Steelers/NFL category, Page 203
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers not in the Super Bowl? Here’s how to gamble your way into a rooting interest
It’s another Super Bowl without the Steelers. The 12th in a row, unfortunately. And a clear rooting interest doesn’t seem to exist for Pittsburgh. On one hand, the Kansas City Chiefs are fast becoming the constant goliath out of the AFC. On the other hand, what are you going to...
Former Pitt star, Steelers player, sports exec Paul Martha dies at 80
One of the most multi-faceted athletes in Pittsburgh sports history — on and off the field — died this month. John “Paul” Martha, a former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick and executive with several pro sports franchises, died Feb. 4 at 80, his family announced. Martha had been residing at...
Western Pa. Sports Museum adds Franco Harris’ rings to exhibit ahead of Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is on the minds of all sports fans with the big game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs set for Sunday in Arizona. For those wishing to bask in the ’70s Steelers Super Bowl glory days, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum in the Strip District...
First Call: NFL experts debate Kenny Pickett’s ceiling; J.J. Watt declares his Steelers fandom; Roger Goodell backs refsVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” features a declaration of Pittsburgh Steelers loyalty from a retired All-Pro. Commissioner Roger Goodell discusses the state of NFL officiating. There are differing opinions on a comparison for Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. And LeBron James celebrates the 500th win for Duquesne coach Keith Dambrot. Waving the towel...
U mad, bro?: Readers send Valentines on Steelers predictions, Mike Tomlin’s recent record, Ron Hextall’s roster
This is our final “U mad, bro?” before Valentine’s Day. Obviously, Pittsburgh sports fans are feeling the love. Some of you are fawning over Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Others are swooning over Penguins general manager Ron Hextall. And then there are all of you who just can’t get enough of...
Mark Madden: Steelers would be smart to keep Mitch Trubisky and vice versa
As the Steelers ponder their future at backup quarterback, Mitch Trubisky likely is pondering whether he wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Trubisky has a year left on his contract, so he has no choice if the Steelers insist. But coach Mike Tomlin wants volunteers, not hostages. Trubisky’s base salary for...
First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster’s food trash talk; Terry Bradshaw still hates ‘dumb’ tag; ex-Steeler pans Super Bowl XLV play calling
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster takes Super Bowl trash talk to a whole new level. We tap into some old emotions from Steelers Super Bowls gone by with Terry Bradshaw and Max Starks. There’s an update on Myles Garrett’s Pro Bowl injury. And we...
First Call: Former Steelers coach goes to Patriots; Tom Brady’s future open-ended; big hits, fights between Rangers-Flames
Tuesday’s “First Call” sees a former Pittsburgh Steelers coach return to the NFL after a short stint in college. Tom Brady seems to want to keep all of us guessing. There was madness at the Garden as hockey resumed after the All-Star break. Pitt should be in a good position...
Former Steelers linebacker Marv Kellum dies at 70
Another member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ’70s Super Bowl dynasty has died. One-time linebacker and special teams player Marv Kellum, who was with the Steelers from 1974-76, died Saturday at 70 in Pittsburgh, according to WIBW in Kansas. He reportedly died following a bout with cancer. Kellum had been diagnosed...
Tim Benz: NFL must listen to Cam Heyward and other defensive players on ‘hip-drop’ penalty consideration
If the NFL just wants to govern itself by Twitter, I hope it follows the account of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward. Because at least he’s tweeting something reasonable. No, seriously. Someone is actually doing that in 2023. It appears the NFL is strongly considering the elimination of the...
Steelers lose senior defensive assistant Brian Flores to Vikings
The Pittsburgh Steelers are losing their senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach after one season. Brian Flores, who joined the Steelers staff last offseason after being fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, accepted a position with the Minnesota Vikings as defensive coordinator Monday. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin added Flores to...
First Call: Cam Heyward rips idea of new NFL defensive penalty; Brian Flores is a finalist for Arizona coaching job
Monday’s “First Call” features Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward sounding off against a potential NFL rule that may make life even harder on defensive players. Brian Flores is now a finalist for the Arizona Cardinals coaching job. Myles Garrett got hurt during the Pro Bowl games. And the NHL...
Miles Boykin fit in during 1st season with Steelers, but will he be back for 2nd?
