Joe Rutter stories, Page 97
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick willing to take on bigger role in Steelers defense
In 14 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, Minkah Fitzpatrick tied for the team lead with five interceptions, was selected to the Pro Bowl and became the team’s first defensive back to be named first-team All-Pro since Troy Polamalu in 2011. As an encore, Fitzpatrick would like to bring...
Steelers determined to improve on last season’s puny tight end production
When Vance McDonald and Jesse James concluded a two-year collaboration at tight end in 2018, they reached a rare milestone for the Pittsburgh Steelers. With McDonald accumulating 610 receiving yards and James adding 423 more, it marked just the second time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger that the Steelers had...
Steelers reduce individual ticket supply as social distancing measure
Individual tickets went on sale Friday morning for Pittsburgh Steelers home games, but the entire allotment was not made available to the public because of a potential disruption from the coronavirus pandemic. Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said the organization withheld 50% of the ticket inventory as a precaution. “We are...
Game-worn Jack Lambert jersey highlights list of Steelers’ memorabilia up for auction
Jack Lambert rarely has attended team functions since his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990, and his reclusive nature has contributed to a rising interest in his memorabilia from an 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Famed auction house Lelands.com has secured a game-used 1977 white...
From a distance, T.J. Watt taking Steelers rookie LB Alex Highsmith under his wing
T.J. Watt has spent the past month mentoring a teammate he likely still hasn’t met in person. Since the NFL Draft concluded April 25, the Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker has been in the ear of rookie third-round pick Alex Highsmith, who was picked to provide depth at a position sorely...
NFL adopts changes to Rooney Rule, providing more chances for minority, female candidates
The Rooney Rule will be getting a makeover this season. NFL owners agreed to changes Tuesday that will expand requirements for teams to interview minority and female candidates for on-field and off-field positions, including coordinator, head coach, general manager and other front-office positions. Under the amendments announced as part of...
Gov. Wolf voices ‘general concern’ over Ben Roethlisberger’s trip to barbershop
Ben Roethlisberger’s visit to a barbershop wasn’t enough to make Tom Wolf pull his hair out, but Pennsylvania’s governor wasn’t pleased the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback violated the state’s yellow phase reopening after the coronavirus shutdown. During his daily press briefing Tuesday, Gov. Wolf criticized Roethlisberger’s decision to get a haircut...
Steelers to put limited individual tickets on sale for 10 home games
Individual tickets for the 10 Pittsburgh Steelers home games this season — eight regular season, two preseason — will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase. Fans may purchase up to eight tickets per household in any combination for the eight...
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger throws passes to teammates, trims beard
The beard isn’t exactly sheared, but it is neatly trimmed. Before undergoing right elbow surgery in September, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said he wouldn’t cut his hair or shave until he was able to throw a “legit NFL pass” to one of his teammates. That time apparently occurred over...
Steelers to join other NFL clubs in reopening team facilities Tuesday
With NFL commissioner Roger Goodell giving teams permission to reopen their facilities Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to take advantage. “We will begin the process of opening our facilities on Tuesday, May 19, with a limited number of staff being permitted in our buildings,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in...
Former Steelers LB James Harrison: Mike Tomlin ‘never paid me’ to hurt another player
James Harrison still isn’t saying what was in the envelope he alleges Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin gave him in 2010 after receiving a $75,000 fine. But the former linebacker said Friday the contents were not a reward for knocking Cleveland Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi from the game a...
Payment from Mike Tomlin? ‘Absolutely not. Never happened,’ claims James Harrison’s agent
If James Harrison received an envelope from coach Mike Tomlin to supposedly cover a fine that the former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker received in 2010, it’s news to his agent. “Absolutely not. Never happened,” Bill Parise told the Tribune-Review on Thursday. “I would have known that. It didn’t happen.” Harrison was...
Mike Tomlin: ‘No bumps in the road’ for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
Mike Tomlin provided a brief update Thursday on the status of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his recovery from right elbow surgery in September. “He’s doing great thus far,” Tomlin said on a 15-minute conference call with fans. “He’s in great physical condition. Rehabilitation in regards to the injury...
