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Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
Latrobe, Unity residents and businesses invited to enter Steelers Week decorating contest
Residents and business owners in Latrobe and Unity are being challenged to show how they “Bleed Black and Gold” in a decorating contest that will be featured as part of a Steelers Week promotion Monday through Aug. 6 in the two neighboring municipalities. Sunday is the deadline to register for...
First Call: An argument for Aaron Rodgers to Steelers in ’22; Adam Frazier’s debut with San Diego; Larry Fitzgerald’s future
Wednesday’s “First Call” assesses the chances of Aaron Rodgers becoming a Steeler next year. Some Steelers fans think T.J. Watt got snubbed by the EA Sports Madden ratings system. We try to figure out what Larry Fitzgerald is thinking. And we get you up to date on Adam Frazier’s San...
In perhaps his final shot, TE Zach Gentry standing tall at Steelers camp
If nothing else, Zach Gentry stands out at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. “He’s 6-(foot)-12,” Eric Ebron deadpanned. “And not a lot of people are 6-12.” Gentry is not quite 6-12, er, 7 feet tall. But at 6-8, the tight end is tied with tackle Zach Banner as the tallest offensive...
Steelers ready to put on the pads, hit in front of fans for first time in nearly two years
In a nice piece of symmetry, the pads come out Wednesday for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and fans will be allowed inside Heinz Field to see the initial hitting of training camp take place. The Steelers wrapped up their five days of heat acclimation Tuesday with their initial workout at their...
Ben Roethlisberger excused from Steelers’ 1st Heinz Field practice
For the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first practice of training camp at Heinz Field, the man who has played more games there than anyone was not present. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was not on hand at Monday’s workout. Coach Mike Tomlin said it was “for personal reasons.” “He’s been excused by me,” Tomlin...
As training camp ramps up, Kevin Colbert likes state of Steelers’ offensive line, overall positional depth
Kevin Colbert used the word “retirement” Tuesday to describe David DeCastro’s departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers last month. The Steelers released the six-time Pro Bowl right guard June 24 with a non-football injury designation, and then signed five-time Pro Bowler Trai Turner to replace him a day later. Was Colbert...
Cap situation provides ‘different environment’ for Steelers to sign T.J. Watt to long-term deal
On the heels of emerging as the NFL’s defensive player of the year runner-up, T.J. Watt set himself up for a big payday before he can become a free agent in 2022. With Watt playing this season on his fifth-year option, worth $10.089 million, he could see his base salary...
Mark Madden: Steelers would be smart to delay T.J. Watt’s contract extension
One of the problems with a column composed of refreshing sports notes — well-read as those tend to be — is it exhausts ideas for future columns. Take, for example, this excerpt from one such recent piece: (T.J.) Watt might not get the lucrative contract extension he wants before the...
Steelers’ Alex Highsmith more comfortable in Year 2, comfortable sharing time 
As defensive coordinator Keith Butler was speaking to media from UPMC Rooney Sports Complex after the second practice of training camp late last week, only a handful of players were still working on the fields behind him. Among that dwindling group, there was perhaps only one player who is locked...
Madden Monday: Ripping U.S. Olympic basketball team; debating Steelers money spent on Melvin Ingram vs. Steven Nelson
This week’s “Madden Monday” podcast comes from Lake Placid, N.Y. I’m out here in support of my sister who was competing in the Ironman Triathlon. And, no, the irony wasn’t lost on me Sunday morning as I was watching one of American basketball’s most ignominious Olympic defeats from the friendly...
Tim Benz: A response to Bart Scott’s ‘compliment’ about the Steelers’ atmosphere at Heinz Field
During an episode of ESPN’s “First Take” last week, panelist Bart Scott gave a little love to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets linebacker was asked for his favorite playoff atmosphere. And he said Steelers fans at Heinz Field (at 1:22:16 of this clip). Scott...
Steelers to keep Cameron Sutton outside, let Antoine Brooks, Arthur Maulet battle for slot
There seemed to be no shortage of possible scenarios when it came to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ plans for replacing Mike Hilton. Four days into training camp, barring something unforeseen, the list of possibilities appears to have been whittled to two. “It’s a good battle. You have a veteran and a...
