JuJu is that dude... lmao

[feltdizz]

Pats fan in a Brady jersey asked to take a photo. JuJu was a good sport... well, kinda

https://media.tmz.com/2018/01/30/0130-juju-smith-schuster-twitter-2.jpg

[pittpete]

Hahahahaha

[Starlifter]

ok, that's funny - but my theme for the next 12 months will be simple. anytime a steeler does something off the field I'm going to ask the question - does this help the team in it's quest for #7.

JuJu had an awesome first year and he's young - so maybe some slack is in order. But while I don't know if this hurts in some small way - I don't think it helps.

maybe i'm just still in a pissy mood sitting at home instead of minny. I suspect this mood will last for about a year however.....

[Steel Maniac]

Lmao!!! It’s okay dude. We all know where your coming from.

[steeler_george]

I think it is funny, from what I read, It was JuJu, who asked to photo with that fan. He had know idea who JuJu was....

[The Man of Steel]

Keep it classy JuJu.

[williar]

Pats, forever in our heads! Like DeCastro was saying, this stuff gets embarrassing after a while.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Pats, forever in our heads! Like DeCastro was saying, this stuff gets embarrassing after a while.

I'm pretty sure he would have done something similar with a guy in a Ravens jersey or Bengals jersey, for instance.

[squidkid]

funny?, yup
but it does reflect what this organization has turned into

[NorthCoast]

Pats, forever in our heads! Like DeCastro was saying, this stuff gets embarrassing after a while.
Maybe. But until the Steelers figure out the puzzle one can only laugh or cry.

[AzStillers1989]

Maybe. But until the Steelers figure out the puzzle one can only laugh or cry.

I actually do both. But that's just me.

[Slapstick]

It’s pretty funny, all things considered.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I actually do both. But that's just me.

Unless you do them at the exact same time...then it's kinda creepy. ;)

[Oviedo]

Maybe. But until the Steelers figure out the puzzle one can only laugh or cry.

...or continue to live a good life each day and not agonize over things you have absolutely no control over

[Terrapin]

Keep it classy Steelers! Probably be some awesome tweets from them this Sunday, as they're on their couches (again)

[Shawn]

It's JuJu being awesome. Sorry but some folks have a stick up their A$$

[Slapstick]

It's JuJu being awesome. Sorry but some folks have a stick up their A$$

Both of these statements are true.

[pittpete]

I thought it was funny and yes some people are to serious...

[squidkid]

you guys would be the first ones crying and saying it was classless if a player from a different team did that...........especially to a steelers fan wearing our jersey.

[feltdizz]

you guys would be the first ones crying and saying it was classless if a player from a different team did that...........especially to a steelers fan wearing our jersey.

I bet you are the kid in the photo with JuJu

[Furious]

This a 21 year old being age appropriate. I see nothing wrong here and considering his previous "under cover posts" it's being true to his fun-loving character. I find it humorous... which I think is much needed for me.

Personally, the off-season is rough since professional football is the one of the few spectator sporting vices I entertain. Thank God the World Cup will be on this summer.

[Slapstick]

you guys would be the first ones crying and saying it was classless if a player from a different team did that...........especially to a steelers fan wearing our jersey.

What an amazing lack of insight...

[squidkid]

What an amazing lack of insight...

sheez, you break down and cry like a lil B when someone says anything about your team. i can only imagine what you would do if this was displayed all over the internet

[feltdizz]

sheez, you break down and cry like a lil B when someone says anything about your team. i can only imagine what you would do if this was displayed all over the internet

Dude. You literally came into a light hearted post and started crying on the spot.

[Slapstick]

Dude. You literally came into a light hearted post and started crying on the spot.

Yep. And everyone noticed...

[Oviedo]

Dude. You literally came into a light hearted post and started crying on the spot.

Yes he did and he never realizes when you constantly play the fool everyone will see you as the fool

[squidkid]

lol...you 3 crack me up.
it must kill you that i am right about tomlin

[Slapstick]

lol...you 3 crack me up.
it must kill you that i am right about tomlin

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[feltdizz]

lol...you 3 crack me up.
it must kill you that i am right about tomlin

More proof of your foolishness

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith-Schuster goes back to class wearing his Steelers uniform and pads

Posted by Curtis Crabtree on February 16, 2018, 12:28 AM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster left USC a year early to declare for the NFL Draft.

With his rookie season now in the books, Smith-Schuster looked to fulfill a promise to his mother that he would return to school despite turning pro early.

