Yo... Moe

**moe** · 03-16-2024, 07:34 PM

And now Justin Fields to the Steelers?

**Jerry Oz** · 03-16-2024, 08:46 PM

Interesting. I wonder what the plan is for the future with him? he's a free agent at the end of the season unless you extend his rookie deal. And will you extend him to ride the pine for a season? They probably have the same plan for him that they had for Dwayne Haskins. I'm a Justin Fields fan and I hope he proves his doubters wrong.

**Jerry Oz** · 03-16-2024, 11:01 PM

Well, now it appears the Steelers are going to extend Russell Wilson's deal after the season. They must be confident that he's going to play well in Arthur Smith's offense.

**moe** · 03-17-2024, 06:43 AM

As I said......my head keeps spinning.

**moe** · 03-20-2024, 03:23 PM

Anyone see the news on former Steeler [[went to the Lions) Cam Sutton? Seems he's wanted for some "domestic violence by strangulation." SMH

**ms_m** · 03-22-2024, 07:04 AM

I like Justin Fields too. Always thought he should have been the #2 pick over Wilson. I think he's a good fit with Tomlin {my fantasy hubby

} and the Steelers.

**Jerry Oz** · 03-22-2024, 02:03 PM

If Fields hits the market next offseason, he's going to be a starter in 2025. If the Steelers exercise his option, it'll cost them $25 million. They're talking about resigning Russ after the season. They can't keep both. I smell some drama brewing.

**moe** · 04-24-2024, 01:21 PM

Any thoughts on the draft tomorrow?

**Jerry Oz** · 04-24-2024, 04:05 PM

Not a lot. I hope Atlanta can trade back for an extra pick. Miami's drafting too late to get a stud, but I hope we at least get a starter for the offensive line or a rotational defensive tackle. The draft is always both exciting and a letdown. My brother doesn't watch college football, so I have to figure out how he knows whether to be happy or mad about who the Steelers draft. I'm glad it's finally here.

**moe** · 04-25-2024, 06:13 AM

I'm hoping for a O Lineman, really a center. I still shake my head about the Kendrick Green debacle in past few years.

**Jerry Oz** · 04-25-2024, 11:28 PM

Oh, my... Atlanta drafted Michael Penix, Jr. and the fan base imploded. Most of us wanted a defensive lineman or cornerback and since we just signed Kirk Cousins for $180 million, nobody saw a QB as a possibility.

Me? I'm okay with the pick because Cousins will only be in Atlanta for two seasons and Penix is extremely talented. I just hope the coaches have a way to dial up pressure on defense.

I held out hope that Miami would get one of the top 3 edge rushers when 6 quarterbacks went in the top 15 but they all got snatched up. So we drafted the 4th best edge rusher and I'm okay with it. I think he's got a lot of potential and it's a position of need for us.

**moe** · 04-26-2024, 06:21 AM

I gave my neighbor 2 names when she asked who I hoped the Steelers would draft.
One of those names was Troy Fatanu, so I'm happy. Now......Steelers.......please get a center!
Jerry, any comments from your brother about the Steelers selection?

**Jerry Oz** · 04-26-2024, 12:03 PM

I talked to him before the draft started, but not since. I did text him to grab an inhaler and take a seat when Pittsburgh was on the clock, but he simply responded "Didn't need it", so I guess he's happy with the pick.

He doesn't use an inhaler, by the way.

**moe** · 04-27-2024, 06:56 AM

We're sitting there watching the draft. Husband says to me: "who's next?"
I say Zach Frazier......sure enough.....we get our center!!

**Jerry Oz** · 04-27-2024, 01:35 PM

It's never bad when teams make smart picks. Miami just traded a 2025 third round pick to move into the fourth round to select a running back. I don't get it. Our strongest position group is running back and we spent future draft capital to get another one. I'll wait until the end of draft presser to see how they justify this one.

**moe** · 04-28-2024, 06:34 AM

I'm happy with the Steeler's draft. Friends at the Steeler draft party told me guys were extremely nice & happy to be there [[especially Fautanu & Frazier).

Did you see the pic of Arthur Blank asking his GM: "explain that pick."

**Jerry Oz** · 04-28-2024, 10:11 AM

Terry Fontenot, our GM said that the video was out of context. He said that Blank was well aware of the pick before it was made and that the video didn't convey a conversation about Penix. I guess people see what they want to see and in America, drama is king.

