Steelers/NFL category, Page 317
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans bristle at negativity after Ben Roethlisberger’s new deal, NFL’s overtime idea
In this week’s “U mad, bro?,” Steelers fans clap back at my lack of faith in the team. Someone doesn’t like the NFL’s new overtime proposal. And I share the best email I have ever received. Jerry read my article about the Baltimore Ravens’ new overtime proposal. Like me, he...
NFL awards Steelers compensatory pick in 4th-round of draft
Anticipation was that the Pittsburgh Steelers might be awarded two compensatory draft picks this year based on free-agent losses in the 2020 offseason. Instead, they got just one. When the NFL released the compensatory picks list Wednesday, the Steelers were awarded a pick in the fourth round, the 35th pick...
Steelers get WR, return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud under contract for 1 year
The Pittsburgh Steelers got one of their restricted free agents under contract Wednesday when they signed wide receiver/returner Ray-Ray McCloud to a one-year deal. McCloud, who spent the 2020 season with the Steelers after being signed in training camp, played in all 16 games and was credited with two starts....
Former Steelers player Ryan Switzer’s child released from hospital
After a stressful weekend in the hospital, the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Ryan Switzer is home. Christian Switzer, only nine months old, was admitted to the hospital Saturday after waking up covered in his blood. Christian, who also was diagnosed with covid-19, needed fluids, medication and several transfusions....
NFL sets salary cap at $182.5M; Steelers have about $6.1M to spend
With the NFL salary cap figure being set at $182.5 million Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally know how much room they will have to spend once free agency begins next week. It’s not much. Barring any further contracts being restructured, the Steelers will enter free agency approximately $6.1 million under...
First Call: Draft expert gives us ‘almost the perfect Steeler’; Al Villanueva impacted by franchise tags
One NFL draft expert has two perfect fits for the Steelers. Franchise tag fallout. And a curious quote from Pitt basketball coach Jeff Capel. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Perfect in Pittsburgh NFL Network and NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah did his annual pre-draft media conference call to look...
If Joe Haden wants Mike Hilton to stay with Steelers, he should stop being such a good agent
If Mike Hilton’s free-agent market value gets too rich for the Steelers’ blood, general manager Kevin Colbert can thank one of Hilton’s teammates. Fellow cornerback Joe Haden. The veteran Steelers defensive back called Hilton the “best nickel corner in the game” on Monday. Best nickel in the GAME!!! Joe...
Steelers re-sign linebacker/safety Marcus Allen to 1-year contract
Marcus Allen, drafted as a safety before being converted to inside linebacker last season, signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday. Allen was an exclusive rights free agent. Allen, 24, got his first significant playing time in 2020, his third NFL season. A safety at Penn State,...
Draft analyst sees Steelers taking UNC running back Javonte Williams in 1st round
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah sees the Pittsburgh Steelers taking a running back in the first round. Just not the player who is on the top of most scout’s draft boards. Alabama’s Najee Harris is considered the top runner in this year’s class, but Jeremiah recently moved another power...
As expected, Steelers don’t use franchise tag on OLB Bud Dupree, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
The deadline for NFL teams to use the franchise tag passed at 4 p.m. Tuesday, and the Pittsburgh Steelers declined to use it on outside linebacker Bud Dupree. For just the second time in the past five years, the Steelers didn’t tag any of their players. The Steelers tagged Dupree...
Former Steelers player says son moved from ICU, health improving
Former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Ryan Switzer said his 9-month-old son was moved out of the ICU Monday after he was admitted over the weekend to control bleeding. Switzer wrote on Twitter, “Christian is being moved from the ICU to the floor today! There were no more bleeding spells over night...
First Call: Rod Woodson jabs JuJu Smith-Schuster; ESPN knocks Bud Dupree; Mike Hilton on his big decision
Lots of Steelers talk dominates Tuesday’s “First Call.” Rod Woodson is critical of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. One analyst is unkind regarding linebacker Bud Dupree’s free agency projection. Cornerback Mike Hilton talks about the prospect of leaving Pittsburgh. And we mix in some hockey this weekend in Pittsburgh as well....
Tim Benz: Steelers’ same old song about fixing the run game is going over like a ‘Led Zeppelin’
I wonder if Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger likes Led Zeppelin. What about offensive coordinator Matt Canada? If they do, then they may know that Led Zeppelin’s epic hit “Stairway to Heaven” turned 50 years old last week. Note, I said “Stairway to Heaven.” Not “Stairway to Seven.” No, that mothballed...
