Steelers/NFL category, Page 459
First call: Big Ben’s big bash, NHL officials under fire again, Shaq’s awful attire
In “First Call” Thursday, Ben Roethlisberger does some image repair. Kasper Björkqvist already has PPG Paints Arena experience. Shaq’s wardrobe needs help. So do NHL officials. Bad leader Ben? Remember when Antonio Brown trashed Ben Roethlisberger as a leader, in part, because “he has an owner’s mentality” and never invited...
Le’Veon Bell responds to reports that his signing ruined Jets front office
Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is responding to criticism that his signing is part of the reason the Jets blew up their front office Wednesday. Sort of. The Jets fired general manager Mike Maccagnan and vice president of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger on Wednesday. Head coach Adam Gase will...
Tim Benz: Le’Veon Bell’s signing may have helped cause Jets firings
Le’Veon Bell is already causing problems for the New York Jets. And he hasn’t even practiced with the team yet! This time, it’s not Bell’s fault, really. You can’t blame “Juice” for a drug violation, a tardy appearance at a walk-through, a rap diss or a social media faux pas....
Steelers OTA preview: Nelson, Layne present upgrade in secondary
Almost five months after playing their last game, the Pittsburgh Steelers are about to put a full roster of players on the field as they ramp up preparations for the 2019 season. The third and final phase of the NFL’s offseason conditioning program begins May 21 for the Steelers with...
First call: Antonio Brown’s odd goodbye; Patrick Peterson trade talk returns
Today’s “First Call” features Antonio Brown’s odd goodbye to his home in Western Pennsylvania, Patrick Peterson trade talk returning and the idea of an NFL draft lottery. Kimbo comes with the house? Since we are talking about Antonio Brown, this shouldn’t surprise us. The former Steelers receiver was back in Pittsburgh...
Surprising stats on Steelers’ Roethlisberger, Dupree, pass-rush, O-line
I heard a really interesting conversation on ESPN Radio Saturday. Brian Burke was on Bill Barnwell’s show. Burke is one of the analytics experts at ESPN.com. He did some fascinating work via the Next Gen Stats NFL player tracking data in three areas Steelers fans should have a specific interest:...
U mad, bro? Readers attack Mike Tomlin, replay, race, baseball contracts
In “U mad, bro?” this week, we have race, rage and replay. Hence, things get a bit tense. My column about lagging baseball interest got a lot of response. None more interesting than this email from someone simply calling themselves “k l.” “The media believes fewer whites means more diversity,...
Steelers’ Snell, Johnson among 40 players attending NFLPA rookie event
Before football workouts resume next week with the start of organized team activities, two rookies from the Pittsburgh Steelers will get a crash course on the business side of the sport. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson and running back Benny Snell are among 40 rookies who will participate in the 25th...
Steelers OTA preview: Safety roles could expand for young players
Editor’s note: Heading into the start of OTAs, the Tribune-Review will take a daily look at a position that will bear watching once the entire 91-man roster convenes at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Almost five months after playing their last game, the Pittsburgh Steelers are about to put a full...
Steelers’ T.J. Watt teams up with brothers in reality show ‘Ultimate Tag’
One of them already plays in Los Angeles, but all three Watt brothers are going Hollywood. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt will co-host a Fox television reality show “Ultimate Tag” with his brothers J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans and Derek Watt of the Los Angeles Chargers. The program, according...
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward to host 30th birthday party with Boys & Girls Club
Cameron Heyward isn’t letting the Big 3-0 prevent him from celebrating like a kid. The Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive lineman is scheduled to host a party Tuesday at Dave & Busters. The third annual “Heyward House Birthday Bash” will benefit his namesake foundation that benefits children’s causes — and on...
First call: Terry Bradshaw’s apology; ex-Penguins shine for Blues
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” a Terry Bradshaw apology, a potential tight end for the Steelers and some former Penguins stand out in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Bradshaw apologizes Former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw is backtracking on some comments he made during Fox’s “upfront” presentation Monday. The network NFL host was...