Anyway, Atlanta had an interesting draft. Half of our picks were defensive linemen or outside linebackers, which pretty much shows our biggest concern entering the draft. I'm cool with the Penix selection but wish we had taken a cornerback somewhere in the process.

Miami had a low-key great draft. I'm big fans of everything we did on days 2 & 3, even drafting a running back after trading to get him. I think at least four of the guys selected will be playing on Sunday afternoons. Both teams are definitely better than they were four days ago.

**moe** · 04-29-2024, 06:02 AM

Totally agree! Let's hope they all come through for us in the fall!

**Jerry Oz** · 04-29-2024, 01:41 PM

The draft and the chatter that follows it always amazes me. Everybody offers an opinion on why somebody either screwed up or did well, but you never know until these guys make it on the field. Nobody thought that the Patriots getting Brady in the 6th round was anything other than them drafting a camp body and he wound up with the GOAT career. Brock Purdy was Mr. Irrelevant four years ago and just played in the Super Bowl. Last year, Detroit was lambasted for drafting Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round [which apparently offended common sense] and then, Jack Campbell was a "reach" for them to select at #18. Both Gibbs and Campbell played great in their first seasons and they're easily worth drafting where Detroit got them.

You won't know until these guys either sink or swim when called upon. Heck, 80% of the players that writers and talking heads suggest should have been taken wind up being average or less for the teams that did take them. But they never come back and correct the record to suggest that they were wrong.

Gee, I wonder why?

**moe** · 04-29-2024, 02:28 PM

Great post, Jerry!!! Even the best of them [[in college) fizzle in the pros. Just ask JaMarcus Russell.

**Jerry Oz** · 04-29-2024, 03:44 PM

Vontaze Burfict wasn't even drafted and he started for seven seasons in Cincinnati. Grady Jarrett was drafted by Atlanta in the fifth round and he's started every game since then [until he got hurt last season]. You can get good players late and you can get bad ones early. It takes some serious audacity to think that anybody behind a keyboard has a better idea of who a team should draft than people who invest years and truckloads of money scouting, interviewing, medically evaluating, and investigating these young men. When they're about to invest millions in a rookie, they find out everything about him. For all we know, the hot shot that everybody thought Team A should have drafted may have kicked a neighbor's dog when he was in high school and a team might think he has latent issues with personal control.

We don't know what we don't know, and that's why it's silly to waste time scratching your head over decisions somebody made in the draft.

**Jerry Oz** · 05-03-2024, 12:05 AM

So, is Pittsburgh really thinking about having Justin Fields return punts? He probably wishes they would cut him.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ns-warren-says

**moe** · 05-06-2024, 12:35 PM

OBJ to the Dolphins, Jerry?

**Jerry Oz** · 05-06-2024, 02:27 PM

Yeah, and it's a great pickup. He's going to get targets and keep the gnats from bugging Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. We also signed Jonnu Smith, who was in Atlanta last season and he's going to be the best pass catching tight end that Tua's had. Our offense is stacked, so I hope defense plays well and that we don't get half the team injured like last season.

**Jerry Oz** · 05-14-2024, 08:41 PM

Looks like the Falcons are opening up at home against the Steelers from Pittsburgh. I have a feeling I'm going to be invited to Sunday dinner with my brother that day.

**moe** · 05-15-2024, 08:20 PM

Yep, that's what it says. That'll be interesting!!

What's not so goo is that the Steelers only start playing their AFCN teams starting week 11!! And better yet [not really] the Steelers play the Ravens Saturday Dec21, then 4 days later play KC on Christmas Day in Pittsburgh. I don't think the NFL likes us very much.

And, with several games on different networks someone on X [Twitter] figured out to see every game on those different channels would cost around $855!! Greedy NFL with no thoughts about the fans.

**Jerry Oz** · 05-16-2024, 01:21 AM

Christmas is on a Wednesday. So much for the league's lies asserting player health and safety being a priority. I've seen plenty of players injured on Thursday night games and the union claims it's because playing with only three days between games doesn't let their bodies recover from the previous game. Especially when one team has to travel. Shameful.

**moe** · 05-22-2024, 06:55 PM

And.....the 2026 NFL Draft site has been awarded to Pittsburgh!

**Jerry Oz** · 05-23-2024, 01:15 PM

Are you going to drive up for it?

**moe** · 05-23-2024, 02:11 PM

If you see the dates before I do let me know. If I can get a hotel room where I want to be then yes, I sure will!!!!!!!

