Missing The Boat: Steelers Mike Wallace Screwing Himself

Source: Nice Pick, Cowher by Craig

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Missing The Boat: Steelers Mike Wallace Screwing Himself - Nice Pick, Cowher - Nice Pick, Cowher - A Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

The Pittsburgh Steelers 10 Best and Worst Moves of the 2012 Offseason

Source: Bleacher Report

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a quiet offseason that still managed to be a very productive for one of the league's flagship franchises. There were several great moves made, but that didn't stop the team from making a couple of moves that are, at least right now, somewhat questionable.

Here's a look at the team's 10 best and worst moves during the offseason.

Begin Slideshow

Steelers and Bengals Drafts Discussed on Yahoo Sports' Shutdown Corner Podcast with Doug Farrar and Greg Cosell

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Neal Coolong

Yahoo Shutdown Corner editor Doug Farrar had draft guru Greg Cosell on his podcast Thursday, talking about the early projections of the 2012 draft classes of the AFC North.

They both rightfully lavished heavy praise on the draft class of the Cincinnati Bengals, both this year and last year. The Bengals' trade-down move behind Pittsburgh to select Wisconsin OG Kevin Zeitler while the

Wallace, DeCastro, Adams to miss Steelers' OTAs (Pro Football Weekly)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Three key Steelers will be missing when the team kicks off its offseason team activities on Tuesday, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sunday.

Wallace Not Expected for Start of Steelers OTAs This Week

Source: Steelers Gab by Matt Loede

The Steelers will begin OTA’s on Tuesday and will likely be without wide receiver Mike Wallace and two offensive line starters.

Wallace has not signed the one-year, $2,742,000 tender offered him as a restricted free agent, and various reports say he will not do so before Tuesday.

Wallace is not required to sign the tender and the only thing required of any of their players — provided they are under contract — is to attend minicamp June 12-14, which will end these spring sessions.

Come June 15, however, the Steelers are permitted to change the amount of that tender to 110 percent of Wallace’s 2011 salary. That would reduce his ’12 salary to $577,000. Sources say they will not do that, at least not before training camp opens.

Two rookies possibly being counted on to start on the line cannot report for OTAs either. The top two draft picks, guard David DeCastro and tackle Mike Adams, cannot attend until the semesters end at their schools. That means Adams, of Ohio State, will miss through the first week of June. DeCastro will miss all of OTAs and minicamp because Stanford’s spring quarter goes through mid-June.

NFL Rumors: Mike Wallace Must Attend Steelers' OTAs to Enhance Team Chemistry

Source: Bleacher Report

Mike Wallace appears determined to hold out until he gets a long-term deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With Todd Haley now on board as the team's new offensive coordinator, Wallace should swallow his pride, sign his restricted free-agent tender and get on the field with his teammates for OTAs.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Wallace still has not signed the one-year, $2.74 million tender he was offered as a restricted free agent. The paper is also reporting that, while general manager Kevin Colbert would prefer to sign his Pro Bowl receiver to a long-term deal, talks have gone nowhere.

For the first time since 1999 the Steelers will have an offensive coordinator hired from outside the staff. Haley will bring a new system, with new terminology, and everyone on the offense will be starting from scratch. If Wallace misses time, he will be behind everyone else on that side of the ball.

OTAs are typically not a big deal, but they are for the Steelers this year.

Having a new coordinator changes the entire offseason schedule. They will use OTAs not to just stay sharp and get some workouts in, but they'll use them to actually install the new offense. 

If Wallace wants to be able to earn a big, long-term extension, he will need to have a big season in 2012. If he's not filled in on the new offense, he won't be able to do that.

Per league rules, if the 25-year-old Wallace doesn't sign by June 15, the Steelers will be able to reduce the amount of the tender to 110 percent of his 2011 salary. That would set his 2012 salary at $577,000. 

Having to sign the one-year restricted free-agent tender isn't ideal, but it's part of being in Wallace's position.

Yes, a long-term deal is certainly what he wants, but given Pittsburgh's cap situation and the team's coaching situation, he should just be a good teammate and get on the field. 

