Now that the Draft is firmly in the past, the long wait until training camp or any kind of glimmer that football season is around the corner seems unending.

Fear not. Organized team activities (OTAs) kicked off on Tuesday. Players will gather for workouts or tell scary stories around campfires or something.

“It’s a chance for the guys to get back together and start working as a group,” said linebacker Larry Foote. “It really benefits the younger guys, second and third year guys. It’s easy to forget things during the time off. Getting out there and running around and playing football, it’s a good thing. We need it. I think it is needed for the game to have the OTAs.”

[snip]

“OTAs are a time when we all start to gel, the quarterbacks and the receivers and running backs all start to mesh,” said running back Isaac Redman. “We get back to work on everything and refresh everything.

“It’s a good chance for everyone to be together. You miss it. You enjoy being around everyone, being in the locker room.”

OTAs also give the Steelers a chance to take the first steps towards bettering the disappointing 8-8 record from last season.

“The mindset of Pittsburgh, the organization, 8-8 is not good enough especially with the success we have had,” said Foote. “For the older guys we know it’s now. We have some guys left and if we want to make a few more runs at the Super Bowl, we have to do it now. You never know when it’s going to be your last play. You have to have the mindset that this is it.”

The 2013 NFL Draft picks are all in, so now it’s time to get to know that newest members of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  We’ll be posting more on the rookies over the next few days.  In the meantime, you can follow them all on twitter:

Jarvis Jones, OLB, University of Georgia: https://twitter.com/SacManJones_29

LeVeon Bell, RB, Michigan State: https://twitter.com/l_bell24

Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon: https://twitter.com/twheat002

Shamarko Thomas, SS, Syracuse University: https://twitter.com/shamarko21ya

Landry Jones, QB, University of Oklahoma: https://twitter.com/LandryJones12

Terry Hawthorne, CB, University of Illinois: https://twitter.com/TerryHawthorne1

Justin Brown, WR, University of Oklahoma: https://twitter.com/justinbrown19

Vince Williams, ILB, Florida State University: https://twitter.com/JohnnyBrovo11

NickWilliams, DE, Samford University: https://twitter.com/NickWilliams_94

It was a treat to see the enthusiasm that most of these rookies displayed on their timelines in response to getting drafted by the Steelers.  Jarvis Jones tweeted a pic of himself and LeVeon Bell at the Steelers Fan Blitz.  Jones also proved that he is embracing Pittsburgh culture:

Jarvis Jones sampling the local fare at Primanti Brothers (Don’t tell Subway!)

About to smash this Black Angus Top Sirloin Steak & Cheese with the good ppl @primantibros

— Jarvis Jones (@SacManJones_29) April 27, 2013

Shamarko Thomas already posted an instagram photo of himself with the Steelers logo in the background.  And Bell got some love from Steelers legendary RB Jerome Bettis:

RT @jeromebettis36: Congrats @l_bell24welcome to the @steelers!! The steel city loves big backs!! Believe me! — thanks big dawgg!

— LeVeon Bell (@L_Bell24) April 27, 2013

Hopefully, these young players will spend more time on their playbooks (once they get them) then their twitter feeds, but for now, it’s their time to bask in the glow of their newly minted status as NFL players.

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to reload in the 2013 NFL Draft by selecting Le’Veon Bell, a running back from Michigan State.

Le’veon Bell

There has been a large question mark over the Steelers running game for quite some time now. Former number one round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall began the season recovering from an injury, and his many replacements could never really find any rhythm. The million fumble game against the Browns also didn’t help.

Bell will look to compete with Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman (whenever he signs his tender), and the newly-signed LaRod Stephens-Howling. 

Running back has been a bit of a thorn in the side of the Steelers. Pittsburgh has been looking for a durable back since the great Jerome Bettis retired. So no pressure, or anything, Le’Veon.

Welcome to Steeler Nation, Jarvis Jones.

With the 17th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the outside linebacker from Georgia. The Steelers’ linebacking corp has been under construction over the past couple of years with James Farrior and James Harrison being the salary cap casualties.

Jarvis Jones

It will be interesting to see how Jones fits in with this defensive unit. Unlike the offense, defensive rookies don’t typically see much playing time. Defensive rookies spend much of their first year learning the system. I’d imagine that Jason Worilds is still the front runner to replace James Harrison.

