Before Sunday's game against Buffalo, Ian Rapoport reported that, according to team sources, Ben Roethlisberger was discontent with the offense and may seek a trade in the offseason. While the authenticity of Rapoport's sources has been widely questioned, most of Pittsburgh -fans and media alike- have tried to immediately quash any thoughts that the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback would be dealt in the offseason. But if you're the Pittsburgh Steelers, cap strapped and stuck in last ... Read More
Steelers Week 10 Report card
After perhaps their most embarrassing effort in franchise history just one week ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers responded with one of their better efforts of the 2013 season on both sides of the ball Sunday in a 23-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills. While they were facing a rookie quarterback in E.J. Manuel who looked rusty and didn't present much of a challenge, a win is a win for a team desperate for them at this point in the season. For a change, there were a lot of good things to breakdown ... Read More
Angry defense seals 23-10 win
Seven days after allowing team records of 55 points and 610 yards at New England, the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) defeated the visiting Buffalo Bills (3-7) at Heinz Field Sunday afternoon. After much criticism of effort, age, ability, and Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, the defense held rookie E.J. Manuel to 155 yards passing and the Bills offense to a total of 227 yards in the 23-10 victory. Buffalo's only touchdown came with five seconds remaining on a 15-play, 80-yard drive to ... Read More
REPORT: Roethlisberger likely to ask for trade in offseason
Ian Rapaport, of NFL.com, reported Sunday morning that Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is "incredibly frustrated" with the current landscape of the organization and the locker room, and would like to be traded in the offseason. Rapaport also notes that the team fielded offers before this season and may explore again. Roethlisberger has had notable issues with offensive coordinator Todd Haley and is struggling to find rhythm and success in an offense that has a depleted offensive ... Read More
Steelers vs. Bills preview
A pair of struggling teams will clash Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field when the Buffalo Bills (3-6) visit the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6). The Bills, though likely out of the playoffs for a league-leading 14th consecutive season, have lost four games this season by ten points or less to playoff contenders, home against New England, Cincinnati, and Kansas City and at the New York Jets. They have also been without rookie starting QB E.J. Manuel, who was hurt in their loss at Cleveland in Week 5, ... Read More
Does Roethlisberger’s playing style hurt the O-line?
Ben Roethlisberger had a call in interview to the morning show on 102.5 WDVE this week in which he discussed, among other things, how long he holds onto the ball before throwing. It’s a known fact that he ranks pretty far back in the pack as far as time to release, and he is cognizant of this. He has stated many times that he does not go into the huddle saying to the other 10 guys “Hey, I’m gonna hold on to this a little bit and try to make a play and see what happens”. Roethlisberger wants ... Read More
Is there a point where the Steelers should bench Big Ben?
With the season now just being, "Thank God there's only eight games left," instead of, "We have eight more games to try to turn this thing around," the question some Steelers' fans have pondered is, when should the Steelers sit Ben Roethlisberger for the rest of the year? At what point do you chalk this year up as a loss, as well as cut your losses? That answer is probably at no point this season, but the reality is, it wouldn't be a bad idea. Since the Steelers would 99.9 percent never ... Read More
Cotchery quietly having stellar season
We are in the midst of a rare and miserable NFL football season in which the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6) are not exactly among the league's elite. After an 0-4 start and two consecutive devastating losses at Oakland and New England, they are buried in the AFC North, and unofficially out of the playoff discussion just midway through the season. There is a crop of core players and youthfulness at most positions who are either continuing to try to improve for the future or who may be fighting for ... Read More
Pittsburgh Sporting News midseason Steelers awards
It's officially the halfway point in the Pittsburgh Steelers season. Sitting at 2-6, it hasn't gone the way most people thought or wanted it to go. At the eight-game mark, you know who you are, and so do the fans. Some of the staff members at Pittsburgh Sporting News — Michael Waterloo, Brian Gossett, Jon Pennline, Matt Shetler, Matt Welch, Andrew Barlow, Dom Errico and Drew Brown — give their Most Valuable Player, Least Valuable Players, Surprising Players, Disappointing Player, Play of the ... Read More
EJ Manuel expected to start for the Bills on Sunday
The Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback EJ Manuel has been cleared to practice and is expected to start on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Manuel hasn't played since suffering a knee injury in Buffalo's Week 5 game against Cleveland. The Florida State product has been impressive in his four full games for the Bills, as he's passed for 985 yards and five touchdowns, leading his team to a 2-2 record. Despite their performance last week against the Patriots, the Steelers enter their game ... Read More