Tim Benz: Understanding what ‘Benny Snell Football’ should be for Steelers
In a three-minute interview posted on Steelers.com, Steelers rookie running back Benny Snell refers to himself in the third person three times. OK. Just so long as Benny Snell realizes that Benny Snell is still third string. For now. “Benny Snell football could be second (down) and 3 (yards to...
Meet the new Steelers: QB, edge rusher, veteran WR and some linemenVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a lengthy transaction list Monday, adding six players to their 90-man offseason roster while subtracting the requisite six names as well. While in all likelihood the moves long will be forgotten by the time the Steelers season kicks off — players signed off tryouts rarely make...
Tim Benz: For Steelers defense, talk is cheap when it comes to turnovers
Every Steelers fan should agree with what inside linebacker Vince Williams tweeted over the weekend. To a point. It’s easy to score points in the NFL. The game is made to score. That’s why defense is the ultimate troll move. Most defensive players are natural jerks. We love seeing things...
Steelers add WR Johnny Holton, 5 others; Keion Adams among 6 released
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin likes to use the phrase, “We don’t care how you got here.” Every year, the organization backs it up by keeping one or more of its tryouts from rookie minicamp. The Steelers announced a flurry of roster moves Monday, swapping six players onto their offseason...
Steelers at No. 18 in NBC’s Peter King’s offseason NFL power rankings
During the Bill Cowher/Mike Tomlin eras for the Pittsburgh Steelers (since 1992), they have much more often than not been one of the NFL’s better teams. A perennial playoff contender – if not, at times, a legitimate Super Bowl contender – the Steelers have had just three losing records over...
Tim Benz, Mark Madden on Steelers RB situation, Pirates’ series win, Penguins model
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 the X and the Tribune-Review joins me to talk about finding interest in the NHL playoffs without the Penguins’ participation. Are the Bruins more of a model for the Penguins’ reconstruction than the Islanders ever were? We get into the...
Justin Layne wants to increase interception numbers with Steelers
Big Ten offenses kept throwing the ball into Justin Layne’s coverage in 2018, and the Michigan State cornerback kept knocking it away. Layne had 15 pass breakups in 2018, which was tied for the conference lead and ranked No. 10 in major college football. As good as Layne was at...
Steelers get 1st-round pick Devin Bush under contract
On the final day of rookie minicamp Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers got first-round draft pick Devin Bush under contract. Bush, who was drafted No. 10 overall after the Steelers traded up 10 spots with the Denver Broncos, signed his four-year deal that contains a fifth-year option, which is standard for...
Steelers rookie Benny Snell relishes role of workhorse running back
The last time Benny Snell was on a football field, he was given the ball on eight consecutive plays. Snell seemingly takes as much pride in that as he does in the 14 Kentucky records he set or tied. “That’s just Benny Snell football,” Snell said of that steady diet...
Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster hosts huge water balloon fight
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said he just wanted the kids to have fun. So, he organized a huge water balloon fight at Donalds Park in Oakdale on Saturday. “I’m a kid. I’m only 22 years old. For me, I had the money to do it. I’m not doing...
Steelers Ryan Switzer, B.J. Finney star as special guests at prom for patients
Ryan Switzer and B.J. Finney might be role players for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the special guests were superstars Friday night at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s prom for patients. Thanks to @steelers @Switz and @catcenter66 for attending our annual prom! pic.twitter.com/gxhkUfF2q1— UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (@ChildrensPgh) May 10,...
Kevin Gorman: Steelers should be setting new tone at rookie minicampVideo
This apparently wasn’t the time or place to talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers and their problems of the past year, not with dozens of players being introduced to the organization at rookie minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. I asked Mike Tomlin anyway. The Steelers, after all, missed the playoffs...
Saint Vincent grads hear from decorated veteran, Pro Bowl Steeler Alejandro Villanueva
They came from far and near. Parents, grandparents, friends and siblings in a variety of family sedans, hybrids, mini-vans and luxury vehicles began to arrive at Saint Vincent College just outside of Latrobe on Saturday morning in a line of traffic that snaked slowly through the leafy college campus with...