For five seasons of the most recently completed decade, one of Mike Tomlin’s favorite players in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room was a wide receiver who had all the physical tools but was never able to put it all together as an offensive threat in the NFL. That player, Darrius...
2022 Steelers used myriad, varied defensive schemes based on opponent
For their road game against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers deployed seven defensive backs who played at least 33 snaps. Throughout their road game against another AFC North opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers played seven defensive linemen. In 2022, perhaps as much as ever and...
Former 4th-round pick Renell Wren jockeys to be part of 2023 Steelers defensive line
Not bad work if you can get it: a reported $207,000 for about 6 seconds on the clock. But that wasn’t necessarily what Renell Wren wanted out of the 2022 NFL season. A defensive tackle who entered the league as a fourth-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, Wren...
Former Steelers running back Sidney Thornton dies at 68
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Sidney Thornton, who won two Super Bowls with the team, has died. The franchise announced the death of Thornton, 68, earlier this week. The Steelers selected Thornton in the second round (48th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft out of Northwestern State University in Louisiana....
Friday Football Footnotes: If not for Tom Brady, how many more Super Bowl rings would Steelers have?
Every now and then, Pittsburgh Steelers fans love to put themselves through the exercise of determining how many Super Bowl trophies the franchise would have in its display case if it weren’t for Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Usually that answer comes back at nine or...
First Call: T.J. Watt sidesteps question on Taylor Lewan; defensive line free agent idea for Steelers; Joe Mixon news
It’s a football-heavy Friday “First Call,” as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt gives his response to Taylor Lewan’s plea to patch over their past. An intriguing free agent name has been advanced for the Steelers to consider. We also are tracking Joe Mixon’s legal entanglement and the tracking future of...
Steelers TE Zach Gentry set to hit free agency after gradually becoming bigger part of offense
There might not be any greater “bro-mance” in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room than Zach Gentry and Pat Freiermuth. So when the Steelers posted a sideline interaction of the two tight ends from a December game that involved each saying to the other, “I love you,” it was fitting. But...
First Call: Titans player seeks forgiveness for ‘spitting’ at T.J. Watt; Pitt-UNC got tense during and after the gameVideo
If Taylor Lewan really wants to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, he better start making good with one of the franchise’s star players. Tom Brady’s retirement brought some fond memories to mind for a former Steeler. Kurt Warner has fun with a tough anniversary in his career. The Penguins got an...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans sound off about Rashard Mendenhall, critics of Kenny Pickett, NFL officiating, politics in sports
Pittsburgh Steelers fans want to be critical of Rashard Mendenhall, but they don’t want criticism of the team. Ex-officials are analyzing how other ex-officials are criticizing NFL officiating. Readers want journalism without critical analysis. But everyone wants to be critical of me. Just another, typical week for “U mad, bro?”...
Free agent Robert Spillane loves playing for Steelers, wants chance to play every down
Robert Spillane uses a creative metaphor to describe the feeling a professional football player endures at the sudden end of a season. “I’ve tried to describe this to lots of people,” Spillane said the day after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent season ended, “and the best way I can is to...
First Call: Return of a Heinz Field ketchup bottle; Twitter doubts Tom Brady’s retirement; Calvin Austin III runs againVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a return of an Acrisure Stadium favorite and a potential return to the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. Pitt and Penn State both have big games Wednesday night. Tuesday was an exciting evening in the Metropolitan Division. And some fans are a bit dubious of Tom Brady’s latest...
Tim Benz: Bengals LB Joseph Ossai isn’t acting like a media victim, so let’s stop trying to turn him into one
Fret not for Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joseph Ossai. He’s been positioned as a media victim by Twitter. It’s the safest, most protected spot in the world. No one can criticize him now. I mean, apparently, no media member can even ask him a question without a “DEFCON 1” online rebuke....
Kenny Pickett ‘snubbed’ for Baltimore’s Tyler Huntley as Pro Bowl replacement — and it’s not going over well in Pittsburgh
Maybe someday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett will get to a Pro Bowl. He’s a first-round pick. As a rookie, the Pitt grad won six games as a starter after the bye to help the Steelers to a 7-2 record down the stretch. Plus, he only threw one interception during...
