:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58362809/900987092.jpg.0.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some pretty good drafts the past few seasons, and their 2017 NFL Draft was certainly par for the course.
For the second straight year, Pittsburgh was able to select two starters in the first two rounds with T.J. Watt out of Wisconsin in the first round, and JuJu Smith-Schuser from USC in the second round.
These two rookies were named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team for 2017. A tremendous honor for both players. See the full rosters below:
Here is the 2017 NFL All-Rookie Team, as selected by the PFWA: pic.twitter.com/rsrTfopIsu
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 16, 2018
With this honor out of the way, and Smith-Schuster named the Steelers’ team Rookie of the Year, you have to wonder if either player will receive any votes for Offensive, or Defensive, Rookie of the Year honors. Watt is a long-shot, at best, but Smith-Schuster’s highlight reel is pretty impressive.
Needless to say, with or without these lofty honors, it seems as though the Steelers have two players who will be pretty good for the Steel City for years to come.
Now it is time to check in on the new surrounding the black-and-gold outside the walls of BTSC...
On the day the Steelers did not renew offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s contract, they also said goodbye to wide receiver’s coach Richard Mann.
Mann, an Aliquippa native, announced his retirement after 33 years of coaching, including the past five with the Steelers.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin coaxed Mann to come out of retirement five years ago to coach the team’s wide receivers, and he has worked with Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and, this season, JuJu Smith-Schuster.
“I was thinking about it last year. The way things ended, and talking to the players, I wanted to give it one more run,” Mann said in a statement. “I was trying to get a Super Bowl ring in Pittsburgh. This is where it all started for me and I had an opportunity to let it finish here.
“I really appreciate the Steelers organization, the entire Rooney family, and Coach (Mike) Tomlin for getting me out of retirement the first time to finish up here. I felt like maybe if I stuck it out one more year I would have an opportunity to get a Super Bowl ring here. That didn’t happen, we came up a little bit short, but what a great run for me.
“I was able to finish my career right where I started. I started in Aliquippa and I was able to finish here with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I said I probably wouldn’t coach past 70. I am 70 and I still have a lot left in my tank.”
Cincinnati Bengals fans are thanking the Jacksonville Jaguars for knocking the Steelers out of the playoffs by donating to the Blake Bortles Foundation.
The movement began on Sunday with Cincinnati sports radio host Mo Egger after the Jaguars topped the Steelers 45-42.
The idea took off from there and Bengals fans have donated about $5,000 to Bortles’ foundation, which benefits first responders and children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Jacksonville area. Several news outlets reported the donations appeared to be sparked by similar giving from Buffalo Bills fans to Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton’s charity after his team beat the Baltimore Ravens, which gave the Bills a berth in the post-season for the first time in 17 years.
Turns out Jacksonville wanted Ben Roethlisberger to eat more than his words.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback surprised many before the playoffs when he said he wanted a rematch with the Jaguars to atone for his five interceptions in a regular-season loss.
Roethlisberger got his chance Sunday and threw another pick and lost a fumble as the Jags eliminated the Steelers 45-42 in the divisional round.
The combined seven turnovers inspired a Jaguars fan to troll Roethlisberger by sending seven turnovers to the quarterback from Cinotti’s Bakery in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The bakery was happy to oblige.