Steelers/NFL category, Page 343
Randy Fichtner: Steelers ‘continue to prepare’ as if Ben Roethlisberger will start vs. Bengals
The Pittsburgh Steelers are continuing to devise a gameplan for the Cincinnati Bengals with Ben Roethlisberger in mind. Although the Steelers won’t know until Saturday whether Roethlisberger can be activated from the NFL’s reserve/covid-19 list, offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner is installing plays for Sunday’s game with the 17-year veteran in...
Steelers turn to Cameron Heyward to help out younger players on defensive line
The method isn’t as simplistic as one if by land, two if by sea, but if Karl Dunbar wants to make sure his words are resonating with the young players on the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line, he turns to captain Cameron Heyward. “I think he has always been my Paul...
Steelers’ Tyson Alualu returns to practice field, Mike Hilton full participant for 1st time
It was an encouraging day for two injured players coach Mike Tomlin has stressed are important to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ run defense. Defensive lineman Tyson Alualu took to the practice field for the first time since suffering a knee-ligament injury 10 days prior, and slot cornerback Mike Hilton was designated...
In addition to 5 missing for covid-19 reasons, Steelers give 5 veterans day off
Wednesday was Veterans Day across the country. But every in-season Wednesday is a veterans’ day for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This Wednesday, though, more than most. With five players on the reserve/covid-19 list, coach Mike Tomlin also gave five of his older players the day off. That group included his three...
Steelers offensive line’s run-blocking ‘below par’
After an early strong start to the season in the running game, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t getting results from their run-blockers. The men who take on the bulk of those responsibilities recognize the problem, too. “They’re spinning the bit,” offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett said of his unit’s recent failings...
Mark Madden: Steelers should have played it safe with Vance McDonald
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been struck by covid — and a bit of irony, too. Ben Roethlisberger and Vance McDonald were among the more outspoken when the ’rona hit Tennessee before the Steelers were supposed to travel there for a game Oct. 4, forcing the Steelers’ schedule and bye week...
First Call: Mike Tomlin on blocked kick issues; early Bengals trash talk; massive Steelers bet
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us Steelers coach Mike Tomlin explaining his team’s poor blocking on place kicks on Sunday in Dallas. We also get some bad Cincinnati Bengals trash talk and even worse karma. Plus, perhaps the greatest golf shot you’ll ever see. Figure it ‘aht! The Steelers place-kick protection...
Tim Benz: Steelers should’ve played in Dallas without Vance McDonald
Going for a late fourth down during Sunday’s win in Dallas wasn’t the only questionable decision Mike Tomlin made on Sunday. Deciding to take tight end Vance McDonald on the trip is also worthy of second-guessing. Well, IF that’s who we are talking about when it comes to the mysterious...
U mad, bro? Steelers fans hate media criticism of 8-0 team, yet torn on Mike Tomlin
“U mad, bro?” Never mind. I know the answer to that question already. Everybody is mad. All the time. About everything. We just had an election. One side is angry about the result. The other side is angry the result is being disputed. Instead, let’s just talk about something that’ll...
Mike Tomlin: Mason Rudolph to get ‘bulk’ of QB reps, Josh Dobbs could play for Steelers
Mason Rudolph will take the most first-team practice reps for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week in Ben Roethlisberger’s stead. But should the worst-case scenario play out and Roethlisberger cannot play Sunday, coach Mike Tomlin left himself some wiggle room that Josh Dobbs could see some action against the Cincinnati Bengals....
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin defends decision to allow Vance McDonald to travel last week
Four Pittsburgh Steelers, including franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, are unable to practice this week in preparation for a division game. And, potentially, it’s possible the situation could have been avoided. With the benefit of hindsight, that’s how it appears with the Steelers’ decision to allow Vance McDonald to travel with...
Tomlin: ‘A chance’ Hilton, Alualu play for Steelers this week; Roethlisberger not injuredVideo
The availability of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for Sunday’s game might be in question but not because of any injury issues with his knees. During his weekly news conference Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger suffered “some bumps and bruises” during last week’s win at the Dallas Cowboys but...