However, this is a defense in transition. While they have been one of the top-ranked defenses, they’ve done so despite their ability to make the big plays. Sacks and turnovers have been on decline to say the least. Time will tell if Jarvis Jones will be that kind of playmaker the Steelers have been missing, but if couldn’t hurt if he could manage to knock Joe Flacco on his butt.

There has been a ton (I measured it) of speculation about where Jarvis Jones would go in this year’s NFL Draft.  Almost as much speculation as there was about his potential for spine problems.  After USC decided not to gamble on the talented linebacker, he finished his NCAA career as a Bulldog at the University of Georgia.  He may be the best player in this draft, but teams must know that they could be taking a chance that his spinal stenosis will result in injuries that could then lead to missed games.

Jarvis Jones celebrates his QB hit that caused a fumble (Bob Self/The Times-Union)

A sampling of the mock drafts of 50 NFL reporters and analysts (note that I didn’t call them experts) had 16 votes for Jarvis being the 15th pick of the draft, going to the New Orleans Saints. » Continue reading “Jarvis Jones Finds a Home in Pittsburgh”

It’s official. Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is now a Cincinnati Bengal.

It’s been a weird off-season for the Steelers, and now Steeler Nation is faced with seeing the long-time Steeler in black and orange every Sunday. Weird.

We’ll remember the good times we had, James. Like that time you met Mary Poppins.

Of course, it doesn’t help that Harrison will now have a go at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line twice a year. In recent years, Ben Roethlisberger has suffered major injuries at the hands of the vaunted defenses from Cleveland and Kansas City. Cincinnati’s defense is tough as it is, and adding a former Defensive Player of the Year to the mix will make them tougher. Not good news for Big Ben and company.

On the bright side, we will still have two chances to see Harrison chase after Joe Flacco this coming season. So there is a bright side to all of this.

The 2013 schedule has been released. And, spoiler alert: the Steelers close out the season against the Cleveland Browns. Because it’s one of the laws of the universe.

The Steelers’ 2013 schedule looks a little something like this:

Highlights include:

• No games on the NFL Network.
• Only one game on Fox.
• Another ridiculously early bye week.
• The obligatory Ravens/Steelers game on NBC will take place Thanksgiving night.
• Mike Wallace will make his return to Heinz Field in Week 14. I’m sure he’ll receive a warm reception from Steeler Nation.

Sanders Watch 2013 is finally over!

u mad, New England?

The Pittsburgh Steelers matched the offer from the New England Patriots, meaning that Emmanuel Sanders will remain a Steeler for the time being.

The Steelers had until 11:59 PM tonight to match the contract offer Sanders signed with the Patriots. Had Pittsburgh declined to match the offer, they would have received the Patriots’ third round draft pick in the upcoming draft.

But all of that is moot now that Sanders is staying put.

Remember how much fun we had with Wallace Watch 2012 last year?

Okay, nobody had any fun with Wallace Watch 2012. But that doesn’t matter because we get to experience Wallace Watch’s unfortunate spin-off sequel: Emmanuel Sanders Watch 2013! Following the basic formula for any sequel this time the stakes are higher. No longer can the Steelers sit back, and wait for Manny to sign his tender. Nope! This time those foes from New England have stepped in and forced the Steelers hand: match their offer or lose one of the few young, experienced receivers left on the roster.

The Steelers have until tonight to match the Patriots’ offer if they wish to keep Sanders.

For his part, Ben Roethlisberger has lobbied to keep Sanders. However, a third-round draft pick may be pretty tempting for an older team that has plenty of holes it needs to fill.

Stay tuned.

Harrison Staying In The AFC North?

It’s been reported that former Steeler linebacker James Harrison is close to working out a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Somewhere out there Joe Flacco is hiding in a huge pile of money, weeping. Sorry, Joe. You haven’t gotten rid of him yet it seems.

The NFL Draft is a couple of weeks away, but let’s talk about what really matters: meaningless preseason games.

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently released their lineup of preseason foes, which includes one nationally televised game in Washington.

Week 1: New York Giants

Week 2: @ Washington

Week 3: Kansas City

Week 4: Carolina Panthers

All times and dates for the games are TBA, with the exception of the Week 2 game in Washington, which is slated for August 19. Plan accordingly.