Official 2017-2018 Pittsburgh Steelers Thread

[jack walsh13]

Steelers to wear jersey patch honoring Dan Rooney

The Steelers will wear a patch on their jerseys this upcoming season as a tribute to late owner Dan Rooney.

The team made the announcement Monday morning.

Players will sport the patch on the right side of their jerseys featuring Rooney’s initials “DMR” — for his full name Daniel Milton Rooney. The initials will be “enveloped in a black-and-gold shamrock to honor, remember and show love and respect for the man who was more than an owner, but family to the players,” the Steelers said in a statement.

Rooney died April 13 in Pittsburgh after a brief illness. He was 84.

“We wanted to have something my dad would be proud of and really called out parts of his life that were important to him,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a release. “The shamrock is something he would be happy about.”

Under Dan Rooney’s leadership since the late 1960s, the Steelers transformed into a Super Bowl dynasty in the 1970s and remain among the most successful and popular franchises in the game.

In 2014, the Steelers wore a decal on the back of their helmets to honor former coach Chuck Noll, with his initials “CHN.”

Another tribute is planned next weekend for Rooney at Saint Vincent College, where the Steelers report for camp Thursday. An open Mass to celebrate Rooney’s life is set for 11:30 a.m. July 30 at Saint Vincent.

Brother Norman W. Hipps, Saint Vincent College president, said fans can take time to remember Rooney and his father, Art Rooney, the founder and original owner of the team, who died in 1988.

The Steelers have held training camp at Saint Vincent for more than 50 years.

Open practices in Latrobe run through Aug. 18., with a few off days and closed practices scattered in between. Saint Vincent is anticipating 10,000 to 15,000 total attendees.

 

[jack walsh13]

Antonio Brown is putting the pressure on Le'Veon Bell to sign his contract

Antonio Brown is known for using social media to make waves, and he did so again Monday, posting a tweet urging teammate Le’Veon Bell to sign his contract.

If you don’t speak emoji, the pencil-and-paper graphic is a reference to the one-year franchise player tender Bell will need to sign to get on the field this season after failing last week to reach an agreement on a long-term deal with the team. It’s not clear whether he will do so before the start of training camp later this week in Latrobe.

Brown clearly feels it’s important that Bell wrap up his off-field business on time, so much so that he’s taken the unorthodox approach of commenting on a teammate’s contract situation publicly for the second time in as many days.


“I was talking to him last night for about two hours. And, you know, we need him. I need him … We need every guy a part of the organization, in the helmet, to be there committed to the cause. He’s a special piece. Obviously we know what he brings to the team, his dimension, playing football. But he’s a special individual, and I pray that we have him there.”

The sentiment in the comments is understandable coming from a player such as Brown, who recently signed a long-term deal. He wants to win and feels having Bell in camp from the the start would be helpful in that pursuit.

It’s somewhat surprising, though, to see that sentiment expressed so openly, as players are typically leery of wading into each other’s contractual affairs. As of this writing, Bell has not responded publicly to either the comments or the tweet, though Brown suggested they’ve talked extensively as recently as this weekend.

Players report to Saint Vincent College Thursday, so we’ll know by then whether Brown’s approach proves effective.

 

[jack walsh13]

The young Steelers defense plans on 'being great' in 2017

It has been five years since the Steelers defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL — for the fourth time in six seasons — a reign not even the great Steel Curtain defenses of the 1970s could match.

Their dominance crumbled faster than the Berlin Wall. A steady decline began in 2013 when the Steelers defense collapsed from No. 1 the previous year to No. 13, then to 18 and then to No. 21 for the 2015 season.

The people who fueled those defenses got old and departed; some, like Troy Polamalu and their beloved coordinator Dick LeBeau, unwillingly. It was like watching someone slowly carving up a Rembrandt.

Turnovers and sacks declined, as did the reputation the Steelers had built on defense for more than 40 years.


But as today’s Steelers prepare to report to Saint Vincent College Thursday, their defense would seem to be in its best shape in quite some time and may actually be headed toward dominance again.

“We’re going to be a good defense this year,” linebacker Bud Dupree said. “We plan on being great.”

End Cam Heyward returns to that defense after missing half of last season because of a chest injury that required surgery. With him comes the steady reasoning of someone who has been in the middle of the transition from those No. 1 defenses.

“We have a defense that can accomplish a lot, but if we don’t put it on the field, it doesn’t count for anything,” Heyward said.

Despite Heyward’s absence, and the time it took three rookie starters to assimilate into that defense, they climbed off the mat to a No. 12 NFL ranking. Team president Art Rooney II said they need to pressure the quarterback more, but their 38 sacks ranked ninth in the NFL last season even without Heyward, their sack leader the previous two years.

There is evidence that the multi-talented Steelers offense will not be required or asked to carry the defense anymore.

“I think we’ve made some progress, I think we took some strides last year to become a better defense,” said Mike Mitchell, entering his fourth season as their starting free safety. “But if we’re not No. 1, we’re not good enough.”

Mitchell, who joined them as an unrestricted free agent through Oakland and Carolina, knows the reputation that preceded his arrival.

“I think those guys were top three for five, six, seven years in a row. It’s on our walls everywhere, the standard it’s the standard. That’s such a true statement. Until we’re winning Super Bowls on a consistent basis and we’re in the top thee on a consistent basis, we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

The work putting the pieces in place has taken time, mostly through the draft. Other than Mitchell and cornerback Ross Cockrell, every starter on defense either was drafted by the Steelers or signed in James Harrison’s case as an undrafted rookie.

“I think we have the right group of guys to work the right way to be successful,” Mitchell said.


