Steelers/NFL category, Page 154
‘Old heads’ Patrick Peterson, Matthew Stafford to meet 1 more time in Steelers-Rams game
As Patrick Peterson said Wednesday, he knows he’s an “old head” in the NFL. The No. 5 overall pick 12 1/2 years ago, Peterson is one of only 13 active players left from the 2011 draft class. Peterson is looking forward to Sunday when he can match wits against one...
After signing Darius Rush, Steelers now have 3 of the top-rated CBs of 2023 draft class
If the Pittsburgh Steelers went into this past spring’s draft looking to acquire a top cornerback, they eventually found a way to get a few of them. The Steelers signed Darius Rush off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad Wednesday, adding another big rookie cornerback to the organization. The 6-foot-2,...
Mark Madden: Steelers’ slow-playing talented rookies makes little sense
The Pittsburgh Steelers face a similar team Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams are meh but have a fistful of dangerous players, just like the Steelers. But who’s going to cover Rams receiver Cooper Kupp? Who’s going to block Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald? The Rams have a better coach and...
First Call: Steelers reportedly move on from Desmond King; Evgeni Malkin snubbed from another Top 100 list
Wednesday’s “First Call” starts with a surprising move by the Pittsburgh Steelers and a surprising omission for the Penguins from an ESPN list. Plus, it was a memorable night for a former Penguin, and an ex-Pirates executive may land a big-time job back in Major League Baseball. Well, that was...
Tim Benz: The time is right, the need is present for Steelers to start Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr.
I want to avoid committing the sports media sin of criticizing someone — in this case, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin — for something they haven’t done yet. But the fact that this is even a conversation at all is worthy of some critical words. Tomlin should end the slow...
Mike Tomlin anticipating return of ‘expert route running’ from Steelers WR Diontae Johnson
The play on which Diontae Johnson injured his hamstring in the season opener is one the Pittsburgh Steelers have been missing in his absence. Johnson caught a pass from Kenny Pickett 5 yards downfield, then he turned it into a 26-yard gain by juking his way down the field before...
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin waiting before giving starting LT job back to Dan Moore Jr.
Just because Dan Moore Jr. took first-team reps in practice Monday doesn’t necessarily mean he will regain his starting left tackle job when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Coach Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to proclaim Moore as the starter, a position he held for two-plus...
Former Steelers blossoming in L.A. after joining Rams
When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Rams on Sunday, they’ll see a pair of former teammates who are thriving in Los Angeles. Ex-Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has started all six games for the Rams and played 94% of the defensive snaps for the Rams so far this year. He has...
First Call: Rams off-field issues and injury news; Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ next opponent is dealing with issues on and off the field. A former Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback after some recent trouble in his personal life. The first college basketball poll of the season is out. And a Duquesne football star is getting some recognition....
Tim Benz: History says this is when the Steelers heat up. History better repeat itself
Over the course of the past six seasons, there have been a pair of obvious constants for the Pittsburgh Steelers. • They haven’t won a playoff game. • They haven’t had a losing season. You’re probably aware of that rather annoying push-pull dynamic by now, aren’t you? There have also...
Steelers emerge from bye week at relative full health; Pat Freiermuth, others poised to return
Each NFL team gets an idle weekend during its 18-week season. The merits of the timing of these byes can differ by team and situation. For the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, a case could be made that their week off came at an ideal time. During a “bonus” session as...
Steelers left tackle Dan Moore back at practice, reclaims 1st-team reps over Broderick Jones
Dan Moore Jr. was back at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Monday. And he was back with the first-team offense, too. Moore confirmed he was taking reps with the starters when speaking after Monday’s session at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. The three-year veteran said he suffered a sprained MCL during an Oct....
First Call: Steelers’ next foe brings WR challenge; AFC North goes 3-0 with boost from WPIAL alumni; Titans QB concern
Monday’s “First Call” examines a challenge facing the Pittsburgh Steelers for their first game back from the bye. We take a look at the AFC North after some WPIAL alumni helped the teams go 3-0 this weekend. The idea of a London Super Bowl is still on the table. An...