He was back in class at USC on Thursday. However, he wasn’t dressed like the rest of his classmates. Instead, Smith-Schuster was decked out in his Steelers uniform.

Told my mom last year that I’d go back to school since I left USC early. I went back to college today. pic.twitter.com/yHnbwnsELH

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) February 15, 2018

Smith-Schuster was in full uniform. Pads, helmet, receivers gloves, cleats, and even a Terrible Towel.

It’s a pretty easy way to answer all the questions from classmates wondering if he is who they think he is. And the best part is he’s keeping his promise to his mother as well.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/02/16/juju-smith-schuster-goes-back-to-class-wearing-his-steelers-uniform-and-pads/

[feltdizz]

this guys different....lol

in a good way.

he gets it. I wonder if he has a marketing team because he makes all the right moves off the field.

[Steel Maniac]

Yes he does. He's setting himself up to be a real team leader in the very near future.

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith-Schuster limited by knee injury but plans to be OK by camp

2:09 PM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- JuJu Smith-Schuster's Year 2 leap will have to wait.

Smith-Schuster, 21, the NFL's youngest player to record 1,000 total yards in a season, is limited in Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp with what he calls a "frustrating" knee injury.

Smith-Schuster won't disclose the nature of the injury but plans to be a full participant for training camp, which opens July 26. The Steelers have sidelined Smith-Schuster for all 11-man work in organized team activities and minicamp.

"Just something that's been bothering me over time," said Smith-Schuster of the injury. "Kind of just adds up and lets me know, 'Yo, I need to get it checked out.' We got it checked out."

In 2017, Smith-Schuster broke the Steelers' rookie receiving record with 917 yards and added 240 yards as a kick returner. Smith-Schuster is eager to build off his rookie campaign and admits being inactive for practices is difficult.

"Once I'm able to run out there and put on the pads and be with my guys, it's like the whole game changes," said Smith-Schuster, who finished the year with eight total touchdowns. "It's like I never left."

As for replacing Martavis Bryant in the Steelers' offense, Smith-Schuster says he's up to the challenge. He plans to line up as a slot receiver and an outside receiver this season.

"I want it. I love it. This is why I'm here," said Smith-Schuster of picking up the slack for Bryant, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders in April. "I love the game. Whatever they put on my shoulders, I'm going to carry it and do what I can do for this team."

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23782917/knee-injury-limits-juju-smith-schuster-pittsburgh-steelers

[feltdizz]

hope it's not serious

[Steel Maniac]

More reps for Hunter.

[RuthlessBurgher]

More reps for Hunter.

Justin Hunter has had 5 seasons of NFL reps already. He is what he is at this point. I'm more interested in the reps given to James Washington and Marcus Tucker (and possibly to see if Quadree Henderson might be able to offer anything at all at WR besides being a return specialist on ST's).

[feltdizz]

Justin Hunter has had 5 seasons of NFL reps already. He is what he is at this point. I'm more interested in the reps given to James Washington and Marcus Tucker (and possibly to see if Quadree Henderson might be able to offer anything at all at WR besides being a return specialist on ST's).

yeah, more reps for Washington. Hunter is who he is...

[Oviedo]

JuJu Smith-Schuster limited by knee injury but plans to be OK by camp

2:09 PM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- JuJu Smith-Schuster's Year 2 leap will have to wait.

Smith-Schuster, 21, the NFL's youngest player to record 1,000 total yards in a season, is limited in Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp with what he calls a "frustrating" knee injury.

Smith-Schuster won't disclose the nature of the injury but plans to be a full participant for training camp, which opens July 26. The Steelers have sidelined Smith-Schuster for all 11-man work in organized team activities and minicamp.

"Just something that's been bothering me over time," said Smith-Schuster of the injury. "Kind of just adds up and lets me know, 'Yo, I need to get it checked out.' We got it checked out."

In 2017, Smith-Schuster broke the Steelers' rookie receiving record with 917 yards and added 240 yards as a kick returner. Smith-Schuster is eager to build off his rookie campaign and admits being inactive for practices is difficult.

"Once I'm able to run out there and put on the pads and be with my guys, it's like the whole game changes," said Smith-Schuster, who finished the year with eight total touchdowns. "It's like I never left."

As for replacing Martavis Bryant in the Steelers' offense, Smith-Schuster says he's up to the challenge. He plans to line up as a slot receiver and an outside receiver this season.

"I want it. I love it. This is why I'm here," said Smith-Schuster of picking up the slack for Bryant, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders in April. "I love the game. Whatever they put on my shoulders, I'm going to carry it and do what I can do for this team."

