Player Notes

Paul Zeise: Expectations for the Steelers are incredibly high — maybe too high ·

There is so much to like about the Steelers’ offseason, the moves they made and the progress of players like Kenny Pickett. There are so many positive developments and so many reasons for those who follow the Steelers to feel optimistic about this season.I get it, and I also think I’m looking at a playoff team, or at least a team that will make a serious run toward the postseason. I also don’t think ...

Are Steelers, Kenny Pickett properly respected nationally? ·

There is so much to like about the Steelers’ offseason, the moves they made and the progress of players like Kenny Pickett. There are so many positive developments and so many reasons for those who follow the Steelers to feel optimistic about this season.I get it, and I also think I’m looking at a playoff team, or at least a team that will make a serious run toward the postseason. I also don’t think ...

Mike Tomlin, Steelers doing their best to shut out the noisy preseason hype ahead of opener ·

It was 42 days ago when Mike Tomlin arrived at Saint Vincent College and proclaimed he liked the feel in the air about the 2023 Steelers.Now, after an unbeaten preseason and near-flawless performances by the first-team offense and defense, there is another feeling in the air. This one is laced with unbridled optimism, and it’s so palpable Tomlin’s biggest chore as he begins his 17th season might be ...

First Call: George Kittle's status in question vs. Steelers; JuJu Smith-Schuster quells concerns about knee injury ·

Tuesday’s “First Call” has more news about some star San Francisco players who may be out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.Also, JuJu Smith-Schuster responds to reports about his knee problems, an ex-Steeler is in some hot water legally, and a Duquesne football player receives an NEC honor.Kittle questionNick Bosa isn’t the only star player for the San Francisco 49ers whose status is in doubt ...

Steelers' Dan Moore still preparing for Nick Bosa regardless of holdout ·

Of all the people in Pittsburgh who have been feverishly tracking news out of San Francisco about Nick Bosa’s contract, you’d figure that Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore would be No. 1 on that list.Bosa is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after an 18.5-sack season. But the 49ers star defensive end’s status is in doubt for this Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Steelers because ...

Tim Benz: Steelers employing 'greed is good' approach to roster construction at just the right time ·

The Steelers’ newest player signing is the latest example of their Gordon Gekko approach to roster construction in 2023.Greed is good.Get as much as you can, while you can.Since the Steelers’ salary cap spreadsheet is blessed with starters at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, running back and left tackle all on entry-level contracts, that time is now.So the franchise has spent the offseason filling ...

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects healthy roster for opener with 49ers ·

The first injury report of the season could be a light one for the Pittsburgh Steelers.Coach Mike Tomlin indicated the Steelers could have a healthy roster on Sunday when they open the season against the San Francisco 49ers at Acrisure Stadium.“We did have couple guys somewhat limited (Monday),” Tomlin said at his weekly press conference. “That was a prudent approach considering we’re still in a bonus-day ...

As season approaches, Mike Tomlin keeping plans flexible for some Steelers' defensive starters ·

Mike Tomlin’s initial depth chart of the regular season lists no definitive defensive starters at inside linebacker or strong safety. The same could be said at slot corner even though Chandon Sullivan is listed ahead of Elijah Riley.The Pittsburgh Steelers coach isn’t trying his hand at gamesmanship ahead of the team’s season-opening game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers at Acrisure Stadium.His ...

Kenny Pickett being lone offensive captain is 'no disrespect' to leadership of others, Mike Tomlin says ·

A year after the Pittsburgh Steelers had two captains designated to represent the offense, they have only one – second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.Mitch Trubisky was an offensive captain last season after winning the starting quarterback job in training camp. The other captain was running back Najee Harris.Pickett will replace both players when it comes time to take the field for the coin toss, ...

Jets’ Aaron Rodgers trolls vaccine supporters at US Open ·

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t a fan of COVID-19 vaccines. He made that clear at the US Open on Sunday when his Instagram Story went viral.Rodgers posted an image of another anti-vaxxer, Novak Djokovic in action at the US Open. In it, Rodgers inserted a goat emoji with the hashtag “#NovaxDjokovic” above Djokovic mid-serve. The four-time MVP also crossed out an advertisement for Moderna in red.Below ...

Recent Stories

NFL roster madness explained

Something always has to have a nickname. Like “Black Monday” in the NFL, when head coaches are fired the day after the end of the regular season, it was only a matter of time before someone slapped a name on the cutdown in the NFL. Some have called it “Black ...

CeeDee cashes in, sets stage for rookie WR class

Now that the Dallas Cowboys finally quieted the daily discussion about wide receiver CeeDeee Lamb with a massive contract, there is no doubt the trend is to covet these pass catchers second only to the almighty quarterback. The prolific All-Pro wideout agreed ...

Must-see 2024 NFL rookie QB battles

After the first 12 picks in this year’s draft were complete, the 2024 quarterback class was destined to be forever linked to that celebrated 1983 draft, which also saw six quarterbacks, including three Hall of Famers, taken in Round 1. With the countdown to the ...

Rookie IOLs with mettle to medal

Amid the Summer Olympics, the NFL season has officially begun with a full slate of preseason games. This is the time of year when the attention is typically on the skilled position players as fantasy football degenerates are fine-tuning their draft strategies to ...

When Life Choices Become Grave Mistakes

I'm deeply saddened to hear about the tragic "accident" that claimed the lives of three young men: Khyree Jackson (24), Isaiah Hazel (23), and Anthony Lytton Jr. (24). These childhood friends shared dreams and aspirations of becoming professional athletes. They ...

Running back: Devolution of a proud position

In this, the first in a series on the state of running backs, we discuss how a dramatic evolution has negatively impacted a once proud position. The series will look back at RBs selected in the 2024 draft, ahead to a 2025 class that seems loaded with runners and ...

Trump's forgotten charge: Killing the USFL

July 11, 2024, is already etched in history as the day former President Donald Trump will be sentenced for 34 felony convictions. Regardless of the outcome, I am reminded of July 29, 1986, when he actually won his battle in a New York court and lost the war. Trump ...

Larry Allen: A long road to respect

Arguably the most dominant offensive lineman in football history, Larry Allen died Sunday while on vacation with his family in Mexico. He was 52.   His life story redefined perseverance. It could have been the original plot line for Straight Outta Compton, but ...

Controversy: Are punters, kickers NFL-draft worthy?

Kansas City Chiefs’ placekicker Harrison Butker made an impression in 2023 by making 33 of 35 field goals. Last week, he made quite an impression at Benedictine College, where Butker, shall we say, pushed his commencement speech wide right.   Controversy and ...

Jim Otto, the original Mr. Raider, dies at 86

The original Mr. Raider has passed. Jim Otto, the first Raider to touch a football, died Sunday at his Auburn (CA) home, with his family at his side. He spent most of his 86 years sneering at the inevitable, enduring last rites three previous times. Otto is survived ...

2024 Draft: A next-gen affair

As we look forward to watching the 257 draftees selected last week in the 2024 NFL Draft, we also gaze in the rear-view mirror at those relatives who preceded them and established the family name long ago. Fathers, uncles, and brothers with names everyone ...

Calculating the 2024 Draft grades of all 257 picks

 2024 DRAFT: 32 TEAMS AND 257 PLAYERS GRADED Exhale. The 2024 NFL Draft did indeed conclude when Mr. Irrelevant, Jaylen Key (DB, Alabama) was drafted by the New York Jets with the No. 257 selection. We can break out the calculators and over analyze the selection ...