2024 Pittsburgh Steelers

[Don Wassall]

There’s been a lot of turnover on the Steelers’ roster since last season, especially among the team’s always modest contingent of White players. Last year’s team had five White starters, but gone are QB Kenny Pickett (and his backup Mason Rudolph who played so well down the stretch), center Mason Cole, and ILB Cole Holcomb.

There’s two basic strongly differing opinions about the departure of Pickett, the Steelers’ 2022 first round draft pick. Those who don’t like Pickett claim he pouted after Rudolph became the starter following Pickett becoming injured, to the point that he supposedly refused to suit up as Rudolph’s backup before the game against Seattle and that he demanded to be traded after the signing of Russell Wilson, in other words he was a prima donna and locker room cancer. The other narrative is that Mike “He’s Never Had a Losing Season!!!”) Tomlin decided he wanted to go in a different direction and did everything possible to sabotage Pickett’s development before jettisoning him to the Eagles after the season. Though the latter narrative is the more believable one, the bottom line is that both Pickett and Rudolph are gone, replaced by the rapidly declining Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who bombed as a first round pick by the Bears.

Tackling machine Holcomb suffered a severe knee injury after being hit by a teammate during a play last season and he’s currently on the PUP list with his future, at least as a starter, still very much in doubt.

Pittsburgh has dropped to just three White starters to start the ’24 season and 13 overall, one more than last year.

2024 second round draft pick Zach Frazier is starting at center. His development was speeded up after Nate Herbig was lost for the season.

Pat Freiermuth just signed a contract extension and remains entrenched as the starting tight end.

T. J. Watt is simply the best defensive player in the NFL, a game wrecker who is still in his prime.

Nick Herbig, brother of the injured center Nate mentioned above, is the primary backup to Watt and Alex Highsmith, but while Highsmith is a very good player, Herbig is better, almost as unstoppable as Watt at times. So while he’s stuck behind Highsmith, he has clear starter talent not to mention star talent.

Also possessing starter and star talent is Payton Wilson, the inside linebacker who was a steal as the organization’s third round draft pick this year. Wilson followed Jack Campbell of the Lions as the winner of the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football. Wilson outsnapped Elandon Roberts 24 to 23 in his first game and it’s just a matter of time before he formally eclipses Roberts and starts on the inside next to Patrick Queen.

Pittsburgh has two other White defensive players, veteran end Dean Lowry, and veteran WSTD and backup linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who was once briefly a starter in his first stint with the Steelers and was treated as outrageously by the DWFs and local media as was Robert Spillane, before Spillane signed with the Raiders and became a tackling machine for that team last season.

The Steelers drafted DT Logan Lee this year but he’s currently on IR. In fact, despite being having just three White starters and only 13 on the roster, there’s some solid young talent there with Nick Herbig (in his second season), and rookies Payton Wilson, Zach Frazier, backup guard Mason McCormick, and Logan Lee. Add in Watt, Freiermuth, and the possible comeback of Cole Holcomb and it’s not a completely bleak picture. They also have WR Scotty Miller as a backup and kick returner, and WR Ben Skowronek is currently on the practice squad. The likely follies of Wilson and Fields at QB may also make the near future of the team an interesting one to keep an eye on.

QB: Kyle Allen
C: Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum
RG: Mason McCormick
WR: Scotty Miller
TE: Pat Freiermuth

DE: Dean Lowry
DE/OLB: T. J. Watt, Nick Herbig
ILB: Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich

PK: Chris Boswell
LS: Christian Kuntz

Practice Squad: WR Ben Skowronek, FB Jack Colletto, G John Leglue, OT John Nestor

IR: C Nate Herbig, P Cameron Johnston (replaced on active roster by a black), DT Logan Lee, Cole Holcomb (on PUP)

Number of White Starters: 3
Number of White Players on 53 Man Roster: 13
Grade: F+

 

[Freethinker]

There’s been a lot of turnover on the Steelers’ roster since last season, especially among the team’s always modest contingent of White players. Last year’s team had five White starters, but gone are QB Kenny Pickett (and his backup Mason Rudolph who played so well down the stretch), center Mason Cole, and ILB Cole Holcomb.

There’s two basic strongly differing opinions about the departure of Pickett, the Steelers’ 2022 first round draft pick. Those who don’t like Pickett claim he pouted after Rudolph became the starter following Pickett becoming injured, to the point that he supposedly refused to suit up as Rudolph’s backup before the game against Seattle and that he demanded to be traded after the signing of Russell Wilson, in other words he was a prima donna and locker room cancer. The other narrative is that Mike “He’s Never Had a Losing Season!!!”) Tomlin decided he wanted to go in a different direction and did everything possible to sabotage Pickett’s development before jettisoning him to the Eagles after the season. Though the latter narrative is the more believable one, the bottom line is that both Pickett and Rudolph are gone, replaced by the rapidly declining Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who bombed as a first round pick by the Bears.

