Ex-Bengal pans JuJu Smith-Schuster, criticizes Steelers’ draft strategy, offensive line construction

Tim Benz | Friday, September 24, 2021 6:16 a.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

The Raiders’ Johnathan Abram defends on a pass intended for the Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster on Sunday at Heinz Field.

Before Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones played in Cincinnati, the Bengals had plenty of other irritating players for Steelers fans.

Perhaps none was more grating than mouthy wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Yes, he of the infamous Terrible Towel desecration.

Well, Houshmandzadeh is still taking shots at the Steelers. And now he’s focusing on a fellow wide receiver: JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Speaking on the “Extra Points” podcast, Houshmandzadeh panned Smith-Schuster and the rest of the Steelers offense.

.@Housh84 has a message for the #Steelers… And is JuJu the 3rd best receiver in Pittsburgh?@MartinWeiss #LemonPepperParlay pic.twitter.com/rKLnPUYo7Y

— Extra Points (@ExtraPointsPod) September 23, 2021

“I believe JuJu is their third-best wide receiver,” Houshmandzadeh said. “It’s Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, then JuJu. If anybody gives JuJu more than $10 million a year (in free agency next year), then that executive or G.M. needs to be fired.”

Not that I disagree. After all, Smith-Schuster is averaging only 9.3 yards per catch. But it is kind of ironic since Houshmandzadeh got a contract that averaged $8 million a year (5 years/$40 million) before the 2009 season. And in 2008, he averaged only 9.8 yards per catch.

I suppose that’s neither here nor there. But, please, T.J., continue. You have some thoughts on the run game as well?

“They draft(ed) Najee Harris out of Alabama. He had (38) yards rushing last week,” Houshmandzadeh said. “They cannot run the ball. ‘Oh, it’s James Conner. Oh, it’s this. It’s that.’ No. It’s that offensive line. Pittsburgh, I’ve got a message. Draft some offensive linemen instead of drafting these skill guys. And then you’ll probably be able to run the ball.”

Again, I can’t argue against that. The Steelers have failed to properly restock this offensive line to replace departed players such as David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster and Alejandro Villanueva.

However, I still think this year’s top two draft picks — Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth — are going to be very good players. That said, Houshmandzadeh is right in that until the offensive line play improves, I may not be able to see much evidence of that.

And, once more, do I need to point out the irony of Houshmandzadeh complaining about a team stockpiling too many skill guys and not building enough of a foundation on either side of the line of scrimmage?

Isn’t that part of the reason Cincinnati hasn’t won a playoff game since 1990? And why they’ve flamed out against the Steelers in clutch games so often over the years?

Well, that and an epic series of emotional and mental breakdowns, of course.

Oops, sorry. I’ve gotten off topic.

Anyway, Houshmandzadeh’s criticisms have merit. The Steelers offensive line does stink, and Smith-Schuster shouldn’t get No. 1 wide receiver money in free agency.

You’re just going to have to pardon me if I have a hard time separating the message from the messenger.

Did I mention that the Steelers ended up beating the Bengals in the 2005 playoffs after Houshmandzadeh pulled that move with the towel during the regular season?

I didn’t? Hmm. I usually do that right away. I must be slipping.