Read more Pittsburgh Steelers news on BleacherReport.com

Steelers 2011 Highlight Video Set for July Release, Announce Larry Richert PA Announcer

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Neal Coolong

Amid the pre-screening for local media of the Steelers 2011 highlight video (titled "Heart"), the team announced the narrator for the video, KDKA radio host Larry Richert, will be the Heinz Field public address announcer as well.

It's unique in the sense that when you hear "Roethlisberger's pass is complete to Miller," it will be the same voice that melts through the Steelers' highlight videos, giving each stat announcement a feeling of importance.

Gotta love that, huh?

I'm a sucker for season highlight films. They're often over-produced and melodramatic, but over 16 games, even when communities like BTSC thirst for analysis (amateur or

Mike Wallace: Likely to Skip OTA's (Rotowire.com)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Update: Wallace is not expected to be in attendance when Steelers' OTAs start on Tuesday, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Denver Broncos Should Sign Ryan Clady to Long-Term Deal: Fan's Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Denver Broncos are looking to sign starting left tackle Ryan Clady to a long-term contract extension. Negotiations have just begun, and I would expect Clady to ultimately get paid like a top-10 left tackle. I believe he's worth it, and the Broncos need him to protect Peyton Manning's blind side for the next few years (and hopefully more).

Former Steelers LB Greg Lloyd Sounds Off On Direction of Offensive NFL

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Neal Coolong

Many Steelers fans have been waiting for former LB Greg Lloyd to weigh in on the NFL's current direction of offensive emphasis and general "safety" initiatives.

The wait is over.

Lloyd, speaking to WXIX-TV in Cincinnati while at Bengals coach Marvin Lewis's charity golf tournament (Lewis was Lloyd's position coach in Pittsburgh), minced no words over the matter, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who remembers Lloyd from his "I Wasn't Hired For My

Steelers to start OTAs Tuesday without Mike Wallace

Source: NFL.com by NFL.com

Mike Wallace's ongoing standoff with the Pittsburgh Steelers is expected to continue into this week, with the wide receiver not slated to attend the start of the team's OTAs on Tuesday.

Submitted for your approval: Steeler names for this year's pledge class

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Homer J.

This looks like the best pledge class in years, and we can't wait to see them in Black and Gold. We also can't wait to see them carrying the veterans pads and doing the things that pledges do. But they have to have Steeler names, and since Pledgemaster Ward has graduated, Homer has taken it upon himself to come up with the names they will carry as they pledge Black and Gold House, which is, as we all know, the best house on campus. Here goes:

1) Pledge DeCastro: Mr. Plow. No further explanation needed. Call Mr Plow, that's the name. That name again is Mr Plow. Our pledge class President.

2) Pledge Adams: Mount Adams. He is 6-foot-7 and change, and tips the scales at well over 300 pounds. That's not quite as big as

Max Starks Waiting For ‘The Call’ From Steelers

Source: Nice Pick, Cowher by Craig

Starks will be a valuable asset to the line - starter or backup. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

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Max Starks Waiting For ‘The Call’ From Steelers - Nice Pick, Cowher - Nice Pick, Cowher - A Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

5 Steelers Ready to Breakout in 2012, Part II: Defense

Source: Nice Pick, Cowher by Dom

I certainly hope you enjoyed the first part of my “potential breakout” players post.  Today’s list will feature the same format as … [visit site to read more]

5 Steelers Ready to Breakout in 2012, Part II: Defense - Nice Pick, Cowher - Nice Pick, Cowher - A Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Greg Lloyd says NFL is 'not PBS ... it's a violent freaking game'

Source: NFL.com by NFL.com

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Greg Lloyd is not a big fan of Commissioner Roger Goodell's efforts to improve player safety.

Wallace, top picks to miss Steelers OTAs

Source: Post-Gazette

Todd Haley will showcase his new offense on the field for the first time Tuesday.

Concussions at head of youth coaches camp

Source: Post-Gazette

The Steelers and USA Football teamed up Saturday to host a training camp for youth coaches at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.

