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Steelers wide receiver Deon Cain goes through drills during afternoon practice Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
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Steelers mailbag: Why sign unknowns when veteran free agents are available?

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers mailbag: Why sign unknowns when veteran free agents are available?

Welcome to our weekly Steelers mailbag. You’re more than welcome to email questions to sports@post-gazette.com, or tweet @PGSportsNow to inquire about the Steelers, NFL or anything out of bounds.

Let’s get started, and don’t forget to join us on our weekly all-sports podcast, The North Shore Drive, whether you use Apple, Spotify or any of the other major platforms.


Ted W.: Just curious. What do you think is the reason Steelers don’t appear to show interest in Pryor? They still, I believe are in a win now mode. Is it maybe they believe in practice squad talent that can be developed for the future? Experience at WR is at a premium now.

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Post-Gazette: Mike Tomlin was essentially asked about this at his Tuesday news conference, though Terrelle Pryor wasn't mentioned by name. That’s a good way to get Tomlin to dodge a question like this (see: Kaepernick, Colin).

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*— Kaepernick, Colin: “Man, we were working on a short week. Not a lot of discussions there, to be honest with you. Not a lot of real fluid information there, with how the information came out. So, no, not a lot of discussions,” Tomlin said when asked if the Steelers considered attending his workout Saturday in Atlanta. “I’m not commenting on our intended plans regarding free agency or who we choose to work out or how we choose to participate; that’s just a matter of general policy for us, and the Kaepernick case is no different.”

But Tomlin’s comments made it clear that he and the Steelers front office, at least right now, are placing more value on upside, potential and — to borrow a phrase he used to describe practice squad guy-turned-No. 2 receiver Tevin Jones — “general readiness” than on experience or name recognition.

“Most of the veterans that are getting off the couch lack a certain readiness from a physical standpoint,” Tomlin said. “Guys that have been on practice squads and working every day have the conditioning and readiness associated with working every day. So, that’s always an element of the discussion, but we also like the upside and we like to coach and instruct and teach. We don’t hide from that. We’re always excited about getting somebody with some talent that lacks some experience because it challenges us as coaches, and that’s something that we covet, as well.”

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There you have it, the closest you’ll get to someone in the Steelers organization publicly explaining why, specifically, they aren't bringing in Terrelle Pryor. Or Eli Rogers. Or Jay Ajayi, who ended up signing with Philadelphia after “getting off the couch.” Pryor has long been interested in joining his hometown team, but it’s just lately that he’s taken to social media to drum up support.

Obviously, the Deon Cains and Kerrith Whytes of the world are “no-name” additions to even some of the most ardent football fans — at least compared to Dez Bryant — but perhaps you end up digging a diamond out of the rough rather than stay trying to chase production and experience from guys who are no longer what they used to be.


David S., A.K.A., Dr. Steel: If nothing else Mason Rudolph has proven his toughness to Steeler fans. My question goes to the Browns’ play calling. What was the purpose of continuing to blitz Rudolph with seconds on the clock and no chance of the Steelers staging a comeback?

Post-Gazette: What was the purpose of the Steelers continuing to thrown, then? That’s not something that can be called into question here. The Steelers kept their starters in the game. They kept trying to score. You can't just stop playing, especially when it’s only 21-7. Blitzing was working for the Browns, so naturally, they aren't going to stop what’s working.

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The Steelers themselves could've gotten Rudolph out of harm’s way by just running out the clock. They knew as well as anyone how frustrated he was getting and much trouble they had blocking Myles Garrett and the rest. Did Garrett still tackle Rudolph unnecessarily after he released the ball? Yes, he did, but then Rudolph reacted poorly, as he himself acknowledged and apologized for Wednesday. Then, of course, Garrett made by far the worst misstep of anyone in the building that night.


Ben O.: If the Steelers did actually ask about [Le’Veon] Bell, how would they have paid him given their current cap situation (theoretically)? Do you think this means: 1) They recognize that they have a huge deficiency on offense that won’t be solved in next year’s draft (similar to their logic with choosing Minkah over a high pick); 2) That they are willing to walk away from Roethlisberger and to put whatever savings into more skilled position players and a QB on his rookie contract; 3) They think Bell negotiated a terrible deal and that they would have gladly signed him on those terms; 4) They binged on Eat-N-Park smiley cookies and were just doing the equivalent of an old school jerky boys routine on the Jets?

Post-Gazette: Ben sent in this question back around the time of the trade deadline, but it’s worth revisiting for a couple reasons. 1) James Conner’s shoulder injury seems to be getting worse before it gets better; and 2) Le’Veon Bell is back in the national headlines for, once again, drug testing.

Let’s start with the rumored inquiry from the Steelers; as you may recall, Mike Tomlin didn't exactly shut it down beyond a shadow of a doubt when asked about it. But it’s also hard to believe that would’ve been a good look for anyone involved, from the Steelers to the Jets to Bell himself. Plus, it was mostly national reporters running with that “story” — no one locally. It was dubious to begin with, for the salary cap implications you mention, as well as a bunch of other factors.

At this point, the Steelers probably do realize they need to revisit their long-term backfield situation. Conner simply can't stay healthy, which is unfortunate for him and really no fault of his, but this league is a business. The best ability is availability, as they say. Meanwhile, Jaylen Samuels isn't exactly proving that he can run with the power or physicality to be a featured running back, and Benny Snell already has lost time due to injury in his rookie season.

None of that means that the Steelers need to spend a draft pick, let alone a high one, next year on a ball-carrier — it’s still a devalued position, generally — but don't be surprised if Conner doesn't get a contract extension ahead of 2020 training camp. You’ve got to be really special these days to be a running back who makes a lot of money from the same franchise for years on end.

Oh, and back to Bell real quick. Did you see his tweet from Wednesday?

Translation: Bell is complaining about drug tests from the NFL, in this case performance-enhancing drugs, not the recreational variety with which he has a long and storied history. This could eventually be good fodder for a verse.

They trying to pop me for ‘roids

Whole bunch of Harrys and Lloyds

That’s dumb and dumber

I march to my drummer

Two-game win streak for all my Jets boys

OK, maybe that’s more of limerick than a rap, but rumor has it Le’Veon is expanding his prose to include more forms of poetry.

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First Published: November 21, 2019, 2:58 p.m.

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