The defense that accurately was called old and slow by Warren Sapp, has been replaced by a younger, leaner group of players. Harrison, 39, and Mitchell, at 30, are the oldest starters; the rest are in their 20s.

Their defensive line is strong with ends Heyward and Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave at nose tackle.

Their linebackers, other than Harrison, are young. They drafted T.J. Watt in the first round to rotate with Harrison on the right outside and ultimately replace him. Bud Dupree is on the left. Ryan Shazier, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, is a budding star inside.

Their top two rookie draft picks from last year bolstered their secondary with cornerback Artie Burns and safety Sean Davis.

Coordinator Keith Butler believes the three rookies from last season should improve and with the help of Watt and maybe a few other newcomers, his defense can boost the Steelers toward more success in 2017.

“Our young guys are going to have to help us in that regard in terms of our draft choices and the guys who played well for us last year,” Butler said. “The rookies last year got to continue to develop. And if they do, hopefully we’ll improve enough to take that next step.”

Their only real starting lineup change comes next to Shazier at inside linebacker, where veteran backup Vince Williams replaces departed Lawrence Timmons.

“Vince has been around here for a long time,” Butler said. “We expect him to play well for us.”

A few newcomers aim to strengthen them at cornerback, which has been a weakness for years. Those include rookie Cam Sutton and veteran free agent Coty Sensabaugh. Senquez Golson, their second-round draft choice in 2016, will give it another try in his third season to get on the field.

“I think it’s all about just taking steps forward,” Heyward said. “I think a lot of guys progressed and I think we just have to continue to do that.”

It certainly looks as though the Steelers defense is back on track, but one thing remains to be done.

Said Dupree, “It’s all about just going out and actually doing it.”






http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...andro-villanueva-holdout/stories/201707200153

 

[jack walsh13]

Charlie Batch: Steelers in camp won't show ill will for no-shows

Six years ago, former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch was a member of the NFL Players Association executive committee when team owners locked out the players and caused a 132-day work stoppage. A new collective bargaining agreement was agreed upon in late July, but Steelers players declined to sign it because they thought it gave too much power to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Now, there are four years remaining on the CBA, and Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said last week the players have to be willing to strike to get what they want. Four years is a long time, but the NFLPA could be setting the stage for another work stoppage before the current deal expires after the 2020 season.

Did Batch see this coming?

“It’s hard to predict,” Batch said Thursday during a break at a Steelers youth camp at West Allegheny High School. “I’ve been out of it now five years. I’m not in depth with the strategy going into the next CBA. Richard is on the executive committee like I was. Is that a hint to where they might possibly go? I don’t know. All I know is they locked us out in 2011. That’s where we are. Players haven’t struck since 1987. People forget that. Everyone now is talking about players striking. People forget just [six] years ago the owners locked the players out.”

The Steelers offseason has had its share of labor discord. The team could not come to terms on a long-term contract with running back Le’Veon Bell, and he has to sign his one-year tender as the team’s franchise player. Indications are Bell won’t report to training camp on time when it opens July 27.

Left tackle Alejandro Villanueva also has not signed his $615,000 exclusive rights free agent tender. He would not commit to showing up to camp on time either when he was asked this spring, saying he’d let his agent decide his best course of action.

“Both situations are different,” Batch said. “Villanueva, they still have him for two more years before he is unrestricted. Le’Veon goes to unrestricted next year [if the Steelers don’t use the franchise tag on him again]. Either way, he has to sign his tender before he comes back. It’ll be one of those situations, if they stick to what they’ve done in the past, they’re not going to negotiate with him until he comes to camp.”

When players have held out in the past, the Steelers have refused to negotiate until they reported to training camp. Two of the more recent contract holdouts had two very different outcomes.

Receiver Hines Ward held out before the 2005 season. He reported to training camp after a 15-day holdout and received a new contract before the season began.

Seven years later in 2012, receiver Mike Wallace held out during training camp. The team responded by signing Antonio Brown to a long-term contract while Wallace held out. He reported Aug. 28, about two weeks before the start of the season, and played his final season with the Steelers. He left the team the following year when he signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins.

Batch is five years removed from his playing days in the NFL, but he said players generally understand when others hold out, or in the cases of Bell and Villanueva, refuse to sign their tenders.


“There is no ill will toward a guy,” said Batch, who will continue in his role as a Steelers analyst this year with KDKA-TV and the Steelers Radio Network. “Everyone’s situation is different. Hines was a four-time Pro Bowler. He was vastly underpaid. Everybody understood that situation. He reported. And guess what? His deal got done. Everyone’s situation is different.”

Batch said Bell’s situation should not be compared to Ward, Wallace or Villanueva because the Steelers exercised their right to place the franchise tag on him. The Steelers decided not to sign him before his rookie contract expired and had the past four months to negotiate a deal before the Monday deadline.

“When you get to that point, you can’t fault the player for doing that because the organization had opportunities to sign him,” Batch said. “If you look at Kirk Cousins’ situation, they had an opportunities to sign him, but they wanted him to prove it. He proved it and got franchised again the following season. Now you can’t work out a deal because they weren’t willing to do it when he was an unproven player. So you can’t fault a player in that situation. It’s the same with Le’Veon’s situation. They didn’t feel like based on where was at that he was worthy enough of a contract. They gambled, put the franchise tag on him, and he won.

“But there’s also the gamble the Steelers could pull that tag if he doesn’t show up. Now you’re unrestricted at the end of August, which changes the game versus being unrestricted in March. There are a lot of different scenarios that could unfold for Le’Veon.”

