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Pouncey Signs 5-year deal

July 31, 2010 by admin  
Filed under Offense, Pittsburgh Steelers, Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed center, 1st round draft pick, Maurkice Pouncey to a 5-year deal. Terms have not been disclosed.

Pouncey, a standout center for the University of Florida is expected to compete for a starting job at either the center or guard positions.

Center is the Steelers worst position along the offensive line and Pouncey is expected to be a huge upgrade over Justin Hartwig.

Steelers Open Camp

July 31, 2010 by admin  
Filed under Pittsburgh Steelers, Training Camp

Yesterday the Pittsburgh Steelers opened camp in Latrobe and you could sense the excitement in the air.

Mike Tomlin in particular was all smiles. And why not? He just signed a nice extension when some thought he may be coaching for his job this year given the embarrassing meltdown last year against far inferior opponents.

However, with the excitement also comes many question marks and I believe Tomlin acknowledges that. Here are just a few of those question marks:

1) Can the Steelers survive the first six games without Big Ben (possibly 4 games)?

2) Is this Woodley’s last year in a Steelers uniform?

3) Can Mike Wallace be productive against teams #1 cornerbacks?

4) How will the loss of Colon impact the offensive line?

5) Is Polamalu healthy and can he stay healthy?

6) Will the secondary be improved with McFadden starting? Will Burnett and Lewis step up in their second year?

7) Will Pouncey start? If so will it be at center or guard?
8) Will Mendenhall share carries with Jonathan Dywer

9) Will Farrier, given his age, struggle like last year? Is this Farrior’s last year?

10) Can Ward stay healthy? Is this Ward’s last year before retiring?

RaShon “Sonny” Harris Signed by Panthers

September 10, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Defense, Pittsburgh Steelers, Training Camp

The Carolina Panthers signed DT, Rashon “Sonny” Harris to their 53 man roster.  Harris was a pleasant surprise during training camp and preseason games.  He showed good push, adequate technique and the ability to take on multiple blockers.  Based on earlier reports, Harris was expected to replace the much older (and expensive) Travis Kirsche on a very veteran defensive line.  The Pittsburgh Steelers are in desperate need of getting younger up front with only Nick Eason (29) and 1st round rookie, Ziggy Hood under 30 years old.

Rashon Harris

Rashon Harris

Lowest Priced Steelers Jerseys

The 6-4, 300 pound rookie defensive lineman from Oregon had the frame to pack on a few more pounds and potentially move to nose tackle in the Steelers 3-4 defensive front.  With Casey Hampton unsigned going into the regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans, Hampton is very unlikely to be signed to an extension.  Hampton has made it very clear that if he hits the “open free agent market”, he won’t be in the black and gold next season.  The Steelers won’t overpay for Hampton and some other team will (i.e. Raiders, Washington, etc).  With aging Chris Hoke as the only other option at NT, Sonny Harris would have been a welcome, young addition to that lineup.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 Salaries

