Steelers/NFL category, Page 453
With LeVeon Bell, Antonio Brown gone, will ‘D’ again be Steelers identity?
For each of the past five seasons, the Steelers have had a better ranking in total offense than in total defense. How rare is that for a franchise far more identified for its defense? The Steelers’ ‘D’ ranked higher than its offense 58 of the previous 74 seasons, according to...
In 4th Steelers season, Jerald Hawkins out to show he’s healthy, worthy
By official NFL accounting, Jerald Hawkins is in his fourth season. Only four of his fellow Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen have more tenure. Then again, Hawkins has only five games and 47 snaps of professional regular-season experience. That makes the offensive tackle a unique player to watch in Friday’s preseason...
Woodland Hills’ Trevon Mathis joins Steelers; RB Ralph Webb waived
Beset by injuries at cornerback during training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent Trevon Mathis, a Western Pennsylvania native who attended Woodland Hills before enrolling at Toledo. Mathis is 5-foot-10, 186 pounds. He was signed to provide depth in the wake of injuries to Justin Layne, Brian Allen, Artie...
U mad, bro?: Readers defend Mike Tomlin and the Browns, attack replay and the Bucs
This week’s “U mad, bro?” features Pirates angst, frustration over the brawl suspensions, replay rage, Mike Tomlin defense, and Browns hysteria from Cleveland. Todd is a Cleveland Browns fanboy. And he did not like the fact that I poked some fun at a little training camp turmoil surrounding his team....
Tim Benz: A lesson in hope versus blind faith for the Steelers, Pirates
I want to expand on a thought that I heard from my ESPN Radio Pittsburgh colleague Adam Crowley. And by “expand on a thought,” what I’m trying to say is, I want to steal his idea. Which I will. To be fair, I think Adam stole it from me. Because...
USA Today’s Nate Davis talks about his Top 100 teams list, picks Steelers in AFC North
Here at “Breakfast With Benz” on Wednesday, we posted a link to Nate Davis’ USA Today story that ranked the Top 100 teams in NFL history. The Steelers were well-represented. Seven different editions of the franchise were on it — all six Super Bowl champs and the 1976 team that...
Undrafted Steelers rookie QB Devlin Hodges draws rave reviews
As Devlin Hodges spoke to reporters after practice Wednesday at Saint Vincent, a pair of rookie teammates laughed and made loud quacking noises as they walked past. Hodges didn’t miss a beat, remaining undeterred, similar to a quarterback patiently staying on his reads while pass-rushers approach. It takes a lot...
Kevin Gorman: With Sean Davis out, free safety becomes a storyline for Steelers
Sean Davis isn’t happy about being stuck on the sidelines for the majority of training camp, a self-described cheerleader for the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary. While recovering from a fractured ring finger on his left hand — taped to cover what Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called “an open wound” — the...
Steelers Inside the Ropes: Boswell sharp again, makes 2 beyond 50 yards
In the final practice before the preseason opener, the Pittsburgh Steelers put their kickers to one more test Wednesday at Saint Vincent. Chris Boswell and rookie Matthew Wright alternated attempts toward the goalpost at the hillside of Chuck Noll Field. The kickers then concluded practice by kicking in simulated “mayday”...
Brian Allen, Jerald Hawkins added to Steelers’ lengthy injury list, albeit most considered minor
Another practice at Saint Vincent, another large group of Pittsburgh Steelers players who were not in pads and watching from the sidelines. Other than the scare caused by Joe Haden leaving the field on a cart, the list of those who sat out practice Wednesday on Chuck Noll Field mostly...
Steelers’ Joe Haden suffers injury, tweets he’ll be ‘just fine’
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden suffered an undisclosed injury early during practice Wednesday, but he downplayed the severity. Haden left the session early on a cart, according to Steelers.com, and will not play in Friday’s preseason opener. On Wednesday night, Haden tweeted thanks to fans for their thoughts and prayers...
What you need to know if you’re going to Steelers preseason opener
Fans headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason opener Friday should make sure they have digital tickets saved on their phones. Screenshots of the ticket code won’t be permitted this season as they were last year, Heinz Field spokesman Nick Sero said. That’s the biggest change fans can expect this year,...
Steelers free safety Sean Davis ‘pretty close’ to returning to practice
Sean Davis has missed most of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training camp, but the fourth-year free safety said he’s “pretty close” to returning. “I want to be a full participant by next week,” Davis said Wednesday at Saint Vincent College. “That’s my goal.” Davis has been out with a dislocated ring...
