Steelers Daily Links: Brady vs. Rookie, Draft Failures Causing Slide?

There are many reasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 1-4 start to the 2022, but many analysts are coalescing around an overall lack of talent due to draft failures as one of the primary causes. Tom Brady has dominated against rookie quarterbacks like Kenny Pickett.

 Adam Schein of CBS Sports thinks Mike Tomlin is getting too much heat for the Steelers’ struggles. “This is NOT an effort situation, the Pittsburgh Steelers lack talent,” Schein said.

 ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky said the Steelers’ last eight first-or-second-round picks “were not smart.”

 Our Alan Saunders wrote about how previous Steelers draft failures are showing in the team’s current lack of depth on defense.

 According to Pro Football Focus, 171 of Najee Harris’ 222 rushing yards this season have come after contact (77.0%).

 Film Room with Kevin Dotson: What’s bogging down the Steelers run game?

 Marc Ross of NFL.com listed Mitch Trubisky as one of the most disappointing free-agent signings of 2022. “The Steelers have trumpeted Trubisky’s leadership skills and praised him for being a great teammate, but I don’t think those attributes were ever the question,” Ross wrote. “He didn’t perform in Chicago, and he didn’t perform in Pittsburgh, which led to his benching in Week 4.”

 A study by PennStakes found that the Steelers are Pennsylvania’s most popular sports team, with more than 606,000 Google searches each month. This includes the Steelers claiming the top spot as the most popular team in Pittsburgh (1st – 123,800) and Erie (1st – 18,100), as well as a favorite team at Pennsylvania sportsbook apps.

 Josh Allen was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Steelers. Allen completed 20 of 31 passes (64.5%) for 424 yards with four touchdowns, one interception, and a quarterback rating of 134.1 in the Bills’ 38-3 win over Pittsburgh. 

 Nate Tice of The Athletic said George Pickens’ target chart looks like he’s playing in a Baylor offense. The majority of Pickens’ targets have come on the outside, while the middle of the field has been pretty much disregarded.

 According to NFL Research, Tom Brady boasts a 12-game winning streak and 23-5 cumulative record against rookie starting quarterbacks in his career. The first rookie to ever beat Brady was Ben Roethlisberger in Week 8 of the 2004 season.

 Among outside cornerbacks, Levi Wallace is allowing 2.3. yards per coverage as the nearest defender, which is the second most in the league.

 Former Steelers guard and Hall of Famer Alan Faneca returned to LSU on Saturday. “Yes, it is HOME. Love gettin back, give me an excuse and I’m there,” Faneca said on Twitter.

 The son of former Steelers quarterback Bubby Brister has been arrested following a deadly hit-and-run crash in Louisiana. Walter Andrew Brister IV, 21, surrendered Wednesday, more than three days after fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run near Louisiana State University’s campus that killed 44-year-old Jude Jarreau, according to The Advocate. After turning himself in, Brister told police that he “knew he struck something but did not stop to render aid or contact police,” booking documents obtained by The Advocate show. If convicted of the charge, Brister could face up to 10 years in prison and be fined up to $5,000, according to Louisiana law.

AROUND THE NFL

 Ravens’ outside linebackers Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo returned to practice Wednesday for the first time this season. Bowser suffered an Achilles tear during Baltimore’s season finale in 2021, while Ojabo’s Achilles injury occurred at his Michigan pro day in March.

 According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins are optimistic that Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill will be able to play on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a foot injury during Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets.

 New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his family gifted Massachusetts General Hospital $50 million to address healthcare disparities caused by race, ethnicity, geography, and economic status. It was the largest donation in support of community health and equity in Massachusetts General Hospital history.

STEELERS SCHEDULE

 The Steelers return to the practice filed at 12:15 p.m. — Alan Saunders, Ed Thompson

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