Batch is serving as a camp counselor Thursday as well at the Steelers youth camp at West Allegheny along with former Steelers Doug Legursky and Craig Wolfley and current Steelers Arthur Moats, Roosevelt Nix and Chris Hubbard.

 

[jack walsh13]

The five biggest questions entering Steelers training camp

The Steelers enter training camp Thursday at Saint Vincent College with fewer questions looming over them than they have had in quite some time at the beginning of the preseason.

But there always are issues. Always.

Here are five of the biggest:

Will Le’Veon Bell report Thursday and if not, when?

Why should he? Bell has not signed his one-year, $12.12 million contract as the Steelers’ franchise player, so he not only is not required to report, he cannot until he signs it. It’s the perfect excuse to stay out of training camp and avoid injury for at least several weeks. In 1992, starting right tackle Tunch Ilkin supposedly was a holdout without a contract. In reality, Ilkin already had come to terms, but coach Bill Cowher told him to wait to sign it so he could stay out of camp for a few weeks.

Like Ilkin 25 years ago, Bell does not need training camp, nor play in any exhibition games. Despite the urging by Antonio Brown for him to sign his deal and join his teammates Thursday, they will be just fine without him while they practice at Saint Vincent. Perhaps when the Steelers return to Pittsburgh, Bell could report. But even if he stayed away until Labor Day, he and they will not have been harmed by his absence.

It’s not as if he will need warmup games. In 2015, after serving a two-game suspension, Bell returned to rush for 62 yards and catch seven passes for another 70, scoring his team’s only touchdown in a 12-6 victory at St. Louis. In his second game, he rushed for 129 yards and caught another seven passes with one touchdown.

Last season, after a three-game suspension, he made his debut in Kansas City with 144 yards rushing on 18 carries and caught five passes. Of course, each time he went through training camp.

But this time he needs no preseason practice time or games. Let that all go to the backups such as James Conner, Knile Davis and the rest.

Will Alejandro Villanueva report Thursday and if not, when?

Unlike Bell, Villanueva needs the practice and games. He has been their starting left tackle for just 1½ years, and, while he has made rapid improvement, he needs more.
But that does not mean he should or will report to Latrobe on time. He is woefully underpaid at a salary of $615,000 for 2017. The Steelers know that, but the sides have been unable to agree on how much compensation he should receive on a long-term deal. Unlike Bell, who is locked into his one-year contract, Villanueva remains eligible to sign a new one. He also has leverage because the Steelers have no real experienced left tackles behind him. Like Bell, he has not signed his one-year tender as an exclusive rights free agent and cannot report until he does.
Searching for Antonio Brown’s complement.

There are three candidates, and all come with questions.

First, there is Martavis Bryant, and everyone knows his issues. Can he stay away from the weed? It may be the only question because he has immense talent, and, if he can stay on the field, he and Brown would be the most dynamic one-two pairing at the position since Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.

Next is Sammie Coates, who performed his Bryant imitation early last season right up until a finger was broken in the fifth game. After that, another finger was broken, and his confidence was shot. He had groin surgery after the season but opted not to have his crooked finger fixed. Through the first five games, Coates caught 19 passes for an average of 22.2 yards. He caught just two more for 14 yards the rest of the season. He needs to regain not only his confidence but that of his coaches.

And then there is JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Steelers second-round draft choice. He has the look of a big-time receiver, someone who would fit right in at No. 2 or maybe even the slot. He is 6-foot-1, 215 pounds and scored 25 touchdowns on 213 receptions at Southern California the past three seasons. He also looked good in the spring. The only issue? He has not yet done it in the pros.

As always, cornerback is in flux.
Artie Burns strengthened the position as a rookie and should do so even more in his second season. Two more rookies and a veteran free agent may help give it more of a boost. Ross Cockrell returns as the other starter, but free agent Coty Sensabaugh could push him for that spot. Rookie Cam Sutton also might figure in there, but the third-round draft choice will initially compete to play in the slot. His competition is 32-year-old William Gay and Senquez Golson, trying to make the roster for the first time since he was drafted in the second round in 2015.

Rookie Brian Allen also has a chance to get into the mix somewhere.

The secondary is only as good as ...
The pass rush. It was not as bad last season — their 38 sacks tied for ninth most in the NFL — but team president Art Rooney II said they need to get more pressure. Having two-time team sack leader Cam Heyward return after he missed half of last season will help, as will having Bud Dupree for an entire season.

Swapping No. 1 picks — Jarvis Jones is out and rookie T.J. Watt is in at outside linebacker — cannot hurt. James Harrison was their best pass rusher last season, and, at age 39, who is to say he won’t do it again?

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...eelers-chat-july-25-2017/stories/201707250100

 

[jack walsh13]

Expect the Steelers to extend contracts of coach Mike Tomlin, GM Kevin Colbert at the last minute

What could be a bigger distraction for the Steelers than a Le’Veon Bell training camp holdout?

How about no new contracts for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert?

Both are due extensions before the start of the regular season and there is no indication they won’t be forthcoming. Usually, it happens soon. In the past, it has been done before camp or right at the beginning of camp. If precedence holds, Tomlin’s deal could be revealed Thursday. The Steelers announced he had signed his most recent two-year extension on July 23, 2015 — the day the Steelers reported to camp. The news on Colbert’s two-year deal came two days later.

Steelers president Art Rooney II has handled the negotiations with his coach and general manager for years.

There has not been a peep regarding negotiations with either man, which has been typical of the Steelers with their coaches and top personnel men for decades, going back to Chuck Noll.

The only thing known is that Colbert has one year left on his deal and Tomlin has two years left on his, which it has always been when the Steelers try to extend the contract of their head coach.

