STEELERS TIGHT END PAT FREIERMUTH, AT TRAINING CAMP IN LATROBE, AUG. 1. (PHOTO BY MARLON MARTIN)
There are probably times when many of us, or maybe all of us, imagined being someone or something in our lives. In 1971, I was 18 years old and imagined being an NFL running back. At the same time, the legendary R&B singing group the Temptations released a song titled, “Just My Imagination.” The song chronicled a man in love with a woman he met on his quest for love. That scenario would have been wonderful except for one thing. The woman he had fallen in love with had no idea who he was. His journey of love and passion was all in his head. The storyteller admits it singing: “But it was just my imagination, running away with me…it was just my imagination, running away with me.”
After a spirited practice last week, there was a minor skirmish between Pittsburgh Steelers wideout George Pickens and wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni. After the disagreement, George Pickens became instant trade bait.
Does free speech only apply to certain groups of people? When you express your opinion, does that mean you may be in danger of being cut or traded? Many writers express their flawed and misinformed opinions daily and not many people suggest exiling the violators to the purgatory of journalism, never to be seen or heard from again. For example, mock drafts and fantasy teams are based on theories and opinions, not facts.
Meanwhile, the spin machine was back on the road, purring as smoothly as a brand-new Ferrari. Step one was Pat Freiermuth’s love for Pittsburgh profiled in an article posted by Wil Riggs titled: “‘I Love Pittsburgh’ says TE Pat Freiermuth.” Riggs writes the following: “He is headed into the final year of his rookie contract, and he spoke on Thursday about contract negotiations. ‘I trust my agent, and I’m focused on football and the season,’ Freiermuth said. ‘I’m optimistic. I wanna be here and I love Pittsburgh and love everything about it.'”
Riggs continued: “The new offense from coordinator Arthur Smith is very tight end friendly. Not to mention, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson is under center instead of Kenny Pickett. This could be a career year for Freiermuth, which is good for him either way. Either the Steelers see his value and get a deal done, or he has a breakout year and other teams see his value.”
Wow, wow, wow, Riggs wrote that “either the Steelers see his value and get a deal done, or he has a breakout year and other teams see his value.” Very few people in “Yinzburgh” talked about seeing the value of ex-Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, and ex-wide receiver Antonio Brown, to name a few. What about running backs Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren? All I hear are birds chirping. What seems to be the problem? Cat got your tongue? Presently, a few of the “measlies” are now anointing Pat Freiermuth as a possible number two outside receiver. Pat Freiermuth runs close to a 4.70 forty. In March of 2022, Jeff Legwold, ESPN senior writer, posted this: “Georgia lineman Jordan Davis, at 341 pounds, runs 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds at NFL scouting combine.”
“Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis—all 341 pounds of him—finished the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.” Let that sink in.
What they better allow to sink in is that when any outside receiver or tight end lines up as an outside receiver and has a forty-yard dash time of more than 4.60 seconds, the defensive coordinator may have the luxury of choosing a defensive lineman or a linebacker drop back in coverage when that receiver is targeted. That receiver may not require a slot corner or even a safety to cover him, especially in dime coverage. Is it possible that a few DBs may be able to cover a few not-so-fleet wide receivers while eating lunch and sipping on a mint julep?
Noah Strackbein recently posted the following. “Pat Freiermuth took over the receiving game for the Steelers on Day 1. The fourth-year tight end is entering a contract year and has a major opportunity to earn himself a bigger role within the offense. Without a WR2 behind George Pickens, Freiermuth should be included in the discussion for the next best pass catcher. On the first day of camp, Freiermuth caught more passes than anyone on the field. His most impressive route came in the middle of the field where he worked himself into the soft part of the zone and found an opening for a 15-yard reception.”
Whaaaat, just wait a minute. Was this practice or a playoff game? The Steelers have Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, and a slew of “warp speed” wide receivers and you mean to tell me that all they can muster up from their list of wideouts is Pat Freiermuth? For months, the sermon remained the same from the mealy-mouths on an hour-by-hour basis. The Steelers must trade for or sign a free-agent wide receiver to complement George Pickens. At this stage, that probably won’t happen so……
Now, Pat Freiermuth has been elevated by a few pundits from a third-down, possession-type tight end to a number two outside wide receiver. Has their sanity and their minds been turned into the lost and found of eternity? Can’t you hear them singing another stanza from, “Just My Imagination?” Eddie Kendricks sang, “I tell you I can visualize it all. This couldn’t be a dream. For too real it all seems.”
I hate to burst your bubble yinzers, but Pat Freiermuth will only become a number two wide receiver on a “mock fantasy” team, possibly located on Mars. Keep dreaming and scheming because maybe, just maybe, he might be promoted to a number two receiver in the UFL but never in the league that wears the big boy pants. Just remember, it’s just your imagination….
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