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23782917/knee-injury-limits-juju-smith-schuster-pittsburgh-steelers

I wouldn't be surprised if he got "scoped" between now and camp. Might slow him down early but plenty of time to get ready for the regular season.

[Oviedo]

Justin Hunter has had 5 seasons of NFL reps already. He is what he is at this point. I'm more interested in the reps given to James Washington and Marcus Tucker (and possibly to see if Quadree Henderson might be able to offer anything at all at WR besides being a return specialist on ST's).

Henderson could be the guy who benefits most from more time on the field. If he can prove to be a solid return guy and a solid receiver he will jump other guys.

[pittpete]

Hunter has had more than enough chances with multiple teams and hasn't proven anything.
I think the guy here will be Tucker, fingers crossed:D

[RuthlessBurgher]

Steelers' JuJu Smith-Schuster puts production above personality

7:00 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- With constant head bobs, ear-to-ear smiles and a promise to make a Madden cover -- as a Hall of Famer, though "I'm just playing; chill out" -- JuJu Smith-Schuster's high-wattage personality came out in his first offseason interview from the Steelers' locker room.

But Smith-Schuster knows his epic "Fortnite" sessions with Drake and pictures with LeBron James are only possible because of his historic rookie year in which, at 21, he became the NFL's youngest player to top 1,000 all-purpose yards.

In a crucial second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith-Schuster wants that order to stay intact: production first, then the rest.

"It's crazy because after my rookie year, everything off the field that happened is because of everything on the field would happen," Smith-Schuster said. "You take care of business on the field; everything will take care of itself off the field. Marketing, we're doing appearances, just doing stuff around the community and charity -- it's awesome we can do all that.”

Smith-Schuster is frustrated because a knee injury is keeping him from working with teammates on the practice field. He expects to be a full go for training camp but is limited to individual work this week.

That hasn't stopped him from mentally preparing for an expanded role in the Pittsburgh offense. Smith-Schuster expects more chances to play inside and out as the clear-cut No. 2 receiver following the trade of Martavis Bryant to the Oakland Raiders.

Smith-Schuster will be tasked with winning up the middle and stretching the field vertically. He's eager for the challenge, vowing to carry "whatever they put on my shoulders."

"Super excited about this year," Smith-Schuster said. "To be on the side with [Antonio Brown] and all those other guys, it's going to be fun."

Turns out Smith-Schuster is giving second-round rookie receiver James Washington the same advice that helped him produce 917 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2017: Learn both receiver spots, block linebackers and safeties, win "in the trenches" and catch balls over the top.

Smith-Schuster showed he could do all those things, and the next step is consistently beating elite man coverage (see: playoff game against Jacksonville, which held Smith-Schuster to 5 yards on three catches).

He hopes he gets those chances in the slot, where his "very aggressive" style of play shows up most often.

"I like playing inside. I just love the physicalness of being in the box with the bigger guys," Smith-Schuster said. "That's just something that's part of my game."

When practice is over is when Smith-Schuster gets less aggressive, thanks to newfound fame. The receiver said he's made a habit of going to the grocery store late at night to avoid mobs of fans.

"Stay in the room, lock the door, play video games," Smith-Schuster said.

The Steelers might need video-game numbers.

And if Smith-Schuster has his way, LeBron James will watch the production live. Smith-Schuster said he invited James to a Steelers game.

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/28086/steelers-juju-smith-schuster-puts-production-above-personality

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith-Schuster prefers the slot, which is great news for James Washington

Expected to have a big second year, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s flexibility might equate to big things for rookie James Washington.

By Jeff Hartman
Jun 16, 2018, 12:56pm EDT

The Pittsburgh Steelers shipping Martavis Bryant to the Oakland Raiders did more than just rock the fan base, it shook up the team’s wide-receiver depth chart. Once considered the most complete receiver group in the NFL, the Bryant trade meant the team would be relying heavily on younger players to step up.

One of those players is second-year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Coming off of a season where he nearly eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark, Smith-Schuster is being asked to show off his versatility in 2018 by being able to play both the slot and the outside receiver positions. While Smith-Schuster was able to play both positions last year, if he had the choice of which position to play, he would pick the slot.

“Whatever it is they want me to do,” Smith-Schuster said Wednesday during Steelers mini-camp.

”I have been playing inside and outside.” Smith-Schuster told Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

”I like playing inside. I just like the physicalness of using the body. It’s part of my game.”

