DeAngelo Williams is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers

[squidkid]

Well done. But, it will fall upon deaf ears and you will probably be accused of lying. Or hiding. Or something else that isn't true.

kettle, meet pot..............lol

[Slapstick]

See what I mean?

Although, it is appreciated when other posters prove the point I made...

[Jooser]

Tomlin's take on the signing....

[URL]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000481319/article/tomlin-deangelo-williams-a-good-sub-if-bell-banned[/URL]

Tomlin: DeAngelo Williams a good sub if Bell banned

By Kevin Patra
Around the NFL writer
Published: March 25, 2015 at 09:37 a.m. Updated: March 25, 2015 at 10:22 a.m.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed running back DeAngelo Williams, it was viewed mostly as a depth signing of a low-priced veteran.


After watching the running game wither without Le'Veon Bell in the playoffs last season, Williams' addition might be more important early for the Steelers if Bell is suspended for the start of the NFL season.


"We will wait to hear what happens from a league level in regards to that," coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday at the NFL Annual Meeting, referring to Bell's possible suspension, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "But, obviously, we will be prepared to move on without him for whatever time is necessary. The acquisition of Williams helps us in that regard."


Williams missed 10 games in 2014 due to injury, but he has the pedigree to take over the starting role early in the season if Bell misses any time. When Bell returns, Williams is likely return to a complementary role.


"We needed to fortify depth at the running back position," Tomlin said. "He definitely fits the bill."


Bell was arrested on marijuana possession and DUI charges in August. Last month the running back was given 15 months probation and was admitted to a program for first-time offenders as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. Generally the NFL views those plea agreements as guilty verdicts under the substance-abuse policy, which could lead to a two-game suspension.


The NFL has yet to announce any penalty for Bell, but the Steelers handcuffed their backfield for such a future. Fantasy football players will likely need to do the same.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Asked and Answered: May 21

Posted May 21, 2015

Bob Labriola Steelers.com

Another installment of Bob Labriola answering your questions about the Steelers and the NFL.

Let’s get to it:

MARK BIERCE FROM VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Last year we put all of "our eggs in one basket" in the fact that we had no backup running back for Le’Veon Bell. If he were to get hurt again this year, what is Plan B for the Steelers?

OK, even though re-answering questions violates official Asked and Answered policy, I’m going to make an exception here, quite frankly because the assumption you make as part of your question honks me off. On March 28, 2014, the Steelers signed veteran LeGarrette Blount with the idea he would serve as a complementary back to Le’Veon Bell. Blount was more of a straight-ahead power runner, which offered a contrast to Bell’s pick-a-hole style. Blount was a veteran. He had averaged 5.0 per carry the previous season. He was durable. LeGarrette Blount also quit on the Steelers when he walked off the field before the end of a game in Tennessee on Nov. 17 as a protest for not getting any carries. That’s what left the Steelers in the lurch for the final five games of the regular season. In 2014, the Steelers had a backup plan, but they didn’t have was a plan for the backup turning into a quitter. In 2015, the Steelers signed DeAngelo Williams to be Bell’s backup, and what I feel comfortable saying definitively right now is Williams is no quitter. DeAngelo Williams is Plan B.

RASMUS MILLER FROM COPENHAGEN, DENMARK:
What happens if DeAngelo Williams is killing it in Le’Veon Bell's absence? You think Williams then will take away from what would have been Bell's carries? Further, do you see Williams scoring more touchdowns than Bell? Something in my gut tells me Williams could kill it on red zone carries. Is it just me?

To reiterate a portion of the previous answer, DeAngelo Williams was signed to be Le’Veon Bell’s backup. They are not co-starters. They are not equals. Whenever Bell is available, the job is his, because he’s the better player. As for the red zone, I’m not dismissing Williams’ ability to gain the tough yards, but Bell is a multi-skilled red zone threat in that he also is a skilled receiver. I think this tandem can be special, but it’s a partnership where there is a clear No. 1.

BRANDON LATTANZI FROM STRATFORD, CT:
I keep reading here about how Steve McLendon isn't getting the job done. If people take the time they spent complaining and used it instead to actually watch video of the guy they would see that he, for the most part, is getting the job done. No, he's not Casey Hampton, but Casey Hampton wasn’t Casey Hampton at the end of his career, either. My hope is McLendon can play a full year without injury, because I think with Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt we could have a pretty formidable front three, not one that just eats up blocks, but also makes plays. What are your thoughts on our ‘new’ front three?