Tackling machine Holcomb suffered a severe knee injury after being hit by a teammate during a play last season and he’s currently on the PUP list with his future, at least as a starter, still very much in doubt.

Pittsburgh has dropped to just three White starters to start the ’24 season and 13 overall, one more than last year.

2024 second round draft pick Zach Frazier is starting at center. His development was speeded up after Nate Herbig was lost for the season.

Pat Freiermuth just signed a contract extension and remains entrenched as the starting tight end.

T. J. Watt is simply the best defensive player in the NFL, a game wrecker who is still in his prime.

Nick Herbig, brother of the injured center Nate mentioned above, is the primary backup to Watt and Alex Highsmith, but while Highsmith is a very good player, Herbig is better, almost as unstoppable as Watt at times. So while he’s stuck behind Highsmith, he has clear starter talent not to mention star talent.

Also possessing starter and star talent is Payton Wilson, the inside linebacker who was a steal as the organization’s third round draft pick this year. Wilson followed Jack Campbell of the Lions as the winner of the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in college football. Wilson outsnapped Elandon Roberts 24 to 23 in his first game and it’s just a matter of time before he formally eclipses Roberts and starts on the inside next to Patrick Queen.

Pittsburgh has two other White defensive players, veteran end Dean Lowry, and veteran WSTD and backup linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who was once briefly a starter in his first stint with the Steelers and was treated as outrageously by the DWFs and local media as was Robert Spillane, before Spillane signed with the Raiders and became a tackling machine for that team last season.

The Steelers drafted DT Logan Lee this year but he’s currently on IR. In fact, despite being having just three White starters and only 13 on the roster, there’s some solid young talent there with Nick Herbig (in his second season), and rookies Payton Wilson, Zach Frazier, backup guard Mason McCormick, and Logan Lee. Add in Watt, Freiermuth, and the possible comeback of Cole Holcomb and it’s not a completely bleak picture. They also have WR Scotty Miller as a backup and kick returner, and WR Ben Skowronek is currently on the practice squad. The likely follies of Wilson and Fields at QB may also make the near future of the team an interesting one to keep an eye on.

QB: Kyle Allen
C: Zach Frazier, Ryan McCollum
RG: Mason McCormick
WR: Scotty Miller
TE: Pat Freiermuth

DE: Dean Lowry
DE/OLB: T. J. Watt, Nick Herbig
ILB: Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich

PK: Chris Boswell
LS: Christian Kuntz

Practice Squad: WR Ben Skowronek, FB Jack Colletto, G John Leglue, OT John Nestor

IR: C Nate Herbig, P Cameron Johnston (replaced on active roster by a black), DT Logan Lee, Cole Holcomb (on PUP)

Number of White Starters: 3
Number of White Players on 53 Man Roster: 13
Grade: F+

Will this finally be the year that Tomlin has a loser? With these QB options I can’t really foresee a winning year. Perhaps it is serendipitous for Pittsburgh, as the draft next year should have a very good (and White) QB class for them to choose from.

I also find it funny that they have a black punter again. Haven’t they had a pipeline of guys the last few years? Of course, the black punters flop out of the league quick as they always rank towards the statistical bottom.

One additional player I see on their IR list is Julius Welschof, the German native outside LB. I mentioned in the preseason thread where he had a beastly game with 2 sacks. I doubt he would have made the team anyway but he was sadly hurt shortly after (or in the game?). Either way, the 27 year old who played college ball at Charlotte would seem to be dripping with “upside”, but I don’t think it’s the kind the NFL is interested in pursuing.

 

[Don Wassall]

Ben Skowronek will be activated for tomorrow's game in Denver but most likely as a WSTD only.

Last year's first round pick, tackle Broderick Jones out of Georgia, already has the makings of a bust. He was supposed to start at right tackle this season but instead did his best imitation of a turnstyle during preseason games and is now the "swing" tackle, meaning a backup. Taking his place will be this year's first round draft pick, Troy Fautanu, so we'll get to find out soon if he's any better.

Regarding the punters, Corliss Waitman who is the new one was on the team before but has been waived twice, and also cut by NE, Chi. and LV. Pressley Harvin had the job for three years and while having the requisite "cannon leg" also had the requisite erraticism as 55 yard punts would often be followed by 20 yard ones. He's out of the league now.

