Rich Eisen went on his “Rich Eisen Show” podcast recently and posed the question to his panel..
..“Who’s team is being talked about the absolute least in the AFC North?..”Yep, you guessed it, the Pittsburgh Steelers, I myself absolutely could not be happier.
Video courtesy of the Rich Eisen Show
The Baltimore Ravens are in the news due to the Lamar Jackson contract situation. The Cincinnati are in the news because they FINALLY made it to the Super Bowl after a 33 year drought.
Then you have the Cleveland Browns, who are mainly in the news due to their quarterback situation. With Deshuan Watson most likely facing a year long suspension, and Baker Mayfield basically on his way out the door is very news worthy.
As for the Steelers? Well, they drafted quarterback Kenny Pickett out of Pitt in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The first QB picked by Pittsburgh in the first round since Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.
They also hired Omar Khan as their General Manager, made Minkah Fitzpatrick the highest paid safety in the league, and bolstered up their defensive with the addition of DBs..LBs..and DLs..too many to name.
Long story short..I see that as a good thing. It’s better to be out of the publics eye..it takes the pressure off. While the others teams in the AFC North are being praised for last season, or being ridiculed for their quarterback situations the Pittsburgh Steelers are focusing on nothing but the upcoming NFL season. #HereWeGo
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Ogunjobi played in 76 games (63 starts) over his five-year career (Cleveland 2017-20, Cincinnati 2021). He has registered 229 tackles (123 solo), 21.5 sacks, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles. Ogunjobi played in 16 games, starting in all contests for the Bengals and recorded 49 tackles (23 solo) and 7.0 sacks.
Originally selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Browns, Ogunjobi played in 46 games at Charlotte (2012-16). He finished his career with the 49ers with 217 tackles (127 solo), 49.0 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, six passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
Come on now! Seriously? Are Pittsburgh Steelers fans and the NFL media still trying to entertain the notion that Mason Rudolph should actually be the next starting quarterback for the “Black & Gold?” Well here..let me correct that ridiculous notion/thought by giving you all one reason why it won’t..should it nor “NEVER” happen.
“BECAUSE MASON RUDOLPH CANNOT EVEN BEAT THE CLEVELAND BROWNS..THAT’S WHY!”
The Infamous HelmetGate Game
Mason was pure trash in that game. 23 for 44 with only 221 yards? Not to mention only 1 touchdown against 4 interceptions. Allowing Baker Mayfield to get the easy win.
Gives Cleveland A Playoff Berth
Although a slightly better game versus the Browns, Rudolph did lead a comeback in the last game of the 2020 season. Only to allow the Browns to earn a ticket into the playoffs for the first time since 2002. UNACCEPTABLE!
I mean let’s face it, Rudolph going into his 4th season with the Steelers just isn’t starting material. What I mean is he is not that good, regardless of what GM Kevin Colbert (soon to be gone) had to say recently.
Photo courtesy of Steelers Depot
“We have confidence that if the season started today, Mason would be our starter,” Colbert said. “We’re excited to see where that can go. … We’re excited to see what is next for Mason.”
“If” the season started today. Thank GOD it doesn’t start today. Because if it did, Pittsburgh would be in a world of hurt. Guess I see why Colbert is on his way out the door, because he is definitely becoming delusional.
Former Steelers CB, Ryan Clark..(someone with questionable comments)..gave a rather spot on commentary regarding Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation. A commentary I definitely agree with.
Photo courtesy of Steelersworld1.com
“If Mason Rudolph is the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers entering 2022, they are no longer the Pittsburgh Steelers I love or the fans of Pittsburgh love.”
Is he lying though? No. Pittsburgh Steelers President, Art Rooney stated nearly a year ago that Mason Rudolph can be a starter “IN THIS LEAGUE.” Never did he say for the Pittsburgh Steelers. To me, and anyone who knows professional football..he is just another Landry Jones. #HereWeGo
Look, it happened last season. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, T.J. Watt got edged out by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle, Aaron Donald. A decision a lot on NFL fans and media outlets did not agree with. Neither did I.
Although Donald is a “Freak Of Nature” he did not surpass the “Freakiest Freak Of Nature”..Watt in any defensive category. Let’s take a look..shall we?
AARON DONALD 2020-21: 16 Games
Not bad. Respectable. Now check out the latter’s stats. The latter who was looked over for some strange reason
T.J.WATT 2020-21: 15 Games
Hmmm..Watt accumulated 1.5 more sacks, 16 more solo tackles with only 10 assisted. Yet he was overlooked because the Steelers are very much hated by the NFL, the media and those who control the votes. Oh..and NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell. Can’t forget that hater.
But this is the NFL 2021-22 season. So let’s see how Watt stacks up to this year’s so-called front runners on the defensive end. Starting with ESPN Nation Reporter, Brooke Pryor’s VideoCast interview with former Pittsburgh cornerback, Ike Taylor. Via Mark Bergin (BLEAV IN STEELERS PODCAST).
Now, Bergin’s tweet hit a definite point. Although T.J. Watt leads the league with 17.5 sacks going into week 16, the Steelers Standout has only played twelve(12) of those games. Anybody can do that simple arithmetic..right?
Photo courtesy of Behind The Steel Curtain
Point Mark Bergin is making, it is not just Watt’s sack count that boosts him over the stratosphere..it is his intangibles. The havoc he wreaks in and outside the box. The pressure he puts on opposing quarterbacks to allow his defensive teammates to make plays.
