Steelers work out former U.S. Army Ranger

[fordfixer]

Old Pappy and his ban cane

[sick beats]

Or the same ones who called out a $60 million dollar linebacker for poor conditioning. Those guys.

Not even in the same vicinity. First of all, you can't try to hide when you have an OLB 50 lbs overweight. How do you even try to deny it? He was a fat pig at that point; you simply can't deny that. So there is that. Secondly, Woodley was a second round pick and already considered a successful pick before he let himself go to hell. There wasn't the PR worries with him. Even if he never produced (and he did) there isn't the PR weight with a 2nd round pick as a player taken 15th over all in the draft. You can expect to hear the commentators continue to carry the Rooneys' water for JJ. They have been all along. In case you missed it, the announcers constantly repeat propaganda to serve the Rooneys' agenda. If you pay attention, you will catch it about every game. The Steelers are draft gurus. Just ask them and they will tell you (another half truth in the long line of many by the Rooneys).

[sick beats]

Okay, here's the deal boys (and, you know who you are), if you can't control yourself and engage in Pittsburgh Steeler football discussion like an adult you are going to get a temporary leave of absence from the forum, it's that simple. If it continues after a temporary ban it will become permanent. Myself and many others are tired of the constant condescending attitudes, bickering and discussion that has nothing to do with Steeler football. Differences of opinion are great, otherwise, it would be boring around here, but this elementary school nonsense and internet muscle man bravado is not great and won't be tolerated any longer.

Pappy

Fine. And please take note on who STARTS the personal attacks, if you will. I haven't started even on of those (I think we all know who does). Perhaps if actions were taken at the onset of such personal attacks (as board rules state), no flame wars would have ever started in the first place. Just sayin'.

[sick beats]

lol seriously? Bringing down the hammer a day too late? Most of my posts were steeler related, did get caught in his little game here and there but I backed off when asked and even let him get the last word in with his last little jab there at the end.

I'll just go quietly, no need for a "simple as that leave of absense".

Love the re-arranged history of events. Starts with personal attacks and then tries to claim to be a victim. Sweet. I am done. And if you don't resort to personal attacks to begin with, none of this would have ever existed. That is a fact.

[Slapstick]

Sweet Jesus!!

Just £¥€#!^& get over yourself!!!!

[fordfixer]

The Steelers worked out defensive end Alejandro Villanueva on Wednesday, per ESPN.com’s Field Yates.

The Steelers routinely work out players at team headquarters throughout the year but Villanueva is not just anyone who is pursuing a dream of playing in the NFL.

Villanueva is a former U.S. Army Ranger, and he completed three tours in Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star Medal for bravery. His service -- and here is more on that in a terrific piece written in May by ESPN.com NFL columnist Ashley Fox -- is not all that stands out about Villanueva.

He is 6-9, 277 pounds and Villanueva had been with the Philadelphia Eagles before getting released earlier this week.

Villanueva, 25, played at Army and then fulfilled his military commitment after graduating from West Point. He signed with the Eagles in May after catching the organization’s attendance at a regional combine, and Villanueva had been trying to make the team as a defensive end.

Villanueva has not played football since 2009 but his size and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect. He played multiple positions at Army and his senior year Villanueva moved to wide receiver and led the team with 34 receptions for 522 yards and five touchdowns.

[URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/8611/steelers-work-out-former-u-s-army-ranger?ex_cid=espnapi_public[/URL]

So did anyone hear what happened with this?

[Slapstick]

He made the PS as an o-lineman...

I bet he'll have an edge to him...

[hawaiiansteel]

Army veteran Alejandro Villanueva much more than a practice-squad player

November, 11, 2014
By Scott Brown | ESPN.com

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin opened his weekly news conference by thanking all of those who serve and have served in the military.

He also announced that the Steelers would do more than just honor West Point graduate Alejandro Villanueva, an offensive lineman, on Veteran's Day.

Villanueva, who was signed to the Steelers' practice squad in early September, will make the trip with the team to Nashville on Sunday.



Steelers practice-squad player Alejandro Villanueva played at Army before distinguishing himself as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, among other places.

The Steelers play the Tennessee Titans on Monday night and practice-squad players generally don't travel with the team to road games.

"Just a sign or a token of our appreciation for not only the sacrifice he's made but all of the men and women in the history of our country," Tomlin said of the Steelers' decision to have Villanueva travel with them to Nashville. "Truly a humbling thing and it's great to have him be a part of us. It makes it personal in terms of understanding that sacrifice."

Villanueva who has as unique a story as anyone on the Steelers -- or in any NFL locker room -- is trying to achieve his dream of playing football at the highest level after distinguishing himself as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan, among other places.

Villanueva tried to make the Philadelphia Eagles as a defensive end but he was cut in the preseason. The Steelers signed Villanueva with the hopes of turning him into an offensive tackle.

He has fit in well with the Steelers and left his teammates, especially the offensive linemen, in awe when they have asked him about his service.

On this day -- but not only this day -- it is worth reading Villanueva's story, which ESPN's Ashley Fox wrote last May, and giving thanks to the people who protect our country.

"We acknowledged him (Monday) in our team meeting," Tomlin said of Villanueva.
"We'll honor him not only today but all week."

[URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/10535/army-veteran-alejandro-villanueva-much-more-than-a-practice-squad-player-to-steelers[/URL]

[JoshBroski]

Definitely just a PR move.