Steelers 2008 Salaries
Rk Player Salary (US$)    
1 Ben Roethlisberger $27,701,920    
2 Max Starks $6,899,800    
3 James Farrior $6,802,400    
4 Hines Ward $5,453,840    
5 Ike Taylor $4,643,360    
6 Troy Polamalu $4,625,000    
7 Marvel Smith $4,551,440    
8 Casey Hampton $4,100,960    
9 Brett Keisel $3,903,840    
10 Willie Parker $3,903,840    
11 Kendall Simmons $3,601,920    
12 Aaron Smith $3,255,760    
13 Charlie Batch $3,036,720    
14 Rashard Mendenhall $2,815,000    
15 Larry Foote $2,542,880    
16 Lawrence Timmons $2,199,760    
17 Santonio Holmes $2,176,920    
18 Mewelde Moore $2,005,760    
19 Justin Hartwig $1,980,760    
20 Limas Sweed $1,861,000    
21 James Harrison $1,806,720    
22 Ryan Clark $1,505,280    
23 Deshea Townsend $1,434,320    
24 Jeff Reed $1,430,280    
25 Chris Kemoeatu $1,423,240    
26 Nate Washington $1,419,880    
27 Heath Miller $1,347,260    
28 Travis Kirschke $1,133,360    
29 Chris Hoke $1,106,240    
30 Greg Warren $1,055,280    
31 Tyrone Carter $1,001,920    
32 Trai Essex $932,280    
33 Nick Eason $874,800    
34 Mitch Berger $870,000    
35 Orpheus Roye $870,000    
36 LaMarr Woodley $839,800    
37 Bruce Davis $800,626    
38 Andre Frazier $765,280    
39 Keyaron Fox $649,800    
40 Byron Leftwich $645,000    
41 Bryant McFadden $623,360    
42 Sean McHugh $605,000    
43 Tony Hills $599,500    
44 Willie Colon $451,720    
45 Anthony Madison $450,760    
46 Arnold Harrison $449,800    
47 Anthony Smith $448,840    
48 Dennis Dixon $425,000    
49 Jon Dekker $376,240    
50 Matt Spaeth $376,240    
51 Darnell Stapleton $376,240    
52 Carey Davis $375,760    
53 Daniel Sepulveda $375,760    
54 William Gay $374,800    
55 Gary Russell $370,000    
56 Mike Humpal $366,575    
57 Dallas Baker $301,720    
58 Donovan Woods $298,500    
59 Scott Paxson $295,000    

Coach Lebeau Set to Retire?

Per a rumor by Pro Football Talk (PFT), Dick Lebeau may retire after Super Bowl XLIII.  As mostly everyone knows, Dick Lebeau is the beloved Steelers defensive coordinator and the inventor of the zone blitz schema. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers (not just the defense) should win this Super Bowl for their future ‘Hall of Fame’ coach Lebeau.  What would be a better treat then winning this one for him since he’s been so instrumental to the Steelers success both past and current.  His defense plays the way football was meant to be played.  In addition to winning Super Bowl XLIII for coach Lebeau, the Steelers players should carry their coach off the field on the player’s shoulders.  That’s the type of respect that Lebeau deserves. 

All current and past Steelers players feel strongly for the coordinator and praise him not just for his coaching ability and personality but they respect him as a ‘dad’ type figure.   In fact, many players have referred to him as coach ‘dad’.  Players love him, opposition fear him. 

Coach Dick Lebeau is well respect (and well deserved) not just throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers organization but also within that National Football League circles.  He was a Hall of Fame player (is not yet inducted but should be) and a legendary coach.  In fact, some coaches including Baltimore Ravens (now NYJ head coach) coach, Rex Ryan have even studied coach Leabeau’s defensive schemes and reused it within their own defensive schemes.  Lebeau has been praised by former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst as saying “Dick LeBeau is arguably the best ever to coach defense. … He has done it on such a consistent basis over a long period of time.”

Note to Steelers players…. Let’s win Super Bowl XLIII for Coach Dick Lebeau!

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ESPN Magazine Steelers D Cover Shoot

The Steelers defense will be featured on the following magazines this week:

1. ESPN

ESPN Magazine is having a story on the Steelers defense. The entire Steelers is on the cover of the magazine (see below).

2. Sports Illustrated

The Sports Illustrated cover features LaMarr Woodley, the Steelers 2nd year pro, knocking Joe Flacco to the ground. Both of these will make a great addition to your Steelers memorabilia. Be sure to pick up your copies today. Check out a video of the Steelers ESPN cover shoot:

Watch Steelers/Bengals Online

Don’t have the NFL Ticket?  On the road and can’t watch the game?

Watch the game on the internet here:

Watch Steelers vs Bengals Online

Essex, Mahan, and Starks on the trading block?

It has been reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers are attempting to “package” trade (possibly with the Chicago Bears) with Trai Essex, Max Starks and/or Sean Mahan.

Sean Mahan

It’s been rumored that Mahan has been secretly demanding a trade after losing the starting center Pittsburgh Steelers centerposition to newcomer Justin Hartwig (signed from the Miami Dolphins). Sean Mahan has been a disappointment to the Steelers after failing to prove that he can play the center position for the Steelers especially considering his steep salary cap hit of $4.6 million. Consistency, Mahan has proved that he does not have the size or strength to anchor the offensive line against the largest defensive tackles and nose tackles that are present in the AFC North.

