Recently I was thinking about my time writing about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout my career doing so, I’ve essentially done it all.

Commentary, news, breaking stories, features and even took a stab at simple film room breakdowns.

The one thing I’ve never done is work on just a random thought type format.

I can’t speak for you, the reader, but I am always thinking about writing and the Steelers. Thinking about different aspects of the team and game. Thanks to reading Myron Cope’s biography I decided to put a unique spin on this type of feature.

Now, for the name of the article, anyone who is familiar with the Styx song “Renegade” should know where it came from. If not, this is where it came from…

The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This’ll be the end today of the wanted man

The jig is up…time for some randomness.

Steelers vs. Ravens means a bit more

I grew up in Wheeling, WV. Don’t know where that is? It’s the northern panhandle of the state, which is the small portion which looks like it’s pinched between Ohio and Pennsylvania. Where I grew up, and where my parents still live to this day, I can be in Ohio in 5 minutes, and Pennsylvania in 10. But make no mistake about it, this part of West Virginia might as well be a part of western Pennsylvania. Everyone loves their Pittsburgh sports teams.

Fast forward to college, and I attend Shepherd College, now Shepherd University. That is in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, and a part of the four-state region of West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. As you can imagine, I was suddenly surrounded by more and more Baltimore Ravens fans. Plenty of my fraternity brothers were Ravens fans, and that made for some lively AFC North battles in the early 2000s.

During my time as a teacher in Maryland, you can imagine the trash talking which took place whenever football season rolled around. In case you couldn’t tell, living where I live in Maryland makes these games mean that much more. It means I can wear my Steelers gear around town and when I see a Ravens fan I just chuckle to myself, knowing they can’t say a word.

This game means more living in this state, so let’s hope the Steelers hot streak remains alive and well vs. Baltimore.

Does Jaylen Warren have a ball security problem?

In Week 10 running back Jaylen Warren lost a fumble near the one-yard line, and it was a devastating turnover at an inopportune time. It made me think how some fans have suggested Warren has a ball security problem.

Has this really been an issue with Warren? Or is it just a false narrative?

I took a look at Warren’s touches in his career, and here is what I came up with:

Touches: 384
Fumbles: 6

Not horrible numbers, but I figured I’d compare them to Najee Harris. For full context, Najee has played longer and has way more touches in his career. But, let’s take a look:

Touches: 1,152
Fumbles: 5

If I’m being honest, these numbers shocked me. And, to be specific, these are only lost fumbles. We can all remember moments where both running backs have fumbled the ball only to have it corralled by the Steelers.

I don’t think this equates in Warren having ball security issues, but it absolutely should be something he focuses on moving forward. Not only as he eyes a second contract, but also with defenders now looking to cause fumbles every time Warren touches the football. Just some food for thought.

Justin Fields “package” just blowing smoke?

Another week, more talk about a Justin Fields package of plays for the Steelers offense. Arthur Smith told media this week the package is ready to go whenever they want to use it, but the question isn’t when, but if they’ll ever use it.

I don’t believe this is just the organization blowing smoke, but waiting for the right opportunity. With the Steelers’ second half of the schedule as daunting as ever, there’s no better time than the present. Be as dynamic as possible, because it could make all the difference in a win or loss.

Avoid the week-to-week analysis

I’ve been covering the Steelers from afar for a long time now, and if there is one trend which I can’t stand it is how the national media and the fans of all teams turn the NFL into analysis which is based solely on what has happened recently.

Let’s take a look at how this worked with the 2024 Steelers schedule:

Week 1: Atlanta (6-4) / Post-Game: Atlanta sucks, they won’t be doing anything this season.

Week 2: Denver (5-5) / Post-Game: Rookie quarterback, keep moving.

Week 3: LA Chargers (6-3) / Post-Game: Justin Herbert was hurt, but the Steelers offense finally showed signs of life.

Week 4: Colts (4-6) / Post-Game: Couldn’t even beat Joe Flacco…this team is awful.

Week 5: Cowboys (3-6) / Post-Game: Defense is slipping, let Dak and the banged-up Cowboys do that?

Week 6: Raiders (2-7) / Post-Game: Aidan O’Connell stinks, and so do the Raiders. Moving on.