[papillon]

Definitely just a PR move.

Maybe, but also something that I've come to expect from this organization. He's traveling with the team, not taking a spot on the eligible player roster. It's a nice way to thank you to a veteran. I call my dad every year on veterans day and thank him for his service, he tells me its the best phone call he receives all year.

Pappy

[Oviedo]

Maybe, but also something that I've come to expect from this organization. He's traveling with the team, not taking a spot on the eligible player roster. It's a nice way to thank you to a veteran. I call my dad every year on veterans day and thank him for his service, he tells me its the best phone call he receives all year.

Pappy

Well said. Even if he never plays a minute in the NFL he is more of a hero than anyone else on the Steelers right now because of his service! Deserves to experience a road game trip. Class act by the organization which doesn't need PR points.

[Shawn]

Well said. Even if he never plays a minute in the NFL he is more of a hero than anyone else on the Steelers right now because of his service! Deserves to experience a road game trip. Class act by the organization which doesn't need PR points.

$$$...I believe this was a heart felt act by the Steelers. The Steelers have no need to placate the public.

[steelblood]

$$$...I believe this was a heart felt act by the Steelers. The Steelers have no need to placate the public.

I truly hope this kid achieves his dream and at least makes it as a backup in the NFL (even if it isn't with the Steelers). He is certainly deserving. All of these selfish, look-at-me type guys in the NFL could learn something from this kid.

[Discipline of Steel]

Compare Villanueva to Stonio and then tell me character doesnt matter.

[Flasteel]

The below article talks a little bit about his position switch and experience catching the ball. I'm wondering why he isn't trying to make it as a blocking TE. Can you imagine 6'9" on the goal line? Holy redzone option!!

Regardless...outstanding character and leadership to have on your team in any capacity. Great story.


By Dale Grdnic on Nov 12 2014, 6:48p +
[URL]http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44049202/alejandro_villanueva.0.0_standard_709.0.jpg[/URL]


Alejandro Villanueva says he loves playing on the offensive line
CBS Pittsburgh
Steelers practice squad offensive tackle and Army veteran Alejandro Villanueva will be honored by the Steelers this week, including joining the team in Tennessee.


PITTSBURGH -- Despite five years away from football, it probably wouldn't be wide to bet against Alejandro Villanueva making it in the NFL.


Sure, Villanueva is only on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad right now, but his past accomplishments indicate that he has succeeded in tougher situations.


Villanueva, you see, distinguished himself while leading a platoon as a U.S. Army Ranger in Afghanistan. So, learning how to play offensive tackle at 26 years old should be a breeze by comparison. To commemorate his service, the Steelers are taking Villanueva on the short road trip to Tennessee.


The Steelers (6-4) face the Tennessee Titans (2-7) Monday at 8:30 p.m. at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn.


"We acknowledged him (Monday) in our team meeting,'' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We will honor him not only today but all week.


"We will bring him with us to Tennessee when we play this game just as a sign or token of our appreciation for not only the sacrifice that he has made but all the servicemen and women in the history of our country.


"It's truly a humbling thing, and it's great to have him be a part of us,'' Tomlin added. "And if it makes it more personal in terms of understanding that sacrifice, then what a great opportunity. We look forward to having fun with him this week.''


Villaneuva's teammates marvel at his development already as a player and the military experiences that he has shared with them.


"I don't think we've been in a situation like this where a guy that we know personally on this team has been a part of the services,'' offensive guard Ramon Foster said. "He's been a Ranger, and we're very proud to have him on our team.


To hear him talk about some of the experiences that he's been through, lets you know a perspective about how tough of a guy he is. (And) he's a guy who we're going to work with a whole lot to be a player, and I think he can be a player.''


For more than eight years, Villanueva has been surrounded by people in uniform, so Veterans Day hasn't necessarily meant a lot to him in the past. However, with the emphasis the Steelers have placed on him, his service and his place on the team, the meaning has changed somewhat.


"I've been deployed and celebrated Christmases overseas ... so, everything starts to lose their value,'' Villanueva said. "(But) now, I can look back on my teammates on the football team at Army and everybody that I served with and kind of give them thanks for what they're doing now. But for me, I never really expected anything.''


Villanueva won't be active for the game, but he's hopeful that his game will continue to improve to where he'll eventually be an active player.


"I love playing O-line, especially with my teammates, with the great group of guys that we have and Coach Munchak,'' Villanueva said. "So, for me, it's a great opportunity to be on the O-line. Catching the football is really fun, and that's what I did in college. But I think this is my position (offensive tackle), and this is where I belong. And this is where I'm going to develop my game.''


The Steelers signed the 6-foot-9, 277-pound Villanueva after he was released as a defensive end by the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason. And he came to the club with an open mind.


"My expectations were pretty low in terms of what they expect from me,'' Villanueva said. "But if I continue to work really hard, then the expectations will grow as we go into next season. I honestly feel confident that I can do it, but there's a lot of factors involved in football with what's going to happen at the end of the day. But I'm going to keep working hard and try to get over the top.''


With his track record, expectations are high that Villanueva will succeed.


Notes: Since the Steelers get an extra practice day Saturday, there was no official practice report Wednesday.



[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/steelers-titans-nfl-week-11-preview-analysis-matchups/2014/11/12/7211949/alejandro-villanueva-says-he-loves-playing-on-the-offensive-line[/URL]