The only time they failed to re-sign their head coach in the past 48 years came in 2006. Bill Cowher had two years left on his contract and the sides could not come to terms in the months after Cowher coached the Steelers to their first Super Bowl victory in 26 years. He resigned at age 49 after the reigning champs were 8-8 in the 2006 season, his 15th as Steelers coach, and with one year left on his contract.

For years, rumors persisted that Cowher wanted to coach again in the right circumstance but he never was known to interview for a job or become a serious candidate for one. He entered broadcasting early in 2007 as a studio host on The NFL Today on CBS. This will be his 11th season.

Tomlin enters his 11th season as Steelers coach at age 45. He has the fifth-longest tenure as coach of one team in the NFL and is only the third Steelers coach since Noll was hired in 1969.

Tomlin’s 103-57 record is the third best of any team in the NFL since he was hired in 2007. The Steelers have reached the playoffs in seven of his 10 seasons and won five AFC North Division titles, played in two Super Bowls and won one.

Colbert’s contract runs through the 2018 draft in April, which will be the 19th he has directed with the Steelers. Now is also typically when they extend the contract of their top personnel man. He joined the Steelers in 2000 as their director of football operations and became the first to receive the title of general manager in 2011. Under him, the Steelers have won two Super Bowls.

Colbert, 60, is a Pittsburgh native and graduate of North Catholic High School and Robert Morris University. As with their coaches, the Steelers have a long history of patience with their top personnel men. They have had only four since Art Rooney Jr., Dan Rooney’s brother, became their chief personnel man in the 1960s. The others were Dick Haley and Tom Donahoe.

 

[jack walsh13]

Martavis Bryant isn't allowed to practice with the Steelers just yet

The Steelers were aware back in April that wide receiver Martavis Bryant might not be cleared by the NFL to practice at the start of training camp, a fact that became public on Thursday.

“I knew the possibility of it because there were some conditions based on his reinstatement and they’ve been really consistent in that regard,” Mike Tomlin said Thursday afternoon. “And Martavis and we all have been working extremely hard to adhere to it.”

Tomlin noted that it is the process by the league and not necessarily something Bryant has or has not done which has delayed his return. The NFL will permit the wide receiver to attend meetings and other off-field duties at the Steelers’ Saint Vincent College training camp, but nothing on the field.

Bryant was suspended all of last season for violating the NFL’s drug policy. He was cleared conditionally in the spring to rejoin the team, and he practiced with them throughout. General manager Kevin Colbert revealed the news that he still was not fully reinstated.

“Upon his conditional reinstatment in April, Martavis Bryant was made aware it was only the beginning of a process toward a return to being a full contributing member of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Colbert said in a statement released by the team. “We have been informed by the NFL that Martavis is still in the process of being fully reinstated.

“Until that time, Martavis will be permitted to take part in off-the-field team activities at training camp. But he will not be permitted to practice or play in any games.”

Bryant ran with Antonio Brown as the first-team receivers in the spring.

There is no indication that Bryant had any kind of setback, but the news comes as a bit of a surprise because he participated in their spring practices and appeared to be on track to fully participate in training camp.

Bryant said after a practice in May that part of the requirements of his reinstatement was to be drug tested two or three times a week and meet with a therapist twice weekly.

“Everything is earned, not given,” Bryant said that day. “All I can do is just take care of my business and do what I have to do off the field. And as long as I do that they will see the change and everything how I changed my ways.

“As long as I pass my test, go to meetings and maintain my sobriety, that will be fine ... I know it’s my last chance.”

The NFL suspended Bryant for all of 2016 because he violated their drug policy, reportedly for marijuana use. It was his second such suspension by the league.

Tomlin said the Steelers have no idea when he will be cleared to practice.

“The league’s in charge of that. What we’re going to continue to do is cooperate fully as we have and wait for them to instruct us what to do next.

“I’m not going to speculate. That decision-making from a time-table standpoint is outside my control. I’ll let the guys in New York do what they do.”

A fourth-round draft pick in 2014, Bryant did not play as a rookie until the seventh game of the season. He came on strong quickly after that, with 48 receptions over 10 games for a 21.1 average yards per catch and eight touchdowns.

The NFL first suspended him for the first four games to start the 2015 season. He finished that season with 50 receptions, a 15.3-yard average and six touchdowns in 11 games.

Dis shit is fuckin ridiculous. Why the fuck can't he practice if he practiced all spring? Da fuck is Goddell doing? Dat crakka is the worst man.

 

[jack walsh13]

Alejandro Villanueva just wanted a 'fair' deal from the Steelers

Alejandro Villanueva is glad it’s over, this whole contract thing. Thursday, the 28-year-old offensive left tackle signed his new deal, worth $24 million over four years. While the money is good, he didn’t enjoy all that came with it.

“It’s not a fun process,” Villanueva said Friday after the Steelers’ first morning walk-through of training camp. “Going through a contract is — for some reason, you feel really embarrassed afterwards and all the media attention you get out of it is not fun.”

Presumably, Villanueva is referring to the public spectacle contract negotiations become, with outsiders sometimes wondering how many millions a player really needs. It’s what makes Villanueva’s case so interesting. His contract is below the average salary for starting left tackles.

Villanueva’s career arc also put him in a unique position during negotiations. The former Army Ranger didn’t sign with an NFL team until 2014. He will turn 29 in September, and this might have been his one shot at a large contract. The long-term deal allowed him to avoid playing the upcoming season on the one-year, $615,000 exclusive rights free-agent tender the Steelers offered in the offseason.