Is the Position of Running Back Still a Valued Commodity? Not as Much as in Years Past According to the Draft Trends

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Anthony Defeo

ning back Trent Richardson #3 of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a first down during the Alabama spring game at Bryant Denny Stadium on April 17, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Dave Martin/Getty Images)" height="300" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/4089695/GYI0060184298.jpg" width="200" />

It's pretty safe to say that a huge segment of Steeler Nation still loves the running game. It's Steelers football. It's our identity. If you make any case for why franchise quarterbacks and passing the football are the way to win in today's NFL, you'd probably get five counter-arguments from Steelers fans emphatically stating that a

Steelers cut one player, sign another

Source: Post-Gazette

The Steelers cut one player, signed another and named a new public-address announcer for games at Heinz Field.

Steelers Transactions Include Release of OT Trevis Turner, Signing of CB Andre Freeman, K Danny Hrapmann

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Neal Coolong

Tribune-Review reporter Scott Brown, amongst others, reported Friday the Steelers released OT Trevis Turner, and signed CB Andre Freeman, an UDFA out of Slippery Rock.

The move to release Turner was likely in part to the recent signing of OT Kyle Jolley, who also looks to contend for the last tackle spot the team will carry with it on its full 53-man roster. Turner would still be practice-squad eligible.

Steelers waive OT Trevis Turner and sign CB Andre Freeman, a Slippery Rock product. Turner spent last season on practice squad.

— Scott Brown (@ScottBrown_Trib)

Weekend mailbag: Future for Steelers kicker

Source: AFC North Blog

Time to open up some mail, which includes a couple of questions concerning the Pittsburgh kicker. C from Ontario, Canada, writes: Shaun Suisham grew up close to me and I want him to do well. But I'm a Steeler fan first, so why is he on the team still? He bombed hard last year, his field-goal percentage was 31st in the league last season. Please tell me this young guy can beat Shaun out! Or at least the Steelers will do something. Dennis from Clermont, Fla.

Weekend Check Down: The Top Stories of the Week

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Ivan Cole (RickVa)

OTAs start on Tuesday, thank God! We are about to reach our next little oasis in the Death Valley that is the offseason. You would have thought that this would be a particularly slow news week, but there actually have been a few noteworthy developments, including some continuing encouragement coming out Steelers camp. But we begin with...

Jonathan Vilma sues Roger Goodell

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma received the harshest punishment leveled against a player by Commissioner Goodell as a result of the Bountygate

Starks awaits another chance in NFL

Source: TribLIVE

Sat, 19 May 2012 17:23:16
by MARK KABOLY



...

2012 Pittsburgh Steelers Build Offseason Excitement: A Fan's Giddy Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

It is mid-May and the sports world is not focused on the NFL. But hardcore fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers are already getting excited for the 2012-13 season. While I previously lamented how hard this offseason of goodbyes was going to be, I think the Steelers organization is making all the right moves to make the 2012-13 season a great one.

Steelers reveal Larry Richert as Heinz Field’s new public address announcer

Source: TribLIVE

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:23:15
staff report



...

Todd Haley Did Not Lobby Pittsburgh Steelers to Draft Chris Rainey

Source: Bleacher Report

The Pittsburgh Steelers have never had a diminutive speedster who can contribute as a receiver, running back and return man like Chris Rainey before. They also recently hired former Kansas City head coach Todd Haley as their offensive coordinator. Haley was in Kansas City when the team drafted a very similar talent, Dexter McCluster, in the second round back in 2010. The assumption circulated quickly that Haley was behind the pick so that Rainey could become the Steelers' version of McCluster.

That assumption is wrong, at least according to Len Pasquarelli from Scout.com. Pasquarelli reports that his Pittsburgh sources "insist" that Haley didn't lobby for Rainey, even though he doesn't fit the mold of a Steelers running back. The word, per Pasquarelli, is that the Steelers wanted a back who can break a big play, which is exactly what Rainey provides via speed. While this might represent a change from previous offensive philosophies in Pittsburgh, it sounds like Haley didn't initiate the change, although he'll be primarily responsible for finding ways to activate the new school of thought via Rainey's use in the offense.