Smith-Schuster is certainly more than capable of playing both, but his superior blocking skills, and willingness to go to those “dirty” areas on the football field have more of an impact than where he lines up on any given play. In fact, this has a direct impact on the team’s second-round pick James Washington.

Washington, a superb deep-threat who thrives on the outside, would see more playing time with Smith-Schuster in the slot, compared to the alternative.

Offenses in today’s NFL are anything but standard. Antonio Brown, Smith-Schuster and possibly even Washington are capable of playing any wide-receiver position on any given play. This ability helps the team utilize matchups and find success in a multitude of ways. But if Washington is only capable of mastering one position during his first year as a professional, having him on the outside opposite Brown, with Smith-Schuster being in the slot, would be the best-case scenario for the young receiver out of Oklahoma State.

Yes, the team lost Martavis Bryant, who’s still a tremendous talent brimming with potential, but the team’s offense is far from lost without him. Smith-Schuster’s flexibility and willingness to play the slot gives the Steelers plenty of options and potential matchups on any given play.

It’s a win-win for the Black-and-gold.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/6/16/17470582/juju-smith-schuster-prefers-the-slot-which-is-great-news-for-james-washington-steelers-wide-receiver

[Steel Maniac]

Well, Washington will start out getting just single coverage. Ideal situation for his skill set.

[RuthlessBurgher]

http://www.steelersdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/JuJuPinky1.jpg

[hawaiiansteel]

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2QhAeEs-AiM7YHq3gJ2Ktu6VNKg=/0x0:4690x3127/920x613/filters:focal(2465x2013:3215x2763)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60116987/970609072.jpg.0.jpg

[Steel Maniac]

Juju is a fun loving guy. I like the personality he brings and but he's not being disruptive to the team. Hope he stays this way throughout his career.

[Shawn]

Unless you do them at the exact same time...then it's kinda creepy. ;) I only do that after intimate relations with the wife. Is that wrong?

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith-Schuster ready to answer Year 2 challenge

11:11 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

LATROBE, Pa. -- JuJu Smith-Schuster's ability with kids is not to be questioned entering his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 21-year-old did Fortnite dances for several kids who were lining the walkway to the practice fields Sunday at Saint Vincent College. Once in the end zone after a goal-line score in 11-man work, Smith-Schuster flipped a football to a boy in the crowd.


JuJubilation �� pic.twitter.com/I85c7tGOp4
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 29, 2018


An explosive rookie year, raw talent and a walking espresso personality sparked all of this.

But his appeal won't answer the next challenge facing the receiver: Beating top cornerbacks when Antonio Brown is blanketed and Ben Roethlisberger needs a play on third down.

There's no Martavis Bryant to draw safety help. That's Smith-Schuster's job now. And though Smith-Schuster proved to be a physical and potent slot receiver with a big-play flare as a rookie, the 15-year veteran quarterback won't let him rest on that body of work.

"The challenge for JuJu is going to be, how is he going to respond to last year?" Roethlisberger said from Saint Vincent College. "When you're a young guy in this league, no matter what position -- quarterback, receivers -- you can sneak up on people. He’s not going to sneak up on anybody this year. People know what they are going to get. He’s going to have to now take his game to the next level, to now find a way to get better than what the defense expects of him."

Smith-Schuster takes that challenge seriously.

"My rookie year, anybody's rookie year, those who explode have lots of successes because they don't have film on them," Smith-Schuster said. "And like I said, second year, they have that on me. This year you've just got to work harder. It's me, AB [Antonio Brown], J-Hunt [Justin Hunter], [Marcus] Tucker, we're all going to be out there. The guys that we have this year, that's who we have to rock with, so it's going to be super exciting to see what the outcome of this is going to be."

Just about all of Smith-Schuster's first year exceeded expectations. The Steelers loved his physicality coming out of USC but didn't know he'd be crushing Harrison Smith up the hole and Vontaze Burfict in the open field. They figured his one weakness was big-play ability because of a lack of raw speed (he ran a 4.54-second 40 at the combine), but he shut that down in a hurry with 15.8 yards per catch and seven touchdowns.

Smith-Schsuter led all NFL receivers with 2.15 yards per route out of the slot, according to Pro Football Focus.

But now the Steelers will ask him to do more, and to stay healthy while doing it. Smith-Schsuter missed most of offseason workouts with a knee injury that he says is healed up. He missed part of Sunday's practice for what coach Mike Tomlin called a precaution, although he was catching passes from Roethlisberger after the session.