Week 7: Jets (3-7) / Post-Game: Aaron Rodgers is washed, doesn’t have it anymore. But Russ looked good.

Week 8: Giants (2-8) / Post-Game: Can’t believe they let the Giants hang around. Run defense is rough.

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Commanders (7-3) / Post-Game: Finally a big game win for the Steelers.

The point of this exercise wasn’t to be critical of the knee jerk reaction to the wins, but more to take a look at things with some perspective. For instance, the Falcons win might not have looked much in Week 1, but that is an improving team. Likewise, when the Steelers beat the Broncos, everyone assumed they wouldn’t win many games, but they’ve been able to right the ship at this juncture of the season.

Feel free to analyze the Steelers on a weekly basis, but try to avoid the week-to-week, team-by-team analysis which sometimes plagues the NFL coverage.

Two Horse Race

This weekend is a big game for the AFC North. The winner of the game will have a 1.5 game lead in the division. With the Steelers and Ravens both slated to play another game after this one Sunday, the division race is far from over; however, it does seem as if this is a two horse race for the division.

Let’s take a look at the remaining schedules for the Steelers and Ravens:

Remaining Schedules

Steelers

• vs. BAL
• at CLE
• at CIN
• vs. CLE
• at PHI
• at BAL
• vs. KC
• vs. CIN

Ravens

• at PIT
• at LAC
• vs. PHI
• BYE
• at NYG
• vs. PIT
• at HOU
• vs. CLE

Take a look at those schedules, and feel free to dissect who has the more favorable schedule. Yes, the game this weekend is going to be huge.

Bulletin Board Material

This week there has been a lot of talk going on between the Steelers and Ravens. There are a ton of connections between these two teams, especially individuals who once were a part of the opposite organization.

From Steelers to Ravens

• CB Arthur Maulet
• WR Diontae Johnson
• DL Chris Wormley (BAL Practice Squad)

From Ravens to Steelers

• ILB Patrick Queen
• OLB Jeremiah Moon
• Safety DeShon Elliott
• Andy Weidl (spent 11 years with the Baltimore Ravens from 2005-15)

There’s been a lot of talk to the media this week, but that isn’t the biggest bulletin board material happening in this AFC North rivalry. No, that would be done by the sportsbooks.

Depending on which book you prefer, the Steelers are 3-point underdogs at home.

Yes, at home…vs. the Ravens.

Talk about the ultimate sign of respect. Post that on the bulletin board and let them know what they think about you…add fuel to the fire.

Announcer Breakdown

This game the Steelers and Ravens will get the CBS ‘B’ team in Ian Eagle and Charles Davis. Of course, the ‘A’ team is Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, for those who are curious.

I don’t mind Eagle and Davis, they do a respectable job, but Davis can get on my nerves at times. If I’m being honest, there aren’t many tandems where I like both announcers. In this case, like Eagle, not crazy about Davis. I love Jim Nantz, but can’t stand Tony Romo. Nonetheless, it could be worse. This game could be called by Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta.

Officiating Crew Breakdown

This week the Steelers vs. Ravens game will be officiated by Clay Martin’s crew. Let’s take a look at this crew:

Let’s take a look at this crew, because I have a lot of questions. Brian Matoren is a writer/producer…of what? Music? Theatre? What about Alonzo Ramsey, who graduated from Howard, who is in “banking”. What does that mean? Is he a bank teller? Does he advise bankers? Very vague there for Mr. Ramsey. Brian Perry is into mutual funds. Does he sell them? Purchase them? And don’t get me started on James Carter who is in “insurance”. There are times when some specificity is needed, and this is one of them.

As for Clay Martin’s crew, here is an interested tid-bit of information on them, courtesy of Dale Lolley of Steelers.com:

Clay Martin’s crew will work Steelers-Ravens Sunday. They average 12.88 penalties per game, which is league average. But they do like holding penalties. They have called 33, about 1/3 of all their penalties. The Ravens have an NFL-high 80 penalties. The Steelers have 57.

— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) November 14, 2024

Let’s hope Clay Martin’s crew is prepared to officiate the Steelers vs. Ravens game in a way which won’t have fans ready to storm the proverbial castle with torches and pitchforks.

That does it…the jig is up, they’ve finally found me. This renegade is outta here…be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.