Steelers specialists to split time with rookies in preseason opener
The Pittsburgh Steelers are giving equal time to each of the candidates in their kicking and punting competitions. Embattled incumbent kicker Chris Boswell will alternate kicks with rookie Matthew Wright during Friday’s preseason opener, coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday. And Tomlin said fifth-year punter Jordan Berry will handle every other...
Josh Dobbs to start at QB in Steelers’ preseason openerVideo
The competition for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ No. 2 quarterback job will take center stage Friday night at Heinz Field. During a Wednesday news conference at Saint Vincent, coach Mike Tomlin cleared up the division of labor at quarterback for the preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As expected, it...
First Call: Devin Bush jokes on marring Ravens logo, Le’Veon backs Ezekiel
In “First Call” on Wednesday, Devin Bush tells us what he wants to do to the Ravens logo. Le’Veon Bell defends Zeke Elliott. And Tom Brady’s big mansion flip. Look out in Baltimore While Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Devin Bush was at Michigan, he famously tore up the Michigan State...
Tim Benz: A ‘Hard Knocks’ review, and a crazy explanation for Antonio Brown’s feet
After an offseason of buildup and anticipation, this year’s “behind the scenes” HBO training camp show “Hard Knocks” with the Oakland Raiders debuted Tuesday night. With the likes of former Steeler Antonio “Big Chest” Brown, camera conscious head coach Jon Gruden, troubled guard Richie Incognito, frequently fined linebacker Vontaze Burfict,...
Steelers’ Mason Rudolph talks about improving his deep ball, teammates’ growth
As Pittsburgh Steelers training camp continues, Wednesday’s guest in our “Letters from Camp” podcast at “Breakfast With Benz” is Mason Rudolph. Perhaps no Steeler will be as scrutinized by the fans during Friday night’s preseason opener as he will be. Essentially, Rudolph was a redshirt during his rookie season. But...
Tim Benz: Steelers fans will hate centennial list of Top 100 NFL teams
A lot of national outlets have spent a lot of time taking shots at the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. And many are predicting Baltimore or Cleveland will win the AFC North. Therefore, USA Today’s Nate Davis probably made a lot of friends in Western Pennsylvania when he predicted the Steelers...
Steelers daily preview: Health a question mark as short work week concludes
Each day of Steelers training camp, the Trib rounds up some things to pay attention to during practice at Saint Vincent: WHAT TO WATCH Last tuneup: Thanks to an off day Monday and a game Friday, the Steelers have only two practices this week on campus, and they will wrap...
Steelers Inside the Ropes: Devlin ‘Duck Dynasty’ Hodges making plays
“Let’s go, ‘Duck Dynasty,’ ” coach Mike Tomlin yelled toward his offense on the sidelines before the final drill of Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Steelers practice. So Devlin Hodges ran into the huddle and took over the hurry-up, late-game simulation between second-teamers. Earlier in practice and for the second time in recent...
Kevin Gorman: Steelers place a premium value on versatility of B.J. Finney on O-line
B.J. Finney doesn’t describe himself as a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, even if his offensive linemates include him when talking about their top six instead of front five. Then again, Finney doesn’t even describe himself as a center or a guard. Why bother when there is a chance that...
Steelers 1st-round pick Devin Bush ‘as advertised’
Nearly 30 minutes after the Family Fest practice concluded Sunday night, Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Devin Bush still was roaming around the south end zone at Heinz Field. After his first taste of football at his home stadium, Bush spent extra time signing autographs, conducting interviews and showing family members...
Alejandro Villanueva among 3 starters, 2 rookie draft picks to leave Steelers practice
It was a display of, as Mike Tomlin puts it, “the bumps and bruises associated with this point in the journey.” Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Steelers practice at Saint Vincent was the most attrition-rattling of training camp. Eight players left the session early because of injuries of varying severity and to different...
Steelers sign St. Francis (Pa.)’s Jermaine Ponder in roster swap of cornerbacks
For the second time in six days, the Pittsburgh Steelers swapped out cornerbacks. On Tuesday, they announced the signing of former St. Francis (Pa.) defensive back Jermaine Ponder and waived/injured Derrek Thomas. Thomas was signed Thursday but lasted only three practices before suffering an undisclosed injury. Thomas had replaced Herb...
