Steelers/NFL category, Page 309
Steelers’ rookie Tre Norwood used to playing multiple positions — often in same game
When Mike Tomlin announced the Pittsburgh Steelers’ seventh-round draft pick May 1 and called Tre Norwood a Swiss Army knife, he left out an important detail. Norwood didn’t just play multiple positions in the secondary during his redshirt junior season at Oklahoma. “He did it throughout the same game,” Oklahoma...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster responds to Al Villanueva’s ‘TikTok’ comments; 2 favorite anniversaries for Penguins fans
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” JuJu Smith-Schuster is asked about Alejandro Villanueva’s TikTok remarks. The Penguins get to celebrate two milestone anniversaries. And the strangest triple you will ever see. Asked about Al When he signed with the Baltimore Ravens last week, former Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva seemed to take a...
For Najee Harris, there’s only one Steelers RB to emulate for rookie 1st-round success
Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft choice Najee Harris will be following in the footsteps of many Pro Bowl running backs in franchise history. Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, Le’Veon Bell and John Henry Johnson. Just to name a few. Willie Parker, Barry Foster and Dick Hoak to name a few more. But...
Steelers’ Hall of Famer Alan Faneca named coach at Virginia high school
Alan Faneca will have more on his plate this summer aside from being one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Faneca, 44, was hired Monday as head football coach at Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Va. The former Steelers All-Pro guard previously...
Steelers’ John Mitchell, Pittsburgh native Larry Brown earn NJCAA Hall of Fame honors
Pittsburgh will be well represented when the National Junior College Athletic Association Foundation Hall of Fame inducts its inaugural class virtually June 24. The seven-member class includes two honorees with ties to the city: Schenley graduate and Clairton native Larry Brown and Steelers assistant head coach John Mitchell. Others in...
First Call: Steelers’ selection of Quincy Roche getting some national praise; Andrew McCutchen heating up; Pitt hoops news
Monday’s “First Call” features some optimism for a late-round Steelers draft choice. Also, a tough recruiting loss for Pitt basketball, and a look at the Pirates’ upcoming series at PNC Park. Plus, former Pirate Andrew McCutchen is starting to get things right at home plate. Sure would be nice On...
Football Footnotes: Latest interview shows JuJu Smith-Schuster still doesn’t grasp mistake of ‘Browns is the Browns’ quote
With the draft over and training camp still a few months away, we are in a down cycle for news surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL. But since the league is the Goliath that it is — and with the Steelers’ constant ability to find their way into headlines...
Steelers rookie center Kendrick Green plays through pain, then inflicts it on opposing defenses
An injury at center forced guard Kendrick Green to move into the middle of the Illinois offensive line during the final game of the 2019 season. Green was penciled in to start again in the pivot for the Redbox Bowl when he injured his groin while the Illini were practicing...
Steelers add former Jets safety Arthur Maulet on 1-year contract
In a move designed to add veteran depth to the position room, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed safety Arthur Maulet to a one-year contract Friday afternoon. Maulet, 27, spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets. He started 11 games and appeared in 23 over those two seasons. The...
With eye on more fans in stands, the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates urge people to get covid vaccine
Representatives of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers and Penguins joined U.S. Sen. Bob Casey on Friday to reiterate their commitment to help educate and facilitate vaccination of people who remain hesitant to get the covid-19 vaccine. The teams were among the first organizations in the region to open venues to host...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s admission about free agency; Marc-Andre Fleury now 3rd all-time in wins; Rangers-Caps brawl
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster opens up about free agency. Steelers rookies are getting rated for upcoming fantasy football drafts. The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers lived down to expectations Wednesday night. And former Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury jumps another notch on that all-time NHL...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans are fired up about Steelers draft. ‘More linemen! Why take a running back? And … a punter?’
The NFL Draft has Pittsburgh Steelers fans in a tizzy. Why did the team take a running back in the first round? Should they have taken more linemen earlier in the draft? Was their judgment clouded by some Steelers who stayed in free agency? And, good God, what was with...
Carnegie Mellon seminar to tackle the sweet science of sports analytics
About two decades ago, even the most hardcore baseball fans never had heard of OPS. At that point in time, the concept of an NBA team scoring more points on field goals behind the 3-point line than in front of it? Folly. Back in the olden days of the early...
