Steelers/NFL category, Page 307
First Call: Troy Polamalu now at ease with end of career; Steelers outside linebacker depth questioned; Najee Harris for team MVP?
Wednesday’s “First Call” shares an in-depth conversation with Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu. We find an odd prediction for the 2021 Steelers team MVP. Concerns about the Steelers depth at outside linebacker are extending beyond Pittsburgh. And the Robert Morris women’s hockey program had a banner night. Even if the...
Steelers alum Ike Taylor responds to Demaryius Thomas’ retirement in typical swaggin’ fashion
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor acknowledged the retirement of Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in a way that only Ike Taylor could. Thomas is perhaps best known — well, at least in Pittsburgh — for burning Taylor on the first play of overtime in an AFC playoff game...
First Call: New home for Steelers’ Paxton Lynch; a look at NHL TV plans for drafts on ESPN
Tuesday’s “First Call” gives Steelers fans a Paxton Lynch sighting. We get one more look at Jack Leiter before the Pirates pass on him. A local guy goes yard in the NL Central. And we get our first glance at ESPN plans for the upcoming NHL drafts. Lynch looks north...
CBS ranks Steelers’ Mike Tomlin as NFL’s 10th-best coach
Among his NFL coaching peers, according to one national ranking, Mike Tomlin is among the top 10. But barely. CBS Sports rated all 32 of the league’s coaches, and it pegged Tomlin at No. 10. Here is the outlet’s rationale: “Fourteen years and not a single losing season means Tomlin...
Mark Madden: Bad offensive line might sink Steelers
There’s no Madden Markdown when it comes to refreshing sports notes. You pay full price, but get maximum value. • Trai Turner being signed to patchwork the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line is like slapping a butterfly stitch on a shotgun wound. Pro Football Focus: “Turner (was) the lowest-graded right guard...
First Call: Will David DeCastro file a grievance over his release? What’s Marc-Andre Fleury’s future in Las Vegas?
Monday’s “First Call” features a question about David DeCastro’s release by the Steelers. A former Pirates pitcher shines. Considering Marc-Andre Fleury’s future. And the Browns backs are hand-in-glove. Done with DeCastro One reason why the Steelers may have tagged David DeCastro’s release as related to a non-football injury is in...
Madden Monday: Steelers offensive line could be ‘worst in the league’; team may never return to Latrobe for training camp
We know that the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be at Saint Vincent College for training camp. But we still aren’t exactly sure why. The Steelers official statement read, “We were prepared to safely host Training Camp on campus with fans, but unfortunately our plan was not approved due to the NFL’s...
Poor performance, retirements play role in Steelers overhauling offensive line
Less than three years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers had an offensive line that was the envy of much of the NFL. In 2018, coming off a year in which the team went 13-3 and was No. 3 in the NFL in total offense, the offensive line was coached by a...
Steelers to save $5.75 million in cap space by swapping out David DeCastro for Trai Turner
Swapping out David DeCastro for Trai Turner will save the Pittsburgh Steelers $5.75 million in salary-cap space in 2021. The veteran guard’s signing was made official Friday, and it is a one-year, $3 million deal. DeCastro’s release Thursday saved the Steelers $8.75 million on the salary cap. DeCastro still will...
Mark Madden: Losing David DeCastro has end-of-an-era vibe for Steelers
David DeCastro’s release has Pittsburgh Steelers fans looking forward and backward. Neither view is appetizing. In a little more than a year, the Steelers lost their entire starting offensive line: DeCastro, Matt Feiler, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villanueva are all ex- of this parish. Replacing them is a...
First Call: If David DeCastro wants to keep playing, many teams may want him; Jameson Taillon’s gem for New York
If former Steelers guard David DeCastro has any interest in pursuing his NFL career outside of Pittsburgh, he may have some suitors. A former local high school hoops star is keeping his career going. Robert Morris hockey alumni want to keep the sport alive at their alma mater. And Jameson...
Tim Benz: Worry about why David DeCastro was released later; worry about what remains of the Steelers’ offensive line
When the Steelers released starting right guard David DeCastro for non-football-injury-related reasons Thursday afternoon, a torrent of questions was raised. How did he get hurt? What’s the injury? Is he actually injured? Is this somehow money-related? Is he sick? Out of shape? Beat up? Worn down? Depressed that his buddies...
