HOLLY SEYMOUR
Problems in Pittsburgh? Steelers have issues on and off the field
Sep 18, 2018, 12:16 pm
Antonio Brown is adding to the drama in Pittsburgh. Joe Sargent/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to win a game. Unfortunately, on top of taking L’s, they have even bigger issues. The locker room.
On Monday night, Antonio Brown responded to a tweet from a previous member of the Steelers organization.
“AB needs to thank his lucky stars, because he was drafted by a team that had Ben. And Ben got AB paid. You know darn well he wouldn't put up those numbers for other teams.” -Ryan Scarpino.
AB’s response? “Trade me let’s find out.”
The result? AB doesn’t show up to work.
I’m not sure which I find worse… The fact that Antonio even responded to this, or the actual opinion Scarpino threw out there.
AB is the best receiver in the NFL. Big Ben may have made his job somewhat easier, but I can think of a handful of other offenses to throw Brown in and I am positive he will be more than capable to “put up those numbers.”
Let’s not forget that just two weeks ago several of the Steeler’s offensive line made sure the entire NFL fan base was aware of their thoughts on teammate LeVeon Bell. Let’s RE-READ that key word, TEAMMATE. Some remarks made were out of line. It’s almost as if these guys live for this ridiculous drama. Are we REALLY comparing salaries and playing tug of war with whose work ethic is better?
No matter if you are Team Bell or Team Steeler… this entire scenario is uncalled for. These players need to grow up and show some professionalism. Being a sensitive Sally and reacting to every negative comment thrown your way on social media is ridiculous.
And has anyone seen Mike Tomlin? Is he off partying on yachts with LeVeon? If you’re not winning games… and you’re not able to check your players, why are you even on the payroll?
The Steelers host Monday Night Football against Fitzmagic and his hyped up squad this week. Will this team be able to get it together by kick off, or will we continue to see the problems stack up for Pittsburgh?
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.