News » It didn’t take long for JuJu Smith-Schuster to respond

Antonio Brown ripping Smith-Schuster on social media.After Brown said Smith-Schuster fumbled the Steelers’ postseason away Jerome Bettis Jersey , Smith-Schuster expressed surprise that a former friend would take a shot at him like that.“Keep your emotions off the internet,” Smith-Schuster wrote, in a series of tweets. “All I ever did was show that man love and respect from the moment I got to the league. I was genuinely happy for him too when he got traded to Oakland w/ a big contract, and now he takes shots at me on social media? Crazy how big that ego got to be to take shots at people who show you love!”Smith-Schuster followed that up with a quote that is often attributed to Mark Twain but does not appear in any of his published work: “Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” With the Steelers preparing themselves for the final eight contests of the season, there have been players that have been playing as expected and those that have stepped up out of nowhere.This has inspired me to rank the Steelers that have had the finest eight games of the first half of the 2019 season.Steelers Power Rankings1) T.J. WattPrevious Rank: 1Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty ImagesWatt hasn’t become just the heart and soul of the defense, he’s possibly the MVP of the team. PFF ranks him as the best edge rusher and second-best pass rusher in the league. Watt is playing at an elite level. On the season James Conner Jersey , T.J. has 7 1/2 sacks and 20 qb hits in just eight games.2) Minkah Fitzpatrick Previous Rank: Not RankedPhoto by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe trade of a No. 1 pick for Fitzpatrick was looked at somein Steeler Nation as a mistake, but the second-year safety has four interceptions in six games as a Steeler, including a pick-six of 96 yards against Indy. Minkah is only ranked 20th by PFF, but No. 39 has been a stabilizing entity for the Steelers defense and is a leader already for Keith Butler’s charges.3) Cam HeywardPrevious Rank: Not RankedPhoto by Adam Glanzman/Getty ImagesStephon Tuitt started the season on fire and there was a growing sentiment that No. 91 was seizing the mantle of the stalwart of the defensive line. Whispers were abound that Heyward was slowing down a bit as well. However, when PFF’s seventh-ranked defensive lineman went down for the season against the Chargers...the current third-ranked Heyward stepped up in a huge way. No. 97 has 4.5 sacks, once again resembles his dominant self of the past few seasons and has proved most valuable for the Steelers.4) Bud DupreePrevious Rank: Not RankedPhoto by Justin Berl/Getty ImagesDupree took awhile to become “Bud the stud” https://www.thesteelerslockerroom.com/authentic-terrell-edmunds-jersey , but he is fully healthy and has fully arrived in his contract year. It seems like Keith Butler’s presence working with the OLBs has fully benefited Bud. Dropping into coverage way less and no longer overrunning sacks, No. 48 is having a career year as the Steelers are letting him play the way he was meant to. Bud has six sacks so far and is ranked as PFF’s 19th best rusher coming off the edge.5) James ConnerPrevious Rank: 4Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty ImagesUp until the Miami game, Conner had struggled as a rusher, but that had a lot to do with his line not opening up lanes and missing an injured lead blocker in Roosevelt Nix. PFF ranks him fifth as a receiver out of the backfield and if the Steelers were going to move the chains, it had to be done consistently with Conner’s combat runs after the catch. James has 29 receptions for 236 yards and two scores receiving and 380 yards and four scores on the ground. Conner’s absence due to injury could be a great concern for the fact that the offense relies on No. 30.6) Chris BoswellPrevious Rank: Honorable MentionPhoto by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesLast year is starting to seem more like an aberration when it comes to the field goal accuracy of Chris Boswell. No. 9 is back to his Pro Bowl form of 2015-2017 and is kicking with clutch accuracy again. Boz is 17/18 and perfect on point-afters. His only miss was from 54-yards out against Miami. An invigorated Boswell is helping to carry the Steelers offense for stretches and seems to be the only constant scoring option for Pittsburgh.7) Devin BushPrevious Rank: 3Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesWhile the rookie from a Michigan still is experiencing growing pains, No. 55 has proven already that the draft day trade to acquire him was a brilliant move. Bush with his great sideline-to-sideline speed does not have to carry the defense right now and merely needs to continue to grow into the role. The rookie is leading the team with 66 tackles and has four fumble recoveries Womens Terrell Edmunds Jersey , two interceptions and a score.8) Vince Williams Previous Rank: Honorable MentionJake Roth-USA TODAY SportsIt is no coincidence that the Steelers defense started to emerge when Vince Williams returned from injury. Before the season, the media and fans were hinting that No. 98’s lack of speed was a liability and were calling for his demotion with speedier linebackers on theroster. PFF’s 20th-ranked ILB is a staunch and suffocating run defender and is finally getting recognized as a valuable team presence.9) Steven NelsonPrevious Rank: Honorable MentionPhoto by Justin K. Aller/Getty ImagesNelson’s signing in free agency last March was not met with a whole lot of fanfare, but the former KC Chief has significantly upgraded the Steelers secondary. Although No. 22 is only credited with two passes defensed and no interceptions, Nelson is being avoided by QBs, not letting receivers get separation and is one of the reasons the Steeler secondary is becoming a team strength.10) Mason RudolphPrevious Rank: 5Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY SportsMason Rudolph has not set the world on fire since he replaced an injured Ben Roethlisberger in the second half of Week 2 in the Seattle loss. However, he has been taking steps to get the offense going with a rating of 94.7 L.C. Greenwood Jersey , a 66.1% completion rate, ten touchdown passes and four interceptions in parts of six games. Mason’s stats are actually superior to Ben’s rookie numbers of 2004 so far. There is still a lot to be desired about Rudolph’s game, but he’s been thrust into the starting lineup and responded quite well.If the Steelers are to continue to rebound from 1-4 and make the playoffs, the power players need to keep their momentum going strong. At .500, the 4-4 Pittsburgh franchise will need to continue to forge ahead with these ten leading the way. Post your agreements and the opposite in the comments section below.