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.

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”

In the ongoing saga of “will they or won’t they reunite”  the Pittsburgh Steelers front office recently took a big step back.  As reported by Gerry Dulac in the Post-Gazette, the team told James Harrison that they were no longer interested in bringing back the recently released linebacker, who is currently a free agent.

Will Harrison and the Steelers every kiss and make up?

But is this really it?  Steelers fans cling to a shred of hope that the intimidating 5-time Pro Bowler will remain in the Black & Gold.  It’s not looking good right now, but in the NFL, you can never say never.  As Taylor Swift sings in “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”:

I remember when we broke up, the first time

Saying this is it, I’ve had enough, ’cause like

We haven’t seen each other in a month

When you, said you, needed space, what?

Then you come around again and say

Baby, I miss you and I swear I’m gonna change

Trust me, remember how that lasted for a day

I say, I hate you, we break up, you call me, I love you

Harrison was due to make $6.57 million in 2013 and $7.575 million in 2014.  With their limited cap space, there was no way the Steelers could keep the linebacker unless he took a significant pay cut.  Although the team and his agent met to negotiate, a new deal was never struck, and the team released Harrison on March 9th.  Harrison thanked his fans and said it was time to move on.

Harrison didn’t get much interest as a free agent, most likely due to his age and injury history (although he’s probably his healthiest in years right now).  He seemed on the verge of signing with the Ravens, but then they gave their money to ex-Bronco Elvis Dumervil instead.

Later that day, Harrison’s agent Bill Parise told the media that  he “has not closed the door on his client returning to Pittsburgh and would welcome a call from Steelers”.  Which translates as that he was now open to the pay cut he refused a few weeks ago.  Funny how things change when no one else wants a spot on your dance card, right Taylor?:

Oooh you called me up again tonight
But oooh, this time I’m telling you, I’m telling you
We are never ever ever getting back together
We are never ever ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends talk
To my friends talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA4iX5D9Z64

Steeler Nation let out a collective shriek yesterday when word came out that yet another wide receiver may leave the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agancy.  While Mike Wallace’s departure to the Bank of Miami was no surprise, no one expected to hear that Emmanuel Sanders, now #2 on the wide receiver depth chart, was visiting other teams.

Will Antonio Brown be the only Bugati Boy left in 2013? (www.tumblr.com)

But that was the breaking news yesterday morning, as restricted free agent (RFA) Sanders visited the New England Patriots.  Although they had replaced WR Wes Welker (who left for the Broncos) with Rams WR Danny Amendola, apparently they were still shopping.

What does this mean? » Continue reading “Is Emmanuel Sanders Leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers?”

Now that the 2012 season is in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s time to look ahead to 2013.  While other teams, including two AFC North foes, are gearing up for the playoffs, the Steelers can only think what might have been.

Quarterbacks

While the Steelers are fortunate to have a franchise quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, it’s time to take take a serious look for a serviceable back-up or two. Both Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch are free agents this offseason.

» Continue reading “Steelers: Looking Ahead To 2013″

Pittsburgh Steelers 24 Cleveland Browns 10

The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to finish the 2012 season on a strong note with a victory over the Cleveland Browns. Granted, finishing 8-8 isn’t ideal, but a win is a win.

Ben Roethlisberger finally returned to form, being rather inconsistent after coming back from his shoulder and rib injury. Big Ben was 15 for 23 for 134 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps the most important stat for Ben was zero interceptions.

» Continue reading “Steelers Close Out 2012 Season With A Win”

Week 17

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 1:00 PM

TV: CBS

Site: Heinz Field

Last Meeting: 11/25/12, L 14 – 20

Cleveland Browns on Aerys: Dawg Treats

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrap up a disappointing 2012 season by taking on the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. The Steelers will hope to end the season on a high note despite the absence of Ike Taylor, Mike Wallace, and team MVP Heath Miller. All three are injured and will finish the season on Injured Reserve.

The Black and Gold will take on a Browns team that in all likelihood will be playing to keep their jobs. With an offseason to mull things over, the new owner of the Cleveland Browns may look to make some personnel changes.

No job is safe on the Steelers side of the ball either. The Steelers made waves this past offseason by cutting veterans such as James Farrior and Hines Ward to make room under the salary cap. Between the salary cap and the lackluster season, the Rooneys may be looking to make changes of their own.

Cincinnati Bengals 13 Pittsburgh Steelers 10

Remember that time, oh so long ago when the Steelers actually won a game? Oh, ’tis but a memory now, but what a grand memory it was.

The Steelers playoff hopes are also but a distant memory, as the lost against the Bengals eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs. This January while Ben Roethlisberger and company are enjoying lovely golf weather who knows where, the likes of the Ravens and the Bengals will be fighting for a shot at the Lombardi.

» Continue reading “Same Old Same Old From The Steelers”

December is here, and that means two things: I really should start my Christmas shopping, and I can’t start my Christmas shopping because the Steelers are making their final push for the playoffs.  Coming off a huge upset win in Baltimore against their division rival the Ravens with 3rd string QB Charlie Batch, the team received excellent news when HC Mike Tomlin announced on Thursday that Ben Roethlisberger would resume his role as starting QB when the San Diego Chargers come to Heinz Field for the week 14 matchup.

The 4-8 Chargers season is all but over, having lost 7 of the last 8 games.  Just this week President Dean Spanos was doing damage control when it was reported that he had already decided to fire HC Norv Turner and GM AJ Smith at the season’s end…although he never directly said it wasn’t true.  The Chargers are 0-14 when playing at Heinz Field, and it’s likely the Steelers will make it 0-15.  Then again, we all know the Steelers have a tendency to let weaker teams hang around and struggle to put the game away early. » Continue reading “Steelers Eve: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers”

Ben Roethlisberger made “all the necessary throws” according to HC Mike Tomlin (Lake Fong/Post-Gazette)

 Pittsburgh Steelers @Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger will start vs. Chargers wp.me/p1eeeh-Un

No, I’m not gullible enough to believe everything I read on the internet, but this came from the team’s official twitter account.  OLB LaMarr Woodley summed up our feelings very economically:

 @LaMarrWoodley

Welcome back ben