“In my football career, I’ve been more focused on trying to make the team. I’ve been more focused on becoming a starter. I’ve been more focused on trying to not embarrass myself on national television,” Villanueva said. “My agent kind of focused on the question of what is fair. So, it was a very tough assignment for him.”

Villanueva, who has started the past 31 games at left tackle after joining the team’s practice squad in 2014, said he wasn’t seriously considering holding out. He said he was only seeking a “fair” contract, and he used the word 10 times in his 13-minute media session.

In the offseason, Villanueva made the decision to attend OTAs and work out at the team facility while negotiations were ongoing. As the process continued, he admitted he didn’t know whether a deal was going to get done — “It was sort of a last-minute thing,” he said — but he planned to attend camp.

Part of the reason, he said, was because there are still a “few things here and there” he can learn about the position. After all, when he was cut by the Eagles in 2014, he had been playing defensive line. Mostly, though, he said being at camp is important in establishing a routine and continuing to build sound communication among the offensive line unit.

“I would say I was not set to hold out, but I was not set to wait at my house, either,” he said. “I’m hoping to play football.”

Villanueva was asked whether he compared his new deal to what other starting left tackles make, and, in an impassioned response, he explained why he did not.

“I played in a park in Belgium. That’s where I played football in high school for a year. I really didn’t have a lot of experience. I was a walk-on at West Point. I was last string D-end when I was at Army. Then I played wide receiver and offensive line. Not really had a career that you could say was groomed to be a first-round pick and get a big contract,” he said.

“Then I went to the Army and obviously that was my first and foremost priority in life. I was deployed three times. I’ve got so many things, so many other situations in my life where it could’ve been the opposite. It could have been like, ‘Man, would you rather be walking on both your legs?’ or, ‘Would you rather still have all your limbs and what not?’ These scenarios of whether you’re getting $24 million or someone else is getting $46 [million], to me, that’s irrelevant.

“I just want the fairness thing out of it. I understand people are going to have opinions about the contract. I can’t really convince everybody. I can’t even make those decisions myself. It’s got to be my agent, so I’m very happy to be here with the Steelers and I’m really looking forward to the start of the season.”

 

[jack walsh13]

For James Conner, Le'Veon Bell's absence brings opportunity

The Steelers would have loved to have seen Le’Veon Bell in Latrobe Friday, when the team opened training camp. But with their star running back sitting until he signs his franchise tender, at least one person stands to gain from his absence.

No Bell should mean added touches for James Conner, which could help make up for time he lost earlier this summer. The Steelers’ third-round pick out of Pitt missed most of OTAs with a hamstring injury.

“I’m just excited to get reps,” Conner said. “I don’t know all the details of [Bell’s] situation, but all I know is I’ve gotta master this playbook, be ready when they call No. 30.”

Conner said he worked out with center Maurkice Pouncey and defensive end Cameron Heyward, among others, in Pittsburgh between OTAs and the start of camp. He said he is conditioned and does not have any limitations from the hamstring injury.

That’s a good thing for Conner; last season, Bell had 261 carries and 75 receptions in just 12 games. He’s a major part of every offensive area, which means Conner could be asked to do a lot.

“He definitely set the bar high with his receiving and his running ability and pass blocking,” Conner said. “Every category, to me, he’s the best running back in the game. So I’ve gotta get in rhythm. It’ll give me an opportunity to work with Ben a little bit, so there’s no drop off in the rhythm whenever Le’Veon comes out of the game.”

Even if Steelers fans might be antsy for Bell’s arrival, Conner will be a draw for them, too.

After a prolific college career and a bout with Hodgkin’s lymphoma while at Pitt, Conner has become a Pittsburgh icon and an early fan favorite. As of earlier this week, he had the top-selling jersey in the NFL, an unusual position for a rookie backup running back.

Conner, though, didn’t seem overly concerned with that as he left the field after the team’s first walk through of camp.

“I’ll see a tweet or something that says I’m No. 1 [in jersey sales], and you feel good for about five seconds,” he said. “And then you realize you haven’t played yet. You get back into reality really quick.”

For now, that reality is in Latrobe. Conner will spend the coming weeks roughing it in the Saint Vincent dorms, with little to focus on but his playbook.

Some growing pains are expected, but Conner would do well to quell them early. He’s not a star in the NFL — but until Bell arrives, he’ll be filling in for one.

 

[jack walsh13]

Another injury to a Steelers rookie on Day 2 of training camp

It hasn’t been a good few first days of training camp for Steelers rookies. One day after second-round pick JuJu Smith-Schuster injured an ankle on the first day of practice third-round pick Cameron Sutton did not finish Saturday’s practice with a lower body injury.

Smith-Schuster returned to practice Friday after suffering the injury, but he was held out today. Coach Mike Tomlin said he will be out “a number of days.” Tomlin did not have an immediate update on Sutton, but he did not believe it was a serious injury.

The Steelers welcomed back second-year receiver Canaan Severin from the PUP list. He had been carted off the field after the conditioning test Thursday. He did not practice Friday, but he did practice today.

Due to the injuries and Martavis Bryant’s uncertain situation, free agent Justin Hunter continued to get first-team reps at receiver. He made of the best plays of practice when he caught a pass from Ben Roethlisberger in the seven shots drill and toe-tapped his feet at the end line to score a touchdown.

Tomlin also it was by his design that second-year corner Artie Burns took every rep against Antonio Brown in the first two days of practice. He said he is looking forward to the matchup more Sunday, the first time the Steelers will practice in pads.

That practice is scheduled for 2:55 p.m. at Saint Vincent College. The Steelers had to practice at Latrobe High School again Saturday because the grass fields at Saint Vincent were too saturated from the heavy rains from the previous two days.