So if Haley didn't push for Rainey, who did? Rainey is "like a brother" to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer Ed Bouchette. The two lived together and played football together during their high school years in Lakeland, Florida. Perhaps Pouncey didn't pound on the table for his long-time close friend, but the Steelers certainly would have consulted him, especially about an incident at the University of Florida that resulted in Rainey being charged with aggravated stalking, a felony (he later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor).

That they selected Rainey means they feel good that he has learned and grown from the experience, and he can only benefit from being reunited with Pouncey. While it's unclear exactly who spurred the team to add Rainey in the draft, if he starts making plays like he did at Florida, where he scored as a runner, receiver and returner in two of the last seasons, then everyone in the organization will be claiming that it was his idea.

Read more Pittsburgh Steelers news on BleacherReport.com

AB's Bike to Work Day

Source: Blog 'n' Gold

In honor of today being National Bike To Work Day, some videos of Steelers Wide Receiver Antonio Brown doing just that -- biking from his home to the Steelers training facility to work out. pKp7I6tqEkY UKftRJSpPnY It looks as though he's leaving from the apartments at the Waterfront and to get to Steelers HQ on the South Side it would be about 4 or 5 miles, most of whi ...

Chat rewind: Lots of Steelers talk

Source: AFC North Blog

The AFC North weekly chat had a lot of Steelers talk, from the red zone to Ben Roethlisberger's longevity. There were some questions about the Bengals, Browns and Ravens along the way. Anthony Costa (Pittsburgh): Hey Jamison, love your blog, but I have to ask you one question that is puzzling all Steelers fans, will our offense be able to score (touchdowns) in the red zone this year? Jamison Hensley (ESPN): I don't like to say this, because you never want to highlight an injury, but the Steelers can improve in the red zone without Rashard Mendenhall.

Pasquarelli: Pittsburgh completes overdue overhaul of O-line (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger now 30, and the team's most valuable player sacked an average of 43.5 times over the last six seasons -- including 40 or more sacks in all but one of those campaigns, and coming off an ankle injury last year -- Pittsburgh has drastically retooled its blocking unit.

Should Browns add Donovan McNabb?

Source: AFC North Blog

ESPN's Chris Sprow provides three reasons why the Cleveland Browns should consider signing quarterback Donovan McNabb. Here's my rebuttal: No, no, no. McNabb has nothing left. He was beaten out by mediocre Rex Grossman in Washington and rookie Christian Ponder in Minnesota. In six starts last season, McNabb threw four touchdown passes and lost five times. McNabb has no value as a backup. Even Eagles coach Andy Reid, who needs a No. 2 passer, isn't touching his former franchise quarterback.

5 Steelers Ready to Breakout in 2012, Part I: Offense

Source: Nice Pick, Cowher by Dom

About a week ago, FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez constructed a list of N.F.L. … [visit site to read more]

5 Steelers Ready to Breakout in 2012, Part I: Offense - Nice Pick, Cowher - Nice Pick, Cowher - A Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Should Browns consider Donovan McNabb?

Source: AFC North Blog

ESPN's Chris Sprow provides three reasons why the Cleveland Browns should consider signing quarterback Donovan McNabb. Here's my rebuttal: No, no, no. McNabb has nothing left. He was beaten out by mediocre Rex Grossman in Washington and rookie Christian Ponder in Minnesota. In six starts last season, McNabb threw four touchdown passes and lost five times. McNabb has no value as a backup. Even Eagles coach Andy Reid, who needs a No. 2 passer, isn't touching his former franchise quarterback.

Way Too Early Award Predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Source: Bleacher Report

Generally, year-end awards happen...well, at the end of the year. But not this time. I'm jumping the gun a little by handing out season-ending awards to the best performers for the Pittsburgh Steelers well before training camp is even slated to begin.

Why? Well, it's simply a creative way to look at the players who have high expectations this season—players who should perform at a high level. Perhaps these four players won't; however, that's not going to stop me from a bit of presumptuous prognostication.