Ben Roethlisberger among 4 Steelers placed on reserve/covid-19 list
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is among four Pittsburgh Steelers players the team placed on the NFL’s reserve/covid-19 list Tuesday. The moves come a day after the team announced a player — later identified as tight end Vance McDonald — had tested positive for coronavirus and was placed on the list. Per...
First Call: What? ESPN writer says Ben Roethlisberger ‘hasn’t been hugely important for the Steelers’
Tuesday’s “First Call” got me a little fired up. I have issues with ESPN’s midseason NFL awards, as some Steelers were snubbed. We look at eyebrow-raising numbers about the quarterback the Steelers are facing this weekend. And equally impressive gambling notes for the upcoming game. Also, some props for the...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ issues in Dallas a reality check. Not a wake-up call. Not a fluke.
Some Steelers fans may be struggling to make sense of what they just watched against the 2-7 Dallas Cowboys. A 24-19 escape in a game that should’ve been a breeze. Hey, these are covid times. Nothing really makes sense. Even the Steelers’ 8-0 start. Think about all of those great...
Steelers’ Henry Mondeaux provides new excitement in No. 99
It could be argued one of the most popular players among fans of a recent generation of Pittsburgh Steelers was a defensive lineman drafted 242nd overall who was recognizable for the swaths of hair that crept out from his helmet while he played. So imagine the reaction of many Steelers...
Report: Both of Ben Roethlisberger’s knees injured; ‘cautious optimism’ he plays vs. Bengals
The hit that sent Ben Roethlisberger to the locker room briefly during Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers victory reportedly caused twice the injury as previously noted. Roethlisberger suffered injuries to both knees, NFL Network reported, while he was sandwiched between Dallas Cowboys defenders Neville Gallimore and DeMarcus Lawrence after releasing the ball...
Steelers TE Vance McDonald tests positive for coronavirus, team’s 1st since season began
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Vance McDonald became the team’s first player to test positive for coronavirus since the regular season began. McDonald will be subject to the NFL’s intensive protocol for covid-19 after his positive test, according to a statement the Steelers released late Monday afternoon attributed to spokesman Burt...
First Call: Cowboys complain about refs after loss to Steelers; familiar Antonio Brown moment in Tampa debut
Monday’s “First Call” gives us some grousing from the Dallas Cowboys after their loss to the Steelers. The officials made some close calls against them, and they aren’t happy about it. We also check in on the Steelers’ next opponent, the Cincinnati Bengals. We get an update on Cleveland Browns...
5 things we learned: Road work contributes to Steelers’ record-setting 8-0 start
Five things we learned from Steelers 24, Cowboys 19: 1. Road warriors It’s not just achieving the best start in franchise history that made this win historic for the Steelers. They reached the 8-0 plateau with a third road win in as many weeks. Counting the season-opening win at the...
Madden Monday: ‘Even at 8-0, I just don’t trust the Steelers. And I certainly do not trust Mike Tomlin.’
The Steelers spent the last two weeks going on the road and beating the Tennessee Titans (5-0) and the Baltimore Ravens (5-1). They did so without playing their best football. In fact, they were pretty lousy for roughly half of both games. So, in a way, that had to make...
Minkah Fitzpatrick’s ball-hawking plays have returned for Steelers
For the second consecutive Sunday, the final player to touch the ball during a Pittsburgh Steelers game was Minkah Fitzpatrick. This week, the All Pro safety got his hands on it a couple of other times, too. Just another day in the Steelers life of Fitzpatrick, who has 10 takeaways...
Mark Madden: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin lived in his fears in final moments against Cowboys
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 8-0, but I don’t trust them. Coach Mike Tomlin never has had a losing season and is a lock to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but I don’t trust him. Sunday’s victory at Dallas put those feelings in clear focus. The Cowboys...
Special teams a major weakness for Steelers in win over Cowboys
The Pittsburgh Steelers special teams units were so bad during Sunday’s win at the Dallas Cowboys that it affected coach Mike Tomlin’s decision-making late. “They were beating us to the punch pretty much for the better part of the day on special teams,” Tomlin said. So when the Steelers had...
Another game, another 4th-quarter comeback for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
At the end of the first half Sunday in Dallas, Ben Roethlisberger was in the locker room, powerless to help his team. At the end of the second half, Roethlisberger once again was a winner — one who had surpassed another Hall of Famer in an unofficial, but telling category....
