The Steelers' lineman work on the bucket step in their new zone blocking scheme (Photo Credit: vader29) With Friday's practice being late, we decided to just condense yesterday and today into one article. Starting with easily the most exciting night of training camp for fans; the Friday Night Practice. Of course, it was a little different than usual. With the event being moved from Latrobe High School to Saint Vincent College due to field conditions, it technically was an "evening ... Read More
The Pittsburgh Steelers: First to Worst
James Harrison is one of the many holes Pittsburgh has to fill in 2013 (Flickr.com/daikoala) Earlier this week, our own, Michael Waterloo looked into the "current" status of the three major sports teams in the City of Pittsburgh. The Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers. As of right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a ton of question marks on each side of the ball as they watched two more starters leave this offseason in James Harrison and Mike Wallace. Harrison should have been retained for one ... Read More
Cortez Allen Undergoes Knee Surgery
Cornerback expected to miss a "couple of weeks" (Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin announced today cornerback Cortez Allen had undergone "minor" knee surgery that is expected to keep him off the field for a few weeks. Here is Tomlin's full statement per Steelers.com. "Earlier today, Cortez had minor surgery on his right knee. We wanted him to get the surgery done now so he can begin rehabilitating immediately. This surgery was a minor procedure and will ... Read More
Making the Cut: Draft Picks
Defensive end Nick Williams is on the roster bubble if Mike Tomlin's draft classes are any indication (Photo Credit: behindthesteelcurtain.com) It comes to no surprise that with a finite number of roster spots, just 53, difficult decisions get made on cut days. Sure, the vast majority of UDFAs will be handing in their playbooks and occasionally, teams will move on from a veteran. The draft class are good bets to make it but there are no guarantees. A study from the Mike Tomlin era of what ... Read More
Currently, the Steelers are the worst pro team in Pittsburgh
Okay, stop me if you've heard this one before. The Pittsburgh Steelers are the worst professional team in Pittsburgh. Wait, what? Trust me, as weird as it is for you to read that, it felt just as weird typing it. I know it won't sit well and it's a cardinal rule in the Steel City to write anything bad about the Steelers, but there's no denying the truth. In the past year, the Steelers have been the worst professional team. Now, let me save you the trouble. When I say professional team, I'm not ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Day Six
LaMarr Woodley reportedly has played around 300 pounds in recent seasons (Photo credit: vader29) - Some tough injury news late in practice today regarding San Diego State UDFA guard Nik Embernate. Embernate down w what looks to be a knee injury. During one-on-one with Haggans. — James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 1, 2013 Tomlin categorized it as a "significant" but cautioned to say it is still being evaulated. Embernate had recently graduated to working with the second team. Other injuries ... Read More
Immaculate Reception: “The Play” that started a dynasty
Art Rooney had seen some things in his life. “The Chief”, as he was lovingly referred to, was one of nine children born to a saloon owner. From a young age, Rooney established himself as a multi-sport star: an amateur boxing champion, minor league baseball player and a halfback at nearby Duquesne University (on a field that now bears his name). Rooney’s legend was established in one weekend in 1936 on the racetracks of New York, when he allegedly parlayed a $500 bet into $300,000. Rooney used a ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Day Five
Ben Roethlisberger behind center in practice (Photo Credit: vader29) Injury notes. Cortez Allen not in pads again on Wednesday afternoon — Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) July 31, 2013 Tomlin called Allen "day to day". Nick Williams did not finish practice with a knee injury. Tomlin elaborated on DeMarcus Van Dyke's hamstring injury, calling it "significant" and that the injury could leave DVD on the shelf for awhile. - Jim Wexell breaks some important information regarding David ... Read More
The Steelers live and die with the draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers live and die by the NFL draft. Since I can remember, the Steelers have a simple philsophy: Draft players, learn the system, gradually increase their roles and then become Steeler greats. In the 70s it was players such as Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Jack Lambert, Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, and so on. In the 80s we saw players such as Greg Lloyd, Rod Woodson, Louis Lipps, and Dermontti Dawson. And in the 90s, we saw Hines Ward, Levon Kirkland, and Aaron Smith. Current ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Day Four
Rookie running back Le'Veon Bell was a big part of today's back on 'backers drill (Photo Credit: vader29) Two highlights of the day. As we noted yesterday, it was the first opportunity for the team to be in pads. That led to arguably the most popular drill of training camp, backs on backers. Mike Pristua broke it down. - By his count, the linebackers won the drill 30-17. Le'Veon Bell was tested often, taking place in the drill 11 times. He won five and went 2-2 against 1st rounder ... Read More