Eli Rogers can tout this year's receiving corps, but if rookie James Washington isn't ready to be the deep threat that the Steelers need, Smith-Schuster will be occasionally tasked with beating top corners on the outside.

Smith-Schuster craves that spotlight, on and off the field.

"Run up the ladder, have to stay successful and just keep moving up," Smith-Schuster said. "I'm happy playing inside and out. It's just going to open up more doors for me but for the other guys, too."

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/28268/juju-smith-schuster-ready-to-answer-year-2-challenge

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith-Schuster has a new manager: his mom

8:00 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- JuJu Smith-Schuster is still adjusting to the latest addition to Team JuJu.

"It's cool, man -- it's weird because she's my mom, but she also does business with me," the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver said.

Managing a budding NFL star with a mushrooming social media profile is a big job, and mom Sammy Schuster wanted to help.

Smith-Schuster is a client of Roc Nation, working closely with agent Kim Miale and manager Jisset Pena. Coming off a rookie year of almost 1,000 yards, seven touchdowns and well-rehearsed touchdown celebrations, Smith-Schuster and his mother discussed expanding his profile and increasing her role.

Things were moving, after all. His social audience had grown with lighthearted side stories about retrieving a stolen bike, cooking at home and getting his driver's license. This year, Smith-Schuster is fifth in receiving yards through two games (240) and has the eighth-best-selling jersey, according to Dick's Sporting Goods.

Smith-Schuster has deals with Call of Duty, Pizza Hut, Adidas, New Era and more. His YouTube channel has more than 550,000 subscribers.

Smith-Schuster said duties for his mother -- or "Momager," as Sammy jokingly calls her role -- include handling his money and his schedule. But the two also have a common goal when it comes to his brand: meet business with authenticity.

For example, they felt the Call of Duty deal was important to both of them because of Smith-Schuster's avid gaming. Smith-Schuster finalized that deal this year.

"He’s a very marketable person," Sammy said of her son. "He’s down to earth, everyone can relate to him. So with making people understand JuJu, the man outside of football, he just gave us his vision: it has to be authentic, it has to be JuJu."

Behind Smith-Schuster's playful exuberance is an eager brand opportunist. On social media, Smith-Schuster said he's more focused on YouTube videos because he can tell personalized stories at length, like hanging out with fans at a local Pittsburgh amusement park or delivering pizzas.

Smith-Schuster will discuss such ideas with his mom because of the trust they've developed over the years. And Smith-Schuster isn't the first NFL player to utilize his mother in business affairs. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was represented by his mother during the draft process.

"I just thought it was best for me. I think it's good for a lot of people to have their mom help," Smith-Schuster said. "It's something like if it's business to discuss, we'll talk about business. But the majority of the time it's my mom. She'll tell me what's right and what's wrong. She always knows what's best."

On the personal side, Sammy will speak up if Smith-Schuster goes too far on social media or question the occasional purchase. She recently told him, "Dude, you don't need two cars," after he got a Tesla SUV and a Polaris Slingshot in the same year.

Sammy makes clear she has no formal marketing experience, but as a mother of eight children, she has plenty of life experience.

"I don't put a title on myself. I’m just mom looking out for my son," Sammy said. "I make sure things get done when they are supposed to get done, contractors sent in when needed, things are paid when needed, whatever we promise is done. I just oversee all of that."

Smith-Schuster always seems to be dancing or working a camera lens. But Sammy makes clear her son is a "business man," and he knows what's good for business.

"The main part is being known on the field," Smith-Schuster said. "The rest will take care of itself."

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/28748/juju-smith-schuster-has-a-new-manager-his-mom

[RuthlessBurgher]

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

Is JuJu Smith-Schuster a No. 1-caliber receiver in the NFL? Steelers OC Randy Fichtner says "he's playing that way now," adding every starter must have that mentality. Antonio Brown still the clear No. 1 but Smith-Schuster has 38 targets, third in NFL with 356 receiving yards.

[feltdizz]

and some people on here thought JuJu was too slow.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

Mike Tomlin with high praise for JuJu Smith-Schuster: "He's Hines Ward-like in some of those things. I realize what I said when I said that. But, this guy enjoys (physicality). He embraces it."

1h

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith-Schuster goes from hero to Hines Ward in two days

10:21 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers might just have a superstar in the making at wide receiver opposite Antonio Brown.

Brown is the unquestioned alpha receiver and is tied for the league lead with 11 touchdowns. But while trailing in the fourth quarter at Jacksonville, Ben Roethlisberger turned to JuJu Smith-Schuster for four catches for 74 yards on the final two drives, including a beautiful back-shoulder fade against Jalen Ramsey that helped seal Sunday's 20-16 win.

