Steelers Fact or Fiction: Patience edition

BTSC takes five burning questions regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers and labels them as fact or fiction.

There’s always so much to talk about when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the inquiries surrounding the black and gold are definitely ever-evolving, especially this week with the Steelers looking pedestrian in their preseason finale. But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. BTSC tries to answer some of the poignant wonderings ahead of time. It seems like the musical selection that best fits this week’s Fact or Fiction could be from the

Here’s a sample…

I sit here on the stairs ‘cause I’d rather be alone

If I can’t have you right now, I’ll wait, dear

Sometimes I get so tense, but I can’t speed up the time

But you know, love, there’s one more thing to consider

Said, woman, take it slow and things will be just fine

You and I’ll just use a little patience

Said, sugar, take the time ‘cause the lights are shinin’ bright

You and I’ve got what it takes to make it

We won’t fake it, aw, I’ll never break it, ‘cause I can’t take it

Are these lyrics really related here? Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to listen to some Axl, Slash, Izzy, Duff and Steven Adler? But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. BTSC tries to answer some of the poignant wonderings ahead of time. Take a look at some bold statements on this and more as we label them as fact or fiction.

Are we on point? Only time will tell.

The Steelers slot corner is not currently in the Pittsburgh locker room

Fiction

Who the actual starting slot corner will be when the Steelers play for reals is a question that nobody can really answer at this particular juncture. However, we know that it definitely is not going to be Mike Hilton, who will be plying his trade in tiger stripes in Cincy this season. It’s not Antoine Brooks Jr. either after being put on the injured/waived list on Tuesday. With Arthur Maulet banged up as well, plans need to be redrawn quickly. I agree with BTSC’s Geoffrey Benedict that Cam Sutton was originally thought to be an option, but he is better in coverage and not as physical and that James Pierre and Justin Layne are more of the outside corner variety and Tre Norwood might not be ready. Keith Butler has hinted that it could be slot-by-committee, but that’s a dangerous proposition as well with no consistent option getting time to gel. Even though the player’s identity is not known, getting a slot corner off of the garbage heap this late in the game is a risky proposition. With no time to learn the system, a castoff might not work. So, expect the team’s slot to already be in black and gold with a number to be named later.

Josh Dobbs will not be on the Steelers 53-man roster on September 12 in Buffalo

Fact

This next submission I have wavered on and originally did not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff at BTSC. In fact, I was a video game from the 80s Cafe as seen in Back To The Future 2. It’s Lone Gunman. Anyhoo, I thought that Kevin Colbert was going to weave a web of magic and score a draft pick out of Mason Rudolph after Dwayne Haskins’ performance in prime time against the Carolina Panthers on Friday Night. My rationale was that the two quarterbacks had trade value and Colbert has done this dance in the past by sending Dobbs to Jacksonville for a fifth rounder just two years ago. I thought that Dobbs would stay as a capable QB3 and Mason would fetch a four or a five in next year’s draft. I still believe in Haskins, but I no longer think that a trade will happen.

Not having T.J. Watt and Stephon Tuitt in preseason game shape could hinder Steelers’ defensive efforts early on in 2021

Fact

I’ve said this in past years when talking about Ben Roethlisberger’s minimal exhibition play since 2015, although I’m backing off a bit after No. 7’s showing against Detroit. But conditioning and not practicing is a dangerous thing. It brings on rust galore when the season counts. T.J. is a superstar, but he still needs to see action. Stephon Tuitt’s situation is a mystery, but I don’t know how easily No. 91 can just jump right in the pool after not getting wet for a long while.

Don’t buy a new player’s jersey until right before the first regular season game

Fact

So you want a Joe Schobert jersey? You better wait. Schobert is going to wait until final cuts and select his digits from the fallen. What if Quincy Roche doesn’t make the team and gets plucked off of the practice squad by another franchise. You are stuck with a pair of 48s to go with your now vintage Bud Dupree jersey. You are jonesin’ for Jamir’s jersey? The No. 44 possession arrow may go to Derek Watt. I remember a few years back when a fan paid big bucks for a Tuzar Skipper jersey only to be shocked when No. 51 was wearing the blue and red of the Giants and not the black and gold. Have patience grasshopper or play it safe and spend your dough on a No. 90.

Pat Freiermuth will be the Steelers starting tight end in Week 1

Fiction

Freiermuth is the future, but Eric Ebron still resides in the present and offers value. Yes there are going to be drops, but fans seem to think that he drops every pass thrown his way. The rookie from Penn State will see plenty of action and may even set up a time share in the end zone, but the incumbent will remain TE1 for the opener in Orchard Park.

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