Current Pittsburgh Steelers compared to Thanksgiving dinner dishes
With the Thanksgiving Holiday upon us, I wanted to take some time to really talk about the important things with the Steelers. This team has underwhelmed and surprised me in a lot of areas, but I want to cover the really important topics and answer the critical questions. So today, we will be identifying what Steelers players best represent which part of the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Be prepared for some hot takes on sports, and perhaps some even hotter takes on food, but I have compiled ten of the most iconic Thanksgiving dishes and compared them to the current Steelers roster. No coaches, no former players, we are just looking at the current crop of players assembled and seeing how they compare to the food on your plate this Thanksgiving!
Steelers cranberry jelly: Levi Wallace
One of the worst parts of a Thanksgiving plate, what exactly is the point of cranberry jelly? Yes, you can make a delectable cranberry sauce to complement the heartiness of your meal. It has a bit of sweetness and a bit of sourness, and it can really freshen up a plate of food.
We aren’t talking about that though. We are talking about that weird jelly you get out of a can from the store. You crack it open, try desperately to jiggle it out of the can, and it finally plops out and holds its shape. It has a bad taste, a bad consistency, and everything you want it to be, it never is.
Levi Wallace is, unfortunately, the exact same way. I will have to excuse his first season, as he looked like a very different player that year, but his play this season has been horrible. He hasn’t been able to cover well, his lacking speed has been evident, and his tackling has been middling to boot.
Do you need Wallace to be a good outside cornerback and match up against one of the opposing starting receivers? Nope, he still has that sour taste about him. Want him to be flexible and stop big plays with his tackling? Nah, he still has that weird shape he got from being in the can. He is what he is at this point, and that is one of the least appetizing side dishes on the menu.
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Steelers signing alleged Pokémon scammer to 53-man roster
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 14: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against Blake Martinez #54 of the New York Giants during the second quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Firings aren’t the only things the Pittsburgh Steelers are up to today. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, they’re signing journeyman linebacker Blake Martinez to their active roster.
He’s not so well-known for his playmaking ability as he is for an alleged Pokémon card scam involving his company. Martinez retired from the league last fall to focus on his collectibles business.
A fourth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2016, Martinez, 29, spent his first four seasons with the club. That run was productive enough to earn a three-year, $30 million free agent deal with the Giants in 2020. He was released during cutdowns in 2022 and then appeared in four games with the Raiders before retiring to sell rare Pokémon cards. After the scam allegations surfaced, Martinez returned to the NFL and was most recently on the Carolina Panthers practice squad, which is where the Steelers are plucking him from.
In 84 games (78 starts), Martinez has logged 13 sacks, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 18 quarterback hits and 22 passes defended.
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Examining the Roster for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 11 brings us a divisional showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. While this matchup might not be the most exciting for fantasy football and betting, there are still a few key elements to consider.
Running Backs Take Center Stage: In a game that might lack star power and high-scoring potential, running backs become essential fantasy assets. Both the Steelers and the Browns could lean heavily on their ground games in this contest. Jaylen Warren for the Steelers and Jerome Ford for the Browns are the primary focal points for their respective teams’ rushing attacks. If you have either of these running backs on your fantasy roster, they are must-starts, given their volume and potential to find the end zone.
Pittsburgh’s Fortunate Season: The Steelers have had a somewhat fortunate season, managing to win despite being outgained in every game. They have also faced several backup quarterbacks, including this week’s opponent, Dorian Thompson-Robinson. With a backup quarterback starting for the Browns, Pittsburgh might continue their charmed run. However, beyond Warren, there aren’t many appealing fantasy options on the Steelers’ roster for this game. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson could be a consideration, but expectations should be tempered.
Cleveland’s Quarterback Situation: The Browns’ quarterback situation has been in flux, with Deshaun Watson out for the regular season. Dorian Thompson-Robinson got the nod over PJ Walker as the starter, indicating that the Browns might see him as a long-term option. However, the uncertainty at the quarterback position doesn’t make any of the Browns’ pass-catchers particularly enticing fantasy options. Amari Cooper could be worth a look, but overall, this game might not provide many fantasy fireworks.
Conclusion: As we approach Week 11’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, fantasy football managers should focus on their running backs. Warren and Ford are the players to rely on, given their potential for a heavy workload and scoring opportunities. Beyond the running backs, there aren’t many standout fantasy options in this game. While the Steelers have enjoyed some good fortune this season, this matchup might not be one to circle on your calendar for fantasy excitement. Nonetheless, enjoy the game, and may your fantasy football decisions and bets in Week 11 prove successful!
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