Tim Benz: Mixed start for JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner redemption tour
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Since Ben Roethlisberger was coming back to lead the Steelers offense in 2020, that was going to be good for everybody.
Especially wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner.
That was the preseason theory, right? Those two Pro Bowlers from 2018 regressed dramatically without Roethlisberger in the lineup in 2019.
Upon Roethlisberger’s return, Smith-Schuster was supposed to benefit from having an NFL-caliber arm throwing him the ball again. Conner was supposed to benefit from opposing defenses having to legitimately honor the passing game, thus giving him more room to run.
One outta two to start, I guess.
Big Ben’s cause-and-effect equation paid immediate dividends for Smith-Schuster’s 2020 redemption tour. But Conner was again limited by the one variable Roethlisberger can’t impact.
As was the case for large chunks of last year, Conner found himself sidelined with an injury during Monday’s 26-16 opening night victory against the New York Giants. This time, it was an ankle injury he suffered in the first half after just six carries.
Too bad. Because by the second half, once Roethlisberger got in sync after an inaccurate start, the New York defense did have to back off and honor the run. And Benny Snell exploited that after he replaced Conner, to the tune of 113 yards on 19 carries.
At one point during the ESPN broadcast, Conner was referred to as having “a chip on his shoulder.” A guy with an edge, looking to prove something after a season that saw him gain just 464 yards on the ground.
Yeesh, use a different analogy, please! With Conner’s bad luck on the injury front, that chip is probably piercing his rotator cuff as we speak.
According to what Mike Tomlin said Tuesday, Conner’s injury this week is something that may or may not sideline him for Sunday’s home opener against Denver. He’s “leaving the light on” for Conner to play.
Based on recent performance and Conner’s lack of durability, the Steelers would be wise to lean on Snell in that contest anyway. Snell should start even if Conner dresses. Remember Snell also had 91 yards in 2019’s finale against the Baltimore Ravens.
Tomlin was asked if Snell could be a “bell cow” for the team, a term he used to describe Conner prior to this season’s opener.
“I think he displayed that (Monday) night,” Tomlin said succinctly.
Intentionally succinctly, I assume.
As for Smith-Schuster, his contributions were more like what we saw in 2017 and 2018. Running to empty space with Roethlisberger rolling. Catching touchdowns. Advancing the chains. Throwing blocks in the run game. Pouncing on a fumble. Recovering an onside kick.
“That’s JuJu,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “He came in ready to play and he performed well. But we’ve seen that from him most of the time he’s been here. So I don’t know that any of us were surprised (by) what he delivered (Monday) night.”
With 69 yards, six catches and two touchdowns, Smith-Schuster appeared to be the biggest beneficiary of Roethlisberger’s return.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Smith-Schuster said after Monday’s victory. “Having Ben back is huge for our offense. We can do a lot more things.”
Smith-Schuster said that was particularly evident on the team’s two-minute drive at the end of the first half. Down 10-9, that 78-yard touchdown jaunt changed the course of the game. Smith-Schuster caught two of Roethlisberger’s five completions for 31 yards on that scoring march.
“We felt like, ‘That’s Ben.’ That’s the Ben we know. Being able to go down and put points on the board in that drive. That’s what we do,” Smith-Schuster said.
Both Smith-Schuster and Conner are approaching free agency. Odds are slim the Steelers will keep either. Conner and Smith-Schuster need rebound seasons for their own benefit as much as the franchise needs them from those players.
To start 2020, Smith-Schuster’s play suggests he was a victim of circumstance because of someone else’s injury issues a year ago.
To start 2020, Conner’s suggests he’s constantly a victim of his own. And there’s no sign of that changing.
Smith-Schuster will keep getting chances to make his case. If Snell continues to shine, Conner will have fewer chances to change any minds.
Especially those in his own front office.