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JuJu Smith-Schuster, nonetheless simply 23, is likely one of the NFL’s finest younger broad receivers. In his first three seasons with the Steelers, he put up 211 catches for two,895 yards and 17 touchdowns in solely 42 video games. He is searching for an enormous 12 months 4 after his 2019 season was marred by damage — to each himself and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Smith-Schuster talked to Sporting Information forward of Pittsburgh’s 2020 NFL kickoff — in Week 1 on “Monday Evening Soccer” towards the Giants — about his two professional groups, the Steelers and DAZN Canada.
SPORTING NEWS: The 2020 NFL season is right here for the Steelers and the remainder of the league. Did you assume this may not occur this yr?
JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER: I really did. Noticing that they had been canceling faculty, canceling sporting occasions all the world over — soccer, basketball, baseball — I sort of misplaced hope. Then all of them began to return again and I might be excited once more.
SN: Throughout this tough yr, how necessary has it been to have Mike Tomlin as the top coach to information you and your group by means of it?
JJSS: It is superior. He is one of many few coaches of colour on this league. He is very clear on how he approaches every thing. The one factor he does not do is draw back from the problems — he is all the time about social justice. He brings it to the group, he talks about it — how we will come collectively and set the stage. As a younger man, studying from somebody who’s been by means of it, going by means of it now, for him to have youngsters who’re my age, too, it exhibits so much. I stay and study from him day in, time out, on the sector and off the sector.
SN: With your self, Diontae Johnson, rookie first-round decide Chase Claypool (a local of Abbotsford, B.C.) and James Washington, is that this one of the best receiving corps you’ve gotten been round?
JJSS: Not simply our receiving corps, however having James Conner again, Jaylen Samuels, Vance McDonald, too. Eric Ebron has lots of video games underneath his belt and is a professional. To have Chase, he brings so much to our group as a deep risk. For us to go on the market, it will likely be a enjoyable yr.
SN: How a lot completely different is the offensive vibe now than it was with out Ben Roethlisberger for many of final season?
JJSS: One among our greatest elements, a Corridor of Fame quarterback, Huge Ben, is again. Taking part in with him simply my first two years, these occasions you keep in mind how a lot he means. Everybody’s wholesome and everybody’s prepared once more to indicate what the Steelers are made from.
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SN: There’s been some form of nice offseason buzz associated to the opposite groups within the AFC North, led by the Ravens. Do you are feeling such as you guys are flying underneath the radar a bit within the division race?
JJSS: These groups are nice groups with wonderful gamers, however on the finish of the day, once you discuss concerning the Steelers’ protection, how dominant they’re, Huge Ben when he is wholesome, guys who he has round him, it is our time to exit and make an announcement on Monday night time. We’re right here, we’re again within the AFC North — and we’ll run the desk.
SN: What had been your impressions of simply how large, quick and proficient Chase is as a rookie?
JJSS: Coming in at 6-4, having the ability to run a 4.4 (within the 40-yard sprint), it is loopy. The child is blessed. He is began out on a very good foot and doing the suitable issues for us. I am unable to wait to see what he does in his first recreation. I am excited.
SN: Though there is no USC-Notre Dame recreation this yr, are you continue to having fun with having Chase symbolize the Irish vs. you, the Trojan?
JJSS: That is one of many first issues we talked about — the Shamrock, the rivalry. I performed towards him when he was there and we beat them. With me and Zach Banner, we will look ahead to it yearly with Chase and Stephon Tuitt — the loser has to do pushups, issues like that. It is actually humorous.
SN: USC retains churning out proficient NFL receivers — it is Michael Pittman Jr. this yr, with Amon-Ra St. Brown able to hit the league quickly. What’s it concerning the Trojans program and wideouts reminiscent of you and the Rams’ Robert Woods?
JJSS: I truthfully imagine with USC, how prestigious of a faculty it’s, we’re all moving into with that mindset, we’re coming right here, we’ll play our three years and we’ll exit. Numerous broad receivers there do this. The preparation — I had Tee Martin after I was there — to go on the market and ball, know the performs, know what I am doing, is nice. The way in which USC runs a playbook is just about how NFL groups runs theirs, and the extra you realize, the extra you’ll be able to play properly.
We additionally do particular groups properly there. I did punt and kick returns in faculty, and I used to be in a position to try this within the NFL. The transition was straightforward for me after it was actually enjoyable. That is why yearly now we have an amazing broad receiver who comes out.
SN: Once you connected with DAZN Canada a couple of yr in the past, did you know the way well-liked the NFL and your group was up there?
JJSS: Chase, he talked about how he was an enormous Steelers fan in Vancouver. Toronto, Winnipeg — it is so loopy how large our Steelers fan base is. To have Steeler Nation like that up there, it is fairly cool.
SN: How a lot do you like working with DAZN?
JJSS: We have completed some wonderful issues with not simply soccer, however boxing and different occasions. It was enjoyable representing them within the Tremendous Bowl in Miami. The most important factor with DAZN Canada is you can too watch NFL RedZone together with all of the video games. We’re doing a little wonderful issues at DAZN. It is superior for me to be a DAZN consultant as a result of now we have an enormous Steelers fan base in Canada and I will get my identify on the market. It is an amazing partnership, I really like working with them and hopefully now we have many extra years to return.
Watch every NFL game and RedZone on DAZN Canada (start your free trial)
SN: If Steelers followers in Canada haven’t got DAZN, why is now the suitable time to subscribe?
JJSS: DAZN has extra stay soccer than anybody else in Canada. In case you’ve by no means seen RedZone, you are lacking out on all the massive performs. In case you’re an enormous fantasy man like me and also you wish to see all of your gamers rating touchdowns and have fun, DAZN is the place it is at. I will ensure that to rely my fantasy factors — and I will rely everybody else’s, too. You have to keep tuned.
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