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Thursday’s “First Name” is caked with Steelers dialog.
We have a look at Alejandro Villanueva’s future. Steven Nelson’s potential suitors. Potential self-discipline for Chase Claypool. And issues about JuJu Smith-Schuster’s knee.
And for hockey followers, a forecast of how Pittsburgh’s “Frozen 4” could end up.
Doubling down?
It’s been per week on the open market, and Steelers free agent sort out Alejandro Villanueva has but to ink a brand new contract.
Is it potential for Villanueva to “pull a JuJu” and are available again to the Steelers if a greater deal doesn’t current itself in free company?
Based on NFL insider John Clayton, sure. And, in Villanueva’s greatest pursuits, it higher occur quickly if it will occur in any respect.
“He’s 32. So it’s onerous to get a deal,” Clayton mentioned on 93.7 The Fan Wednesday. “If you’re any participant in your thirties, you higher not wait. It will get worse.”
Clayton mentioned the Steelers must be fascinated by Villanueva’s return, particularly if Zach Banner goes again to proper sort out and Chuks Okorafor is pressed to the highest of the depth chart on the left aspect.
The contract Clayton threw out as a risk was a one-year deal at $6 million. So that may require some voidable years on the again finish if the Steelers have been to make that notion a actuality.
In the meantime, Clayton mentioned that two groups could have an curiosity in not too long ago launched Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson. They’re each within the AFC West: the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.
Nelson performed with Okay.C. previous to becoming a member of the Steelers two years in the past.
Claypool’s kick
Clayton additionally touched on Chase Claypool’s alleged bar fight in California.
One query individuals are questioning is that if Claypool could also be topic to some kind of NFL self-discipline.
Clayton mentioned, sure, don’t be surprised if that’s the case.
“While you go on TMZ and there’s video, that’s not good,” Clayton instructed the “PM Crew.” “There could possibly be (self-discipline). In all probability a recreation, perhaps two video games on the most.”
Yeah, I can’t see two video games coming from that. Even one recreation. However by the letter of the regulation, Claypool could have uncovered himself to such an consequence.
As Steelers Now outlined, the NFL’s private conduct coverage prohibits “precise or threatened bodily violence towards one other individual.”
Claypool seemingly kicking a man within the head appears to suit that description.
And the second-year huge receiver could possibly be introduced up for suspension even when expenses aren’t filed “if credible proof establishes that he engaged in conduct prohibited.”
Battle of wounded knee?
Quite a lot of theories have been floated as to why Steelers free agent huge receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster couldn’t get a long-term, big-money contract. A shrinking cap? An excessive amount of social media trash discuss? A low yards-per-reception common in 2020?
There may be in all probability loads of fact to all of that. Right here’s one other thought — a balky knee that lingered since 2019.
That’s in accordance with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Wednesday morning, he posted, “A number of sources mentioned the 24-year-old’s well being will probably be one thing to look at after some knee issues have endured from the previous two seasons.
“In 2019, Smith-Schuster missed 4 video games with a knee harm and concussion. He missed a number of practices final season with the knee harm designation, and sources say he’s acquired frequent therapy for knee-related points, which makes them surprise about his long-term sturdiness going ahead.”
If that’s the case, Smith-Schuster didn’t miss any of the 17 video games the Steelers performed in 2020. However maybe it explains a number of the issues groups appeared to have about Smith-Schuster’s skill to get open deep.
Based on Fowler, Smith-Schuster’s agent Kim Miale mentioned no issues have been raised by any crew throughout free company. That included the Steelers.
Fowler concluded by stating that Smith-Schuster has been coaching with out restriction in Los Angeles this offseason.
I appear to recollect Smith-Schuster being restricted in a follow right here or there. However I’d argue his lack of huge performs was extra a perform of the Steelers offense and his basic incapability to be rather more than a No. 2 receiver than it’s an harm purple flag.
Frozen 4 enjoyable
Assuming the NCAA males’s hockey bracket strikes via to its championship weekend, it’ll be held in Pittsburgh.
Odds are out as to which groups you might even see at PPG Paints Area on April 8 and 10. North Dakota is a 5/2 favourite. The Preventing Hawks have been 21-5-1.
Wisconsin, coached by former Penguins assistant Tony Granato, is subsequent at 3/1. The Badgers are my decide. They’re adopted by Boston Faculty and Minnesota at 5/1.
American Worldwide, Bemidji State, Lake Superior, Nebraska-Omaha and Notre Dame all have the longest odds at 66/1. AIC, winners of the Atlantic Convention which options Robert Morris, has the powerful process of going through North Dakota in Fargo within the first spherical Friday night time.
The regional motion for all 4 pods is that this weekend.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Evaluate workers author. You possibly can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or through Twitter. All tweets could possibly 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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