You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 08.22.25
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
John
11:39
Why the excitement and fascination with friermuth? He's mid at best. He makes dumb penalties, untimely drops, is not explosive, mediocre blocker. What am I missing? I also think thompson earned the backup role. Lastly, has black earned the starting nose role? There was a particular play with roughly 2 mins left in the first quarter where a backup guard blew benton off the line by 6 yards.
Christopher Carter
11:43
Freiermuth is still one of the best route running TEs in the NFL and needs more targets. But I do agree he needs to sharpen his skillset with the money he's being paid. Wouldn't be surprised if he does it.

Maybe Aaron Rodgers can show the world what Freiermuth can really do as a receiving TE.

I still have Rudolph as QB2 but I understand your disagreement.

Black is at least the first backup on the DT room. He looks the part. But I think he'll be more of a 3-tech or a 4-I than a nose for now.
Lucas
11:43
Hey Chris, any chance Howard is placed on IR for the year to learn from Rodgers?  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
11:43
Hi Lucas. I do think there's a chance so that Thompson can be kept on the roster.
James Brymn
11:43
C2 - belated congrats on wedding. Questions. 1st, why don't db's take a quick peak - a head turn - to see where the QB is throwing. Example - the TB touchdown where Sawyer was beaten. A quick head turn allows him to see the ball coming his way and he could have adjusted to bat it away. 2nd - still nervous about BJones 77. Seems like he makes initial contact then relaxes instead of staying with his man. What say you?
Christopher Carter
11:45
Thanks James!

1 - This depends on who's in coverage. If it's a good playmaker on the ball, they're taught and encouraged to turn, look for and attack the ball. But if it's not a good coverage man, they're told to play the receiver, anticipate the ball's arrival and fight through their hands to force an incomplete pass.

2 - I don't think Broderick Jones allowed a single pressure at LT this preseason. I think he's right on track to be a good LT for the Steelers this season.
DJ
11:45
Is Mason R in danger of being cut?
Christopher Carter
11:45
Absolutely not. Write it down.
Ryan
11:45
Chris does Scotty Miller make the team after the Game he had last night i think he should i think Robert woods should be Cut
Christopher Carter
11:46
I think Scotty Miller's role has been cemented by his good route running and playmaking abilities. Last night was just an exclamation point on his work this camp. I do think Robert Woods will be gone.
J D
11:46
Chris, do you think the receiving room will be better than everyone has anticipated and the need to get a number 2 not needed because they have three #2's and three tight ends?
Christopher Carter
11:50
I do think there's a chance at this as Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller have been better than advertised.

The need for a WR can be negated by the TEs being very good, but we haven't really seen that yet. This is one of the big gambles of this season if they don't go get a WR2.
peadaboo
11:50
Injuries are the wild card are they not?   Hope Harman is available for most of the season.  May be a blessing to lift weights and collect himself.  He’s had a lot to process.  Hope you cover Pitt this year.  How do they look?
Christopher Carter
11:50
They're always a wild card.
11:51
As for Pitt, I'm full-time Steelers now. But Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable are doing a great job covering camp! I think they can go 8-4 this year if Eli Holstein puts it together.

Check out the premier live stream of our new Pitt YouTube channel at 5PM today!
Ben
11:51
Hey chris - I hope the Steelers can trade Skylar for a pick. If they get to a point where they have to call his number, we are angling for a higher draft pick anyway.
Christopher Carter
11:51
Hey Ben!

I agree on the whole QB3 situation. If you need that, you're looking at best at another Devlin Hodges situation.
J D
11:51
Chris, with Harmon's knee sprain (and no more) could have him missing a few weeks to many weeks.  Your comments.
Christopher Carter
11:52
I think that's the case. From the doctor I've consulted, if it's a minor knee sprain he could be back week 1 or 2. If it's a moderate knee sprain he could be back by early October. But that's the extent of it.
Black&Gold
11:52
In regard to special teams, do you see a scenario where Waitman wins the punting job and Saul’s wins the place kicking job?
Christopher Carter
11:53
I'd give Waitman a 40% chance to win the punting job and Sauls a 0% chance to win kicking against Boswell.
KMan
11:53
Good morning Christopher - always enjoy your depth and insight in these chats as well as your articles. How do you feel about the mental toughness and cohesiveness of this team. I get that everyone is excited and there is a great deal of potential in talent and experience. That said, do you see in the makeup of this team the ability to carry through the tough times, or do you anticipate a lot of fracturing if (when) they hit a rough patch?
Christopher Carter
11:56
Good morning KMan!

I actually like the mental makeup of the team. They already have players who've been through rough times across the roster and fought back. But will they do it this year? Only time will tell. I like the group though, to answer your question.
Guest
11:56
Hi Chris, am really enjoying your chats and your articles, keep up the good work! My question today is, should the Steelers look for a DL with some legit NFL experience to bring in after the cut down? If any of the top 4 DLs are injured for long, it really impacts the effectiveness of the unit. Seems to me that this is as important as adding a WR2. Thanks
Christopher Carter
11:57
Thanks!

Always look for available talent. If there's someone out there who gets cut and fits what you need, do it. But I actually like this interior DL depth right now. Heyward-Benton-Harmon-Black-Ekuale are a good first five. Maybe they could use a 6th, but I don't think it's at the top of the list.
Bruce
11:57
Seeing all of the penalties last night (some questionable, but most were legit)...is it possible that the Steelers and Panthers asked the refs to be more vigilant than usual....to use that as a "training tool"?
Christopher Carter
11:57
Mike Tomlin asks the refs in preseason and camp to go hard on them. That's definitely the case. But still, they had some bad penalties that need cleaned up.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
11:57
Hi Chris, thanks for your chat! I know it's 20/20 hindsight but was Harmon, a projected starter in the game a bit too long last night? Carolina played none of their starters, so it was not a fair fight anyway. Hopefully Harmon's injury is just a sprain and not a torn meniscus which I have had myself along with a knee replacement. Hopefully the MRI comes back negative as his services are vital to winning games early on.
Christopher Carter
12:00
I think the Steelers were trying to get the rookie more reps, that's all. The past two weeks we've heard a lot of complaints about Rodgers-Metcalf-etc. not playing and they're at a much higher risk. I get why Harmon was out there. But gambling on experience needed vs injury risk is a common thing in the NFL.
12:02
Alright everyone I'm now two hours in so I'm getting yanked by my editors. Thanks for joining me! Steelers practice resumes tomorrow so look out for our coverage there!

Until then, check out the debut of the Pitt YouTube channel where our Pitt team will get you ready for the opener next week!

Also, I'll make my WPXI Skylights debut tonight! So tune in for that!
Connecting…