Steelers/NFL category, Page 176
Mark Madden: The hype around Kenny Pickett is loud, some deserved, but Steelers still have question marks
Hype is fun, even when it’s ridiculous. Especially when it’s ridiculous. On Saturday, a local radio host said Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett has many of the same attributes as Michael Jordan and Sidney Crosby. Does he really believe that? Hope not. But it’s amusing regardless. The Steelers have had...
First Call: ESPN projections for Steelers’ playoff chances; ex-Steeler already trade bait?
Monday’s “First Call” pins a percentage on the Steelers’ playoff chances. A former Steeler may be on the way out with his new team. The Pirates are about to battle one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball, and Robert Morris’ hockey teams are officially back at practice for...
Madden Monday: ‘There’s just not anything to dislike’ about Kenny Pickett’s preseason for Steelers
After a 3-0 preseason for the Steelers, many in Pittsburgh are bumping up their 2023 win total predictions by multiple games. Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X has a more conservative approach. “I might be coerced into 10-7 instead of 9-8. But, for me, there’s still plenty of...
Steelers notes: Kenny Pickett’s leadership skills were honed further over offseason
After four seasons starting at Pitt, Kenny Pickett entered the NFL with a reputation that as a starting quarterback he possessed the requisite leadership skills. As Pickett enters a pro season for the first time as a starter, it’s clear that’s already become apparent to Pittsburgh Steelers teammates. Coach Mike...
Steelers trade guard Kevin Dotson to Rams in draft-pick exchange
Kevin Dotson, who lost his starting job at guard with the acquisition of Isaac Seumalo, was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in an exchange of draft picks over the 2024-25 seasons. The Steelers will get the Rams’ fourth-round pick in 2024 and...
Projecting the Steelers’ 53-man roster in advance of Tuesday’s final cuts
Teryl Austin had a quick answer Saturday when he was asked which position group he considered deep. “We all think our defensive line depth is better this year,” the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator said. “Really good.” Indeed, an analysis of the roster reveals the D-line as the most difficult position...
Steelers make initial round of cuts, trim 8 players from roster
The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t settled on a punter yet, but they have removed the competition for two other specialists. Kicker B.T. Potter and long snapper Rex Sunahara of West Virginia were among eight players the Steelers cut Saturday. The Steelers have 82 players on the offseason roster and must get...
Allen Robinson making ‘big difference’ in Steelers offense as he settles into slot role
No defense has faced the Pittsburgh Steelers offense this summer more than, well, the Pittsburgh Steelers. It happened every week during the spring at organized team activities, continued in training camp at Saint Vincent College and has carried over to practice sessions at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Which makes defensive...
After perfect preseason, Najee Harris doesn’t want Steelers ‘buying into fool’s gold’
Running back Najee Harris has heard the hype surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers offense after the first team scored touchdowns on all five of its possessions while crafting a 3-0 preseason record. While he is encouraged by what the offense has accomplished in August, he knows it will mean little if...
Secondary takes shape in preseason as Steelers mix in blend young, old faces
On the day the Pittsburgh Steelers reported to Saint Vincent College last summer, coach Mike Tomlin took exception when asked whether his team might experience a learning curve on defense given the amount of turnover in the offseason. “I’ll be very blunt,” Tomlin said July 26. “I’m not concerned about...
Tim Benz: Reestablishing ‘the standard’ for ascending Steelers — and let’s remember it all the way through January
Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers are giddy in anticipation of the opening game for the 2023 season on Sept. 10. Based on how the preseason went, they should be. Not only did the club win all three of its games, but the first-team offense sparkled under the direction of the...
First Call: Ex-Steelers QB could start in Arizona; pricey Roberto Clemente bat auction; Aaron Donald’s new ring trend
Friday’s “First Call” sees a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback on the move. John Lynch’s real opinions on the Nick Bosa situation may be shining through in San Francisco. A piece of Roberto Clemente memorabilia is up for auction. And Penn Hills product Aaron Donald may have started a very unique...
Feats of Strength: Perfect Pickett delivers unbeaten preseason
I’m not going to be the one to remind you that the Steelers went 3-0 in the preseason last year, too, and missed the playoffs. Wait, I did that already. This feels different, though, doesn’t it? The Steelers sparkled in all areas, sweeping through their three-game preseason. It culminated with...
