M*A*S*H Unit Growing
Mike Tomlin confirmed yesterday not only that his defense will be without captain Cam Heyward for the foreseeable future, but that the other side of the ball will be without wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
Undoubtedly this should mean an even bigger role for George Pickens, and more throws going in Allen Robinson’s and Calvin Austin’s directions.
But, can I make a humble suggestion that we’ve made repeatedly on Fourth Down in the Steel City?
Maybe use some 2-tight end sets so you can lean into your running game as you want to while still having the ability to keep the defense appropriately off-balance due to Darnell Washington’s ability to catch passes?
Just, whatever you do, DO NOT… I repeat, DO. NOT. ENTERTAIN. THIS. FOOL.
So You’re Telling Me There’s A Chance
While the number is actually 1-15 (It has to add up to 16 games because San Francisco played 17 games, and the team they faced in Week 18, Arizona, didn’t play again.), the point Brad Spielberger made holds true: The 49ers beat the snot out of teams. And recovering is not easy. In fact, the *one* win in that 1-15 was by the Kansas City Chiefs – the eventual Super Bowl Champs – after a bye week.
Will that lead to the Browns having a distinct physical advantage in what should already be a game based around the run game and defense for both teams? It’s entirely likely it could.
And coupled with the absence of Cam Heyward, it very well could lead to a long night for the Steelers as they face Mr. Chubb.
Time For the Khan Artist?
With the news official that Aaron Rodgers will be out the rest of the season with a torn Achilles, and the Jets having built what appears to be a playoff team around him, it makes one wonder just what they’re looking for, and how far they’re willing to go, in a search for another QB.
While the suggestions range from ‘been there, done that’ (Joe Flacco, Sam Darnold) to ‘nah, I’m good’ (Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan) to ‘pipe dream’ (Tom Brady), what should happen if the Jets decide to give Omar Khan a call about one of his backups?
Considering Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph are essentially the Spider-Man pointing meme, is it necessary to have both of them around? Especially if Joe Douglas is willing to part with a late round pick or two?
Cruz Into the Offseason
What Pirates fans were holding out some remote hope for can be officially taken off the board after Derek Shelton’s visit with Cook & Joe today.
If the Pirates stay on their current pace and finish 75-87, it’s not hard to imagine the 2024 team, with a healthy Oneil Cruz and Paul Skenes in the rotation, being in the 82-win range at bare minimum. Which, in the expanded playoffs age, is enough to keep a team in the Wild Card race until Labor Day.
Will there be more additions next offseason to push them closer to playoff contention?
We can only hope.