Although Cleveland Browns defense end, Myles Garrett is doing a decent job this season. And Dallas Cowboys linebacker, Micah Parsons is putting up nice numbers..both of which were accomplished in more game/snaps.
Three(3) games left to go. Watt has already surpassed former Pittsburgh Steelers sack leader, James Harrison(16)..and has the opportunity to pass the leading NFL Sack Leader of ALL-TIME, Michael Strahan. Whether here nor there, T.J. Watt should be the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. #HereWeGo
Ok, let’s get it in! I am about to share with you my personal AFC North quarterback rankings. And although a lot of fans from opposing teams may disagree, so what..because it is in fact my opinion. Do with it as you will.
1) “BIG” BEN ROETHLISBERGER: PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Now, you may think that I am just being a “HOMER” since I am a lifelong Steelers fan. But the truth of the matter is he is IN FACT the best quarterback in the division, regardless of what Mike Tannenbaum and Colin Cowherd have to say since they are haters and morons.
Let’s start with the obvious, Ben is the only quarterback in this division to go undefeated during his rookie campaign, only to lose to the New England Patriots (Cheatriots) in the playoffs.
Roethlisberger then went on to be the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl in his second season. This coming after promising former Steelers running back and Hall of Famer, Jerome Bettis the previous season that he would get The Bus an Lombardi Trophy. That alone should seal the deal.
But what makes Big Ben number one on my list is that after going through Tommy John surgery during the 2019 season, he came back the following year to throw for 3803 yards..33 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. Imagine if he played week 16 versus the Cleveland Browns. (Speaking of)
Keep in mind that as a Steelers fan, the ranking of Mayfield as the #2 quarterback in the AFC North really makes me want to puke! Mainly because he is a cocky Heisman Trophy winner who has never accomplished anything in the NFL (besides winning a playoff game against my Pittsburgh Steelers). Not to mention Cleveland Browns fans are like Dallas Cowboys fans..only worse.
But this ranking is about facts, and Baker has shown some improvement since being drafted back in the 2018 NFL Draft. The only problem is, he has yet crack that “ELITE” surface, plus his attitude is still a major issue.
Granted, Mayfield may have had his best QBR 95.9 rating last season, he still threw for less yards and less touchdowns than Roethlisberger. Can’t very well place Baker at the top now can we? Hell..in 2019 he threw 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions with more yards..yet he is improving.
Another reason Mayfield ranks above the others at #2 is due to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, but one season does not prove a HC in Cleveland..or a?QB.
Yeah..yeah..how dare me slap the 2019 MVP as the number three(3) quarterback in the AFC North? Well I will tell you why..”LAMAR JACKSON IS MORE OF A RUNNING BACK THAN A QUARTERBACK!” There..I said it
Look, Jackson is quick..elusive and talented, but he is a lesser Kordell Stewart more than anything. Mainly because Stewart had an arm and make the throws Lamar is unable to. It is a fact..prove me wrong. Not to mention, Kordell was quicker and more talented.
Still..this ranking has to do about quarterbacks, something that Jackson still desperately needs to work on. Throwing for 2757 yards, 26 touchdowns (7 less than Ben and tied with Baker) and 9 interceptions.
The problem with this is Lamar ran for 1005 yards on 159 carries, yet he still lost to Ben Roethlisberger twice last season. What other position should he be in other than third? I mean..at least Mayfield luckily won one against Ben (Baker barely beat Mason Rudolph in week 16).
4) JOE BURROW(Heisman Winner 2019): CINCINNATI BENGALS
It is really tough placing Bengals quarterback, Joe Burrow at the bottom of the AFC North list. The only reason I am doing so is because he is still “fresh meat”..who still has a lot to prove. As of yet he has shown he is the only QB in the division to not take his team to the playoffs last year.
Let’s face it, throwing for 2688 yards and 13 touchdowns obviously aren’t stats to place anyone at the top. The five(5) interceptions however is the lowest in the division. But less INTs and less TDs do not win GAMEs.
Case in point Pittsburgh Steelers fan or not, Roethlisberger’s numbers were better, won the division, and is the ONLY quarterback in the division to win two Super Bowls and “WAS NOT” a Heisman Trophy Winner makes him #1 in my book. Like I said before..prove me otherwise. #HereWeGo
Ok, first I will start with this..”WHO CARES WHAT THE FORMER GENERAL MANAGER OF THE MIAMI DOLPHINS THINKS?” Having said that, let’s get down to business.
For those of you who don’t know, former Dolphins GM, Mike Tannenbaum made a ridiculous prediction yet again. Stating that the Pittsburgh Steelers will finish last in the AFC North because they have..”the worst quarterback in the division.” Laughable.
I say “again” because this moron made the same prediction last season, saying he would choose Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield over Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. And that Pittsburgh was going to finish last in the division, yet they won the division.
Check the video below with Ryan Clark and Kimberly Martin last August 2020 on ESPN:
Yeah? And how did that turn out Tannenbaum? In case you or anyone else forgot, let me remind you all. Because if you see, Roethlisberger finished 8th amongst quarterbacks, one(1) spot above Mayfield, three(3) above Lamar Jackson, Burrow much further down the list.
With that being said, Roethlisberger may be the oldest quarterback in the AFC North..but he is definitely not the worst. I mean..he swept the Cincinnati Bengals, swept the Baltimore Ravens, and split with the Cleveland Browns last season. So how does that make him the worst QB?
MEMO TO TANNENBAUM: STFU! You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Probably why the word “former” appears before GM in your title. #HereWeGo
STEELERS WORLD 1 