Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers announced the signings of third-round pick Markus Wheaton and fifth-round selection Terry Hawthorne on Thursday. A wide receiver from Oregon State, Wheaton will compete to be one of the Steelers’ top receivers beyond starters Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. The Steelers have been willing to play young receivers right off the... Source: ProFootballTalk » Pittsburgh Steelers The post Steelers sign Markus Wheaton, Terry Hawthorne appeared first on Pittsburgh Steelers Blog - NFL - PlanetSteelers.com.

Troy Polamalu interview after day 1 of OTAs about his injury from last season and what he did to rehab it.... Source: Pittsburgh Steelers : Videos The post Troy Polamalu Interview appeared first on Pittsburgh Steelers Blog - NFL - PlanetSteelers.com.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Yesterday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger chimed in on how he felt about the NFL’s young, rising stars at the quarterback position. Last season, the league saw rookies Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson lead their teams to the postseason, and second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick make a name for himself in Super Bowl XLVII. When asked about the young talent, Roethlisberger wasn’t quick to give them high praise. “Let’s wait. One year does not mean a lot in this league. Let’s see what happens in two, three years,” Big Ben replied. Most may criticize Roethlisberger for being so blunt with his remarks, but I think that he is right on the money. Furthermore, I feel that Big Ben is more than qualified to comment on such a topic. As a rookie in 2004, Roethlisberger stepped in as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, ended the regular season with a 14-0 record as a starter, and was one game away from the Super Bowl. The following season, Big Ben led Pittsburgh to it’s first championship in 26 years, and three years later he helped add another Lombardi Trophy to the Steelers’ trophy case. Roethlisberger went much further than Luck, Griffin, and Wilson did in their rookie seasons, and actually won a championship as a second-year player, unlike Kaepernick. Some say that Big Ben may be speaking out of pure jealousy because they all made the playoffs last season and he didn’t. Others may say that seeing three rookies potentially higher than him on the Top 100 Players of 2013 could be the reason for his opinion. I’m here to say that both of these reasons are ridiculous. Roethlisberger is absolutely correct with his comments regarding the young up-and-coming quarterbacks of the NFL. We’ve seen so many quarterbacks start their careers with a bang only to later fizzle out as quickly as they came. Vince Young is a prime example of this. Luck, Griffin, Wilson, and Kaepernick all are on the right track for greatness. However, if they want to stay on that track, then taking time out to see what Roethlisberger did in the early stages of his career wouldn’t be a bad idea. Even though the names of these young quarterbacks might be mentioned before Big Ben when naming the NFL’s top quarterbacks (although they shouldn’t be), Roethlisberger has done more than enough to prove his worth in the league, and his point of view regarding quarterbacks in the NFL should be taken very seriously. Clyde A. Speller  is an NFL writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller, or add him to your network on Google

The Steelers wrapped up their first week of OTAs and it was an eventful week - as OTAs go. Here's what we have learned: * LaMarr Woodley came into town in shape but he doesn't care who the deep throat was that blasted him for not working as hard as possible in the offseason. Woodley looks, to me, the same as he always has. He's a thick linebacker - always has been. The BS about him being out of shape, in my opinion, is just that. He played last season after suffering a high ankle sprain. Those are largely unavoidable. Had his issue again been a hamstring problem, then maybe there would have been something to him being out of shape. As it is, however, there is not. * Troy Polamalu has changed his workout habits to concentrate more on protecting his right calf, which has bothered him since 2010. Polamalu said his calf issues of 2012 were "avoidable," and feels his work with a physical therapist will keep them from recurring in 2013. He also did not sound like a guy who was going to be ready to hang up his helmet at the end of the 2013 season as some have speculated. * Rookie running back LeVeon Bell and veteran Isaac Redman both look leaner than advertised. Redman lost his weight in an effort to get quicker, while Bell lost his weight to get faster for the combine. But the Steelers won't mind if Bell puts his 10 or so pounds back on. * Marcus Gilbert is getting first shot at left tackle, with Mike Adams on the right side. That is due, in very large part, to the run blocking ability Adams showed when he played right tackle in 2012. With Adams at right tackle, the Steelers had some of their best rushing days of the season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers closed out their first OTA session of the 2013 season on Thursday and below are ten things that we learned over the course of the week. Gilbert Makes Blind Side Debut  - It didn't take long to find out which tackle would get the first reps on the left side as the reports surfaced on day one that Marcus Gilbert was given th... Source: Yardbarker: Pittsburgh Steelers The post 10 Things We Learned From The Steelers First OTA Session Of 2013 appeared first on Pittsburgh Steelers Blog - NFL - PlanetSteelers.com.