AFC preview with Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr: Steelers 3rd in North; Browns legit Super Bowl contenders
The latest BetOnLine.ag odds (21/20) have the Steelers most likely to finish third in the AFC North behind the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. That’s a bet I’d make. And it sure sounds like Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated would as well. Orr joins us for Friday’s “Breakfast With Benz”...
Steelers act quickly to add free agent guard Trai Turner to replace David DeCastro
A few hours after the Pittsburgh Steelers released Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro, ending his nine-year tenure with the team, they found his replacement for the 2021 season. Free agent guard Trai Turner, a seven-year veteran who spent last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, agreed to terms on a...
6-time Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro released by Steelers
In a surprising midsummer transaction, the Pittsburgh Steelers released six-time Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro on Thursday. A reliable veteran and trusted voice in the locker room, DeCastro joins longtime teammate Maurkice Pouncey as multi-time former All-Pro offensive linemen who left the Steelers this offseason. A nine-time Pro Bowl center,...
Second summer without Steelers another blow for Latrobe area
For a second year in a row, the Latrobe area will be on the sidelines during the Pittsburgh Steelers preseason, a fact that left local businesses and communities crestfallen. Team spokesman Burt Lauten announced Thursday the NFL’s covid-19 protocols will prevent the Steelers from holding a summer training camp at...
Steelers training camp will be in Pittsburgh, not at Saint Vincent
Westmoreland County will have to wait another year to welcome back its favorite annual summer guests. As concerns related to the waning coronavirus pandemic linger, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced Thursday that they will stage their upcoming training camp at sites in Pittsburgh for the second consecutive year. Saint Vincent in...
First Call: Andrew McCutchen and Josh Bell hit dueling grand slams; Minkah Fitzpatrick credited for his quick ascent
Thursday’s “First Call” features quite a hitting duel between two former Pirates. An update on Al Villanueva’s progress in Baltimore. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is honored for his fast rise to stardom. And the Pirates may be heading to St. Louis at just the right time. Double the pleasure It...
First Call: Update on ex-Steeler Steven Nelson; James Conner’s big goals on and off the field; Bills may use Beaver Stadium
Ex-Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson may have a new team on his radar. His former teammate James Conner has big plans on and off the field in Arizona. The Bills will have all their fans in the stands when they welcome the Steelers during the season opener. And they may be...
Bill Cowher honored with Ireland Funds award named after late Steelers chairman Dan Rooney
Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher was bestowed with an award Monday named in honor of the team’s former president and chairman, the late Dan Rooney. Cowher was presented with the Daniel M. Rooney Ambassador’s Award at the Ireland Funds Pittsburgh Dinner on Monday evening at Heinz Field. According to...
First Call: Idea floated for Steelers to acquire former WPIAL star; who may be interested in trading for Adam Frazier?
Monday’s “First Call” looks at the idea of the Steelers swinging a trade with the New England Patriots to bring a former WPIAL star back to Pittsburgh. We wonder why the Steelers may want guard Trai Turner and who may offer a trade for Pirates infielder Adam Frazier. Plus, we...
Madden Monday: ‘We’re pretending Dwayne Haskins might be good, and he won’t be’; Pirates’ Derek Shelton ‘is an amateur’
Mark Madden is back from an extended weekend, and he has opinions stored up and ready to fly. In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, we start by discussing the rumors that PLB Sports & Entertainment CEO Ty Ballou wanted to buy the Pirates, even though they aren’t for sale. Madden...
Steelers’ Diontae Johnson eyes more consistent season after leading NFL in drops
Diontae Johnson purchased a tennis ball machine in the offseason. It wasn’t so he could improve his volley or sharpen his backhand. After leading the NFL in drops last season, the young Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver bought the machine so he could improve his concentration and hand-eye coordination. “It’s a...
Steelers’ Mike Sullivan chasing another Lombardi Trophy, not Stanley Cup
If he didn’t realize it when he was hired in February by the Pittsburgh Steelers, it didn’t take long to discover he isn’t the only Mike Sullivan coaching in the city. One has been part of two world championships and worked closely with a long-time leader and captain who is...
First Call: Some confidence in Steelers’ Chuks Okorafor; an award for Sidney Crosby as his coach is snubbed
Friday’s “First Call” has some faith in Steelers tackle Chuks Okorafor. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby gets a little love while his head coach does not. Plus, a confusing look at the future of NHL divisional play. And a milestone for a local hockey program. Take a chance on Chuks One...
