It’s a sign of the times in today’s NFL. We no longer judge the quality of a touchdown run or touchdown catch or touchdown throw. We judge the quality of the end-zone celebration.
Is JuJu Smith-Schuster terrific or what?
You might remember his youthful enthusiasm and creativity in the Steelers’ win Sept. 17 against Minnesota. He orchestrated a “Casino Night” celebration after his 4-yard touchdown on his first NFL catch. He called over Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant and Ramon Foster and dropped to one knee, pretending to roll dice. It made all of the national sports shows.
Smith-Schuster was even better Sunday in the Steelers’ 29-14 win against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was wide open when he caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger early in the second quarter, setting off a celebration that just might be the best of the NFL season. Google it. It’s worth your time. Almost immediately, Smith-Schuster covered his eyes and pretended to count as Bell hid behind the goal post. He quickly found Bell and chased him down.
Bet you never imagined you would see a little hide-and-seek in an NFL stadium.
“That was beautiful,” Foster said. “That is so typical of JuJu. I enjoy having that youth around. I think it brings a different dynamic to the team.”
Smith-Schuster gave all the credit for the hide-and-seek thing to Bell.
“I came to JuJu with it, literally, about 10 minutes before the game,” Bell said. “I said, ‘Hey, JuJu, if one of us scores, let’s play hide-and-seek.’ He was all for it. I know JuJu and he loves doing celebrations. I knew he was going to be the guy to do it.”
The two executed the plan perfectly.
“We didn’t even practice it or anything,” Bell said, almost in disbelief.
End-zone celebrations are wonderful, but you know what makes them go, right? A player actually has to score a touchdown. Smith-Schuster has become pretty good at that. This was his third touchdown of the season. According to the NFL, he is the first player in league history to have three touchdown catches before his 21st birthday. His birthday is Nov. 22.
“Everybody feels like they have to take care of him. Like he’s your little brother,” Foster said. “He has a personality. He has an aura about him. It’s like, ‘OK, Little Dude, let’s go. I like what you’re doing.’ “
Roethlisberger certainly does. He appreciates Smith-Schuster’s big plays a lot more than his touchdown celebrations. It’s not just Smith-Schuster’s catches. It’s his work in the run game.
“The dirty work,” Roethlisberger called it.
Smith-Schuster played a part in Bell’s 134-yard rushing day against the Bengals just as he did in Bell’s 179-yard game a week earlier in Kansas City.
“Part of the reason Martavis’ snap count has gone down is the effort in the run game by JuJu,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s done some big-time things.”
Bryant didn’t do much again Sunday. He wasn’t on the field for the Steelers’ second touchdown drive when they stretched the field with a 28-yard pass to Vance McDonald and the 31-yard touchdown to Smith-Schuster. When Roethlisberger did take a shot deep with Bryant late in the third quarter, Bryant didn’t appear to realize the ball was coming to him. He has been targeted 36 times this season and has 18 catches for 234 yards. Smith-Schuster has been more efficient with 17 catches on 27 targets for 231 yards.
“Maybe I should stop acting so surprised because he keeps doing it,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s not like we just put him at one position and say, ‘Just memorize all the plays at this position.’ We’ve asked him to know two or three positions and know hand signals in the middle of the game and this and that. He’s handling all of it. He shows so much effort and desire and wants to be great. It’s fun to watch.”
Even the end-zone celebrations.
Or should I say, especially the end-zone celebrations?
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com and Twitter@RonCookPG. Ron Cook can be heard on the “Cook and Poni” show weekdays from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
First Published: October 23, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
