Herschel Walker on NFL plans to boost social justice initiatives, political blame game over COVID response
The NFL is reportedly planning extensive social justice content for week 1 of the new season; reaction from football great Herschel Walker.
The Pittsburgh Steelers only had starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for two games last year before he suffered a season-ending elbow injury, and they still finished with an 8-8 record and were on the brink of a playoff berth in the AFC.
Roethlisberger will return under center in 2020, and with weapons like wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, running backs James Conner and Benny Snell Jr. and newly acquired tight end Eric Ebron, the Steelers are primed for a big year offensively after their defense carried the team a year ago.
The Steelers revamped their defensive in a matter of a couple of years, and now you have top-tier talents like T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Heyward, Bud Dupree and Joe Haden. Pittsburgh was sixth in points allowed last season (18.9 PPG) and will return a lot of key pieces on the defensive side of the ball. If the Steelers can stay healthy in 2020, they have a real chance to make some noise in the AFC North.
Here's what else you need to know about the Steelers this year.
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5 THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS' ALL-TIME MOUNT RUSHMORE: 4 BEST PLAYERS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2020 SCHEDULE: 3 INTRIGUING MATCHUPS
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS: EACH NFL DRAFT 2020 SELECTION
- STEELERS' BEN ROETHLISBERGER'S 2019 OFFSEASON WAS CHALLENGING FOR MARRIAGE, HIS WIFE ASHLEY SAYS
- STEELERS' MIKE TOMLIN NOT 'EXTREMELY CONFIDENT' ABOUT 2020 NFL SEASON OVER CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
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NEW ADDITION HIGHLIGHT: CHASE CLAYPOOL
Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) celebrates a touchdown against Duke during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
The Steelers were without a first-round draft pick after they traded it away to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who earned the honors in his first season with the team. With its second pick, Pittsburgh added reinforcement to its offense when it took Notre Dame standout Chase Claypool with the No. 49 overall pick.
Pittsburgh has a history of drafting premier talent at the position, and Claypool could add to that history. He had 66 catches for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns during his senior season. Claypool, whose game should translate to the pros immediately, will line up alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and Eric Ebron, which could lead to opportunities for him to make plays right away.
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PROJECTED STARTERS
Offense: Ben Roethlisberger (QB), James Conner (RB), JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR), James Washington (WR), Diontae Johnson (WR), Eric Ebron (TE), Alejandro Villanueva (OT), Stefen Wisniewski (OG), Maurkice Pouncey (C), David DeCastro (RG), Matt Feiler (OT)
Defense: Stephon Tuitt (DE), Carlos Davis (DT), Cameron Heyward (DE), T.J. Watt (LB), Vince Williams (LB), Devin Bush (LB), Bud Dupree (LB), Joe Haden (CB), Terrell Edmunds (S), Minkah Fitzpatrick (S), Steven Nelson (CB)
Special Teams: Chris Boswell (K), Jordan Berry (P)
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2020 STEELERS SCHEDULE (all times Eastern)
In this Oct. 28, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) plays against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game in Pittsburgh. Conner wants to prove he can finish a season healthy. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Week 1: @ Giants (9/14, 7:15 pm)
Week 2: Broncos (9/20, 1 pm)
Week 3: Texans (9/27, 1 pm)
Week 4: @ Titans (10/4, 1 pm)
Week 5: Eagles (10/11, 1 pm)
Week 6: Browns (10/18, 1 pm)
Week 7: @ Ravens (10/25, 1 pm)
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: @ Cowboys (11/8, 4:25 pm)
Week 10: Bengals (11/15, 1 pm)
Week 11: @ Jaguars (11/22, 1 pm)
Week 12: Ravens (11/26, 8:20 pm)
Week 13: Washington (12/6, 1 pm)
Week 14: @ Bills (12/13, 8:20 pm)
Week 15: @ Bengals (12/21, 8:15 pm)
Week 16: Colts (12/27, 1 pm)
Week 17: @ Browns (1/3, 1 pm)
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ODDS
To win the Super Bowl: +2500
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Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider.