Steelers/NFL category, Page 304
National outlets rank Steelers’ roster in top half of NFL talent rankings, but barely
As the calendar flipped Thursday to the month in which training camps open across the NFL, the 2021 season has never felt closer. Three national outlets that cover the league combined to release two rankings of the 32 teams in terms of talent. In other words, the proverbial “this team...
J.J. Watt pokes fun at Steelers’ fondness for TikTok
One of the NFL’s biggest stars seems to believe the Pittsburgh Steelers have a TikTok problem. A message posted to the verified Twitter account of three-time league defensive player of the year J.J. Watt responded to a message posted by Steelers linebacker Devin Bush on Thursday when Bush had some...
Steelers add former Rams, Titans kicker Sam Sloman to offseason roster
Ben Roethlisberger won’t be the only player from Miami (Ohio) on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster this summer. The Steelers have agreed to terms former RedHawks kicker Sam Sloman, agent Joe Linta confirmed Thursday. The NFL Network first reported the Steelers’ interest in signing Sloman. Adding Sloman gives the Steelers a...
First Call: Will Steven Nelson come back? More talk of discipline for Steelers over handling of David DeCastro’s injury
Thursday’s “First Call” raises a red flag for the Steelers when it comes to the release of David DeCastro. Former Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree gushes about his time in Pittsburgh. Could Steven Nelson come back to the Steelers secondary? The Pirates have their work cut out for them with the...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans push back against offensive line concerns; misplaced Pirates rage; poor Paxton Lynch
This week’s “U mad, bro?” sees some Steelers fans pushing back against criticism of the offensive line. Some misdirected Pirates fan rage. A sarcastic farewell to a Steelers free agent. And flat-out disdain for this column. I had an angry email exchange with Chris, who is a Pirates loyalist to...
Oregon resident fulfills dream of traveling to Pittsburgh to create a Terrible Towel
Daniel Seddiqui has a piece of Pittsburgh he helped create. The California native, who lives in Bend, Ore., came to the city as part of his quest to visit 65 cities to craft a meaningful piece of each destination that reflects its culture and industry. He is calling the venture...
First Call: Troy Polamalu now at ease with end of career; Steelers outside linebacker depth questioned; Najee Harris for team MVP?
Wednesday’s “First Call” shares an in-depth conversation with Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu. We find an odd prediction for the 2021 Steelers team MVP. Concerns about the Steelers depth at outside linebacker are extending beyond Pittsburgh. And the Robert Morris women’s hockey program had a banner night. Even if the...
Steelers alum Ike Taylor responds to Demaryius Thomas’ retirement in typical swaggin’ fashion
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor acknowledged the retirement of Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in a way that only Ike Taylor could. Thomas is perhaps best known — well, at least in Pittsburgh — for burning Taylor on the first play of overtime in an AFC playoff game...
First Call: New home for Steelers’ Paxton Lynch; a look at NHL TV plans for drafts on ESPN
Tuesday’s “First Call” gives Steelers fans a Paxton Lynch sighting. We get one more look at Jack Leiter before the Pirates pass on him. A local guy goes yard in the NL Central. And we get our first glance at ESPN plans for the upcoming NHL drafts. Lynch looks north...
CBS ranks Steelers’ Mike Tomlin as NFL’s 10th-best coach
Among his NFL coaching peers, according to one national ranking, Mike Tomlin is among the top 10. But barely. CBS Sports rated all 32 of the league’s coaches, and it pegged Tomlin at No. 10. Here is the outlet’s rationale: “Fourteen years and not a single losing season means Tomlin...
Mark Madden: Bad offensive line might sink Steelers
There’s no Madden Markdown when it comes to refreshing sports notes. You pay full price, but get maximum value. • Trai Turner being signed to patchwork the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line is like slapping a butterfly stitch on a shotgun wound. Pro Football Focus: “Turner (was) the lowest-graded right guard...
First Call: Will David DeCastro file a grievance over his release? What’s Marc-Andre Fleury’s future in Las Vegas?
Monday’s “First Call” features a question about David DeCastro’s release by the Steelers. A former Pirates pitcher shines. Considering Marc-Andre Fleury’s future. And the Browns backs are hand-in-glove. Done with DeCastro One reason why the Steelers may have tagged David DeCastro’s release as related to a non-football injury is in...