 

[Booth]

I recently visited my brother who lives in Cheraw, S.C. He was in an assisted care facility doing rehab on his knee. As I walked up to the doors I saw a tall slender man talking to a couple of men telling them how the bushes needed to be cut. It was Harry Newsome the ex-Steeler punter. I knew it was him because it had Newsome Landscaping on his shirt and I knew he owned a landscaping company in Cheraw. I stopped and asked him if I could talk football with him for a few minutes we talked for about 30 minutes. I told him about watching him play high school ball and then college and pro ball. He was a great athlete in high school. He was a soft spoken person and only said good things about his Steelers and Vikings teammates. He looked like he could still play. I ask him about Dale Hatcher. a high school teammate and NFL punter. They both were drafted in the same year. He said Dale stayed in upstate S.C. and they stayed in touch. He was a very humble person. It was a pleasure meeting him.

 

[Freethinker]

I recently visited my brother who lives in Cheraw, S.C. He was in an assisted care facility doing rehab on his knee. As I walked up to the doors I saw a tall slender man talking to a couple of men telling them how the bushes needed to be cut. It was Harry Newsome the ex-Steeler punter. I knew it was him because it had Newsome Landscaping on his shirt and I knew he owned a landscaping company in Cheraw. I stopped and asked him if I could talk football with him for a few minutes we talked for about 30 minutes. I told him about watching him play high school ball and then college and pro ball. He was a great athlete in high school. He was a soft spoken person and only said good things about his Steelers and Vikings teammates. He looked like he could still play. I ask him about Dale Hatcher. a high school teammate and NFL punter. They both were drafted in the same year. He said Dale stayed in upstate S.C. and they stayed in touch. He was a very humble person. It was a pleasure meeting him.

Cool story. Harry sounds like a great guy!

 

[Don Wassall]

Sumo woes continue for the Steelers, as they do every year. Last year's first round pick Broderick Jones, who they moved up to take, looks like a bust already; this year's number one pick is now out indefinitely:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Steelers OT Troy Fautanu suffered a knee injury in Friday’s practice and is out indefinitely. The rookie made his first career start last week. He took over at right tackle and played well in his debut, allowing two pressures but no sacks on 29 pass-blocking reps according to Pro Football Focus. The No. 20 overall pick was one of many recent moves made by the Steelers to bolster their offensive line. Broderick Jones, taken in the first round of the 2023 draft, started at right tackle in Week 1 and will presumably reclaim that job until Fautanu returns.

 

[Don Wassall]

Sumo woes continue for the Steelers, as they do every year. Last year's first round pick Broderick Jones, who they moved up to take, looks like a bust already; this year's number one pick is now out indefinitely:

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Steelers OT Troy Fautanu suffered a knee injury in Friday’s practice and is out indefinitely. The rookie made his first career start last week. He took over at right tackle and played well in his debut, allowing two pressures but no sacks on 29 pass-blocking reps according to Pro Football Focus. The No. 20 overall pick was one of many recent moves made by the Steelers to bolster their offensive line. Broderick Jones, taken in the first round of the 2023 draft, started at right tackle in Week 1 and will presumably reclaim that job until Fautanu returns.

Fautanu is now expected to miss the entire season with a dislocated kneecap. Apparently he had knee issues when he played for Washington, but the Steelers still took him in the first round. Dat upside>damaged goods. So now they've taken tackles in the first round the past two years and one looks like a bust already and the other is out for the season in his rookie year. Reminiscent of all the early picks they've wasted on defensive backs and linebackers who were busts, outside of T. J. Watt of course.

The good news for Nick Herbig is that Alex Highsmith, who he backs up, has some kind of groin injury and is likely to miss games. This is Herbig's opportunity to end his racial apprenticeship and claim the starting job for good as he once again looked unstoppable in yesterday's win over the Chargers. Mark Madden and his co-host were both calling for Herbig to be the starter anyway today as he's better than Highsmith and is more like T. J. Watt 2.0. So the team will now have two beasts starting on the edge for at least a while to go along with rookie ILB Payton Wilson, who is rising through the ranks but isn't officially a starter yet. And tackling machine Cole Holcomb is on IR eligible to return, though it's still unknown if he'll fully recover from last season's devastating knee injury.

 

[Freethinker]

Pittsburgh’s defense is definitely a force and has carried the rotten offense to a 3-0 start. Loving the White talent! The schedule hasn’t been too tough so I could still see the Steelers leveling back into a .500 squad. The offense just hasn’t proven itself to lift the team against better foes.