Steelers/NFL category, Page 355
First Call: Hornqvist, Kessel, Saad all salary ‘trade bait’? Hall of Fame voter’s strong endorsement of Bill Nunn
Friday’s “First Call” gives us a ringing endorsement of Steelers scout Bill Nunn and his posthumous chances of becoming a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Another Hall of Fame honor was bestowed during “Thursday Night Football.” Maurkice Pouncey’s twin brother needs surgery. And Saquon Barkley is responding to some criticism....
Through 1 week, Steelers in once-familiar position of leading NFL in rush defense
A quick look at the NFL team statistics through one week finds the Pittsburgh Steelers at what used to be a very familiar place. No. 1 in the league in rush defense. During Monday’s season-opening win, the Steelers allowed the New York Giants an NFL-low 29 rushing yards on 20...
All injured skill players on offense return to Steelers practice
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin likes to use the terms “varsity” and “junior varsity” in context when referring to players at various levels of acumen and resume. After a “junior varsity” practice on offense Wednesday, the Steelers’ “varsity” was back on the field a day later. Of the eight offensive...
With 2 veterans still out, rookie Kevin Dotson appears in line to start for Steelers
In discussing the possibility of Kevin Dotson starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday said, “There is some angst here.” If that’s the case, the way things are trending it’s becoming increasingly likely that Tomlin and the Steelers could have plenty of angst-filled moments leading into Sunday’s...
Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey to remove Antwon Rose Jr.’s name from helmet
Maurkice Pouncey, a co-captain and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ second-longest tenured player, indicated he will remove Antwon Rose Jr.’s name from the back of his helmet. “I want to make sure (police) understand I inadvertently supported a cause of which I did not fully comprehend the entire background of the case,”...
First Call: Steelers-‘MNF’ ratings tank. O.J. Simpson defends Saquon Barkley. Terry Bradshaw’s new TV show.
The Steelers. Plus, a New York audience. That should jolt “Monday Night Football” ratings to open the season! Guess again, ESPN. That’s how we start Thursday’s “First Call.” We also see how O.J. Simpson is supporting Saquon Barkley. And we preview Terry Bradshaw’s new television show. Where’s the remote? A...
U mad, bro? Readers furious over Alejandro Villanueva’s helmet debate. ‘Fixed’ NFL games. Pirates problems.
This week’s “U mad, bro?” ranges from the Steelers, to a Big Ten reboot, to Pirates ineptitude, to Justin Timberlake. It also ranges from substantive to silly. Alejandro Villanueva’s agenda. Mason Rudolph’s helmet. Accusations of NFL officials on the take. And covid-19 propaganda. Aside from that … eh, it’s rather...
Ben Roethlisberger sore, but elbow fine on heels of season opener for Steelers
After playing all 64 snaps Monday night, getting sacked twice, hit five times and attempting 32 passes, Ben Roethlisberger offered some good and bad news following his first start for the Pittsburgh Steelers in a calendar year. The good? His right elbow, surgically repaired 12 months ago, was no worse...
Former Steelers TE Heath Miller on Hall of Fame nominee list
Heath Miller is among the first-time nominees eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Miller retired after the 2015 season following an 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in which he set virtually every team receiving record for a tight end. Miller finished his career with...
Steelers open practice week with expansive injury list
Five members of the offensive line, including four starters from the season opener, did not practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday as they began on-field preparations for the home opener Sunday against the Denver Broncos. Tackle Zach Banner (knee) already was ruled out of playing Sunday and is expected...
Baltimore Ravens add former Steelers tight end to practice squad
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday added free agent tight end Xavier Grimble to their practice squad, supplying in-house veteran depth at a thin position. Grimble, who appeared in 47 games over the previous four seasons with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, was on the Ravens practice field...
Who is Alwyn Cashe and why did Alejandro Villanueva choose to honor him?
Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva is being both criticized and praised for taping the name Alwyn Cashe — an Army sergeant who died from injuries he received fighting in Iraq in 2005 — over the name of Antwon Rose Jr. on the back of his helmet for Monday night’s...