**Jerry Oz** · 05-23-2024, 02:43 PM

Haven't spoken with my brother for a few weeks. He doesn't watch college football, so he's pretty much clueless about draft prospects. But since he moved here and we're only 100 miles away, I wouldn't be surprised if he and the missus didn't drive over for an experience. At least, on the first day of the draft.

**moe** · 05-23-2024, 07:31 PM

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't that when Arch Manning goes into the draft?

**Jerry Oz** · 05-23-2024, 09:40 PM

Yes. But he'll only have one season as starter at Texas because Quinn Ewers is going to get the most snaps next season. He's very good and a likely top 10 selection next year.

**moe** · 07-25-2024, 02:02 PM

Well Ms M & Jerry,
The season has started.......training camp.

**Jerry Oz** · 07-25-2024, 03:16 PM

I thought of you when I read this on cbssports.com:

Steelers training camp: Justin Fields takes QB1 reps as Russell Wilson misses opening day, passes first test

Fields made the most of his first-team reps

By Bryan DeArdo
LATROBE -- Justin Fields was hit with a curve ball at around 6 a.m. ET Thursday morning. Fields, the Steelers' backup quarterback entering training camp, received a text message around that time informing him that Russell Wilson would miss the first practice, thus giving the former Bears starter some coveted reps with the first-team offense.

It wasn't perfect, but it's fair to say that Fields passed his first test in a Steelers uniform. With Wilson [[who is being labeled as day-to-day with a calf injury) looking on, Fields displayed his highly-touted athleticism as well as his ability to hit the deep ball that included a dime to Van Jefferson, who was wide open after defensive back Donte Jackson fell down.

"I was trying to take advantage of each and every rep that I got today," Fields told the media afterward. "I got some good reps in today, for sure. ... Looking forward to getting better tomorrow."

Fields let it rip right off the bat. He quickly launched a deep pass to tight end Pat Freiermuth that was broken up after a good play by safety DeShon Elliott, who moments later caved in on Fields after coming in untouched on an outside blitz. Fields, however, eluded Elliott and several other defenders before stopping, turning to his left and hitting running back Jaylen Warren on a screen that turned into a sizable gain.

Along with his deep completion to Jefferson, Fields threw a dart down the middle of the field to George Pickens, who took off down the field for a score. That completion came after Fields and Pickens were unable to connect on consecutive passes that were knocked down by Jackson, who had a solid practice sans the deep completion to Jefferson.

"It's good to face some adversity and stuff that's not expected," Fields said about getting first-team reps on short notice. "We're gonna face things in games that aren't expected. It's about how we react to those situations and how we adjust."

Thursday's practice was a microcosm of Fields' NFL career to this point. There were many occasions in Chicago when Fields played like a first-round pick. But there were also underwhelming/inconsistent moments that led to unmet expectations, expectations that No. 1 Caleb Williams is now undertaking in the Windy City.

With the Bears deciding to start over at quarterback, the Steelers quickly pounced on the chance to acquire Fields, who had one of his best games as a Bear against Pittsburgh during his rookie season. Now, instead of facing the pressures associated with being a franchise quarterback on a franchise that's never had one, Fields now gets to focus on his game and how he can maximize his potential.

Fields is hoping to help the Steelers' offense maximize their potential, too, after failing to do the previous several years.

"We're a team that can do a lot of things," Fields said. "We have a lot of good players on offense. I think we can mix it up."

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/s...es-first-test/

**moe** · 07-25-2024, 08:06 PM

I watched some of this today. I was surprised it was Fields & not Wilson. Hmm...
But I hope GP has a banner year.

**Jerry Oz** · 07-25-2024, 09:15 PM

Pickett is in the same situation that Atlanta's Kyle Pitts is in. Clearly an alpha-level talent but having to play with a sub-par quarterback and not being able to play to potential. Pitts had a thousand yard season with Matt Ryan and I'm sure he's looking forward to what Cousins is bringing to the offense.

Meanwhile, a few hundred miles to the south, Tua is at camp but not participating in practice as the Dolphins continue to show him how much - or little - they think of him after leading the league in passing yards and a bunch of other stats [and being one of the few QBs to play 17 games] in 2023. That needs to be resolved soon.

**Jerry Oz** · 08-09-2024, 12:01 PM

Well, it's the first real week of exhibition season. Lots of QB drama in the league right now. Atlanta's playing Michael Penix for the first time and folks are seeking clarity on the Russell Wilson vs Justin Fields competition/non-competition. What people need to consider is that the team picks the QB. If Fields is playing better behind closed doors, Tomlin will lose the locker room to put Wilson on the field, especially if he doesn't play lights out.