Trai Essex

Trai Essex has had a decent 2008 preseason in showing the coaching staff that he is a legitimate backup at both the tackle and guard positions. Still, he appears to be nothing more than a career back at the tackle but has stepped in an been successful in limited playing time.

Max Starks

Possibly the biggest disappointment of anyone on the Steelers roster. Starks is being paid among the top of all offensive tackles with a 1 year, 6.9 million dollar contract but is in a backup role. Starks, if it wasn’t for the money, should be cut. Watching Starks throughout the 4 preseason games was painful. He has not improved at all. In fact, he looks slower and heavier than ever and displays extremely poor technique for being a high-paid veteran. Rumor has it, that in training camp, Starks was simply going through the “motions” without any intention of becoming a better player. Most Steelers fans would be happy with a trade involving Starks especially if it results in a better o-line prospect, or depth along the defensive line. The only problem is which team (if any) would pay Starks 6.9 million this year?

Steelers vs. Bills – Preview

August 14, 2008 by admin  
Filed under Defense, Offense, Pittsburgh Steelers, Preseason, Training Camp

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills

7:30 pm est

(Replays on NFL Network)

Tonight, the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to kick-off their second preseason game in Toronto against the AFC East Buffalo Bills. Mike Tomlin suggested that the starters are expected to see significantly more playing time in tonight’s game. Below are some players to keep an eye on:

Justin Hartwig – One of the very few Steelers free agent pickups is expected to see his first start tonight, Justin Hartwig at center in place of last year’s starter, Sean Mahan. Hartwig is expected to gain the starting role after Mahan struggled last year with the larger nose tackles in the AFC North. Hartwig is bigger and stronger than Mahan and tonight he could prove to everyone that he belongs to start.

Lawrence Timmons – LT was very impressive in his last preseason game against the Eagles. Timmon’s showcased why Tomlin & Co spent their #15 overall pick in the 2007 draft. He displayed his speed and his explosiveness to close quickly on the ball. Let’s hope he can put together back-to-back impressive games. It is expected that Foote will start alongside of Farrior but Timmons will play on 3rd downs\. However, if Timmons continues to impress, expect LT to unseat Foote for the starting role.

LaMarr Woodley – Woodley was not able to get a sack against the Eagles but he did display good penetration. I look for Woodley to have at least one sack against the Bills. It’s just a matter of time until he registers his first one. Overall, I think the Steelers pass rush needs to improve. I did not see the pocket collapse quickly against the Eagles and that is a little worrisome.

Rashard Mendenhall / Willie Parker – Both of these guys looked really good against the Eagles. Parker looked as explosive and fast as always and looks to be over his broken leg. I’m really excited to see more of Mendenhall. Against the Eagles, Mendenhall averaged just about 5 yards/carry and looked impressive doing so. He has a great combination of vision, size, power, and speed to really excel in this league.

Offensive Line – The OL looked adequate in its first preseason game. However, it’s way to early to determine if this OL will give up another 47 sacks this year. The jury is still out on these guys. Until they can show consistency, I can’t label this group as improved. On a side note, Starks looked terrible as usual in a backup role. Can someone please explain Colbert’s logic for paying Max Starks, a backup, 7 million dollars this year? By the way, that is the most of any left tackle in the league. YIKES.

Defensive Line – The DL really did not impress me in the last game. I thought the Eagles had some success running right up the middle of the Steelers defense. Now that Casey “I don’t weigh 365 pounds anymore” Hampon has returned to the lineup, I expect this unit to improve in this area.

Limes Sweed – Even though Sweed didn’t have many opportunities, he did make some very nice catches. I had heard Sweed had “suspect hands”. Based on the Eagles game alone, he looks to have great hands. I like what I see so far, and I think he’ll only improve from here.

Other Notables:

Ben Roethlisberger / Santonio Holmes / Hines Ward – I just want to see these guys in action a little more. The “hot read” with Ben and Holmes that resulted in a touchdown against the Eagles was a thing of beauty. This should keep defenses honest and improve on the amount of sacks given up. This offense has the potential to be one of the most explosive units in the NFL as long as the OL can hold its ground.

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