlisberger while not ignoring the QB position’s future
Fact
Ben Roethlisberger has had an incredible football career in Pittsburgh since being drafted in the first round in 2004. Roethlisberger owns most of the passing records in hypocycloid history and is being counted on to continue to be a number-one guy for the Steelers if there’s any hope of that championship window staying open enough for everybody to climb through. As far as I’m concerned, the future with No. 7 as an esteemed alumnus shouldn’t interfere with 2021, but it’s a big issue. The Steelers have Mike Sullivan as a quarterbacks coach and he doesn’t really need to have to pay too much attention to Ben. If Sullivan focuses on the development of Dwayne Haskins, Joshua Dobbs and Mason Rudolph, week in and week out, the future can be worked-on now.
Najee Harris’ work ethic isn’t that much of a reason for excitement
Fiction
Ben Roethlisberger has joked about the fact that running backs coach Eddie Faulkner told Najee Harris, who would not stop working at OTAs, that it’s time to go home now. This in no way is to say that Faulkner is lazy. Their time was up for the day, But Najee Harris has an invaluable work ethic and it is going to rub off on every player in the organization. With a great will to win and not having a time limit on dedicating himself to his craft...the investment that the Steelers made on the Alabama star is already paying off.
The Steelers are overestimating the ability of Chuks Okorafor
Fiction
For the time being and probably for the remainder of 2021, Chukwuma Okorafor will be the starter at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think that the Steelers are actually counting on it. The Steelers need Chuks to hold down the position and have shown great belief in the fourth-year man. They see him day in and day out and know what they have in him. Those of us on the outside see something differently, but we are discounting his decent performance in his career here. Let the Steelers evaluate the talent and maybe we should just cheer and hope that they’re right.
David Carr is doing the Steelers a huge favor
Fact
David Carr was selected first-overall in the 2002 NFL Draft and was a punching bag for the other 31 franchises in the league. Now as an analyst for the NFL Network, Carr is doing the punching and his target is often the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, I could care less about a member of the media constantly criticizing my team of choice. In fact, I absolutely encourage haters. Carr’s criticism of Roethlisberger, Tomlin and the team in the past is fine. When you play in the league, you’re open to getting railed on. But when Carr stated this week that the Steelers will get “rolled out of Buffalo”, I almost sent a thank you email. That’s motivation. When the Steelers are an “us against the world team”, they are better. Line up the naysayers. Give them carte blanche to place chips on the collective shoulders of the Steelers.
Minkah Fitzpatrick is emerging as the leader of the defense for the Steelers
Fact
Minkah Fitzpatrick had his fifth-year option picked up earlier this Spring to the surprise of absolutely no one. His two All-Pro seasons since being traded to the Men of Steel have been marvelous, but Fitzpatrick has never really had a true training camp for the Steelers. Nor has No. 39 played a preseason game in black and gold either. Going into his fourth NFL campaign, Minkah finally has an opportunity to take the reigns as a leader for the Steelers on the field and off. Fitzpatrick is saying all the right things in interviews and is exhibiting the skills of a team captain. His play on the field, well we know it’s great. But his locker room demeanor seems to be that of a team-first guy.
Check out the Fact or Fiction podcast to learn even more about these topics every single week and listen for more on the player below.
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