Steelers/NFL category, Page 315
Mark Madden: Harshest critics of Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger might be right
Former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum doesn’t think Ben Roethlisberger is going to have a good season. Quite the opposite, in fact: “(Roethlisberger) is going to be bad, and I expect him to be benched by the middle of the season. He’s had a great career. It’s over.” Tannenbaum,...
First Call: ESPN analyst sees Ben Roethlisberger benched by midseason; Eagles CB recruiting Steven Nelson
Friday’s “First Call” brings us a Doomsday scenario prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, the Eagles may still be in play for Steven Nelson. We’ve got some Steelers birthdays, a bold prediction from a Steelers rival and Home Run Derby gambling odds. Big Ben ‘is going to be bad’ Former...
Former Steelers DB Dicky Maegle dies
HOUSTON — Dicky Maegle, the Rice running back tackled in the 1954 Cotton Bowl by an Alabama player who came off the bench in one of the most legendary plays in college football history, has died. Rice University and the National Football Foundation said Tuesday that Maegle passed away Sunday....
At least 12 Steelers training camp practices at Heinz Field to be open to public
Turns out, Steelers Nation will be able to take in training camp after all. Just about 50 miles farther west than usual. At least a dozen Pittsburgh Steelers preseason practices between July 28 and Aug. 18 will be open to the public at Heinz Field. Tickets are free but must...
First Call: Steelers’ Devin Bush says he is being monitored, ‘fined’ for Twitter activity; Benny Snell welcomes roster challenges
Thursday’s “First Call” gives us more odd Twitter ramblings from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush. Benny Snell discusses the crowded Steelers running back room. We look at a potential oversight of the Steelers in the new Kurt Warner movie. And there are some interesting numbers heading into this weekend’s Pirates-Mets...
Mark Madden: These 3 players might be able to save Steelers from mediocrity
The team-friendly media that covers the Steelers does its best to manufacture optimism despite many signs pointing to a 2021 season that figures to be subpar at best. But I’m creative. So, I’m trying my hand at stooging. Here are three factors that could weigh in the Steelers’ favor: •...
First Call: A Steeler who might get cut; a player the Steelers should sign; unique WPIAL showdown at PNC Park
A running back the Steelers might cut. An offensive lineman the Steelers might sign. And high praise for Najee Harris, Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Plus, a WPIAL alumni showdown at PNC Park. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” Bye-bye, Benny? ESPN.com found one NFL veteran from each...
New Steelers guard Trai Turner thinks return to Pro Bowl form is on the horizon
Newly signed offensive lineman Trai Turner is talking about his decision to join the Pittsburgh Steelers. Turner joined the NFL Network Tuesday. The 28-year-old guard seems confident that he’ll return to the Pro Bowl form he flashed throughout much of his career. “I believe in my game. I think I’m...
First Call: Steelers’ MLB 1st-pitch fun; T.J. Watt deemed NFL 2nd-best pass rusher
According to ESPN.com, T.J. Watt is the second-best pass rusher in the NFL. In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we’ll tell you who finished atop the voting. Also, some Steelers first-pitch fun. Highlights for a current Pirate and a former Buccos star. Plus, Tampa Bay’s mayor gets her wish. Now let’s see...
Madden Tuesday: Steelers leadership, or lack thereof, on display through Devin Bush’s Twitter ramblings
To the best of my knowledge, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush didn’t go on a midnight treadmill rant. Nor did he dye his mustache blonde. Come to think of it, does he have a mustache? Maybe he could dye that ponytail of his blonde instead if he still has it....
National outlets rank Steelers’ roster in top half of NFL talent rankings, but barely
As the calendar flipped Thursday to the month in which training camps open across the NFL, the 2021 season has never felt closer. Three national outlets that cover the league combined to release two rankings of the 32 teams in terms of talent. In other words, the proverbial “this team...
J.J. Watt pokes fun at Steelers’ fondness for TikTok
One of the NFL’s biggest stars seems to believe the Pittsburgh Steelers have a TikTok problem. A message posted to the verified Twitter account of three-time league defensive player of the year J.J. Watt responded to a message posted by Steelers linebacker Devin Bush on Thursday when Bush had some...
Steelers add former Rams, Titans kicker Sam Sloman to offseason roster
Ben Roethlisberger won’t be the only player from Miami (Ohio) on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster this summer. The Steelers have agreed to terms former RedHawks kicker Sam Sloman, agent Joe Linta confirmed Thursday. The NFL Network first reported the Steelers’ interest in signing Sloman. Adding Sloman gives the Steelers a...