 

Offensive MVP: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger

Right now, Ben Roethlisberger is struggling to understand new offensive coordinator Todd Haley's playbook. But once he masters it, it's going to be another successful year for the Steelers' passing game.

Thanks to a talented group of receivers, Roethlisberger has become one of the better quarterbacks in the league. This year, with a more aggressive playbook, he should look even better than he has in recent seasons. 

The Steelers offense depends on Roethlisberger, and they won't be let down this season. He'll easily be the team's offensive MVP in 2012.

 

Defensive MVP: Linebacker LaMarr Woodley

LaMarr Woodley is quickly becoming the highest-impact player on the Steelers' vaunted defense. Last year, he picked up the slack for an injured James Harrison to the tune of seven sacks, before missing time with hamstring problems.

In a linebacking corps that's considered one of the most vicious in the league, Woodley is a standout. He's entering the prime of his career and could easily wrap up 2012 with more than 10 sacks to his name. 

 

Rookie of the Year: Running Back/Wide Receiver Chris Rainey

The Steelers took two high-impact offensive linemen in the first two rounds of the draft this year, both of whom should significantly improve the team's passing and run games. But it's a fifth-round pick, one who will benefit from those two linemen, who will end up as the Steelers' top rookie this season.

Chris Rainey represents a bit of a departure from the norm for the Steelers. He's a super-speedy specialist who can contribute in both the pass and run games, as well as on special teams as a returner.

Though Rainey won't be getting the majority of the carries, nor the majority of the pass targets, Rainey's still set to make a game-changing impact for the Steelers in his first season. Pittsburgh's offense is evolving, and Rainey will be a huge part of that evolution.

 

Most Improved Player: Wide Receiver Jerricho Cotchery

It's hard to describe Jerricho Cotchery as the Steelers' "most improved" player this season—it's more like he'll be given additional opportunities on the field and that he'll make the most of them.

Last season, Cotchery caught 16 passes for 30 yards and two scores. This season, he'll be battling it out with Emmanuel Sanders for more playing time rather than serving as depth behind the now-retired Hines Ward.

Cotchery is the most-veteran receiver on the Steelers roster, though this is just his second season with the team. His leadership is highly valued, but so his ability to make big plays in clutch situations. Look for Cotchery to become a more consistent red-zone target, with his reception, yardage and touchdown totals all noticeably higher this season.

 

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First AFC North first-round pick signs

Source: AFC North Blog

The Cincinnati Bengals have the most remaining unsigned draft picks in the division, but they became the first AFC North team to sign its first-round pick. The Bengals announced they have reached a deal with cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, the 17th overall pick in the draft. He agreed to a four-year deal worth $8.6 million with $7.84 million of that fully guaranteed, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Kirkpatrick’s signing is the earliest by a top Bengals draft pick since 2003, when Cincinnati sealed a deal on April 24 with quarterback Carson Palmer, the top overall selection in that draft.

The Shutdown Corner Podcast: Greg Cosell on the 2012 AFC North Draft (Shutdown Corner)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

