Not since Kendrell Bell in 2001 has a rookie defender opened the season as a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. In spite of an knee injury that will keep him out of the Steelers preseason game tomorrow against the New York Giants, first rounder Ryan Shazier looks to be on track to break into the starting lineup immediately. Though second-round pick Stephon Tuitt might not share that honor with Shazier, he might just join him sooner than later. Two rookies starting for the Steelers defense? ... Read More
Training camp notes from Latrobe
It was beautiful day at Latrobe yesterday as the rain (for the most part) held off, and the Steelers continued to prepare for their first pre-season game of the 2014 season. The Steelers will travel to New York to play the Giants on Saturday night. Here's some of the some observations I made watching practice yesterday. *Bumped into Carnell Lake before practice began, and Lake just happened to be my favorite player from the 90's teams. I gotta tell you, Mr. Lake looks like he could still play ... Read More
Justin Brown impresses at training camp
When the Steelers released their initial training camp depth chart a few days ago, there were certainly a few surprises. However, the biggest might have been wide receiver Justin Brown, who was listed as the primary back up behind pro bowler Antonio Brown. Selected in the sixth round in the 2013 draft, Brown was one of the final cuts in training camp, and spent the remainder of his first season on the Steelers practice squad. Brown seems to be opening eyes in his second training camp with the ... Read More
Depth at safety a strength for Steelers
As the Steelers enter their second full week of training camp, there are a number of important questions to be answered after consecutive 8-8 seasons. One of the biggest questions will be whether or not the Steelers have enough depth at cornerback, a topic I discussed for PSN a couple of weeks back. Cornerback depth behind the top three of Ike Taylor, Cortez Allen and William Gay is still a hot topic at camp, but it's the outstanding depth at safety that might help ease some of those concerns ... Read More
McCutchen expected to go to the 15-day DL.
According to Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Andrew McCutchen will be placed on the 15-day DL after "what might be a significant oblique injury" in yesterday's 10-inning loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. McCutchen left in considerable pain after his sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, and had to be helped to the clubhouse by teammates. Reports are that McCutchen could miss upwards of a month with the injury, which would be devastating news to the Pirates, who are 1.5 games out of first ... Read More
Questions at backup QB for the Steelers
In 2013, Ben Roethlisberger was able to do something he had only done once over his 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers — start the entire 16-game schedule. In fact, the Steelers 2008 championship team was one of those two seasons where Roethlisberger was healthy for an entire season, so clearly having Big Ben on the field is critical to the team's success in 2014. Obviously, the value of having a franchise quarterback can't be understated. Ask fans in places like Oakland, Tampa Bay or ... Read More
What we learned from the MLB trade deadline
For baseball fans and the journalists who cover the game, the trade deadline is one of the biggest days of the season. It's a time to see what might happen to either make a team better for a playoff run, or how a team might build for the future. This was my first deadline working as a sports writer; coffee brewed, computer(s) on, Twitter feed constantly being refreshed — definitely a different feeling from some of the other deadlines I can remember from the past. Throughout you are hearing ... Read More
Joe Greene’s number to be retired.
For only the second time in the history of the organization, the Pittsburgh Steelers will officially retire a jersey number to honor a Steeler great. Hall of Fame defensive lineman and the first pick of the Chuck Noll era in 1969, Joe Greene will join fellow Hall of Famer Ernie Stautner as the only Steelers to be granted this special honor, as his No. 75 will officially be retired. Greene, generally considered the cornerstone of the "Steel Curtain" defense and one of the greatest defensive ... Read More
Trading for Lester is a risky proposition
On the surface, it's hard not to love the idea of adding Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester to the Pirates rotation. After all, we are talking about a pitcher with some impressive credentials. Two World Series titles, including a 3-0 record with a 0.43 ERA in those biggest of games. You can also add three All-Star selections, including a trip to Minneapolis earlier this month after another impressive first-half performance, highlighted by a paltry 2.53 ERA. There's no question Lester has ... Read More
Can Andrew Lambo make an impact in 2014?
Heading into to Spring Training this season, it seemed that Pirates outfielder/first baseman Andrew Lambo was on track to start the season in the majors. Penciled in as the left-handed portion of a platoon with Gaby Sanchez at first base, all the pieces seemed to be in place for Lambo. Unfortunately, a dreadful showing at Bradenton not only cost Lambo a job most assumed would be his, it also cost him an Opening Day roster position. Once optioned to the Pirates AAA affiliate, the Indianapolis ... Read More