The Steelers secondary will have nightmares of Rob Gronkowski. The New England tight end scored three touchdowns to lead the Patriots to a 28-21 win over Pittsburgh in the NFL's season opener on Thursday night. The first half was dominated by the hosting New England Patriots who took advantage of a lackluster visiting Pittsburgh Steelers defense. The Steelers played better in the second half of the game, but it would not be enough to topple the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Coming into ... Read More
Week 1 preview: can the Steelers stop ‘Gronk’?
After months of waiting to finally kick off the 2015 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium with kickoff set for 8:30 tonight on NBC. If history is any indication, the Steelers will have an uphill climb to come out with a victory. Since the NFL started having the defending Super Bowl champion host the "kickoff game" in 2004, the home team has a 9-2 record over that span. Considering that the Steelers have struggled ... Read More
AM Joe: Deebo or Batman?
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, September 10, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (83-55) are back at PNC Park after a 4-5 road trip to Milwaukee, St. Louis and Cincinnati. A.J. Burnett (above) will make his return to the starting rotation after missing six weeks with a forearm injury. The Bucs are hosting the Brewers for four games this weekend. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh The Steelers will kick off the 2015 National ... Read More
Fourth annual PSN NFL predictions
It's hard to believe that another NFL season is starting tomorrow, isn't it? Maybe it's the play of the Pirates all summer, or maybe the product is getting less and less desirable to watch on the field. Either way, I'm not the only one who has had enough of Deflategate or Tebowmania Part 2. I'm ready to watch some action on the field. For the fourth straight year, I'll take a shot at predicting the division winners, playoff matchups and Super Bowl winner, as well as the individual awards. ... Read More
AM Joe: Bucs get 82, still chasing Cardinals
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Wednesday, September 10, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (82-55) will try for a series win in Cincinnati tonight. The Bucs are now just 4.5 games back of the Cardinals in the NL Central. The Cardinals play the Cubs this afternoon. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Pittsburgh headlines: The Bucs beat the Reds 7-3 as starter Francisco Liriano struck out 10 over six innings and went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double. While ... Read More
Players on Steelers practice squad typically don’t last with team
Practice squad players in the NFL can be as interchangeable as car parts. Facing a left-footed punter this week? Better add a left-footed punter to the practice squad to prepare, and then drop him from it after the game. The team next on the schedule has a mobile starting quarterback? Someone to replicate him in practice is a must. This is, after all, a practice squad, and what better way to use it than to have it help maximize the preparation for the next opponent? Teams can keep up to ... Read More
2015 Pittsburgh Steelers preview and prediction
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to play a down in the 2015 season, it would be fair to say they have already dealt with their fair share of tough breaks and bad news. Toughest schedule statistically in the NFL? Check. Open on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion? Check. Injuries and suspensions to a number of key members of the team? Indeed. That's just scratching the surface if you ask a lot of Steeler fans who don't exactly give you the impression ... Read More
Three key questions for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015
With the Pittsburgh Steelers set to begin their regular season Thursday night against the New England Patriots, the team heads into week one and beyond with a number of question marks. Let's look specifically at three key questions for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. Can the Pittsburgh Steelers offense repeat it's performance from 2014 with Bell, Pouncey and Bryant out to begin the season? It's hard to find an offense that was more productive last season than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben ... Read More
Steelers 2015 draft class already looking bad
A lot of people felt going into the 2015 NFL Draft that Pittsburgh Steelers general manager needed to hit more than a few home runs with his eight picks. Needless to say, at least on paper, that doesn't look like it is going to be the case once again. When the rosters were trimmed to 53 players this weekend, it included some of that class. Three of the team's eight picks were cut this weekend, including fourth-round cornerback Doran Grant, sixth-round pass-rusher Anthony Chickillo (both ... Read More
Roster overview & analysis for 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers: Defense/Special teams
With the Steelers 53-man roster set and the team preparing to open the season at the New England Patriots, let's look at the depth chart for the defense and special teams. Defensive line (7): Cameron Heyward, Steve McClendon, Stephon Tuitt, Cam Thomas, Daniel McCullers, L.T. Walton, Caushaud Lyons The starting trio of Heyward, McClendon and Tuitt won't remind anyone of let's say Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel circa 2008, but that does not mean they are capable of a solid ... Read More