New Steelers right guard Trai Turner not concerned about replacing David DeCastro
Trai Turner joined the Pittsburgh Steelers a day after David DeCastro was released in June. He is occupying the same spot once filled by the six-time Pro Bowl right guard. Similarities end there, said Turner, even though he has five Pro Bowl appearances in seven NFL seasons to his credit....
Mike Tomlin ready to ‘turn the volume up’ when Steelers move training camp to Heinz Field
The Pittsburgh Steelers conducted their fourth and final practice of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex portion of training camp Sunday. When the team reconvenes Tuesday after a day off, the work will be done at Heinz Field for the remainder of camp. “That really signifies the start of training camp,...
Normally subdued T.J. Watt looking to take on bigger leadership role with Steelers
When it comes to T.J. Watt, the only thing that’s growing faster than his salary is his stature in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room. On the field, Watt has established himself as a centerpiece of the franchise. With training camp for the 2021 season underway, it’s almost inarguable that Watt...
Steelers notebook: Injuries, absence leaves offensive line bare at center in 3rd workout
When the third workout of training camp ended Saturday afternoon, nary a candidate for the starting center’s job was anywhere to be found on the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex practice field. Rookie third-round draft pick Kendrick Green, who had been working with the first team, was excused from practice by...
Steelers edge rusher Melvin Ingram: ‘I feel like a kid. I’ve got a lot left in me’
If Melvin Ingram III is to be believed, he is the NFL’s version of Benjamin Button, someone who ages in reverse. When he turned 30 a couple of years ago, the veteran edge rusher boasted that he felt like he was 21 again. In his first interview since joining the...
Steelers notebook: Arthur Maulet gets his shot to play in the slot
One of the biggest questions as the Pittsburgh Steelers ramped up to training camp was: Who will replace stalwart Mike Hilton as the slot/nickel cornerback? After the second practice of camp, coach Mike Tomlin laid out his plans. “Right now, we are working (Arthur Maulet) and (Antoine Brooks Jr.) there,”...
Keith Butler looking to fill in missing pieces while maintaining Steelers’ defensive production
A defense that led the NFL in sacks and was second in forcing turnovers in 2020 received a jolt this week when inside linebacker Vince Williams abruptly retired on the eve of training camp. Williams became the fourth starter, counting nickel corner Mike Hilton, to exit a Pittsburgh Steelers unit...
JuJu Smith-Schuster sold on making impact for Steelers in 2021
Two days after endorsing a condom brand on his verified Instagram account, JuJu Smith-Schuster was back at it Friday as a pitch man. In the star receiver’s first media availability of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, Smith-Schuster continued his sales job to his coaches to play on the outside in lieu...
Mark Madden: Talk of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger’s weight a big nothing burger
Training camp is upon us. So are refreshing Steelers notes. But I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news: Under 8½ wins is a lock. • Speaking as a big fatso, I can accurately say Ben Roethlisberger is not fat. He’s a whole lot of great quarterback, that’s all. He looks...
3 fantasy football trends to watch as you get ready for your league draft
Now that training camp has hit full stride for the Steelers this week, it’s time for Pittsburgh football fans to start focusing on another team as well. Their own fantasy football team. Jeff Erickson of Rotowire joins me for this week’s fantasy sports podcast. And he outlines three big trends...
Tim Benz: Cast aside by same team, Trai Turner and Melvin Ingram look to reboot their careers with Steelers
After the Pittsburgh Steelers signed castoff free agents Melvin Ingram and Trai Turner, it was completely fair of Steelers fans to wonder if either player has much left in the tank. Turner spent most of last year hurt, playing only nine games thanks to ankle and groin injuries. When he...
Kevin Dotson, Stephon Tuitt, others limited as Steelers open camp, but none on PUP list
Of the 90 players who opened 2021 training camp on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, none earned the “physically unable to perform” tag. But that doesn’t mean everyone was going full-bore during Thursday’s first practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mike Tomlin confirmed that guard Kevin Dotson, defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt,...
Antoine Brooks gets 1st shot at replacing Mike Hilton as Steelers’ nickel DB
Coach Mike Tomlin, true to form, downplayed it. And it’s true that what happens during the first practice of training camp doesn’t necessarily mean anything once the games count. But that Antoine Brooks Jr. was playing with the first-team defense provided the biggest clue yet of what the Pittsburgh Steelers’...


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