With the draft over and all wrapped up, we thought it would be a good idea to get back on the phone with our buddy Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN's NFL Matchup, and talk about the NFL by division. Who did themselves the most favors in the draft, and who came up short when addressing their roster deficits? The Shutdown Corner Podcast Greg Cosell on the NFC West draft We started off with the NFC West last week , and we now move to the hyper-competitive AFC North. Appropriate, given Greg's recent post on the NFL Films Blog praising the Cincinnati Bengals' draft strategy . With that in mind, we asked Greg what he thought the Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers did to bolster their teams. Related: [Cosell on  quarterbacks ,  running backs/wide receivers ,  tight ends/offensive line ,  OLB/DE/DT stars , the ILB/DB class , and overall draft review ] Baltimore Ravens OLB Courtney Upshaw, and how he'll be tasked to replace Terrell Suggs: "The Ravens are very versatile with their fronts. Suggs would line up in two-point and three-point stances. He played a number of different positions and alignments -- that's what the Ravens do, and Upshaw fits that role. I don't think anybody's going to say that he's going to do what Suggs has done for a number of years -- Suggs is a pretty damned good player -- but the way Upshaw plays, I think he could eventually become similar to that guy." Cincinnati Bengals OG Kevin Zeitler: "I seem to be in the minority here, and we'll never know how the Bengals felt because David DeCastro was gone when they picked, but I thought Zeitler was a little more complete than DeCastro -- I thought he was a better athlete. I thought he had more scheme-versatility, and he fits very well in a zone run game. I'm not sure DeCastro does. Now, DeCastro fits in the power run game better; that's what he did at Stanford. But given what the Bengals want their guards to do, I think Zeitler was the better choice, and would have been the better choice had DeCastro been available." The Shutdown Corner Podcast: Greg Cosell on the 2012 AFC North Draft The Cleveland Browns' first-round selections of Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden: "Theoretically, you could look at it this way -- they ended up with Richardson and Weeden instead of Ryan Tannehill and Doug Martin. And I think Richardson/Weeden is the better combination ... in fact, I don't think, I know. Richardson, we don't need to discuss ... I thought he was the best player in this draft. Weeden has some concerns. He was the best pure pocket passer in this draft, but he's got meaningful and troublesome issues with pressure. That's a serious red flag when you transition to the NFL."

AFC North minicamp schedule

Source: AFC North Blog

Now that every AFC North team has had their rookie minicamp, it's time for the voluntary minicamps for veteran players to begin. Here's the schedule for each division team: CINCINNATI BENGALS Offseason Team Activities: May 22-24, May 29-31, June 4-7 Minicamps: June 12-14 (full team mandatory) CLEVELAND BROWNS OTAs: May 22-24, May 30-June 1, June 12-15 Minicamps: June 5-7 (full team mandatory) BALTIMORE RAVENS OTAs: May 22-24, ...

Q&A: Brett Keisel

Source: Scout.com

Brett Keisel, the next captain of the Steelers' defense, says something's missing -- another ring. Keisel talks about that, the buzz among the team, and much more with SCI.net publisher Jim Wexell:

Will Mike Wallace Sit Out Steelers OTA’s?

Source: Nice Pick, Cowher by Kimmy

Wallace will most likely be speeding down the sidelines this season, but not in offseason workouts. Mandatory credit: Vincent Pugliese- US PRESSWIRE

With the shakeup of the offensive line this week and the OTA’s starting next week, Steeler Nation is stoked with anticipation to get a peak at what this new Todd Haley offense is going to look like.  But one question still remains, where will Mike Wallace fit into all this?  Wallace has yet to sign his 1 year tender after lasting through the entire free agency period and not getting picked up by another team.  Everyone from Rooney to Colbert and possibly the guy that washes the game jerseys for the Steelers has said that it is a priority to sign Wallace to a long term deal.  That hasn’t happened either.  With OTA’s starting on Tuesday, Wallace will most likely not show as he has stated he won’t sign his tender until he “absolutely has to.”  Will this Wallace drama cover the entire upcoming offseason activities or is it no big deal? … [visit site to read more]

Will Mike Wallace Sit Out Steelers OTA’s? - Nice Pick, Cowher - Nice Pick, Cowher - A Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Talkin' Cornerbacks: Steelers' Starting Cornerback in 2012 Not As Important as Positional Depth

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Neal Coolong

The Steelers depth at cornerback should be one of their strength in 2012, but it's also one of its biggest question marks.

Such is the way of things for NFL cornerbacks. Every play, hero or goat. Riding that thin line between greatness and ridicule, it is, next to quarterback, the toughest mental position on the field. The Steelers will ride into training camp with one definite starter, CB Ike Taylor, and three younger players vying for the starting spot opposite Taylor - CBs Keenan Lewis,

Big Ben is bedrock of 'Rosetta Stone' attack

Source: AFC North Blog

One week, Ben Roethlisberger is being given a diploma after graduating from college. The next, he's being handed a new playbook from offensive coordinator Todd Haley. "I joke and say that my final paper for Miami on Tibet was a lot easier than the Rosetta Stone we're doing now here," Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last week. The Steelers quarterback might have been showing off with the reference to the the ancient hieroglyphic stone (and not the computer software that helped swimmer Michael Phelps learn some words in Mandarin), but you get the point of the punchline.