"I think JuJu was kind of a hero today," Roethlisberger said after the game.

Smith-Schuster's prowess as a pass-catcher is undeniable now. He's 12th in the NFL in receptions (64) and yards (866), leading the team in both categories.

But coach Mike Tomlin points to a different area of Smith-Schuster's game -- his physical play as a blocker -- that's grown the most from Year 1 to 2, and it leads him to some high praise.

"He’s Hines Ward-like in some of those things," Tomlin said during his weekly news conference Tuesday. "I realize what I said when I said that. But, this guy enjoys (physicality). He embraces it. I think it helps us."

As a rookie, Smith-Schuster laid major hits on Vikings safety Harrison Smith and Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict, the latter drawing a one-game suspension. Smith-Schuster promised he wouldn't abandon the physicality in his sophomore year, and he's exceeded expectations.

Roethlisberger openly wondered during training camp how Smith-Schuster would respond to defenses game-planning more for him this year. Nearly four months later, Roethlisberger is calling Smith-Schuster a "special football player" after a game-winning performance.

"I tip my cap to him because we moved him around and put him in spots to win today, and he won for us," said Roethlisberger, who connected eight times for 104 yards with Smith-Schuster.

Smith-Schuster typically mans the slot in three-receivers sets, but the offense took him inside-out to exploit matchups.

Smith-Schuster turns 22 on Nov. 22 and was the league's youngest player when the team drafted him in the second round of the 2017 draft. He's marketable off the field and explosive on it. But because of the youth, some wondered whether he'd showcase the maturity necessary to make a Year 2 leap.

How's this for a combination of youth and professionalism: Smith-Schuster wore a cheetah-print suit Sunday -- calling his shot for the Jaguars game, to be sure -- but spoke of his fifth 100-yard performance of the season like a veteran.

"Just play our football, Steeler football," Smith-Schuster said. "Just doing the right thing."

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/29398/juju-smith-schuster-goes-from-hero-to-hines-ward-in-two-days

[NorthCoast]

Moving JJSS to the outside was an unrecognized genius move by Tomlin/Fichtner. With JJSS's physicality I wonder if he could have come down with the pass intended for Brown in the EZ that Ramsey intercepted?

[raycafan]

Moving JJSS to the outside was an unrecognized genius move by Tomlin/Fichtner. With JJSS's physicality I wonder if he could have come down with the pass intended for Brown in the EZ that Ramsey intercepted?
If JuJu could work threw the major head shot AB took in Ramsey’s effort to get to the ball. That was a pretty good shot.

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith-Schuster “never satisfied”

Posted by Darin Gantt on November 27, 2018, 8:58 AM EST

Other Steelers wide receivers have reached the 1,000-yard plateau in their seconds seasons.

But none of them have done it at such a young age, or with quite the flourish that JuJu Smith-Schuster did.

Smith-Schuster hit the milestone in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, the same day he put a 97-yard touchdown on the board that tied a franchise record for longest pass play in franchise history

“One of my top goals,” he said, via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Obviously, every receiver has yards, catches, pretty much touchdowns, and I reached that goal. But I’m never satisfied.”

He’s actually the fourth Steelers wideout to hit 1,000 yards since 2000, joining Plaxico Burress, Mike Wallace, and Antonio Brown. But having just turned 22 on Thanksgiving, he’s the youngest to achieve the feat.

“He’s reliable, dependable and trustworthy,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “I know he is going to be in the right spot.”

He had 68 catches for 917 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, and now has 77 catches for 1,055 yards and four scores this year. It’s a rapid ascent, and he’s given the Steelers a reliable option opposite Brown in a season without Le'Veon Bell. And the best news for the Steelers, he’s a year away from a pay raise, as keeping multiple expensive targets at a time has been a problem for them in the past.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/11/27/juju-smith-schuster-never-satisfied/

[RuthlessBurgher]

Why JuJu Smith-Schuster is outpacing Antonio Brown

10:56 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- The script is becoming all too familiar.

The opposing team game plans to stop Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, leaving Brown to answer postgame questions about teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster's big play.

“The safety was on my side,” Brown said matter-of-factly when asked about Smith-Schuster’s 97-yard touchdown Sunday against Denver’s single-high-safety defensive set.

Smith-Schuster’s ascension has had a direct impact on Brown’s production. While Smith-Schuster surpassed 1,000 yards in his second season thanks to his 189-yard display against the Broncos, Brown -- with 71 catches and 874 yards -- is on pace for his lowest yards total since 2012.

