This week I spoke with Jeff Hartman of Behind the Steel Curtain

This week I spoke with Jeff Hartman of Behind the Steel Curtain. He gave us the fan’s perspective of James Conner’s ascendance http://www.panthersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-taylor-moton-jersey , the Steelers rebuilt defense, and how embarrassing it was to watch their team tie the Cleveland Browns. The last one is the bit that worries me. I can’t imagine a better way to motivate a team than to tell them early in a season that they are exactly as good as Cleveland. We have Hartman’s opinions on those subjects and more to get you ready for tonight’s game.Cat Scratch Reader: James Conner has kept y’all from missing Le’Veon Bell too much. Is the kid that skilled or is the Steelers’ offensive line having an all-time run blocking season?Behind the Steel Curtain: I would say it is definitely a combination of both. Conner has a burst, and other skill sets, Bell doesn’t have, but he has also shown he can do everything the Steelers asked Bell to do from a running and receiving perspective. On top of that, the Steelers’ offensive line has been playing out of their minds this season paving the way for Conner and keeping Ben Roethlisberger clean. CSR: Speaking of offensive lines, Bud Dupree is finally showing his potential to beat them and become a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. What changed?BTSC: The hope is Dupree is a late bloomer in regards to his technique. When drafted out of Kentucky he was extremely rough around the edges, and actually never had an outside linebacker coach until he came to the Steelers. It has taken time Daryl Williams Jersey , but Dupree is starting to look more competent each week, and less like a first round bust.CSR: The Steelers’ new look secondary seems to be pulling it all together. What weaknesses still exist for the Panthers to take advantage of?BTSC: Opposite Joe Haden is a black hole which has yet to be filled. Former first round pick Artie Burns was supposed to be the guy opposite Haden, but hasn’t played a defensive snap since being benched for tardiness to a walkthrough prior to the team’s Week 8 game vs. the Browns. In his stead has been Coty Sensabaugh. Sensabaugh has played well, but is the weak link on the back end of the secondary. Other than Sensabaugh, I would suggest targeting rookie safety Terrell Edmunds. He takes bad angles and is certainly a liability in coverage.CSR: How embarrassing was it for Steelers Nation to tie with the Browns?BTSC: It was more than embarrassing. Some would say humiliating. While the Browns, and their fans, rejoiced over not losing a game, the Steelers viewed it as a loss. A big Authentic Ian Thomas Jersey , fat L.CSR: What’s your prediction for tonight?BTSC: The Steelers are tough at home, despite their early season woes, and it is always difficult for the visiting team on Thursday Night Football. When looking up some stats on these two teams, it is uncanny how similar they are... in all aspects. Nonetheless, I like the Steelers at home vs. the Panthers. It should be a close game, and a high scoring contest. Steelers - 34Panthers - 26 The Panthers need a safety. But not badly enough to bring the best safety available to Carolina.On Tuesday, Panthers receiver Torrey Smith nevertheless publicly lobbied his employer to employ Eric Reid.“I think we all know why he hasn’t received a call,” Smith told reporters Youth Torrey Smith Jersey , via ESPN.com.“Honestly, with our injuries, I hope he ends up here,” Smith said. “I know how he is as a talent. If this is something where they come and talk to me about him, I’ll be glad to talk about him as a player, as a person. He’s one of the best men I’ve been around, so I hope that is something that can happen for us because I know that with the injuries we have, he’s a guy that can help this team.聽I really hope he gets a shot. He deserves it http://www.panthersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-dontari-poe-jersey , and it’s not right what’s happened to him.”Last year, unnamed sources with agendas and some in the media (possibly with agendas of their own) worked overtime to justify the shunning of Colin Kaepernick. This year, it’s almost as if no one is even trying to fashion a facially plausible excuse for the continued unemployment of Kaepernick and Reid, both of whom were at the forefront of the protests during the national anthem and both of whom have filed collusion claims against the NFL, alleging a coordinated effort to keep them out of football.Some think that the ongoing unemployment of Kaepernick and Reid is justified by the fact that they’ve essentially sued those who would employ them. Those who think that retaliation of this type is permitted have no appreciation or understanding of the federal and state legal rights against that apply to anyone who advances legitimate legal claims against current or former employers.Those who think that retaliation of this type is permitted would quickly develop such an appreciation or understanding if something like this happened to them or to one of their friends or family members.