49er says team didn't target Big Ben's ankle

Source: AFC North Blog

San Francisco linebacker Aldon Smith told the Sacramento Bee that the 49ers weren't targeting Ben Roethlisberger's injured ankle in a Dec. 19 game. "Our goal was to win the game," said Smith, who had 2.5 sacks that game. "We don't go out and talk about hurting other players, their ankles, or injuries or any of that. We were going out to win the game. The quarterback, he controls the game. So if he got hit, it happens." While no one expected any of the 49ers to admit they went after Roethlisberger's ankle, Smith's defense is supported by the research done by my NFC West colleague Mike Sando, who found no evidence of it when he reviewed every Steelers offensive play from that game.

Will Mike Wallace Sit Out Steelers OTA’s?

Source: Nice Pick, Cowher by Kimmy

Wallace will most likely be speeding down the sidelines this season, but not in offseason workouts. Mandatory credit: Vincent Pugliese- US PRESSWIRE

With the shakeup of the offensive line this week and the OTA’s starting next week, Steeler Nation is stoked with anticipation to get a peak at what this new Todd Haley offense is going to look like.  But one question still remains, where will Mike Wallace fit into all this?  Wallace has yet to sign his 1 year tender after lasting through the entire free agency period and not getting picked up by another team.  Everyone from Rooney to Colbert and possibly the guy that washes the game jerseys for the Steelers has said that it is a priority to sign Wallace to a long term deal.  That hasn’t happened either.  With OTA’s starting on Tuesday, Wallace will most likely not show as he has stated he won’t sign his tender until he “absolutely has to.”  Will this Wallace drama cover the entire upcoming offseason activities or is it no big deal? … [visit site to read more]

Will Mike Wallace Sit Out Steelers OTA’s? - Nice Pick, Cowher - Nice Pick, Cowher - A Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Salary 6th Highest in NFL, 8th Highest in Pro Sports

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Neal Coolong

A Forbes Magazine report lists Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin at $5.75 million, tying him with Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt as the 6th highest paid coach in the NFL, and 8th highest in professional sports.

Tomlin, a two-time AFC champion and winning coach of Super Bowl XLIII, is 55-25 in five seasons at the helm in Pittsburgh, most recently, a 12-4 2011 campaign.

He's helped set the bar so high in the legendary franchise, that year, without a playoff win, is seen as a

Wake-up: Ed Reed now says he will play

Source: AFC North Blog

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here: Ravens safety Ed Reed is backpedalling once again, saying he now plans on playing in 2012 and beyond. Reed created a stir Thursday when he told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he was "not 100 percent committed right now to playing this year." He has since changed his stance. "It's not about retirement, it's about my focus in the offseason, health, family and football," Reed said in a statement given to the Carroll County (Md.

Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer Wants To Be 'One Of The Main Guys Contributing'

Source: Behind the Steel Curtain by Neal Coolong

Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Weekly penned a solid piece on Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer, and what he's up to this off-season.

From Wilkening's accounts, Dwyer is ready to compete for an increase in playing time, something he hasn't had much of since being chosen six picks before Pro Bowl WR/KR Antonio Brown.

Wrote Wilkening:

Entering his third NFL campaign, "you want more," Dwyer said Thursday. "You want to be out (there) more and more and be one of the main guys that

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Source: Yahoo! Sports

Steelers' Dwyer trying to break through (Pro Football Weekly)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

In the 2010 draft, the Steelers liked Jonathan Dwyer enough to take him seven picks before Antonio Brown. Brown, a sixth-rounder like Dwyer, has become one of the keys to the Steelers’ offense, a formidable receiving threat opposite Mike Wallace. He’s also a Pro Bowl kick returner.