A look back at the Steelers week that was: Projections and Rejection edition

BTSC continues their recap of the past week’s events for our readers. But where they went wrong was asking the one narcissistic writer that would put a bizarre spin on it to do it. So let’s all take a look at a BAD week in the Burgh together.

Monday 8/2

• Chase Claypool was on NFL Network the other day and predicted that he will score 14 touchdowns in 2014. Is that bravado or has he been informed that he’s the top option? I once predicted that I would eat six Big Macs in five minutes at a McDonalds-sponsored contest in 1996. I pulled out at 3 ¹⁄₂ after the guy next to me had a “reversal of fortune”. If you don’t know what that means, YouTube it. I hope No. 11 is better on his prediction than I was.

Tuesday 8/3

• It was announced that Craig Wolfley will move into the broadcast booth and that former OL Max Starks will assume Wolf’s sideline role during Steelers games this fall. Of course, Wolf replaces the legend that is Tunch Ilkin, who is afflicted with ALS. The man that was drafted a round before Ilkin by the Steelers in 1980 will bring heart, knowledge and humor to the booth. Starks’ professional presence promises to add greatly to the production as well.
• Art Rooney II was asked by reporters about the status of a certain edge rusher’s contact status this week. “We’d like to get T.J.’s deal done, if we can, before the start of the season,” said Rooney. “That’s the goal. I don’t like to get into those details in terms of the discussions, but we’re going to try to get it done by the start of the season if we can.” Meanwhile, T.J. Watt is present and conditioning, but not participating in drills due to what most believe to be both sides working on a deal. This eerily reminds me of Mrs. BAD always dedicating the Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands To Yourself” to me on the radio when we were dating. No huggy, no kissy till I get a wedding ring, indeed.
• Awful news for DeMarkus Acy came out today. The defensive back from Missouri announced on Twitter that he tore his ACL in practice and is out for the season. BTSC sends best wishes to DeMarkus for a complete recovery.
• Tuesday Mike Tomlin met with the media to talk about the upcoming game, as well as the status of training camp. During the press conference Tomlin outlined several players who will not be participating in the upcoming game on Thursday night. No surprises here. This was reminiscent of my starter wife, the ex-Mrs. BAD, when she announced that I wouldn’t be participating in our third wedding anniversary.

Wednesday 8/4

• Forbes released its ranking of the most valuable NFL teams, with the Cowboys leading the way for the 15th straight year. The Steelers are listed as only the NFL’s 14th most valuable franchise being estimated to be worth $3.43 billion (+13% from 2020). In a ranking of ten or so writers at BTSC, I (like the Steelers) was ranked 14th and estimated to be worth $3.43.
• Happy Birthday to Connor, my first-born, today. He was a day old when the Steelers last played in the Hall of Fame Game in 2007 against New Orleans as I watched it in the hospital with him on my lap draped in a Terrible Towel.
• The Steelers placed defensive back DeMarkus Acy (ACL) and offensive tackle Anthony Coyle on the Waived/Injured List. Nobody was signed to replace those two players.

Thursday 8/5

• Brooke Pryor speculated on social media that a certain Steelers’ second rounder would probably not be seeing action in the Hall of Fame Game that evening against Dallas. “Guessing we don’t see Pat Freiermuth today. He finished the last practice with a bag of ice taped to his left shoulder”, Pryor tweeted. Funny enough, Mrs. BAD made that same announcement about me earlier that day.
• The 2021 Steelers made their preseason debut in Canton at the Hall of Fame Game against the Dallas Cowboys with a 16-3 win. Plenty of players made an impact in the game and few faltered. It was a promising start to 2021.
• There was much rejoicing in Pittsburgh after learning that Al Riveron, NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating, is retiring from the NFL. There’s no source to the rumor that certain staffers at BTSC sent him a singing telegram featuring many expletives and the lyrics “Jesse James caught that damn ball”.

Friday 8/6

• The Steelers signed former Pitt DB Lafayette Pitts. He’s got to stick with a great name like that. He’s now officially BTSC Senior Editor Jeff Hartman’s second-favorite player behind Pressley Harvin III. The Steelers also brought in Malcom Pridgeon, Curtis Bolton and T.J. Morrison for visits. If the former Brown offensive lineman Pridgeon does sign, Hartman is rumored to bump him above Pitts on his list.
• Not too long after a Dez Bryant tweet that read, “If you are a team and want a top tier WR trade for James Washington….. thank me later”, Adam Schefter had a tweet of his own concerning the Steelers’ former 2018 second-round pick. Schefter claimed that No. 13 has approached the Steelers and requested a trade based on his limited playtime last season and so far this preseason. This set off a flurry of posts on social media speculating on the rumor.

Saturday 8/7

• According to Mark Kaboly, Keith Butler acknowledged that TJ Watt isn’t practicing because he has yet to sign his contract. This is something we all speculated on, but it is now confirmed. Maybe I should try that with Hartman and Schofield when I look for my new deal here. I might be able to get an extra Arby’s Big Beef ‘N Cheddar out of them.
• Brian Batko reported on social media that Steelers HC Mike Tomlin responded to the Schefter report yesterday that receiver James Washington has requested a trade by saying, “He has not. Those unnamed sources, we don’t react to or respond to. James has been great here, working, having a good camp.” That’s some C+C Music Factory stuff to me, Things That Make Yo Go Hmmm.
• Jamison Hensley tweeted that new Ravens defender Justin Houston announced that he nearly signed with the Steelers for more money, but that he thought it was a better fit in the Charm City. Better fit? Translation: a better chance to start. This confirms something that we all thought all along at BTSC. While one or two BTSC commenters wondered why this was a story (apparently they don’t get the business of what we do here), this definitely adds to the Steelers-Ravens rivalry. As for me, Houston...We have a problem!!! You just made the list!

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