Mark Madden: This Steelers ‘D’ could be comparable to ’76 unit
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense in 1976 is regarded by some as the NFL’s greatest ever and is among the top five by acclamation. The current Steelers defense has a chance to approach those lofty heights. It won’t allow just 28 points over its last nine games or post five shutouts...
Cam Heyward, Ben Roethlisberger unaware that Alejandro Villanueva chose not to honor Antwon Rose
Cameron Heyward, a team captain and a leader on the Pittsburgh Steelers social justice committee, was “surprised” that tackle Alejandro Villanueva did not display Antwon Rose Jr.’s name on the back of his helmet like the rest of his teammates in the season opener Monday night. Steelers players voted to...
First Call: James Harrison, others joke about Cam Heyward’s interception; Le’Veon Bell to injured reserve
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” how about a little ribbing between Steelers friends? Big-name receivers are in the trade rumor mill. And Le’Veon Bell is going on injured reserve. Stirring the pot Former Steelers offensive lineman Ramon Foster was always Mr. Nice Guy in the locker room. But he could stir...
Steelers shouldn’t overcomplicate an already dicey O-line situation
That was interesting for Steelers fans. While it lasted. Technically, did it even start? After months of discussion surrounding a revamped Steelers offensive line in 2020, it’s entirely possible the chosen unit will never play together in a regular-season game. Upon the retirement of left guard Ramon Foster after the...
Tim Benz: Mixed start for JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner redemption tour
Since Ben Roethlisberger was coming back to lead the Steelers offense in 2020, that was going to be good for everybody. Especially wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner. That was the preseason theory, right? Those two Pro Bowlers from 2018 regressed dramatically without Roethlisberger in the lineup...
Antwon Rose Jr.’s mother criticizes Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva for name change on helmet
The mother of Antwon Rose Jr. lashed out at Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva on Tuesday night for not putting her son’s name on the back of his helmet for the team’s season opener one night earlier. In a Facebook post, Michelle Kenney criticized Villanueva for not adhering to...
Injury forces Steelers to continue offensive-line turnoverVideo
A school of thought heading into this pandemic-affected 2020 NFL season was teams with the most continuity could have the best chance to thrive. Judging by how it has played out so far, that rationale doesn’t portend success for the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. Although the line played its part...
Mike Tomlin takes blame for gaffe of Steelers playing one man short in opener
The Pittsburgh Steelers played Monday’s season opener with one more player than they had in the past, but it was one fewer than the maximum allowed — and one fewer than their opponent. The Steelers activated 47 players. The New York Giants made 48 available. Until the new NFL/NFLPA collective...
Special teams not too special for Steelers in opener
Because of developments such as Ben Roethlisberger’s return from injury and four rookies making debuts, Monday’s season-opening victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers was in some ways special. The Steelers’ special teams, though, were not. “Obviously,” coach Mike Tomlin said during his video news conference Tuesday, “we have some work to...
Mike Tomlin gave Alejandro Villanueva his blessing for using alternate helmet honoreeVideo
Saying that Alejandro Villanueva did discuss it with him beforehand, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin gave his blessing to Villanueva for putting a different name on the back of his helmet than the rest of his teammates. The Steelers’ starting left tackle, Villanueva put the name Alwyn Cashe on the...
Tomlin: Wisniewski, Conner questionable, Banner out for Week 2. DeCastro? ‘I don’t know’
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin began his weekly news conference by definitively declaring that right tackle Zach Banner would not be able to play in Sunday’s home opener against the Denver Broncos. Tomlin offered less clarity — albeit with more optimism — on the injury statuses of guard Stefan Wisniewski...
Defensive wrinkle heads list of 5 things learned in Steelers’ win against Giants
Five things we learned from Steelers 26, Giants 16: 1. Defense returns strong, adds wrinkles At first blush, it looked like the a continuation of the Steelers defense from 2019 what with the three sacks and two interceptions the group generated at the Meadowlands. Defensive captain Cam Heyward, though, noticed...
Tim Benz: First 2020 ‘Airing of Grievances/Feats of Strength’ after Steelers beat Giants
I know that 2020 has taken away some of our most beloved traditions. Thankfully, not Steelers football. At least it’s still on television, even if you can’t go to the games. And because the Steelers are playing, you get to continue enjoying our favorite Steelers postgame tradition here at “Breakfast...
