"The ball was whistling through the air"

[whisper]

https://www.nfl.com/news/juju-big-ben-is-back-ready-to-lead-steelers-to-big-year

JuJu said the ball was "whistling through the air" when Ben was throwing the ball. It sounds like Ben's arm is as strong as ever. With a little luck, the Steelers could contend this season.

"Honestly, I think it's going to be a big year for us," Smith-Schuster said during an appearance on Good Morning Football on Friday. "I was very happy with the draft picks we got, being able to draft a running back, being able to draft (Chase) Claypool. Good defense. We already had a solid defense. Our missing piece was Ben. I think coming up this year, it's going to be a great year for us. ... Just wait. Honestly, I just gotta say just wait and let our pads do the talking."

[Oviedo]

I'm confident he will get his arm strength back. I'm more worried about the elbow holding up for an entire season. Can't be averaging 40 throws a game

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

"Honestly, I think it's going to be a big year for us," Smith-Schuster said during an appearance on Good Morning Football on Friday. "I was very happy with the draft picks we got, being able to draft a running back, being able to draft (Chase) Claypool. Good defense.

FWIW you have to love the team first attitude. The first pick was a guy who plays the same position, while JuJu enters a contract year and coming off a lost season. Questions everywhere concerning his future and he says he is happy to have Claypool there.

[feltdizz]

FWIW you have to love the team first attitude. The first pick was a guy who plays the same position, while JuJu enters a contract year and coming off a lost season. Questions everywhere concerning his future and he says he is happy to have Claypool there.

Another good WR will help ease pressure and coverage for JuJu. Hoping Claypool is what JuJu needs to return to form.

[hawaiiansteel]

Another good WR will help ease pressure and coverage for JuJu. Hoping Claypool is what JuJu needs to return to form.

hopefully Claypool will allow JuJu to move back to playing in the slot where he is most effective.

[whisper]

Another good WR will help ease pressure and coverage for JuJu. Hoping Claypool is what JuJu needs to return to form.

I think Ben throwing him the ball will help JuJu return to form the most. And hopefully Claypool can loosen the coverage as well, if Clay starts grabbing some deep balls.

[NorthCoast]

FWIW you have to love the team first attitude. The first pick was a guy who plays the same position, while JuJu enters a contract year and coming off a lost season. Questions everywhere concerning his future and he says he is happy to have Claypool there.

I took JJSS comments a different way. He just has high self confidence in his abilities to be a playmaker. He will get paid regardless if it is by the Steelers or another team.

[Oviedo]

I took JJSS comments a different way. He just has high self confidence in his abilities to be a playmaker. He will get paid regardless if it is by the Steelers or another team.

JuJu will get paid because he has the talent. He will also be highly sought after because he has the talent and is a high character guy who represents himself well in the community. I hope it is with the Steelers

[whisper]

JuJu will get paid because he has the talent. He will also be highly sought after because he has the talent and is a high character guy who represents himself well in the community. I hope it is with the Steelers

For whatever reason, some writers are just about guaranteeing JuJu won't be back; I think Maddon actually did guarantee it.

[Steel Maniac]

If juju balls out like we think he will, Steeler fans will be upset if he leaves. He’s much more beloved then Mike Wallace or MB. Colbert likes to take care of guys he’s drafted so we’ll see.

[Shawn]

I agree that JuJu is likely gone after this season. We are too deep at WR. And I'm still not convinced Juju is a 1A elite wide receiver who keeps DCs up at night. I think Juju is a terrific 1B and will only mass produce if he has another WR taking the heat off of him. Does anyone here really believe Juju can consistently beat double team coverage like AB? JuJu will want 1A money especially if he has a 80-90 catch season. Would I pay him 1A money? Absolutely not. Maybe he will prove me wrong this year but I'm not holding my breath.

[Steel Maniac]

I agree that JuJu is likely gone after this season. We are too deep at WR. And I'm still not convinced Juju is a 1A elite wide receiver who keeps DCs up at night. I think Juju is a terrific 1B and will only mass produce if he has another WR taking the heat off of him. Does anyone here really believe Juju can consistently beat double team coverage like AB? JuJu will want 1A money especially if he has a 80-90 catch season. Would I pay him 1A money? Absolutely not. Maybe he will prove me wrong this year but I'm not holding my breath.

I think DJ and Pool-man will take a lot of coverage away from him. So he will flourish and have a big season as a beneficiary of the other two. But like you said, but he himself , I don't think DC's worry about him. So once again, after he leaves ( if he leaves) we'll invest a third round pick (or so) into another WR prospect. We seem take one every year anyway.

[NorthCoast]

OK, if not a 1A then their are still teams willing to overpay for a 1B. In fact I can think of a team in our own division.

[hawaiiansteel]

OK, if not a 1A then their are still teams willing to overpay for a 1B. In fact I can think of a team in our own division.

with Ben returning at QB and JuJu returning to playing more snaps as our slot WR, I believe he will have a terrific season.

JuJu is also a great team guy and in the community, I think the Steelers will do everything in their power to try and re-sign him.

[feltdizz]

with Ben returning at QB and JuJu returning to playing more snaps as our slot WR, I believe he will have a terrific season.

JuJu is also a great team guy and in the community, I think the Steelers will do everything in their power to try and re-sign him.

I think/hope he will resign for a discount price but I can’t blame anyone for going for the big money on a second contract.

He’s huge in the running game too as a blocking WR when in the slot.