Fuck man we need some of these rookies to play and play well especially Watt and Sutton come on man!!!

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

 

[jack walsh13]

Dude is a beast!!!! Love that explosion!!

 

[jack walsh13]

It took T.J. Watt only one day to impress his teammates at Steelers training camp

It didn’t take long for Steelers players to see what they have with No. 1 pick T.J. Watt.

On his first day of practice in pads, Watt showed why the Steelers used the 30th overall pick in the April draft on him, flashing his trademark intensity and flattening a couple of players in one-on-one pass-rushing drills.

Even Watt, who has been working with the first-team defense at right outside linebacker, said it “went really well” Sunday.

And it continued Monday on another sunny day at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. At one point, he even bull-rushed left tackle Alejandro Villanueva and pushed him into the backfield, causing a collision.

“I was really eager because it’s been four of five months since Jan. 2 and I wanted to finally get out there and show people what I can do,” Watt said, referring to his final bowl-game appearance with Wisconsin. “Talk is talk, and going through shorts and t-shirt practice is good for learning the system, but once you get the system under your belt you truly want to get out there and play football again and make plays.”

And his teammates took immediate notice.

Watt, who reported at 252 pounds, nine more than his playing weight last season, stood out in the backs-on-backers drill, using his hands to swat away blocks or merely bull-rushing blockers such at 6-foot-8 tight end Phazahn Odom and planting him on his back.

“All the credit he gets go to his hard work,” said defensive end Cam Heyward. “I just want him to him to keep growing. Every day has to be a new challenge for him. I’m going to hold him accountable just because he’s on my side.”

“I’ve seen him pass rush; T.J. catches on fast,” said outside linebacker Bud Dupree, who lines up on the opposite side from Watt. “I think he caught on faster than me. He does pretty good. He’s ahead in the playbook. I think it will be a great year for him.”

Dupree worked with Watt after practice, pretending to be a blocker while Watt kept repeating moves with his hands in a simulated pass rush.

“I love the game of football; that’s why I play,” Watt said. “To go out there and not be jacked up to be in pads and do what I love to do in front of the best fans in the NFL would be a cop-out if I didn’t give it everything I had. To go out there and truly show all that amped-up intensity I’ve been keeping inside for the past four or five months and let it loose was an absolute blast.”

Watt has been getting plenty of reps with the first-team defense while James Harrison, 39, is being eased gently into his 16th NFL training camp, 15 with the Steelers.

“That’s really good for me, that’s everything I want,” Watt said. “The more reps I get, the better it is because I’m still adjusting to the NFL, the speed, the size. Anytime I get more reps, I’m happy.”

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

http://www.tmz.com/2017/08/01/antonio-brown-baby-kid-5/

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

http://www.tmz.com/2017/07/11/antonio-brown-birthday-party-rolls-royce-hassan-whiteside/


http://www.tmz.com/photos/2017/07/11/antonio-brown-birthday-party/

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

http://www.tmz.com/2017/07/27/antonio-brown-steelers-training-camp-rolls-royce/

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

http://heavy.com/entertainment/2016...nio-brown-wife-girlfriend-dating-who-is-dwts/

 

[jack walsh13]

Paul Zeise: Todd Haley is an excellent and underappreciated coordinator

Mike Tomlin’s decision to hire Todd Haley as Steelers offensive coordinator in 2012 was not popular. Haley had just been fired by the Chiefs. He was branded as not being liked by players because of his fiery demeanor and public clashes with some of the Chiefs’ best players.

Haley’s hiring was viewed as favor by the Rooneys to Haley’s father, Dick, a Steelers director of player personnel in the 1970s and ’80s. Todd Haley’s competence has been questioned because he played golf in college, not football. All of those criticisms may have had some degree of truth to them, but none was fair. Dick’s connections may have helped Todd Haley get into the profession, but Todd worked his way up to his current position. He has earned his stripes and along the way learned from some of the NFL’s greatest coaches.

Haley and his play-calling aren’t popular among some Steelers fans but those fans are misguided. Haley has been one of the Steelers’ best assets over the past five seasons and has far exceeded his expectations. He is one of the top reasons the Steelers have been Super Bowl contenders the last two years and one of the top reasons to be optimistic about their chances this season.

Bruce Arians was fired in large part because he was too pass-happy, and as a result Ben Roethlisberger was getting hit and sacked way too many times. Haley has improved the Steelers in both areas. Roethlisberger was sacked 50 times in 2009 but only a combined 37 times in 2015 and ’16. Roethlisberger was sacked an average of 47.3 times the four years prior to Haley’s arrival but only an average of 28.4 times in Haley’s five seasons.

The Steelers’ run game under Haley has been dominant at times. The final nine games of last season, Le’Veon Bell averaged 146 yards per carry and the Steelers had more rushing yards over that span than any other team in the NFL.

The Steelers have also had three of their most productive offensive seasons in franchise history the last three years. Since the NFL regular season expanded to 16 games in 1978 season, the Steelers have scored 399 or more points only five times. Three of those five seasons came under Haley’s watch.

They scored 416 points in 1979 and 407 in 1995 and those were the only two Steelers teams to score 400+ points before Haley arrived. The Steelers were a missed extra point away last season (they finished with 399 points) from scoring 400 or more points for the third consecutive season.

Haley’s offenses have benefited from the Steelers improved offensive line. The offensive line has also benefited from Haley’s blocking schemes and his commitment to give them help with the use of tight ends and fullbacks. In Arians’ offense, the offensive line spent way too many plays backing up in pass blocking instead of plowing ahead and imposing their will in the run game.