This will be the most athletic three-man defensive line unit the Steelers have put on the field in quite a while. It also will be the youngest, and there’s usually a correlation there. Heyward tied for the team lead in sacks, and a defensive lineman hadn’t done that since Aaron Smith actually led the team in sacks in 2004. And for me, what I believe can become a signature Tuitt-type play was the one against Kansas City where he turned and chased the ball after it was thrown to running back Jamaal Charles and then blasted him from the blind side to force a fumble. I believe this Steelers defensive line has some potential, but it now has to realize that potential and turn it into production.

BOB SPINELLI FROM KIMBERTON, PA:
Teams are coming up with different looks for their uniforms every year – keeping the same colors, but switching some things around with jerseys, pants, etc. I like the Steelers’ uniforms and admire the traditions, but is there any talk (or chance) of the Steelers going with black pants (sometimes) while wearing their black jerseys? I think that look would be great, especially against the Ravens in a night game at Heinz Field.

Sorry, but I don’t share your enthusiasm for an alternate look to the basic black-and-gold uniform. Yes, there are teams that have gone that route, but none of those are the teams I would refer to as the NFL’s flagship franchises – the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers. Switching uniforms is a gimmicky thing to me, with the possible exception of the occasional use of a throwback uniform. But that’s only my opinion, and my opinion matters not in something like this.

SKYE CHRISTY FROM BUTLER, PA:
How many years did Terry Bradshaw play for the Steelers?

Fourteen seasons, from 1970-83.

RAFAEL OMANA FROM MEXICO CITY, MEXICO:
Is it possible to have a Super Bowl at Heinz Field?

Hosting a Super Bowl is more about an entire metropolitan area, instead of just about a stadium. That said, I believe there would have to be more work done on Heinz Field, in terms of seating capacity, and in the metropolitan area, in terms of available hotel rooms, before a Super Bowl could be held in Pittsburgh. Heinz Field will debut its new South Plaza seating for the 2015 season, and it’ll be interesting to see how that impacts capacity. It’s not impossible, but it’s also not something that’s on the immediate horizon.

KELLY GOSS FROM PITTSBURGH, PA:
What numbers do the rookies get to choose from, and do the get to choose from Nos. 43 or 24?

The NFL has rules about which numbers players are permitted to wear based on the positions they play. After that, rookies have to see what’s available on their new teams within those parameters. Rookie cornerback Doran Grant was issued No. 24, but no one has No. 43. No one has No. 99 yet, either. The jersey numbers that have been in long-time storage are Nos. 12, 32, 52, 58, 59. Also, no one has been issued No. 36 since Jerome Bettis retired after Super Bowl XL. Joe Greene’s No. 75 was retired officially last year, and Ernie Stautner’s No. 70 was retired in the 1960s.

RAYMOND GATTER FROM SAN ANTONIO, TX:
In the vein of some of the recent positional change questions, Joe Namath looked good on TV recently. Will the Steelers pick him up and convert him to cornerback or linebacker? Lol.

Don’t laugh too loud, at least not until you read the next question.

ED SCOTT FROM HEREFORD, AZ:
From what I have read Darrius Heyward-Bey has been working hard to provide value to the team but not having a lot of success as a receiver. Would it be a huge step for him to transfer to the defensive side of the ball, especially since we are still weak at cornerback?

See what I mean?

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/asked-and-answered/article-1/Asked-and-Answered-May-21/0e14d47f-3485-411b-9502-90449270fe3c[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Williams: 'It felt great putting the helmet on'

Posted 52 minutes ago

Teresa Varley Steelers.com

Running back DeAngelo Williams is fitting in perfectly with his new team.

Football was finally in full swing on Tuesday at the Steelers practice facility, well, at least football in shorts.

The team took part in their first OTA session of 2015, and for running back DeAngelo Williams it was the first time putting on the No. 34 practice jersey and actually getting to work in a football setting with his teammates after over a month of conditioning drills.

“It felt great putting the helmet on again, putting the mouthpiece in and getting the opportunity to mix it up with a new team,” said Williams. “I really appreciate the opportunity. It’s a different team, the same cast of characters. We all come in striving for one goal, to win a championship. Everybody is putting forth that effort.”

The last few weeks Williams has been putting in the effort to learn the team’s playbook, something he wanted to be familiar with when OTAs started, and comfortable with when they come to a close in a few weeks.

