First Call: Why JuJu Smith-Schuster is motivated for 2021; will Ravens or Patriots get Julio Jones?; odd praise for Aaron Donald
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is channeling the criticism he got last year. Will the New England Patriots or Baltimore Ravens land Julio Jones? Odd praise for Aaron Donald. And a big night for ex-Pittsburghers in the NHL playoffs.
Better luck this year
JuJu Smith-Schuster says he’s using last year’s backlash against him as motivation for 2021.
In an interview with CNN that was posted on Friday, the Steelers wide receiver discussed the negative feedback he got for all of his TikTok videos and logo dances and how it coincided with the slew of bad performances by the team down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.
“You’ve got to have that next play mentality,” Smith-Schuster told CNN. “Lucky for us, we play every week, and that’s a good thing. There’s a next practice or the next day where you come back, you get better. And that’s in the past. But all the bad and negativity, you just use as fuel to build more fire to the flame, and you can become better and just use that to motivate you honestly.”
Also in the post, Smith-Schuster endorsed the Steelers’ heavy offensive approach in their recent draft class. And he once again derided the NFL’s move to a 17-game schedule.
Who gets Julio?
If the Atlanta Falcons trade star wide receiver Julio Jones, the favorite to acquire him is the San Francisco 49ers at +450. That’s according to the PointsBet site.
A lot of Steelers fans are worried that the Baltimore Ravens may bring him into the AFC North. They follow at +600.
Even worse? What if he were to go to the New England Patriots and help their renaissance? They are at +700. And Michael Giardi of the NFL Network says the Patriots have had internal discussions about potentially acquiring him.
To what degree, Giardi doesn’t know. But I saw “Return of the Jedi.” I know what it looks like when the Death Star gets reconstructed. And I’m concerned.
Say that again
A lot of people have referred to Penn Hills alum Aaron Donald as the best defensive lineman in the NFL.
But the best cornerback in the league, too?
Well, that’s a compliment the Pitt product just received from one of his ex-coaches. Here’s what new Detroit Lions secondary coach Aubrey Pleasant told the Detroit Free Press about being a defensive assistant in Los Angeles where Donald stars with the Rams.
“The greatest corner I’ve ever played with is Aaron Donald,” Pleasant said. “In order to be a successful football team, things have to marry and they have to collaborate. And I think the pass rush, as well as the ability to play sticky coverage no matter what your philosophy is, I think they go hand in hand and I think when those things work together, it makes it very difficult for opposing offenses.”
At 6-foot-1, 280 pounds, do you think Donald would be better outside or in the slot?
Pittsburgh connections
It was a big night for former Pittsburgh folks in the NHL playoffs.
Upper St. Clair’s Vincent Trocheck ended up poking in this goal for the Carolina Hurricanes after Martin Necas initially fanned on the puck.
Threw a changeup and it worked! pic.twitter.com/31IOaUXYWf
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 23, 2021
Also, former Penguin Jordan Staal got credit for an assist for Carolina in his 100th career postseason game. But the Canes still lost to the Nashville Predators 4-3 in double overtime. That means the series is tied 2-2 after four games.
Meanwhile, Gibsonia’s Brandon Saad scored a power-play goal against the St. Louis Blues for the Colorado Avalanche as well.
Saad Goal ?
Makar and Grubi assist ?#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/daDb00qinz
— p – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 23, 2021
That tied the score at 1-1. The Avs ended up winning 5-2 and sweeping the Blues out of the first round. They’ll get the winner of the series between the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas leads that series 3-1.
And former Penguin Conor Sheary scored for the Washington Capitals against the Boston Bruins.
more please pic.twitter.com/rs2N7XCFtf
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 24, 2021
But that was in a losing effort as the Caps lost 3-1. This means they are eliminated, and the Bruins are moving on to Round 2 against either the Penguins or Islanders.
And they have lots of time to rest up as the other East Division series can’t end any time before Game 6 is over Wednesday night.