Pittsburgh Steelers Fact or Fiction: Working for the weekend edition

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 the Steelers extending Stephon Tuitt to free up cap space and position battles heating up. It seems like the musical selection that best fits this week’s Fact or Fiction could be from the legendary Canadian group Loverboy.

Here’s a sample...

Everyone’s looking to see if it was you

Everyone wants you to come through

Everyone’s hoping it’ll all work out

Everyone’s waiting they’re holding out

Everybody’s working for the weekend

Everybody wants a little romance

Everybody’s goin’ off the deep end

Everybody needs a second chance,

Oh. You want a piece of my heart

You better start from start

You wanna be in the show

Come on baby lets go

Lets go

Are these lyrics really related here? Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to listen to some Canuck Rock? But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. BTSC tries to answer some of the poignant wonderings ahead of time. Take a look at some bold statements on this and more as we label them as fact or fiction.

Are we on point? Only time will tell.

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Dan Moore Jr. is making his case as a future starter on the offensive line

Fact

I really like what I’ve seen and heard about the Steelers fourth-round selection in 2021 out of Texas A&M. Despite the growing pains that came with lining up against Alex Highsmith, Moore is being praised for his nasty streak and his blocking abilities. I thought he handled himself well in preseason action as well. There were plenty of negative comments surrounding the efforts and abilities of Chuks Okorafor, but upon further review... No. 76 seems to be adapting to the left tackle position quite well. I think the possession arrow for the position might be leaning towards the veteran, especially with Moore practicing more now on the right side. But whether it’s RT or LT, the object in the rear view mirror that is No. 65 Dan Moore Jr. may be closer than it appears.

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Kevin Colbert is done making trades for 2021

Fiction

I really don’t expect Steelers GM Kevin Colbert to acquire any more talent by way of the trading post in 2021. However, I could envision a player or two in a deep position such as defensive line, wide receiver, running back, punter or quarterback be shipped off to replenish a somewhat depleted draft board next season. Although importing talent is not completely out of the realm of possibility, it’s never going to be for the likes of a Stephon Gilmore or an Aaron Rodgers.

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Fans need to get to know the name Kalen Ballage

Fact

I say this not because this will be ear candy hearing yinzers pronounce the fourth-year running back’s name, but because he could become Deangelo Williams valuable. Ballage stands at 6’2” and weighs in at a hearty 230 lbs. But he’s also been clocked at a speedy 4.4 in the 40 yard dash. Ballage had a touchdown in his Pittsburgh debut and 19 yards on four carries with a nine-yard gain negated by a penalty marker. The head-scratcher is why the former Charger, Dolphin and Jet is with his fourth squad in four years though. But Ballage has said that Pittsburgh is the finest organization that he’s worked for and environment goes a long way at times. But the main point to consider is that the Steelers cannot live on Najee Harris alone. Ballage as a backup could be filling as a part of the roster.

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Keeping both Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt will be a tough task for the Steelers front office

Fact

It’s old news that T.J. Watt is present at camp, but not participating in practice with the team because of contract negotiations. With plenty of optimism, many parties feel that a deal is inevitable. But there is a number being bandied about and it’s slowly snuffing out the flame of hope for some. $100 million. Throw in the fact that the Seattle Seahawks just signed safety Jamal Adams to largest contract in NFL history at his position. The Adams deal is for $17.5 million per year, $38 million in guaranteed money and comes complete with a signing bonus of $20 million. Minkah Fitzpatrick is likely to command more than Adams. Sure, the Steelers are expecting to have an exorbitant amount of space under the cap in 2022, but two mega-contracts could cripple a team. So hold on to your hypocycloids, this one isn’t going to be easy.

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James Washington is expendable

Fiction

Is Washington the superstar that the Steelers wanted him to be upon drafting him in 2018 in the second round? No, he is not. That is mostly due to being in a crowded stable of receivers. But still, the team leader in yards receiving in 2019 has been very valuable to the cause and has been known to shine in big moments. When Chase Claypool went down with an ankle injury in camp, worry spread through the organization. Chase was luckily deemed okay, but Washington’s presence on the roster is more important with injuries possible every single week. At this point, I’d much rather have No. 13 for 2021 than a draft pick in 2022.

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