Even though they chose not bring back defensive starters James Harrison, Casey Hampton and Keenan Lewis this off-season, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense still ranks as the oldest in the league, according to a study done on all 32 teams by Mike Sando of ESPN.com. While Sando doesn't give the average age for the offensive or defensive units of each team, it's not hard to figure out that the average age of the Steelers projected starters on defense in 2013 is 29.2. That really isn't that surprising being as five of those 11 players, Troy Polamalu (32), Larry Foote (32), Ike Taylor (33), Ryan Clark Read more [...]

via www.rantsports.com OTA's referred to as "football in shorts" by some , including Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, brings together an optimism about the upcoming season. Le'Veon Bell, selected by the Steelers in the second round with their 48th pick, is definitely having an impact on the two running backs who shared the opportunity to establish themselves as the feature back in the Steelers offense last season, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman. The Steelers signed both of these running backs to restricted one year deals signaling that this could be their last chance to find a permanent role on the Steelers. Redman spent a portion of his offseason working out at a speed camp in Tampa, dropped 10 pounds and is looking to put the ankle issues he experienced last season behind him. "It was tough. I felt like it was my year to show I could be a number one running back," said Redman. He also added "There's going to be a heated competition in training camp and I'm ready for it. " Dwyer also had his opportunity last season to showcase his ability as a number one running back. Sharing the same agent as Bell, the two have remained friends even though they are in competition for the number one feature back of the Steelers offense. "I think this year it's up to me. It's my job to lose and I'm going t do everything to fortify myself here," stated Dwyer. Last season , behind the running of Dwyer, Redman and the departed Mendenhall, the Steelers finished 26th in rushing yards , 27th in rushing TD's and yards per carry. Not exactly something to hang your hat on. Bell, meanwhile has stated his desire to do what it takes to win. Bell, while at Michigan State, was used to having the ball in his hands at least 35 + times. Bell grew up idolizing Randy Moss , who on his best days had the ball in his hands maybe a dozen times. For Bell that wouldn't be enough. "I just want to win," Bell said. "I can do a lot of things. I'm a smart player so I can pick up things quick. I don't have many weaknesses and a lot of strengths." At 6 foot 2 , Bell has the body of a receiver. "When I was 4 years old, my uncle was throwing the ball to me, just working on me catching the ball," Bell said. "Eventually we got to the point of running routes and being able to get open. I just kept running them and kept getting better at it." Bell's defining moment , which showcased his abilities, came last fall versus Boise State (my ex-wife's alma mater) where he rushed for 210 yards on 44 carries and added 6 receptions for 55 yards in a comeback 17-13 win for Michigan State. "I didn't even know I got the ball 50 times," Bell said. "I didn't ever realize I had the ball that many times because I was so in the zone just wanting us to win this game. I was looking up at the scoreboard and I see we're losing and I'm like, 'Give me the ball, I'm just trying to score.'"Bell's 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter propelled Michigan State to victory and sent him shooting up NFL draft boards. Now Bell finds himself tasked with trying to make sense of a crowded Steelers backfield searching for a starter after Rashard Mendenhall left for Arizona in the offseason. For Dwyer and Redman ,time may be running out. Bell has already won raves from the coaching staff with his preparation, and his durability at Michigan State makes the Steelers hopeful he can take the pounding that comes with a heavy workload. It certainly wasn't a problem last fall, when his 382 carries led all of the NCAA's bowl subdivision.Considering his size, Bell has an ability to make himself small when a defender comes his way, allowing him to avoid the punishing collision that threaten to cut short a career."I'm either bouncing off guys or sliding past guys," he said. "Guys mostly just try to grab me and hold onto me. It's not like I take a lot of big hits."Bell, and the Steelers, would prefer he deliver them instead. And if he can bring a semblance of order to the backfield, even bett

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. is installing an outside zone, one-cut blocking scheme in organized team activities in favor of their old power and inside blocking scheme. The Steelers are changing their approach to take advantage of their big and nimble offensive line personnel. Pittsburgh got poor production from their running backs last year, and RB Jonathan Dwyer led the team in rushing with only 623 yards, the lowest total by a rusher in team history since Merrill Hoge ran for 810 in 1991. Bicknell had success with the blocking scheme with the Kansas City Chiefs last year. "We are going to be dedicated to the zone," RB Isaac Redman said. "We are still going to be a power team, but we are going to have this zone scheme in so we can keep the defense on its heels and keep them running." Huddle Up: It's not a complete overhaul for the Steelers, which should hopefully prevent the same kind of learning curve issues that derailed Darren McFadden and the Raiders' ground game last year. And kudos to the coaching staff for realizing something had to change after the team finished 26th in rushing last year. It's another reason to like the potential of rookie Le'Veon Bell, who should take over as the lead dog in Pittsburgh's backfield by committee.