Haley’s philosophy is perhaps his greatest strength as he isn’t married to a system. He instead tries to plan for each opponent and that has meant the offense is never the same from week to week.

“Whoever the opponent is we’re going do what gives us the best chance to score points and score more points,” Haley said last week. “When you look back at last season it’s easy to say we threw it too much here or there. At the same time, we’re going to go into games with an attack plan. Sometimes it might be running a lot and sometimes it might be throwing a lot.”

Haley said that the Steelers don’t have an elaborate offense. He describes his playbook as “scaled down,” and the reason is because he focuses in on only the things the Steelers do well.

That’s a sign of a coach who understands that his top job is to find a system that fits the personnel and not the other way around. Haley knows what the Steelers do well and he doesn’t ask them to do anything they can’t do.

The Steelers’ lack of scoring in playoff losses the past three seasons have obviously been a sticking point but they have been hampered by injuries to some of their most important players. However, they had Roethlisberger, Bell and Antonio Brown all healthy for the first time in a playoff game last season against the Dolphins. In that game they scored 30 points, Bell rushed for a franchise postseason record of 167 yards, Brown had 124 yards receiving and Roethlisberger threw two touchdowns.

Haley won’t win many popularity contests because he isn’t warm and fuzzy. He may not be popular because some people believe he has “shackled” Roethlisberger and his offenses are dull and lack imagination at times. Those views are becoming harder and harder to defend, though. Haley has proven himself to be one of the NFL’s best offensive coordinators. The Steelers are lucky to have him, and fans need to appreciate just how good of a job he has done.

 

[jack walsh13]

NFL clears Martavis Bryant for preseason action

The long wait for Martavis Bryant and the Steelers ended Wednesday evening when the NFL finally cleared him to join his teammates in preseason practice and games, 16 months after he was suspended for one year.

The league, however, stopped short of fully reinstating him.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement that Bryant was “informed by the NFL that he is now permitted to participate in preseason activities, including practices and games. He will continue to be evaluated as to his readiness to participate in regular-season activites under the terms of his conditional reinstatement.”

Bryant also was conditionally reinstated to participate in spring practices but was halted by the NFL from doing so once training camp started. It would appear he must still pass some kind of muster with the league in order to be fully reinstated for the regular season.

The Steelers were surprised when the NFL did not allow Bryant to practice this summer after permitting him to do so in the spring. He has been running, working out and catching passes on a side field as the Steelers practice in training camp at Saint Vincent College.

He likely will miss Friday night’s preseason opener at the New York Giants since they only have a light practice Thursday before leaving for the game later that day.

Bryant, the team’s fourth-round draft pick from Clemson in 2014, stands 6-foot-4 and has 4.34 speed in the 40. He was a true game-breaker in parts of two seasons with the Steelers. After sitting for the first six games as a rookie when he was deemed not yet ready, he burst into the lineup by catching his first pass for a 35-yard touchdown. He went on to average 21.1 yards on 26 receptions as a rookie with eight touchdowns in 10 games.

He was first suspended for violating the NFL’s drug policy, reportedly for marijuana use, in 2015, missing the first four games. He returned to play in 11 games and caught 50 passes for an average of 15.3 yards with six touchdowns.

He was suspended on March 14 by the NFL for one year for violating the drug policy again, presumably multiple times since another violation after his first suspension would draw a 10-game suspension.

Provided all goes well for him, Bryant should start at receiver alongside Antonio Brown in what is shaping up as a dynamic Steelers offense.

Bryant, 25, has this season and next under contract.

Bout fuckin time man damn!! NFL is so full of shit man.

 

[jack walsh13]

Le'Veon Bell is hurting himself with training camp absence, Kevin Colbert says

Le’Veon Bell is hurting himself by continuing to hold out from training camp, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Wednesday.

The star halfback cannot report to the team until he signs his $12.12 million, one-year franchise tag. By NFL collective bargaining rule, the Steelers can no longer negotiate a different contract for him until 2018.

“My feeling is there’s nothing to be gained by a holdout,’’ Colbert told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at the team’s training camp at Saint Vincent College. “The situation won’t change, it can’t really change from our part on a long-term deal.

“So it hurts him not to be here. It hurts him because he’s not working with his teammates, he’s not getting the conditioning work that he’s going to need to have a great 2017 season. And he’s not working with his teammates to get acclimated to the offense — every year it’s different.”


The team cannot fine Bell for not reporting. He would lose no money unless he holds out during the regular season. He would be docked one-17th of the $12.12 million contract — nearly $713,000 — each week of the regular season he would miss. If he did not return by the 10th week of the regular season, he could no longer play in 2017.

The Steelers do not believe it will come to that. They believe he will report before the start of the regular season. They just hope he does so soon. If he would get seriously injured working out on his own before he signs his contract, he could forfeit the $12.12 million. If he signs and reports, the $12.12 million is guaranteed. It’s likely Bell has taken out an insurance policy to cover any injury before he reports.

Bell will have missed the first two weeks of training camp Thursday, and the first preseason game, although it was unlikely coach Mike Tomlin would have played him in that game anyway.

“Really, a holdout does not benefit him in any way,’’ Colbert said. “So, again, I hope that he sees the benefits of being here and comes in here sooner than later.”

Tomlin said he has talked with Bell but has no idea when he might report to the team. Colbert said he talked to his agent while they were trying to negotiate a long-term contract for Bell until the NFL’s deadline of doing so July 17. They turned down an offer from the Steelers worth more than $12 million annually over four years, a source said. Colbert has not talked to the agent since camp opened.

