James Washington Touchdown!

I don't know why, but seems like many want to count this guy out at times. Can we tack about that touchdown catch he had? That was an incredible solo effort to get to the endzone. James Washington is a beast. He is able to get up and fight for the ball. His style of play reminds me of Hines Ward. While his 2019 season was not stellar, he did lead the team with 735 receiving yards. Which is impressive since we did not have stellar play at QB for 2019.

 

I won't say he is counted out. There is a surplus of talent at wr currently. If he can keep performing like Hines did, he will see many opportunities to get on the field. He has a chance to make JuJu expendable next off-season but I like JuJu. I hope they can find a way to sign him.

 

When he scored we all said that TD reminded us of some of H. Wards TD's. Sure hope he can repeat that again and again.

 

Some people wrote him off because it gave them another excuse to complain about tomlin's drafting, hence to complain about tomlin

 

I don't recall if someone linked an article here or I read it somewhere else, but there was an article of Washington buying a farm in the offseason. As soon as he scored, I thought that was farmer strong. It was impressive. I could see where Ju and JW can both be kept. If the typical offensive set is 3 WRs, that would average out to 75% snaps each for Ju Ju, DJ, JW, and Claypool. So if JuJu and DJ got 80% of the snaps, JW and Claypool would each get 70% of the snaps. If the o-line holds up, Big Ben will be rocking like its 2018.

 

Watt will get paid... so funds will be limited. I can see Washington signing a 2nd contract... but JuJu will be gone. JuJu is too good to settle for the chump change Steelers will offer after Watt gets his contract.

With all that said... if Steelers win the Super Bowl this year and Ben rides off into the sunset like Bettis did in '06, then maybe there will be money for JuJu.

 

I def agree with you on JuJu. The only possible scenario I see them resigning him is if DJ does not meet development expectations and they view him as an absolute necessity for what could be Bens final year next year.

 

The knocks on him came about because of his slow start to his rookie year, he and Ben not developing chemistry from the outset, Ben giving him tough love because he dove for a catch instead of running through it. That stuff sticks with fans despite everything to the contrary. Dj's fast start had people predicting that Washington would be forced to the bench but then he got the yips on Monday and those opinions have slightly changed.

 

I remember reading an article right after he was drafted...Said he grew up on a farm, and was " country boy " strong! Strong hands and exceptional work ethic...

As my BFF Tomlin says, The arrow is pointing up for him!

 

If Ben rides off into the sunset... There will be all kind of money

 

If the Steelers win the SB this year you can count on Ben coming back. With the talent he has surrounding him right now he would be the first one to show up for training camp 2021 just to try and equal what Bradshaw did. He always said that he wanted to win one more than Terry did. At this point that is really too optimistic probably even in his own mind but winning the SB this year would definitely have him suiting up next year.

 

I humbly disagree. If Ben gets #3...he's done.

 

His leg strength must be absurd.

 

The step he took between years 1 and 2 impressed me, and if Monday was an indicator of what is to come, I am sold.

There’s not much to dislike about this guy. Strong work ethic, no off field drama, thick skin (a lot of receivers would not handle Ben’s tough love the way he did his rookie year), and a desire to improve his craft. His penchant for coming down with the 50/50 jump balls and ability to get separation on the fly routes makes him a great asset to this team.

JuJu and DJ exhibit the flash, but JW can be counted on to make clutch plays when called upon. Add Claypool to the mix and I really like our receiver pool this year. A lot.

 

Funny you say this. He could be Ward like. The Steelers just refuse to use him properly. He was dubbed a home-run threat when drafted so they are sticking to that. Perfect example, he scores that TD over the middle. Then they throw a deep ball down the sidelines at him next drive and he drops it. That should have been a target to Claypool.

I've been saying since Day 1. He makes great combat catches over the middle. He doesn't get enough separation down the sidelines to make those plays consistently. That's why we needed a Metcalf or Claypool.

 

So if the Steelers lost the Super Bowl this year, Ben would be back next season?

 

I’m just hoping he’s here next week.

 

Ben said he's still playing to win Super Bowls, he's not walking away from 35 million or whatever it is next season, he will sign a extension in the offseason.

 

Obviously.

 

Probably

 

I could see Ben coming back if they won the SB. His childhood idol was John Elway. He would want to go out the same way he did.