Smith-Schuster is the heart and soul of the Steelers receiving corps

We’ve seen this film earlier than. The Steelers exit the playoffs sooner than we anticipated them to, which in actuality is any yr that they don’t win the Super Bowl. Steelers followers are spoiled rotten! The primary stage of our grieving course of is normally finger-pointing. Nonetheless I need to rejoice a Steeler who has repeatedly proved his value and this yr unequivocally established himself as the center and soul of the Steelers receiving corps, one JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Now that is nicely out of the realm of the finger pointing he has acquired for his TiK-Tok midfield emblem dances (in different groups’ stadiums), and his misconstrued pre-Browns playoff sport remark. Many “Yinzers” have been pointing their fingers at JuJu and blaming him for all Steelers’ losses because the Buffalo Bills sport. That is ridiculous on many fronts.

Severely, if the Browns want a so known as “bulletin board” remark from JuJu to get fired up for his or her first playoff sport in 18 years, God bless them. Perhaps, simply possibly, 18 years of futility and frustration mixed with the repeated bullying over most of that span by AFC North division big-brother within the type of the Pittsburgh Steelers, constructed to a crescendo of Browns emotion and splash performs and Steelers’ offensive turnovers and defensive miscues.

Fact be advised, JuJu backed up his discuss with a monster playoff sport in opposition to the Browns with 13 receptions for 157 yards and one landing. In truth Ben Roethlisberger focused Smith-Schuster 19 instances within the sport. Why? As a result of JuJu is the cash man of the Steelers receiving corps. In that, I imply when the chips are on the desk, Roethlisberger seems for JuJu. It’s a undeniable fact that Smith-Schuster delivers within the clutch! This has been the case since halfway via JuJu’s rookie season when he was simply 20 years previous. Ben Roethlisberger trusts JuJu like no different receiver on the Steelers’ roster.

Please let’s lower the discuss of JuJu Smith-Schuster being comfortable as a result of he likes to do Tik-Tok dances. Do you keep in mind how he knocked Vontez Burfict of the Cincinnati Bengals into the center of subsequent week, avenging Burfict’s soiled hit, a yr earlier, that concussed teammate Antonio Brown? Did you see that 10 yard stiff arm and plant of Ravens defensive again Tramon Williams? If not Google it, pronto. Did you see him step up repeatedly final Sunday evening in opposition to the Browns and make performs for his group after they wanted him most? He took a monster hit in opposition to the Bengals earlier this season and shook it off. No, he didn’t take that vicious hit due to his dancing, it was due to an especially predictable quick passing sport that the Bengals and each different protection the Steelers confronted, knew was coming. It’s arduous to query JuJu’s toughness or his consistency. We haven’t seen the likes of his throughout skill-set, toughness and keenness since Hines Ward. Quote me on that.

JuJu Smith-Schuster cemented his lead large receiver standing with a whopping 110 receptions for 988 yards over 16 common season video games and one playoff sport this yr. He completed this whereas being double-teamed and being focused, as the point of interest of most opposing defensive schemes.

There’s an understanding within the NFL that gamers must elevate their video games within the playoffs. Verify. Juju Smith-Schuster elevated his catches per sport from 8.6 catches through the common season to 13 within the playoff sport vs. Cleveland. As well as, he raised his regular-season common of 52 receiving yards of per sport to 157 within the playoff sport in opposition to the Browns. That is what occurs when Ben Roethlisberger throws deeper downfield. Lastly, certainly one of Smith-Schuster’s greatest skills throughout this season was availability as he performed in all 16 video games.

So forgive me if I’m not dwelling in my fears. I’ve received higher issues to do like be appreciative of the Steelers’ future with guys like JuJu Smith-Schuster main the group. There is no such thing as a doubt the Steelers should resign him. It’s a no brainer. Smith-Schuster is probably the most senior Steelers’ receiver at simply 24 years previous. He has a lot extra to offer to this group. What would the Steelers do with out the center and soul of its receiving corps?