Ike Taylor interview after Day 1 of OTAs about the sour taste of an 8-8 season, his thoughts on Cortez Allen, and seeing all of the new faces in the locker room.... Source: Pittsburgh Steelers : Videos The post Ike Taylor Interview appeared first on Pittsburgh Steelers Blog - NFL - PlanetSteelers.com.

I'm not an expert prognosticator, I prefer to look at the roster as it evolves and this post is going to try to point out which battles are key to the shaping of this offensive roster. QB: Ben is the starter, Bruce is the plucky veteran backup. Behind them is fourth rounder Landry Jones and camp body John Parker Wilson. Should not be a single battle here, Landry Jones doesn't look good enough to really challenge Bruce for the #2, and Wilson shouldn't have much chance to beat out Jones. Position outlook: 3 QB Ben R. Bruce G. Landry J. FB: Will Johnson is the FB, David Johnson is the only other player with real experience at the position, which may help him make the team at TE, but not much. Position outlook: 1 FB (4) Will Johnson TE: Only real question here seems to be Heath Miller's health. Spaeth and Paulson should be #2 and 3. McCoy and D. Johnson are at the bottom looking up, they will need injury or a great offseason to make the roster. Position outlook: 3 TE (7) Heath, Paulson, Spaeth (keep Johnson if Heath isn't healthy) OL: Six positions are pretty well set, Pouncey, Decastro, Adams, Gilbert, Foster and Beachum. the only questions among these six is which tackle is left or right, and whether Beachum or Foster starts. After that there are two spots left. Maleki and Whimper would seem to be the favorites for those spots, with UDFA Golic probably having the best chance to overtake one of them. If Beachum wins the starting guard spot, backup tackles will be more important as well as having a backup Center. Watching if Foster gets work at tackle (signs he's not going to start) and Golic at Center will tell a lot about how this OL is shaping up. Position Outlook: 8 OL (15) RB: Could be a real strength this year. Redman and Dwyer have both had success as #2 backs, and struggles as #1. Bell is a lock to make the roster, and hopefully take over as the #1 back. All three have well-rounded skill sets and can block and catch. Haley has much more record of multiple ball carriers than a single main back. I would not be surprised if Dwyer and Redman are kept on the roster. Returners: RB's and WR's have recorded all of our punt and kickoff returns (minus botched plays and squib kicks) since 2008, so I'm including this discussion here. Among the new additions to the roster LaRod S-H, Curtis McNeil and Reggie Dunn have kickoff return experience, Justin Brown returned punts in college. As for returning players only Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders have much experience, but both have returned kicks and punts. Brown wasn't as good last year as he was in 2011, when he was slightly above league average at punt returns. Sanders has a few good returns, but nothing special. Using A. Brown on returns is in no way ideal, and Sanders should be a starter now, his marginal return abilities shouldn't warrant the risk. I am hopeful that a new face can take punt returns, but if no one emerges, I would bet on Sanders. As for Kick returns, I'd give LaRod S-H the advantage, but who wouldn't love to see R. Dunn light up the scoreboard? WR: A. Brown is our #1, Sanders and Cotchery #2 and 3, Behind them we have Wheaton and Burress leading the fight, with J. Brown, D. Moye, D. Gilreath, and others trying to steal a spot. The bottom feeders best chance to make the team will likely be by showing ability returning punts and on coverage teams. As for actual receiving ability I'd love to see Moye or J. Brown show that they can be NFL receivers with their size. The fight for the bottom of the depth chart at WR will be fun to watch, and kick/punt returns should be a big deal in training camp. Position Outlook RB: 4 RB (19) Bell, Redman, Dwyer, and a returner. Position Outlook WR: 6 WR (25) A. Brown, E. Sanders, J. Cotchery, M. Wheaton should be locks, after that return duties and ST play come into the discussion. Burress has a good shot with size and exp, but J. Brown could shake things up if he returns well a