“There’s nothing to talk about. We’re here, he’s not and quite honestly we’re not going to dwell on it or focus on it. There’s too many issues going on here that we have to provide our focus to. Obviously Le’Veon is a great player, we’d love to have him here. But when he’s not here we’re going to look at the other guys and give us an opportunity to figure out what kind of team we have without him.”

The Steelers drafted halfback James Conner in the third round from Pitt this year, but he was hurt on the first day of pads July 30 and has not gone through a full practice since. They signed veteran Knile Davis in free agency and Fitz Toussaint returns for his third season with them as a backup. Other halfbacks on the roster are Try Williams, Terrel Watson and Brandon Brown-Dukes.

Really makes no sense for Bell to holdout at this point. None at all.

 

[jack walsh13]

Paul Zeise: The Steelers face tough choices at wide receiver

The Steelers are a Super Bowl contender with the bulk of their team returning from last season. There are very few questions about who is going to be in the starting lineup on both sides of the ball. There are not even that many tough decisions Mike Tomlin and his staff will need to make when it comes time to cut the roster.

That makes for a training camp that isn’t really all that fascinating because there just aren’t that many questions that need to be answered.

The one exception is at receiver as the Steelers have eight or nine capable players fighting for likely six spots. If you are fan that loves a good, old-fashioned position battle, this is definitely the one to watch now that the preseason games are set to begin.

Tomlin said the receivers are all pushing each other while making their case to make the team. And it is clear that the Steelers will have to cut a few receivers that have proven they are good enough to play in the NFL because they can’t keep them all.

“It makes it difficult because you want to make sure you give everybody the opportunity to show what they are capable of,” Tomlin said. “The opportunities to show and prove are fewer, and I think the guys have a sense of that. It aids us in not only the competitive atmosphere but also in the growth environment.”

Antonio Brown is probably the only absolute lock among the receivers to make the team. Martavis Bryant, who just got reinstated by the NFL, is a virtual lock, as is second round pick JuJu Smith-Schuster.

They are three of likely six receivers to make the roster. The other three spots are up for grabs, and the Steelers have a lot of good candidates to fill them. Tomlin said that will make roster decisions tougher than at some other position, and he has been pleased with the competition so far.

“It’s the job of all of those guys to make our decisions tough,” Tomlin said. “Hopefully that’s the case, and it appears that may be the case at the receiver position. We have some guys that are high-pedigree guys, we have some guys that have played in games and made some critical plays.”

Sammie Coates and Darrius Heyward-Bey are likely the next two in line. They have an edge in that they have experience and have proven they are capable of playing on special teams. Tomlin said special teams can be a big factor when coaches meet to discuss roster decisions.

Special teams can be a reason that a younger, unheralded player makes the team, and it’s why Tomlin has kept an eye on Canaan Severin throughout camp.

“He’s a willing and able participant in special teams,” Tomlin said of Severin. “I think when you’re talking about down-the-line guys, guys that are trying to carve a role out for themselves, you can’t have those discussions relative to their position without talking about special teams contributions.”

Injuries and suspension forced the Steelers to dig deep into the depth chart at receiver last season, and as a result, Demarcus Ayers, Cobi Hamilton and Eli Rogers all got opportunities to play. Tomlin liked the production of all three, but there likely won’t be room on the roster for at least one, if not two, of them.

Rogers was the most productive, with 48 catches for 594 yards in the regular season and 13 catches for 112 yards in the postseason. Hamilton had 17 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns last season, and Ayers had five catches for 44 yards and a touchdown in the season finale against Cleveland.

One other intriguing receiver in the mix is Justin Hunter, who may have an edge over the others because of his size (6 feet 4 inches). Hunter is in his fifth season and has 78 career receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, playing for Buffalo last season.

The quest for a roster spot has begun, but Friday night it will heat up when the Steelers play their first preseason game, against the Giants. As Tomlin said, it will be difficult for all of these receivers to get many opportunities, so they will need to make the most of it any time the ball is thrown their way.

At the end of camp, though, no matter who makes the team, the Steelers should have a strong and deep group of receivers. That’s the beauty of competition and is what makes the receiver position so intriguing to watch.

 

[Dirtylakerie]

Steelers fan checking in. Got a little bonus today. After paying off some bills. Going to pick up some new steeler gear. Its been a while since I bought something other than hats. To rep the black and gold. Oh yes the browns fans hating already. But we know what time it is.

 

[jack walsh13]

Damn T.J. Watt looks real good in his first game action. Dude is all over the place. Josh Dobbs not so much. He'll be alright though I hope. Still make a couple really good throws.

 

[jack walsh13]

Damn I've never seen Fitzgerald Toussaint look this good. Good to have solid depth.

 

[RAY V.]

I'll just be in here mainly for them Jack Walsh pics, anyway Go Steelers i got y'all going 11-5 and in The AFC Championship game again

 

[jack walsh13]

Dobbs getting some confidence now and making some better throws.

 

[jack walsh13]

I'll just be in here mainly for them Jack Walsh pics, anyway Go Steelers i got y'all going 11-5 and in The AFC Championship game again

Sounds about right.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

I'll just be in here mainly for them Jack Walsh pics, anyway Go Steelers i got y'all going 11-5 and in The AFC Championship game again

That bitch in your sig is bad...and I will be missing the season until Kaep gets signed.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

 

[jack walsh13]

That bitch in your sig is bad...and I will be missing the season until Kaep gets signed.

Just tune in here Rollie I'll keep you posted.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Just tune in here Rollie I'll keep you posted.

 

[jack walsh13]

Author Moats lookin real good too.

 

[jack walsh13]

Great to see a lot of pressure on the QB tonight.