First Call: Will Steven Nelson come back? More talk of discipline for Steelers over handling of David DeCastro’s injury
Thursday’s “First Call” raises a red flag for the Steelers when it comes to the release of David DeCastro. Former Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree gushes about his time in Pittsburgh. Could Steven Nelson come back to the Steelers secondary? The Pirates have their work cut out for them with the...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans push back against offensive line concerns; misplaced Pirates rage; poor Paxton Lynch
This week’s “U mad, bro?” sees some Steelers fans pushing back against criticism of the offensive line. Some misdirected Pirates fan rage. A sarcastic farewell to a Steelers free agent. And flat-out disdain for this column. I had an angry email exchange with Chris, who is a Pirates loyalist to...
Oregon resident fulfills dream of traveling to Pittsburgh to create a Terrible Towel
Daniel Seddiqui has a piece of Pittsburgh he helped create. The California native, who lives in Bend, Ore., came to the city as part of his quest to visit 65 cities to craft a meaningful piece of each destination that reflects its culture and industry. He is calling the venture...
First Call: Troy Polamalu now at ease with end of career; Steelers outside linebacker depth questioned; Najee Harris for team MVP?
Wednesday’s “First Call” shares an in-depth conversation with Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu. We find an odd prediction for the 2021 Steelers team MVP. Concerns about the Steelers depth at outside linebacker are extending beyond Pittsburgh. And the Robert Morris women’s hockey program had a banner night. Even if the...
Steelers alum Ike Taylor responds to Demaryius Thomas’ retirement in typical swaggin’ fashion
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor acknowledged the retirement of Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in a way that only Ike Taylor could. Thomas is perhaps best known — well, at least in Pittsburgh — for burning Taylor on the first play of overtime in an AFC playoff game...
First Call: New home for Steelers’ Paxton Lynch; a look at NHL TV plans for drafts on ESPN
Tuesday’s “First Call” gives Steelers fans a Paxton Lynch sighting. We get one more look at Jack Leiter before the Pirates pass on him. A local guy goes yard in the NL Central. And we get our first glance at ESPN plans for the upcoming NHL drafts. Lynch looks north...
CBS ranks Steelers’ Mike Tomlin as NFL’s 10th-best coach
Among his NFL coaching peers, according to one national ranking, Mike Tomlin is among the top 10. But barely. CBS Sports rated all 32 of the league’s coaches, and it pegged Tomlin at No. 10. Here is the outlet’s rationale: “Fourteen years and not a single losing season means Tomlin...
Mark Madden: Bad offensive line might sink Steelers
There’s no Madden Markdown when it comes to refreshing sports notes. You pay full price, but get maximum value. • Trai Turner being signed to patchwork the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line is like slapping a butterfly stitch on a shotgun wound. Pro Football Focus: “Turner (was) the lowest-graded right guard...
First Call: Will David DeCastro file a grievance over his release? What’s Marc-Andre Fleury’s future in Las Vegas?
Monday’s “First Call” features a question about David DeCastro’s release by the Steelers. A former Pirates pitcher shines. Considering Marc-Andre Fleury’s future. And the Browns backs are hand-in-glove. Done with DeCastro One reason why the Steelers may have tagged David DeCastro’s release as related to a non-football injury is in...
Madden Monday: Steelers offensive line could be ‘worst in the league’; team may never return to Latrobe for training camp
We know that the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be at Saint Vincent College for training camp. But we still aren’t exactly sure why. The Steelers official statement read, “We were prepared to safely host Training Camp on campus with fans, but unfortunately our plan was not approved due to the NFL’s...
Poor performance, retirements play role in Steelers overhauling offensive line
Less than three years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers had an offensive line that was the envy of much of the NFL. In 2018, coming off a year in which the team went 13-3 and was No. 3 in the NFL in total offense, the offensive line was coached by a...
Steelers to save $5.75 million in cap space by swapping out David DeCastro for Trai Turner
Swapping out David DeCastro for Trai Turner will save the Pittsburgh Steelers $5.75 million in salary-cap space in 2021. The veteran guard’s signing was made official Friday, and it is a one-year, $3 million deal. DeCastro’s release Thursday saved the Steelers $8.75 million on the salary cap. DeCastro still will...
