The Pittsburgh Steelers are always in the playoff hunt with an eye on the Super Bowl as the prize. This 2018 campaign is no different, after a 3-1 performance during the preseason.
Head coach Mike Tomlin entering his 11th season at the helm knows how to have his team ready for the black and blue AFC North division.
The big story still lurking is when will Le’Veon Bell be back on the practice field ready to play after being slapped with the franchise tag. So James Conner the local favorite who has been taking most of the 1st team reps will have first crack at the Cleveland Browns defense.
All it takes is an opportunity for the next superstar to be born, “James,” said Tomlin when asked about his running back situation.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger now has two big play receivers to count on after JuJu Smith-Schuster emerged as great rookie pick up alongside veteran Antonio Brown.
This duo will give offensive coordinators fits all season long starting with the Browns.
Last season Brown signed a four-year contract extension worth $68 million making Brown the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL then. He topped it of with 101 catches for 1,533 yards.
Smith-Schuster rookie year he caught 58 passes for 917 yards with longest being a 97 yard touchdown on Sunday night football versus the Lions. But the the second biggest highlight of his rookie season was a knockout blow on Monday Night Football versus the Bengals. The NFL bully went down with one hit, linebacker Vontaze Burfict didn’t see the crackback blocking coming from Smith-Schuster. All the football puralist went nuts, you always gotta keep your head on a swivel.
The offense will be in good hands with a healthy Big Ben to direct the troops.
Next up Sunday 9, 2018 the Cleveland Browns host the Steelers to kickoff the 2018 season.