Stay tuned, folks...

**moe** · 08-10-2024, 06:56 AM

Got that right, Jerry!!! I was telling my husband last night about a "scene" I saw at
camp [[in Latrobe) when the public first attended. Someone from the Steeler organization had a golf cart & was driving around the perimeter with Ciara, who decided to attend that day. It looked like a parade & here she is. Hmmm...

Fields did nothing for me yesterday. Herbig was rightfully benched [[at center] & Zach Frazier came in. Pickens caught his passes. The backup QB [[Allen] wasn't too bad. I just feel like that robot from Lost In Space yelling "Warning, Warning!"

But, it's only the first game. And Presley Harvin III, the ex- Steelers punter suddenly finds himself on the 49ers. What happened to their punter that put him on IR?

**Jerry Oz** · 08-10-2024, 09:12 AM

Nothing to worry about. It's the first step of a great journey. Personally, I think Russ will do fine and I'm a fan of Fields. The marriage between Russ and the Broncos was just a bad pairing. He's in a much better situation and as long as Arthur Smith calls plays that work to his strength, he's going to play well.

Meanwhile, Michael Penix played okay in his debut. No starters played with him and he looked like a rookie, but he didn't do anything to make Falcons fans worried. I'm encouraged by what I saw from both Miami and Atlanta.

**moe** · 08-10-2024, 10:35 AM

I will watch other games when I get a chance. The Olympics have kept me pretty occupied.

And it's only the first game........

**Jerry Oz** · 08-10-2024, 12:33 PM

The exhibition season is only about evaluation and execution. Wins don't matter nearly as much as figuring out who should comprise the bottom third of your roster. The first game is always especially sloppy for every team. I read a game report that said that Fields actually played very well but had two fumbled snaps. If he can go 5-6 in the next game and erase the miscues, you might be able to discuss whether there's a brewing controversy in Pittsburgh. The next game will be must-see for a lot of folks and I'm planning on watching it.

**moe** · 08-11-2024, 07:46 PM

I see where Troy Fautanu has a knee sprain & may miss a game. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

The Olympics are now history. But the track & field was outstanding, especially the women!!! The last race was the women's 4X400 relay. And the men & women both won gold. The women especially blew that race out of the park. It was fun to watch.

**Jerry Oz** · 08-11-2024, 08:04 PM

The USA track team went crazy this year. I've never seen so many come-from-behind-and-win-at-the-tape races in my life. The Quincy Hall 400 meter win was incredible. Noah Lyle's 100 meter win [by .005 seconds] was the closest race I've seen in my life. And the Masai Russell photo finish was just as breath-taking. The games saved the best for last.

**moe** · 08-12-2024, 06:34 AM

They sure did. But the men's 4X100 relay team needs to improve their technique in passing the baton, as well as possibly not running into each other.

But to have Covid & STILL win a bronze medal? Imagine what Lyle could've done if he didn't have Covid.

**Jerry Oz** · 08-12-2024, 12:31 PM

Yeah, after collapsing at the end, he paid the price for participation. Some wonder if he put others at risk of exposure, but he said he reported it and took precautions to prevent spreading it. I know of two families that contracted it in the last month, so I hope people continue to take mitigation seriously. Although it's nowhere near the nightmare levels of the recent past, cases are increasing in Ohio, with more than 6,000 reported cases, nearly 200 hospitalizations, and 11 reported deaths last week.

**moe** · 08-12-2024, 07:53 PM

My treadmill stopped working & needs a part. The technician was supposed to come this past Thursday to fix it. He calls me Wednesday & says he had just tested positive for Covid. Instead of coming last Thursday he wanted to come today [that would've been 6 days]. I told him to call me back in a week with results of his Covid tests. When I had Covid in March I tested positive for 10 days straight. I just don't want to take any chances at all. I see where the zone of Arizona/California/Nevada is a questionable spot now.

**moe** · 08-13-2024, 06:25 AM

So now I read that Tyreek Hill states he could beat Noah Lyle in a race. Really? Do you remember when D K Metcalf said the same thing, raced 5 or 6 others & came in last? Is Hill's ego getting the best of him?

**Jerry Oz** · 08-13-2024, 12:41 PM

Yeah, but his ego is probably what makes him so good. Last week, there were reports from camp that Jaylen Waddle outraced him in a long-rumored but still unconfirmed epic showdown between them from a year ago. He's not stupid, though. He knows that football speed doesn't translate to the racetrack.