Steelers cornerback Justin Layne takes plea deal in Ohio case, felony gun charge dropped
Steelers cornerback Justin Layne on Wednesday had a felony gun charged dismissed as part of a plea deal in Ohio, landing him probation and a suspended jail sentence, court records show. Layne was pulled over early April 23 for speeding in Willoughby, a Cleveland suburb, and cited for speeding, driving...
Alejandro Villanueva embraces joining Ravens, takes veiled shot at JuJu Smith-Schuster
As is customary for most NFL teams when their signings in free agency become official, Alejandro Villanueva was made available to the media Wednesday. The veteran left tackle’s comments might raise some eyebrows with the fans and players of his former team. Villanueva joined the Baltimore Ravens for a reported...
Mark Madden: While many draft needs were addressed, the Steelers still need a cornerback
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft did a lot to fix their offense, specifically their running game. But is their defense broken? The Steelers’ playmaking defense has been the team’s cornerstone the last two seasons. It was third- and second-best in yards allowed per play in 2020 (4.9) and 2019 (4.7). It...
First Call: Steelers projected to get 3rd-round compensatory pick for Bud Dupree; Rangers rip NHL over Tom Wilson decision
The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a sense of their 2022 draft compensation for losing Bud Dupree in free agency. And the franchise is finally getting some national praise for their 2021 draft class from a national outlet. In the NHL, the New York Rangers are irate over the lack of...
Tim Benz: One thing is clear for 2021 Steelers: T.J. Watt is never allowed to get hurt
With the NFL Draft in the books and the first wave of free agency completed, one thing has become abundantly clear for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. T.J. Watt is not allowed to get hurt. Ever. Not a pulled calf. Not a jammed finger. Not a bee sting. Not a hangnail....
Steelers legend Jerome Bettis offers prediction about Ben Roethlisberger’s future, endorses drafting of Najee Harris
It should be no surprise that Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis is endorsing the franchise’s 2021 first-round draft pick, fellow running back Najee Jerome Harris (Alabama). Yup. He’s got a “Jerome” and a “Harris” in his name. That’s a pretty decent way to get off to a good start...
Longtime Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva signs with rival Ravens
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ longtime left tackle is staying in the division. Alejandro Villanueva signed a two-year contract with the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens. ESPN and the NFL Network reported the deal was for $8 million guaranteed with up to $14 million in total compensation possible. Villanueva, 32, started each...
First Call: Super Bowl odds after Steelers draft Najee Harris; Tom Wilson is at it again
Oddsmakers don’t seem impressed with the Steelers drafting Najee Harris. Tom Wilson is up to his old tricks. And a pair of happy goaltending debuts with Pittsburgh ties. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Did Najee move the number? BetOnline.ag released its Super Bowl odds after the NFL Draft. How...
How a 2nd-day pick could influence the entire Steelers draft
It would be a real stretch to say that third-round draft choice Kendrick Green is the most important member of the 2021 Steelers class. Yeah, I might pull a muscle extending myself to make that argument. Unless a team takes a starting quarterback somewhere on Day 2, the first-round pick...
Tim Benz: A history lesson for those doubting the Steelers’ 2021 draft class
In Monday’s “First Call,” I pointed out that ESPN’s Mel Kiper gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a C+ for their 2021 draft class. Based on the visceral reaction I saw to that story in my email inbox and on my Twitter feed, the good folks of “Stiller Nation” have a —...
Steelers sign former Missouri CB DeMarkus Acy, cut tight end, punter
The Pittsburgh Steelers added a cornerback from the 2020 draft class then reduced the roster at tight end and punter. DeMarkus Acy, who went undrafted out of Missouri in 2020, was signed to a one-year contract Monday. He was with the San Francisco 49ers last summer and spent part of...
Could Shakur Brown or others make an impact? A look at Steelers undrafted free agents
After drafting only six players last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers upped that by 50% in selecting nine players in the 2021 draft. But the draft isn’t the only means of rookie talent acquisition. Like all NFL teams, the Steelers signed undrafted free agents in the minutes and hours after the...
