Happy Friday to yinz and here’s to everyone’s weekend hopefully now off to a great start.
Well, for once in several Friday’s I did not have to go to the doctor so for that I am very thankful. Additionally, I was able to get quite a bit done around the house this past week and now my offseason punch list has been completed and it should be smooth sailing for me for the next four weeks. at least that’s what I’m hoping for.
Next weekend, wifey and I might try to run up to Carson City, NV for a long weekend as it really will be the last weekend we get to spend serious time together until after the 2019 NFL season is over. It’s a 7 hour drive there, however, and not sure how up I’ll be for that. We’ll see.
The Pittsburgh Steelers first training camp practice of 2019 will take place four weeks from today and the team’s first preseason game is now a mere six weeks away. I can’t wait. That time will pass quickly, I promise.
As usual, I have five questions for yinz to answer during this last Friday night of June 2019. Hopefully several of yinz take time to fill up the comments below.
Have a great and safe weekend and as usual, thank you for visiting the site this past week and month.
God bless and peace and love to all.
By the way, did yinz see this USA goal today?
1 – Alex Kozora and I had a long discussion about Steelers defensive tackle Javon Hagrave this morning on The Terrible Podcast in regard to whether or not the team will sign him to a contract extension before the start of the 2019 regular season. In your heart of hearts, do you think Hargrave will ultimately sign a contract extension before the start of the regular seasons?
2 – Currently, Caesars Sportsbook has the over/under for total tackles in 2019 by Steelers rookie inside linebacker Devin Bush set at 86.5. Are you taking the over or under as we sit here in late June?
3 – Pro Football Focus believes Steelers rookie outside linebacker Sutton Smith is destined to get some defensive playing time in 2019. Barring a few injuries at the outside linebacker position, would you take the over or under of 15.5 total defensive snaps played by Smith on defense during the 2019 season?
4 – Between safety Terrell Edmunds and wide receiver James Washington, which one is most-likely to have an overall better second season in 2019 for the Steelers?
5 – You can only turn one of the four Steelers AFC Championship Game losses below into a win and a shot at another Super Bowl title. Which loss are you choosing and why?
a) 1997–98 vs Denver Broncos
b) 2001–02 vs New England Patriots
c) 2004–05 vs New England Patriots
d) 2016–17 vs New England Patriots
BONUS – Have yinz ever been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH?
Recap of 5 Weeks Until Training Camp Friday Night Questions
Question 1: Steelers Depot respondents, as a group, took the over on Mike Clay’s 2019 stat projection for Vance McDonald catching 56 receptions for 658 yards but were split on whether he would be over or under 5 touchdowns. He will have to play a full season with little lost time due to injury to make it. The Vanimal has averaged 2.6 catches for 31.9 yards per game since coming to Pittsburgh. That extrapolates to 42 receptions for 510 yards in 16 games. Four is the most TD’s that the Vanimal has ever scored in a season. Perhaps, making up for the lost production from the Steelers former starting wide receiver from last season will bump his stats up and exceed Clay’s projection. That would be nice.
Question 2: Trey Edmunds was the runaway favorite to be the running back listed to make the practice squad. Travon McMillian, Ralph Webb & Malik Williams did get mentions but usually in reference to Trey making the 53-man roster. We’ll see come the end of training camp.
Question 3: We ranked the players most likely to sign a contract extension later this season in the following order: Joe Haden; Javon Hargrave; BJ Finney; Sean Davis; & Mike Hilton. Will more than one sign an extension if some cap money is freed up somehow?
Question 4: Jaylen Samuels will not record a run of more than 30 yards this season though several believe he may have a catch and run that exceeds it.
Question 5: Surprisingly, Steelers Depot respondents believe the Steelers will exceed 19.5 yards a kick return by a narrow margin. I’d like at least one taken to the house!