Madden Monday: Of the 4 games after the bye, Steelers ‘might lose every game, but they won’t win every game’
The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) are coming out of the bye with a game in Los Angeles against the Rams, then home games versus Jacksonville, Tennessee, and Green Bay. Not exactly daunting stuff. The combined record of those teams is 11-12. Yet given the offensive struggles of the team over the...
Steelers inside linebackers look to build upon growth made against Ravens
Before Joey Porter Jr.’s interception that changed momentum last Sunday and led to the go-ahead touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kwon Alexander set the stage with a play that put the Baltimore Ravens in that passing situation. Alexander’s open-field tackle on tight end Mark Andrews resulted in a 1-yard loss...
Ben Roethlisberger aside, Kenny Pickett holds own against Steelers QB predecessors at start of career
When the Pittsburgh Steelers return from their bye and face the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday, quarterback Kenny Pickett will make his 18th career start. That’s one more than what constitutes an NFL season, which was expanded in 2021. Given that mile marker in Pickett’s nascent career, it seemed like...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Kirk Cousins trade speculation an absurd proposition for Steelers
Former NFL GM Michael Lombardi said the Pittsburgh Steelers should trade for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. One local radio talk show seized that scrap and thrashed about for the best part of an afternoon. Steelers X, of course, went bonkers. Cousins to the Steelers has zero chance of happening....
Steelers 4 Downs: Plenty of 1-possession games, Kenny Pickett NFL’s most ‘aggressive’ QB
1. Tight games Likely as much as anything a function of having an above-average defense and below-average offense combining to keep points — and, by extension, victory margins — low, the Pittsburgh Steelers have become a seemingly weekly showcase for close, down-to-the-wire games. Dating to just before Thanksgiving last season,...
Kicking instructor’s wish is to have Irish eyes smiling on Steelers, increase awareness in sport
On the day the Pittsburgh Steelers invited Irish kicking instructor Tadhg Leader and two of his students to attend their game against the Baltimore Ravens, he watched Australian Brad Wing handle the punting duties. Leader envisions the day when he can watch the Steelers turn to someone from his home...
2 stats to know for each Steelers position group at the bye
The two most important numbers for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they enjoy their idle weekend are 3 and 2. As in, three wins and two losses. That has them in first place in the AFC North. But there are plenty of other numbers that illustrate where the Steelers are and...
Tim Benz: ESPN just created the word ‘Tomlining,’ but the definition is up for debate
On Monday morning, following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens, ESPN’s Mike Greenberg invented a new word: “Tomlining.” And I think he meant it as a compliment. Yes, the “Get Up!” host turned the Steelers coach into a verb. He did so during a segment breaking down...
Mark Madden: Fans may want to ‘Fire Canada,’ but blame should be placed with his boss
The persecution of Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada is Pittsburgh’s bad obsession. (You ain’t special. So who you foolin’?) “Fire Canada” chants at the Penguins game. “Fire Canada” signs displayed out of context at nationally televised events. The entire city has united, not for a good cause but in the...
Friday Football Footnotes: Plenty for Steelers fans to watch during team’s bye weekend
The Pittsburgh Steelers are off this week for their bye. But there is plenty to watch in the NFL this weekend through a Black and Gold lens. For this week’s “Friday Football Footnotes,” we give you a list of things to track and monitor while the Steelers take a break...
Start vs. Ravens could be 1st in long run for Steelers rookie tackle Broderick Jones
George Pickens accelerated to a speed of 20.48 mph on his 41-yard touchdown reception Sunday that led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens. Next Gen Stats, the NFL’s statistical arm, didn’t calculate how fast Broderick Jones ran after the play, but the 311-pound rookie left...
Tim Benz: 5 ways the Steelers must improve coming out of the bye
It would be foolish to suggest that we could sum up everything that the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do to improve themselves coming out of the bye weekend in one column. As far as division-leading teams at the quarter pole go, this one is about as flawed as I’ve ever...