Mike Tomlin ready for James Conner to resume ‘featured runner’ role in 2020Video
Mike Tomlin’s preference to have a workhorse runner in the Pittsburgh Steelers backfield was tested last year because of injuries to starter James Conner. As he prepares for his 14th season as coach, Tomlin sounds like he’s ready to stick with his tried-and-true approach — with Conner again leading the...
Inside linebacker help for Steelers will come from within, says GM Kevin Colbert
In the two months since the Pittsburgh Steelers released Mark Barron, the organization has done little in the way of adding candidates to replace him at inside linebacker. The position was ignored in free agency and in the recruitment of former XFL players. It wasn’t addressed in the NFL Draft,...
NBC to highlight ‘Immaculate Reception’ during airing of NFL’s greatest plays
Voted the greatest play in NFL history, “The Immaculate Reception” will get some screen time this weekend on NBC. As part of the network’s “NFL 100: Greatest” series, the immaculate catch made by Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris in a 1972 playoff game against the Oakland Raiders will be...
Kevin Colbert on Ben Roethlisberger: ‘I’ve never worried about his conditioning’
NFL insider Jay Glazer’s supposed joke about Ben Roethlisberger being “allergic” to offseason conditioning may have ruffled the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, but it didn’t cause a stir in the organization’s front office. General manager Kevin Colbert, in fact, did what he usually does when such controversial statements are made in...
Steelers support grant program to provide equipment, resources for Pittsburgh-area youth leagues
The Pittsburgh Steelers have partnered with USA Football to award grants for new equipment and uniforms to youth and scholastic programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. USA Football, the sport’s national governing body, will award $1 million in resources in 2020 based on “need, merit and the organization’s commitment to coaching...
From TE to ILB, ranking the best and worst Steelers’ offseason moves
The transition from monitoring offseason transactions to overseeing offseason training — even if on a virtual basis — began Monday for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This period, also known as Phase 1 of the NFL’s conditioning program, provides an opportune time to analyze the moves the Steelers made — or didn’t...
Steelers seek niche for rookie RB Anthony McFarland as James Conner retains starting role
With the six players they added in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers provided depth and competition equally on offense and defense. Three picks were used to address positions on each side of the ball, and the order of those selections indicated no immediate starters will be required from the...
Steelers round out undrafted free agent class by signing Baylor DE James Lockhart
James Lockhart, a defensive end from Baylor, became the final member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ free agent class to sign his contract, finalizing his deal Friday. Lockhart is the 10th undrafted free agent to sign with the Steelers in the aftermath of the NFL Draft last weekend. A redshirt senior,...
Steelers sign 3 more undrafted free agents
The Pittsburgh Steelers continued the process of signing their undrafted free agents by getting defensive tackle Josiah Coatney of Ole Miss, Auburn fullback Spencer Nigh and Tulane center Christian Montano under contract. The Steelers have signed nine of the 10 undrafted free agents they agreed to terms with Saturday after...
Notre Dame coach lauds versatility that WR Chase Claypool brings to Steelers
Chase Claypool’s four years at Notre Dame included just about everything on the football field short of playing with marching band at halftime. The second-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Claypool lined up on the short side and wide sides of the field. He played in the slot. If...
Steelers sign six undrafted free agents to contracts
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed the first six of the 10 undrafted free agents they agreed to terms with Saturday upon conclusion of the NFL Draft. Signing contracts Tuesday were linebackers Leo Lewis of Mississippi State and John Houston of USC, cornerbacks James Pierre of Florida Atlantic and Trajan Bandy of...
Former Pitt RB Darrin Hall among 3 players waived by Steelers
To clear space on the 90-man roster for the undrafted free agents they signed Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers waived three players Sunday, including former Pitt running back Darrin Hall. Also waived were wide receiver Jamal Custis and safety Tray Matthews. After drafting six players and signing 10 undrafted free agents,...
