Should Steelers fans be excited for the running game in 2021?

In a Q&A style article, I answer questions from fans about the Steelers as they prepare for Training Camp.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are close to Training Camp, and they are able to start reporting as early as July 21st. It is difficult to comprehend the Steelers being back on the field, but nothing is more exciting than a new season of hope.

Well, not everyone is hopeful but that isn’t the point of the article. Since all the cool kids are doing Q&A style articles, I felt I should do the same. So, I took to Twitter and asked for some questions to answer in an article, and my followers didn’t disappoint.

I chose the best of the best, and put them in this article. Check the tweets for the question, and my answer below. One day I’ll think of a name for this weekly article, but until then…here goes nothing!

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

When you look at the Ravens’ statistics from last season, and their dead last ranking in passing yards per game, you have to believe it can only get better. I do believe Jackson will improve as a passer, but that won’t happen until the offensive coordinator starts to call more pass plays. It is hard to fathom the Ravens going away from the run when it is their bread and butter, but living in Maryland the general feeling is the organization wants to prove Jackson can throw it as well as run it. The problem becomes, what if he can’t? With rumors swirling about a huge contract extension for Jackson, the putting the ball in his hands, and thus in the air, seems like a risky proposition. I do think Jackson can improve as a passer, but I feel his ceiling is most quarterback’s floor.

QUESTION(S):

ANSWER:

Okay, so this was discussed, and debated, at length on the site and on social media. This stems from the domestic abuse charges placed against Haskins’ wife. Don’t know what I’m talking about? See below:

Let’s get something straight. Is there more to this story? Probably. Do we know what that is at the current moment? No. So, going with what we know, how can anyone see this as a black eye on the Steelers’ organization, or Haskins’ hopes of making the 53-man roster? Domestic abuse can happen both ways, and this would be one of those moments.

If you want to question Haskins’ judgement with the Las Vegas trip, go ahead, but at the same time think about what you are suggesting. Do you want these professional athletes, who are in the mid-20s and brimming with confidence, to just sit in their homes and do nothing? All athletes go on vacations, this one just happened to go south for Haskins.

Barring new reports coming from this incident, I don’t see a thing changing for Haskins, as it pertains to his time with the Steelers.

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

I am an optimist, so I am always excited about something with the Steelers. For me, I am most excited to see Ben Roethlisberger after a full offseason. But not just after a full offseason, but his ability to grasp Matt Canada’s offense. An ability to take a back seat approach to the offense and let this offensive line and Najee Harris carry more of the load in the running game. Lastly, I’m excited to see Roethlisberger take all the negative talk which has been swirling around him this entire offseason, and to shove it down the media’s pie hole. Those who are close to him know how motivated Roethlisberger is by mainstream narratives, and the question now is does he still have enough in the tank to get it done? That is what I’m excited about entering training camp.

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

I get how it feels like the Steelers are always in the news for all the wrong reasons, but outside of Haskins’ current situation, when was the last time that happened? Has anything egregious happened since the departures of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell? I honestly can’t think of anything of that magnitude. It also shouldn’t be understated just how much damage those aforementioned players did to the team, organization and the fan base’s psyche. They really messed up the fans in a lot of ways. The Steelers have shown they are more focused on character the past few years, and I think it is paying off.

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

Both moments were amazing, and had significance. Antonio Brown’s Immaculate Extension came on a holiday, and clinched the division for the Steelers. A moment I’ll never forget. But Troy Polamalu’s interception of Joe Flacco in the AFC Championship Game sent the Steelers to the Super Bowl. It doesn’t get any bigger than that. My cousin was at the AFC Championship Game in the upper deck, and he said it felt as if the entire stadium was shaking. I mean…just watch these, it gives me chills every time:

So, yeah, I’ll take Troy’s interception to send the Steelers to Super Bowl 43 every day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

That does it for the first installment of the Q&A To Be Named Later. If you want to contribute questions, follow me on Twitter (@JHartman_PIT) and on Thursday’s I will do this every afternoon.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the upcoming 2021 regular season!