Joe Rutter stories, Page 79
Kevin Colbert says NFL Draft is ‘wide open’ for Steelers in 1st round
Factoring in the changes along the offensive line, a left tackle or center could be a priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft. Given that the Steelers finished last in rushing in 2020, a workhorse running back could get the nod with the 24th...
Steelers could find depth in safety draft class lacking high-end talent
For the first time since 2011, no safeties were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft last spring. Are you ready for an encore? A position group low on impact players awaits NFL teams when the draft commences Thursday night. Prospects hoping to get taken in the first...
Penn State’s Micah Parsons represents head of inside linebacker draft class
When the NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night, it could evoke memories from two years ago in terms of the inside linebacker class. In 2019, Devin White and Devin Bush were the clear top two players at the position heading into the draft, and the process played out in predictable...
Outside linebacker class carries plenty of question marks heading into NFL Draft
Given that their biggest free agent loss was at outside linebacker, it’s not a matter of if the Pittsburgh Steelers will select a pass rusher in the NFL Draft. It’s how soon and, possibly, how many. As the draft approaches, outside linebacker arguably is the least fortified position on the...
Given depth at defensive line, Steelers have little need to address position in NFL Draft
Thanks to Tyson Alualu changing his mind and re-signing a two-year contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have their entire line returning from last year’s third-ranked defense. Good thing for the Steelers they are deep in the defensive trench because this year’s draft class for tackle and interior prospects is considered...
Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement makes center a priority for Steelers in NFL Draft
Based on numerous factors — age, declining skills and statistics, and a late-season fade among them — changes were expected along the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line in the offseason. Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement put his position front and, well, center. When Pouncey hung up his cleats in February after 11 seasons,...
Steelers career receiving leader Hines Ward joins Florida Atlantic coaching staff
Hines Ward is going back to college. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver has left the NFL coaching ranks to join Florida Atlantic in an on-field coaching role. Florida Atlantic second-year coach Willie Taggart is set to hire Ward to work with wide receivers coach Joey Thomas. The story was...
Lawsuit against former Steelers WR Antonio Brown settled
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has settled a civil suit with his former personal trainer who accused him of sexually assaulting her. ESPN first reported the settlement Wednesday between Brown and Britney Taylor, citing that terms will remain private because of an agreement between the two parties. In...
Deep tackle class plays into Steelers’ hands in NFL Draft
No long ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers boasted a durable and dependable offensive line. Four of the five starters were mainstays — Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro — with Marcus Gilbert giving way to Matt Feiler at right tackle. How times have changed. When the Steelers open...
Thin tight end class awaits Steelers in NFL Draft
Vance McDonald’s retirement two weeks after the wild-card playoff loss to Cleveland brought some much-needed salary cap relief to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It amounted to a $5.2 million savings for a team that needed to reduce its number drastically before the start of the new league year. McDonald’s retirement also...
Wide receiver draft class could be deeper than 2020 group that included Steelers’ Chase Claypool
Eight rookie wide receivers totaled at least 500 receiving yards in 2020. Seven had at least 50 receptions, and six caught no fewer than five touchdown passes. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chase Claypool was part of this group — he qualified in all three categories — that included six wide receivers...
Steelers place emphasis on improving running game in NFL Draft
When assessing the value the Pittsburgh Steelers place in obtaining a running back early in the NFL Draft, it’s worth remembering what team president Art Rooney II said on a fan forum last month. “We don’t want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers last in the league in rushing ever again,”...
Quarterbacks will command spotlight early in NFL Draft
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series previewing each position heading into the NFL Draft on April 29. Today’s installment: QBs. The most important position on the football field understandably and justifiably will gain most of the attention at the top of the NFL Draft. For the first...
Steelers join NFL teams in opting out of voluntary in-person workouts
Add the Pittsburgh Steelers to the growing number of NFL teams flexing their rights under the collective bargaining agreement to opt out of voluntary in-person workouts this spring. Citing concerns about protections against covid-19, the Steelers announced their decision Friday via a statement released by the NFL Players’ Association. The...
NFL sets offseason workout schedule amid backlash from several teams
With an increasing number of NFL teams deciding to boycott voluntary workouts because of covid-19, the NFL announced its offseason schedule Wednesday that includes on-field organized team activities. The offseason workout program for the 32 NFL teams is set to begin Monday and is nine weeks in length. It includes...
Steelers reportedly will re-sign LB Vince Williams, bring back QB Joshua Dobbs
Two more familiar faces are returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers — one on each side of the ball. Inside linebacker Vince Williams, who was released March 16 in a salary-cap move, agreed to rejoin the team, according to an ESPN.com report. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who became an unrestricted free agent...
Running back James Conner exits Steelers, signs as free agent with Cardinals
After spending his entire adult life in Western Pennsylvania, James Conner was ready for a change of scenery as he hit NFL free agency for the first time. He’ll get some in the form of the desert, cactus and an endless beam of sunshine. And his new destination is about...
Steelers add another defensive lineman in former Bears, Vikings DE Abdullah Anderson
Continuing to stockpile players along the defensive line, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive end Abdullah Anderson on Monday to a one-year contract. Anderson, 25, is 6-foot-3, 297 pounds. He spent most of the 2020 season on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for one...
Steelers grab another undrafted free agent, sign former Kentucky defensive end TJ Carter
Adding depth to their defensive line, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed former undrafted free agent TJ Carter on Friday. Carter, a 6-foot-4, 289-pound defensive end, was a member of the 2020 draft class. He was signed by Arizona but was cut after a week with the organization. He spent the regular...
Winning bid for Jack Lambert’s false teeth holder reaches nearly $20,000 at auction
The private collector who sold Tom Brady’s rookie card for $2.25 million wasn’t the only winner at an online auction that concluded over the weekend. Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert had 23 pieces of his memorabilia fetch $193,281 when bidding ended early Saturday at Lelands.com. Lambert’s items...
Steelers sign 2 players, including former Penn State LB Jarvis Miller
As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to construct their offseason 90-man roster, they added a pair of players who went undrafted in 2020. Signed to contracts were linebacker Jarvis Miller and wide receiver Mathew Sexton. That increases the number of players under contract to 68. Miller spent three years at Penn...
Time running out for bidding on auction of Jack Lambert’s false teeth container
The container that once housed Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert’s false teeth has gotten a fair share of nibbles on the auction block. With the deadline to purchase an unusual piece of football memorabilia approaching, Lambert’s false teeth container has fetched a high bid of $1,514 on Lelands.com as...
With approval of 17th regular-season game, Steelers get home matchup against Seahawks
The implementation of a 17th NFL regular-season game became official Tuesday, which means the Pittsburgh Steelers will play a ninth home contest next season and the opponent will be the Seattle Seahawks. The NFL schedule had enjoyed a 16-game format since 1978. The additional game will be an AFC vs....
Steelers add running back depth, sign Kalen Ballage to 1-year contract
Kalen Ballage is on his fourth team in four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers signing the 25-year-old running back to a one-year contract Tuesday. Ballage, who is listed at 6-foot-2, 231 pounds, spent last season with the New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers after playing two years with the...
Tyson Alualu changes mind, elects to return to Steelers on 2-year contract
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ new nose tackle is their old nose tackle. After having a change of heart, Tyson Alualu is returning to the organization where he spent the past four seasons. NFL Network reported Saturday night that Alualu, who agreed to terms on a two-year, $6 million contract with the...