It sounds crazy given Brown’s greatness, but is Smith-Schuster the top option for the Steelers, at least right now?

Brown is targeted on 25.4 percent of his routes compared to 31 percent last year, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s 12 fourth-quarter throws Sunday at Denver, five targets went to Smith-Schuster compared with four for Brown.

Roethlisberger went as far as to say on his weekly radio show that he wished he threw to Smith-Schuster four times at the goal line and that Brown should have run a "flatter" route on the third-down interception over the middle.

But much of this is by defensive design given Brown's top spot on the scouting report, according to Broncos coach Vance Joseph.

“I’ve been in games where he’s beaten me single-handedly,” Joseph said. “The plan was to take him away, stop the run game as best we could with a seven-man box and just deal with 19 the best we could.”

This is a tough position for a player who is as competitive as they come and sometimes shows it with sideline flare-ups. But even though Brown looks like he hasn’t lost a step, Roethlisberger has stated publicly that he didn’t want to force the ball into double coverages this season.

Defenses like to follow Brown closely with a corner and a safety shading over the top. Brown has seen press coverage on 54 of his 122 targets this season compared with 26 press-man targets for Smith-Schuster. The good news is that Brown has five touchdowns on those plays. The bad news is that 57 percent of those passing attempts were incomplete, including six interceptions.

Smith-Schuster is converting 58 percent of his targets in press coverage, with one touchdown and one interception.

As a beneficiary of Brown’s presence, Smith-Schuster is hoping his production will loosen up receiving lanes for his teammate.

It might trend that way soon based on where Roethlisberger is throwing the football. The Week 11 matchup with Jacksonville followed a similar blueprint, with Smith-Schuster catching four passes for 64 yards on five targets over the final two drives.

These Smith-Schuster numbers are hard to ignore:

▪ Smith-Schuster’s 1,972 career yards are the fourth-most ever for a player in his first 25 NFL games.

▪ Smith-Schuster is averaging 3.19 yards of separation per target compared to Brown’s 2.67, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

▪ Smith-Schuster is the NFL’s only player with three touchdown plays of at least 75 yards since 2017.


Situationally, Brown is still very productive, while Smith-Schuster is having better success in certain areas:

▪ On play-action, Smith-Schuster has 13 catches for 214 yards and one touchdown on 16 targets. Brown has eight catches for 71 yards and a touchdown on such plays.

▪ On plays 15 yards downfield, Smith-Schuster has 14 catches on 24 targets for 487 yards and three touchdowns, compared to 11 catches on 39 targets for 376 yards and six touchdowns for Brown.

▪ In the red zone, Smith-Schuster has 10 catches on 20 targets and two scores, compared to Brown’s four catches on 13 targets and three scores.

▪ On third downs, Smith-Schuster has 16 catches on 29 targets for 159 yards and a touchdown, compared to Brown’s 19 catches on 36 targets, 190 yards and a touchdown.


While Roethlisberger believes his connection with Brown can be one of the all-time best, he's also embracing the JuJu movement.

“He is reliable, dependable and trustworthy. I know he’s going to be in the right spot,” Roethlisberger said about Smith-Schuster’s game. “On that long touchdown, it was single high and you just kind of pick a side. They got pressure pretty quick. I saw JuJu went inside and I just let it go. You never really think it’s going to be a touchdown, just a completion for a big chunk.”

Brown is, without question, top five dead or alive. Since 2013, he has been the game’s most consistent receiver. He looks as explosive as ever, and his 11 touchdowns show that his flare for the big play hasn’t dissipated.

Feeding both Smith-Schuster and Brown is a good problem to have.

But the second-year receiver wants more than a 1,000-yard season.

“I’m not satisfied,” he said.

http://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/29471/why-juju-smith-schuster-is-outperforming-antonio-brown

Making History

JuJu Smith Schuster is among the best ever in receiving yards over a player's first 25 NFL games since the 1970 NFL merger.

2014-15 Odell Beckham Jr. 2,625
2010-12 Victor Cruz 2,0332
1982-84 Charlie Brown 1,975
2017-18 JuJu Smith-Schuster 1,972

[RuthlessBurgher]

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

Asked whether JuJu Smith-Schuster and Antonio Brown are now co-No. 1 receivers, Ben Roethlisberger said he has many top targets. "I'd put James Conner in there, Vance McDonald, Switz (Ryan Switzer), Ju, AB. I'd put a lot of us No. 1." He cited a similar line when asked if Antonio Brown is still the top option.

