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Chase Claypool is a 6-foot 4-inch, 238-pound enigma for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Very few NFL receivers are blessed with his physical talent. He is not yet a gifted route runner, or at least he has not demonstrated that ability consistently. Chase has shown toughness as a solid jet sweep weapon, and flashes combat catch ability, but he obviously lacks consistency and putting it kindly, his focus drifts. However, he reminds me of Plaxico Burress who was another big talented receiver the Steelers gave up on just a little too early and then chased his size for multiple drafts. Pittsburgh had good reason, Plaxico was frustrating as a Steeler, so much talent, but quite a few frustrating mental mistakes. Sound familiar?
Claypool deserves a chance to see what he could be with a quarterback who can take advantage of his skill set. This is not a knock on Ben Roethlisberger, but Claypool is not built for bubble screens or 15-yard back shoulder routes. I think he is tough enough to work the middle of the field when necessary, but it would be nice to see what happens when a quarterback is leading him 35-40 yards downfield and he is running at full speed, then leaping with DB’s 3-6 inches shorter. Diontae Johnson commands WR1 attention, but if the Steelers can address the offensive line with 1 or 2 key free agent signings and give the new signal caller time to let Chase Claypool work, the third-year leap could be real, and the offense becomes explosive again.
The real question is if Claypool’s drifting focus can be fixed. Head coach Mike Tomlin’s recent exposure as a man who let Antonio Brown run rampant behind the scenes, begs the question if he is the right person for that job. Tomlin’s reaction to Claypool’s foolish music request exposed that a rift could exist. Which means that 42-year-old Frisman Jackson who has had 3 1-year stints in the NFL as a WR coach, has a huge opportunity with Chase Claypool. If he can reach him and improve his focus, then he could make the type of bones that lead to bigger things. Jackson’s coaching results will go a long way in determining if the Steelers must rebuild and reinvent the skill positions.
Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth and Chase Claypool have the potential to be a dynamic skill position group that guarantees if the Steelers get the quarterback position right, they can be successful and a contender in the near term. Claypool is a talent worthy of every resource and opportunity, and Pittsburgh needs it to work. Frisman Jackson and Chase Claypool have the raw material to make something special happen in 2022. The new signal caller’s success may just depend on it.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment in the comment section below.
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Claypool deserves a chance to see what he could be with a quarterback who can take advantage of his skill set. This is not a knock on Ben Roethlisberger, but Claypool is not built for bubble screens or 15-yard back shoulder routes. I think he is tough enough to work the middle of the field when necessary, but it would be nice to see what happens when a quarterback is leading him 35-40 yards downfield and he is running at full speed, then leaping with DB’s 3-6 inches shorter. Diontae Johnson commands WR1 attention, but if the Steelers can address the offensive line with 1 or 2 key free agent signings and give the new signal caller time to let Chase Claypool work, the third-year leap could be real, and the offense becomes explosive again.
The real question is if Claypool’s drifting focus can be fixed. Head coach Mike Tomlin’s recent exposure as a man who let Antonio Brown run rampant behind the scenes, begs the question if he is the right person for that job. Tomlin’s reaction to Claypool’s foolish music request exposed that a rift could exist. Which means that 42-year-old Frisman Jackson who has had 3 1-year stints in the NFL as a WR coach, has a huge opportunity with Chase Claypool. If he can reach him and improve his focus, then he could make the type of bones that lead to bigger things. Jackson’s coaching results will go a long way in determining if the Steelers must rebuild and reinvent the skill positions.
Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth and Chase Claypool have the potential to be a dynamic skill position group that guarantees if the Steelers get the quarterback position right, they can be successful and a contender in the near term. Claypool is a talent worthy of every resource and opportunity, and Pittsburgh needs it to work. Frisman Jackson and Chase Claypool have the raw material to make something special happen in 2022. The new signal caller’s success may just depend on it.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment in the comment section below.
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
