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Thursday’s “First Name” speculates about the way forward for Steelers operating again James Conner. We have a good time Steelers greats, Jack Ham and Jerome Bettis. A candidate has emerged on the Deshaun Watson commerce block. And one more AFC franchise needs to be part of the J.J. Watt dialog.
Shufflin’ off to Buffalo?
We already knew that potential suitors for not too long ago launched Houston Texans free agent J.J. Watt included the Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans.
Now the newest AFC crew mentioned to be within the combine for Watt is the Buffalo Payments.
Based on ESPN’s Kimberley Martin, the “curiosity is certainly mutual,” relating to Watt’s ideas on doubtlessly signing in Buffalo.
Buffalo’s sack complete dipped from 44 in 2019 to 38 this 12 months. It was fourth towards the cross final 12 months and was thirteenth in 2020. The unit allowed 23 factors per sport final season after yielding simply 16.2 in 2019. And, so far as complete yards per sport, the Payments plummeted from third (298.3) a season in the past to 14th (352) this 12 months.
Buffalo’s protection was nonetheless first rate in 2020. However not the presence it was in 2019.
And it must return to that 2019 degree in 2021 to oust Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs atop the AFC.
Including Watt would assist.
Rocky Mountain excessive?
Talking of Houston Texans who could also be on the transfer, the Denver Broncos are mentioned to have an curiosity in Deshaun Watson.
Based on Troy Renck of ABC 7 in Denver, the Broncos “will pursue Watson if the Texans resolve to commerce him. They don’t seem to be in on (Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson) Wentz.”
Renck went on to tweet that present Denver QB Drew Lock “has dealt with noise nicely” and is “figuring out, targeted on having an incredible offseason. He understands he has to get higher to maintain/win the job.”
Pro Football Talk factors out, “The truth that the Broncos might ship Drew Lock to Houston as a part of the bundle can’t harm. Lock torched the Texans in December 2019, scoring a major upset in NRG Stadium over a playoff crew led by Watson. Possibly a few first-round picks and Lock would get the deal executed.”
The location is referring to Lock’s 38-24 win in Houston again in December 2019. He threw the ball for 309 yards and three touchdowns that day, finishing 22 of 27 passes.
James the Jet?
Steelers operating again James Conner is about to be a free agent, identical to teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster. As we advised you at “Breakfast With Benz” Wednesday, the extensive receiver is anticipated to be courted by the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders.
These are two potential locations Steelers Wire cited for Conner as nicely. I’d agree with each of these prospects for Conner. I assumed he’d be a great secondary again for Josh Jacobs with the Raiders ought to Devontae Booker and Theo Riddick depart.
The Jets additionally make sense as a result of they don’t actually have a beginning choice, and he may very well be a part of a back-by-committee strategy that will get in-built New York.
I’m not fairly as onboard with the opposite two choices listed, the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots.
I can’t see Invoice Belichick being all that impressed with Conner due to his lack of sturdiness and his inconsistency. And my wager is that if the Cardinals don’t maintain Kenyan Drake at operating again, they’ll go along with the next profile signing or draft his potential alternative.
Plus, I’m unsure Conner could be an incredible slot in that offense.
Remembering greatness
Wednesday marked the thirty seventh anniversary of Jack Ham’s retirement from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He did so again in 1983 after 12 legendary seasons in Black and Gold, accumulating one of many nice resumes within the franchise’s historical past.
Higher be careful if Jack Ham is round pic.twitter.com/hwtaveuNEL
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 17, 2021
The Penn State product went to eight Professional Bowls and was named All-Professional eight instances as nicely. He was on the Seventies All-Decade Crew and the seventy fifth and one centesimal anniversary groups.
He additionally received 4 Tremendous Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
Other than that, I suppose he didn’t accomplish a lot.
Additionally, we should always level out that Tuesday was Jerome Bettis’ forty ninth birthday.
The wheels on the bus go spherical and spherical pic.twitter.com/Hdk90uGvi6
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 16, 2021
So congrats to the Bus for placing on a couple of extra miles.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Evaluate employees author. You’ll be able to contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or by way of Twitter. All tweets may very well be reposted. All emails are topic to publication until specified in any other case.
Classes:
Sports activities | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz
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