Madden Monday: Steelers offensive line could be ‘worst in the league’; team may never return to Latrobe for training camp
We know that the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be at Saint Vincent College for training camp. But we still aren’t exactly sure why. The Steelers official statement read, “We were prepared to safely host Training Camp on campus with fans, but unfortunately our plan was not approved due to the NFL’s...
Poor performance, retirements play role in Steelers overhauling offensive line
Less than three years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers had an offensive line that was the envy of much of the NFL. In 2018, coming off a year in which the team went 13-3 and was No. 3 in the NFL in total offense, the offensive line was coached by a...
Steelers to save $5.75 million in cap space by swapping out David DeCastro for Trai Turner
Swapping out David DeCastro for Trai Turner will save the Pittsburgh Steelers $5.75 million in salary-cap space in 2021. The veteran guard’s signing was made official Friday, and it is a one-year, $3 million deal. DeCastro’s release Thursday saved the Steelers $8.75 million on the salary cap. DeCastro still will...
Mark Madden: Losing David DeCastro has end-of-an-era vibe for Steelers
David DeCastro’s release has Pittsburgh Steelers fans looking forward and backward. Neither view is appetizing. In a little more than a year, the Steelers lost their entire starting offensive line: DeCastro, Matt Feiler, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva are all ex- of this parish. Replacing them is a...
First Call: If David DeCastro wants to keep playing, many teams may want him; Jameson Taillon’s gem for New York
If former Steelers guard David DeCastro has any interest in pursuing his NFL career outside of Pittsburgh, he may have some suitors. A former local high school hoops star is keeping his career going. Robert Morris hockey alumni want to keep the sport alive at their alma mater. And Jameson...
Tim Benz: Worry about why David DeCastro was released later; worry about what remains of the Steelers’ offensive line
When the Steelers released starting right guard David DeCastro for non-football-injury-related reasons Thursday afternoon, a torrent of questions was raised. How did he get hurt? What’s the injury? Is he actually injured? Is this somehow money-related? Is he sick? Out of shape? Beat up? Worn down? Depressed that his buddies...
AFC preview with Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr: Steelers 3rd in North; Browns legit Super Bowl contenders
The latest BetOnLine.ag odds (21/20) have the Steelers most likely to finish third in the AFC North behind the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. That’s a bet I’d make. And it sure sounds like Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated would as well. Orr joins us for Friday’s “Breakfast With Benz”...
Steelers act quickly to add free agent guard Trai Turner to replace David DeCastro
A few hours after the Pittsburgh Steelers released Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro, ending his nine-year tenure with the team, they found his replacement for the 2021 season. Free agent guard Trai Turner, a seven-year veteran who spent last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, agreed to terms on a...
6-time Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro released by Steelers
In a surprising midsummer transaction, the Pittsburgh Steelers released six-time Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro on Thursday. A reliable veteran and trusted voice in the locker room, DeCastro joins longtime teammate Maurkice Pouncey as multi-time former All-Pro offensive linemen who left the Steelers this offseason. A nine-time Pro Bowl center,...
Second summer without Steelers another blow for Latrobe area
For a second year in a row, the Latrobe area will be on the sidelines during the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason, a fact that left local businesses and communities crestfallen. Team spokesman Burt Lauten announced Thursday the NFL’s covid-19 protocols will prevent the Steelers from holding a summer training camp at...
Steelers training camp will be in Pittsburgh, not at Saint Vincent
Westmoreland County will have to wait another year to welcome back its favorite annual summer guests. As concerns related to the waning coronavirus pandemic linger, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced Thursday that they will stage their upcoming training camp at sites in Pittsburgh for the second consecutive year. Saint Vincent in...
First Call: Andrew McCutchen and Josh Bell hit dueling grand slams; Minkah Fitzpatrick credited for his quick ascent
Thursday’s “First Call” features quite a hitting duel between two former Pirates. An update on Al Villanueva’s progress in Baltimore. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is honored for his fast rise to stardom. And the Pirates may be heading to St. Louis at just the right time. Double the pleasure It...
First Call: Update on ex-Steeler Steven Nelson; James Conner’s big goals on and off the field; Bills may use Beaver Stadium
Ex-Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson may have a new team on his radar. His former teammate James Conner has big plans on and off the field in Arizona. The Bills will have all their fans in the stands when they welcome the Steelers during the season opener. And they may be...
