If you are like me , NFL game days don’t involve much of the pre-game festivities. from linchao's blog

 As a father of 5, and plenty of things on the to-do list, listening to the ‘talking heads’ just don’t rank high on my priority list. I will sit down https://www.steelerssportshop.com/hats around 12:45 p.m. ET and settle in to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers do battle with any number of opponents. Much to my surprise this week, when Mike Tomlin was heading into the locker room before the Steelers played the Ravens, ESPN’s Dianna Russini asked Tomlin about several different topics, but none larger than the question about Le’Veon Bell.Tomlin, the constant wordsmith, gave Russini, and media outlets everywhere, a tremendous quote on his All-Pro running back who has passed up $7.7 million dollars and has watched James Conner turn in an All-Pro performance of his own.Just watch his response below:As I dug a bit deeper, the fan and media reaction to Tomlin’s remarks were outstanding. People were reading so much into Tomlin’s remarks Pittsburgh Steelers Hoodie , when they should just be taking them at face value.How often does Tomlin have to tell the media he is only concerned about the players who are there in the facility working everyday? How many times does he have to refuse to talk about Bell, because he isn’t there> This was just a unique way of saying the exact same thing. He wants volunteers, or people willing to do work, not hostages who are trying to leverage something for themselves.Maybe this was Tomlin being more candid than he had been previously, but his stance on Bell’s absence has remained strong throughout offseason workouts, training camp, the preseason and the first half of the regular season. If/when Bell returns, Tomlin will then have to make some tough decisions, but until then he will do what he has been saying he will do since the start of the season — focusing on those “volunteers” who are a part of this 5-2-1 team who has won four games in a row.Tomlin loves to make comments like this, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone he used the words he used. But while some want to dissect his words, I suggest we all do something a bit more constructive...Praise James Conner for his ridiculous play throughout the four games during this winning streak. PITTSBURGH (0-0) at CLEVELAND (0-0)Sunday Franco Harris Jersey , 1 p.m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE 鈥?Steelers by 6 陆RECORD VS. SPREAD 鈥?Pittsburgh 7-10, Cleveland 4-12SERIES RECORD 鈥?Steelers lead 73-58LAST MEETING 鈥?Steelers beat Browns 28-24, Dec. 31, 2017AP PRO32 RANKING 鈥?Steelers No. 5, Browns No. 31STEELERS OFFENSE – OVERALL (3), RUSH (20), PASS (3).STEELERS DEFENSE – OVERALL (5), RUSH (10), PASS (5).BROWNS OFFENSE – OVERALL (24), RUSH (18) https://www.steelerssportshop.com/Rod-Woodson-Jersey , PASS (22).BROWNS DEFENSE – OVERALL (14), RUSH (7), PASS (19).STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES 鈥?One-sided rivalry for two decades, Steelers are 33-6 against Browns since 1999. … Steelers without Pro Bowl RB Le’Veon Bell, who has been in extended contract holdout with team that has turned nasty. … Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is 21-2 as starter against Browns. … Roethlisberger surpassed 50,000 career yards passing last season, one of only eight NFL QBs to reach plateau. … Ohio native Roethlisberger is 24-4 in games played in home state. … Steelers went 7-1 on road last season. … Steelers All-Pro WR Antonio Brown led all receivers with 1,533 yards receiving in 2017. Brown burned Browns in last season’s opener 鈥?11 catches, 182 yards 鈥?and made critical 38-yard reception in fourth quarter to seal Pittsburgh’s 21-18 win. … Brown’s 582 catches and 7,848 yards are most in five-year span in league history. … Steelers DT Cameron Heyward had team-best 12 sacks in 2017. … Steelers will face former offensive coordinator Todd Haley Rocky Bleier Color Rush Jersey , whose contract was not renewed after six seasons. … Browns coming off just second 0-16 season for any NFL team. … Cleveland’s roster has been overhauled, with 31 new players from last season. … Browns have lost 13 straight openers and are 1-18 in Week 1 since returning as expansion team. Lone win came in 2004. … QB Tyrod Taylor will be 29th different starter for Cleveland since ’99. Taylor expected to start while Browns develop top overall pick Baker Mayfield, who had strong training camp. … Browns DE Myles Garrett missed last season’s opener vs. Steelers with ankle sprain. He’s vowed to “chop down” Roethlisberger since being drafted first overall in 2017. … Browns starting RT Chris Hubbard was Steeler from 2013-17. … Browns WR Josh Gordon set to play in first season opener since 2013, when he led league with 1,646 yards receiving. Gordon, who says he’s as “locked in” as at any point in career, has been suspended for 54 of past 64 games. … Gordon missed training camp to get counseling and won’t start, but expected to have major role. … Browns coach Hue Jackson needs strong start after going 1-31 past two seasons. Fantasy Tip: Until Gordon gets up and running, Browns WR Jarvis Landry will likely be feature target for Taylor. Landry led league with 112 catches last season and his 400 in first four years are most by player to start career.___