Steelers sign center J.C. Hassenauer to 1-year contract
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed one of their three remaining exclusive rights free agents Monday when they retained center J.C. Hassenauer on a one-year contract. Hassenauer made his NFL debut with the Steelers in 2020 and played in 15 games, starting three at center and one at left guard. His deal...
Judge tosses lawsuit by former Steelers over ‘race-norming’ in NFL dementia tests
PHILADELPHIA — A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit that challenged “race-norming” in dementia tests for retired NFL players, a practice that some say makes it harder for Black athletes to show injury and qualify for awards. A hearing had been set for Thursday. The judge instead ordered the...
Mark Madden: Despite public outcry, Steelers shouldn’t re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster
Since the turn of the century — which I counted down on the Y2J clock — the Steelers have given a significant second contract to just two receivers: Hines Ward and Antonio Brown. The former is a Super Bowl MVP and not-quite Hall-of-Famer, the latter a generational talent. It very...
Madden Monday: Will Big Ben’s contract keep the band together? ‘This ain’t the Beatles.’
There seems to be a misguided sense from Steelers fans that Ben Roethlisberger’s new contract is going to be key in helping the Steelers to make another playoff run. This after the franchise flamed out following an 11-0 start in 2020. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden is...
First Call: Twists as JuJu Smith-Schuster approaches free agency; Islanders stay hot atop East
Monday’s “First Call” features a few interesting twists along the way toward JuJu Smith-Schuster’s free agency. The New York Islanders stay red-hot atop the Eastern Division. Robert Morris’ women’s hockey team takes a unique route to the NCAA tournament. And Duquesne’s spring football season opener turns back the clock when...
Tim Benz: Thumbs down to a new NFL overtime idea (and not just because the Ravens thought of it)
Steelers fans are predisposed to dislike anything the Baltimore Ravens want to do. In the case of Baltimore’s new overtime proposal, though, our inherent anti-Ravens bias doesn’t even have to come into play. It’s a useless plan, and the NFL shouldn’t bother looking at it. Yet the idea is gaining...
Former Steelers player says his 9-month-old son stable after surgery
Former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Ryan Switzer says his 9-month-old son Christian is stable and out of surgery to control bleeding. Christian is finally out of surgery. The GI specialist found several sites of bleeding. He took samples that were sent off to biopsy to see what could be causing it,...
First Call: JuJu and J.J. together in Arizona?, Larry Fitzgerald’s future, Baker Mayfield saw a UFO
Friday’s “First Call” is stacked with news about JuJu Smith-Schuster, J.J. Watt, Larry Fitzgerald and Baker Mayfield. Also, UFOs and ice baths. I’ll let you guess the order. My turn! Now that Ben Roethlisberger’s contract is done, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster wants the Steelers to turn their attention to someone...
Tim Benz: Ben Roethlisberger’s new contract may not be the big picture fix some are anticipating
Let’s get the working of mechanics ironed out as we talk about Ben Roethlisberger’s new Pittsburgh Steelers contract. Then we’ll get to what all of this means. Because the words we use — and how we chose them — to describe Big Ben’s big decision are important to properly frame...
Steelers sign QB Ben Roethlisberger to new contract for 2021 season
Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a contract Thursday that includes a pay cut for the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and provides some much-needed salary cap relief for the organization. The contract is for one year and $14 million, according to national reports, and is $5 million less...
First Call: Bud Dupree health update; Joe Haden claps back at talk of release; T.J. McConnell triple-double
Thursday’s “First Call” shows us a feisty Steeler. Bud Dupree is optimistic about his health. And T.J. McConnell sets an NBA record. Also, another Robert Morris hockey player is up for a national award. And a former Pirate had a big hit against the Buccos in spring training. Haden not...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans cranky about QBs! Ben Roethlisberger, his backups, guys they haven’t drafted yet
So long as we have Steelers quarterback angst, “U mad, bro?” will always have content. However, this week I was getting concerned. We were overrun with positive responses to the “Breakfast With Benz” columns of late about the “Miracle on Ice,” Robert Morris hockey player Chace Sperling, and the Penguins-Whalers...