Stock up, stock down for Steelers after concluding 3-0 preseason
After getting out to leads of 27-7, 27-0 and 24-0 in their preseason games, the result actually will matter for the Pittsburgh Steelers the next time they (using Mike Tomlin parlance) “go into the stadium.” But in the 16 days in between, they’ll cut 37 players, assemble a practice squad,...
Kenny Pickett, Steelers cap perfect preseason by routing Falcons
ATLANTA — It was another perfect start for the first-team offense and quarterback Kenny Pickett, who capped his preseason with a perfect passer rating. Pickett engineered two more touchdown drives in the two series he played, and the Pittsburgh Steelers showcased their big-play offensive capabilities once again in a 24-0...
Kendrick Green gets start at right guard for Steelers’ preseason finale against Falcons
ATLANTA – Kendrick Green was in the starting lineup Thursday night for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Just not at the position he spent much of training camp practicing. And, no, he was not at fullback, either. The third-year offensive lineman, getting one last...
Tim Benz: Fantasy football tips, Steelers projections, as draft season is upon us
The Steelers and the rest of the NFL are wrapping up the preseason this weekend. That means it’s fantasy football draft time. My team, “Hodgepodge of Nothingness” (thanks for the inspiration, Dennis Eckersley), won my league last year. I could offer you some advice. Or I could offer you the...
First Call: 49ers reveal QB depth chart for opener vs. Steelers; new ACC expansion talk; will McCutchen hit 300th vs. Cubs?
Thursday’s “First Call” gets the full breakdown of the San Francisco 49ers quarterback depth chart as they prepare for the regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also have the network broadcast team for that game, and a little Steelers-Niners history from an opening-day perspective. Plus, we examine the latest...
U mad, bro?: Steelers preseason hype, RB1 debates, SMU in the ACC and lanternflies
There is only one thing that has truly made me mad this week. Lanternflies. Gawd, do I hate those things! I feel like I’m in the Battle of Stirling scene from “Braveheart.” “We’re outnumbered … at least three to one!” Watch the video I posted of the war zone that...
5 things to watch for in Steelers preseason finale at FalconsVideo
When the Pittsburgh Steelers opened their preseason Aug. 11, the high temperature in Tampa was 96 degrees. When the Steelers conclude their preseason 13 days later in Atlanta, the forecasted high is — again — 96 degrees. Mike Tomlin embraces finding ways for the elements to challenge his team during...
Pumped-up Steelers optimism not yet impacting gambling lines
Two strong preseason results and a training camp free of injuries to star players has yielded wild optimism about the Steelers within the team’s fanbase. On Monday, I was listening to our colleague Mark Madden on his talk show on 105.9 The X. He was taking numerous calls from fans...
First Call: 49ers sign ex-Steeler in advance of opener; Antonio Brown in trouble yet again
The San Francisco 49ers don’t have Nick Bosa in the fold yet, but they do have a pretty good resource for information on the Steelers. Antonio Brown is in hot water again, and the Steelers may be on their way to tackling the NFL’s next marketing genius. All that in...
Tim Benz: This position group will result in the hardest cuts for Steelers coaches
Heading into Thursday night’s preseason finale in Atlanta, one good thing about the 2023 Steelers is that it doesn’t appear there will be many players kept on cutdown day (Aug. 29) just to round out the depth chart. That hasn’t necessarily been the case at the bottom of the roster...
Last chance for Chandon Sullivan, Elijah Riley to state case for Steelers’ slot corner job
When the ball is teed up for the final game of the preseason Thursday night, perhaps no position group on the Pittsburgh Steelers will be scrutinized in terms of a starting job more than slot cornerback. Coach Mike Tomlin admitted Tuesday that the competition between Chandon Sullivan and Elijah Riley...
On cusp of Steelers preseason finale, Joey Porter Jr. takes 1st-team reps
Savvy enough as the son of a former NFL player and aware of his status as a rookie, Joey Porter Jr. isn’t ready to announce lineup decisions. “That,” Porter said after practice Tuesday, “is for the big man upstairs.” Porter didn’t clarify if he was referencing Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike...