23m

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith-Schuster: I’m helped by eating off Antonio Brown’s plate
By Josh Alper | Nov 29, 2018, 5:56 PM EST

Antonio Brown has led the Steelers in receptions for the last six seasons and receiving yards for the last five seasons, but that’s on pace to change this year.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is leading the Steelers in both categories, but the second-year wideout said that there’s no issue about that inside the wide receiver room. Smith-Schuster says there’s “no consideration” given to the numbers because the top goal is team success and because Brown’s presence is a major reason why his numbers are so good in the first place.

“Obviously, he’s been here for [nine] years,” Smith-Schuster said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “He’s getting double teamed, triple teamed; it’s hard, you know? But he still makes his plays and he still has the explosive plays that he’s making. And for me to be a young guy, me and [running back James Conner] and some of the other guys are being able to eat off his plate because of what he’s done in the past.”

Smith-Schuster may be eating off of Brown’s plate, but Brown’s hardly starving. He’s tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns with 11 and is on pace for season totals largely in line with his usual production even as he’s made room for Smith-Schuster’s rise this season.

[Steel Maniac]

JuJu says the right thing. No need making AB go crazy by saying he’s a #1 as well.

[RuthlessBurgher]

JuJu Smith Schuster surprised to be recognized in London

Posted by Darin Gantt on July 3, 2019, 7:37 AM EDT

The guy who figures to catch a lot of passes from Big Ben was surprised to be recognized in the shadow of the original Big Ben this week.

Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was part of the NFL’s outreach event in London this week,

“I was surprised to know how many people know me,” he said, via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “People come up to me and show love. They’re like, ‘You’re actually here.’ That’s happened like four, five, six times since I’ve been here.”

Smith-Schuster better get used to the attention. With Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell gone, he’s going to become the main target for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and carry a much bigger public profile. That is likely fine with the outgoing Smith-Schuster, who enjoyed playing tourist before returning home to get ready for training camp.

“Yes, it’s my first trip to the U.K., and, yes, I saw Big Ben, but it’s under construction,” he said. “I’m going to take a picture of it and send it to Ben.”

There was no word how long he was stuck in the traffic circle, and how many times he saw Parliament.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/07/03/juju-smith-schuster-surprised-to-be-recognized-in-london/

[RuthlessBurgher]

The JuJu Smith-Schuster experience is on point in London

5:08 AM ET

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- English breakfast is "fire," the fish and chips are "not good" and the interest in football is "so cool."

Those are among JuJu Smith-Schuster's hot takes from London, where he's appearing this week as an ambassador for NFL Academy at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The league plays a minimum of two games per year in Tottenham, and Smith-Schuster and a handful of NFL players are coaching and teaching hundreds of teenagers who want to learn the game through intensive training.

Turns out Smith-Schuster's marketability and branding in the states carries overseas.

"I was surprised how many guys know me," said Smith-Schuster about spending time in the city. "In the states people come up to me and show some love. But here, when I walk down the streets of the U.K. and they come up to me ... It happened four, five, six times the first day here. They show so much love. It’s awesome."

As Smith-Schuster has developed into a Pro Bowl receiver in two NFL seasons, his profile off the field has grown. He's among the most active players on social media, his JuJu TV channel on YouTube has nearly 800,000 subscribers, and he's turned a love for video games into marketing deals.

But Smith-Schuster's focus in London is more personalized than that.


IT'S LITTTT! ����@TeamJuJu #NFLAcademy pic.twitter.com/88uoGkJZjP
— NFL Academy (@NFLAcademy) July 2, 2019


"I want (the students) to see a guy who is super authentic, pretty much who gives back to the community and can help out a lot," Smith-Schuster said. "To be out here with the kids and show them I care so much. They want to learn. I am able to show them I care about them and American football."

Smith-Schuster said he spotted Big Ben in London and will snap a picture to show his Big Ben, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But first he imparted his football wisdom to a large group. Smith-Schuster estimated more than 1,000 locals showed up to the Academy event.

"When they told me about this, I accepted right away," Smith-Schuster said. "Giving back to the community, especially the young kids out here starting American football and teaching them at the NFL Academy and what (the game is) all about and being a part of it, it’s amazing."

https://www.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/30940/the-juju-smith-schuster-experience-is-on-point-in-london

[hawaiiansteel]

https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_photo_album/f_auto/steelers/ztigqkijvs5l1faqx1kp.jpg