“I have been in it for a month and half now so I am pretty good at it right now in terms of picking up what they install day in and day out,” said Williams. “I think I am going along fine.”

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger agreed. Tuesday was the first time the two worked together on the field, and Roethlisberger was impressed with Williams’ knowledge.

“We broke the huddle a couple of times today and I checked are you good,” said Roethlisberger, who got a positive response from Williams. “I told him when we break the huddle if you have any issues ask me, and he hasn’t so far. It was the first day and we haven’t installed everything, but I thought he did a great job and I was impressed with his knowledge of the offense so far.”

Williams, who spent the first nine years of his career with the Carolina Panthers, was brought in to be a veteran backup in the ground game that is led by Le’Veon Bell and the two are already working well together.

“We started talking after he was signed,” said Bell. “He is a great guy. Really talkative. Really outgoing. He fits into the running back room perfectly.”

Williams has been at the team’s practice facility since day one of the offseason workouts, putting in his time during Phase One and Phase Two before OTAs began. It’s all in an effort to make sure he is ready when called upon, whenever that might be.

“I am happy we have a guy that can be a weapon for us hopefully all year and give Le’Veon some spells when he needs a breather,” said Roethlisberger. “He is a veteran back who has been doing it for a long time.”

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Williams-It-felt-great-putting-the-helmet-on/0a64a3f4-f2c6-4fdf-8ae8-a74a06c999a8[/URL]

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

I am STOKED!!!!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Getting To Know: DeAngelo Williams

Posted Jun 22, 2015

Teresa Varley Steelers.com

Learn more about the Steelers' 10th year running back.

DeAngelo Williams
Running Back
5-9, 215
Memphis
10th Year

Who is your football mentor or inspiration?
I have two of them. When I was in college I looked up to Ricky Williams, hence the No. 34. Some people think it was the dreadlocks. It wasn’t because of that. I just don’t like going every week to get my hair cut. That is why I have locks. Jerry Rice is the other because his work ethic on the field was second to none and a guy I wanted to model my work ethic after.

What motivates you?
I don’t like losing. I really dislike losing. I dislike losing more than I like winning if that makes any sense. That motivates me outside of my family, and close friends and doing it for the guy that is next to me as well, and seeing the smile on his face after a win and being excited in the locker room after a win with the guys you go to battle with.

What is your football mindset?
My mindset is I want to go out and play winning football. I don’t want to just play football, I want to play winning football. If that means blocking a guy or carrying a guy on a route, whatever it takes to win the game I want to go out and do it.

Why do you play football?
Because it’s fun and I have a passion for this game. I love it. Everything you find in football, you can find in life. If you can understand the game of football and can compete and win at this level, you can win in life.

What is your proudest football moment or memory?
Having my kids is my proudest moment. As far as football, if you get satisfied with having a proud moment up until now, that means you are satisfied with not making any more.

What teammate has made the biggest impression on you?
It would be Travelle Wharton, a left guard in Carolina, who played college ball at South Carolina. I was on injured reserve the year I had a lisfranc injury in my foot and whenever you get hurt or are on injured reserve, you become a zombie in the locker room. You no longer have a common interest as the others guys do if you go out and somebody makes a play, and you only see it on film, hear the guys talking about it, but you weren’t a part of it. He sat down and talked to me and showed me the little nuances of the game and the business side. I was thankful for that because it’s gotten me where I am today and that is with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When you hear Steelers football, what do you think?
Six Super Bowl championships on the way to seven.

What do you like about Pittsburgh so far?
I love the atmosphere. I love Coach (Mike) Tomlin. I love the work ethic of all of the guys. All of the guys on the offensive line, I love the relationship and brotherhood I have developed with these guys already and I know it’s going to be something special this year.

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Getting-To-Know-DeAngelo-Williams/cfe1ec34-a10d-4457-a48a-c9e5b5a6a84f[/URL]

[The Man of Steel]

I didn't know until I did some research on DeAngelo Williams that he was one of the most prolific running backs in college football history. He's still the NCAA's 4th leading rusher in career yards just behind Tony Dorsett. I used to think he was just some nobody but apparently he had solid credentials coming out of college.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I didn't know until I did some research on DeAngelo Williams that he was one of the most prolific running backs in college football history. He's still the NCAA's 4th leading rusher in career yards just behind Tony Dorsett. I used to think he was just some nobody but apparently he had solid credentials coming out of college.

Our current QB coach Randy Fichtner was the O.C. at Memphis when DeAngelo was a domiant force in his spread offense.