THREE TAKEAWAY’S FROM SUNDAY’S 24-20 STEELERS WIN 1. DOMINATING AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE: The Steelers are suddenly a team where there is some buzz about them in the AFC when discussing the top teams in the conference. The sense around the league is that Pittsburgh has the look of a football team that is peaking and two areas that standout over the past three to four weeks is Pittsburgh being a team that is dominating at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. Pittsburgh gave up four sacks against the Giants but against the pass rushers New York has on the edge, that is going to happen. Where Pittsburgh’s O-line dominated was in the trenches, opening up huge holes in the running game. Maurkice Pouncey and Willie Colon might be developing into one of the best center/guard combo as punishing run blockers…….. Ramon Foster continues to shine and MikeRead More »
brett keisel
Keisel to have MRI on Knee
Week 17 Injury Report: Polamalu “running” today
According to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers focus heading into their regular season finale is just winning in Miami and letting the rest of the playoff scenario’s take care of it self. A popular topic this week is whether teams like the Bengals and Patriots will sit starters as such moves could have a major impact on the Steelers playoff hopes. For the Steelers, there’s nothing they can do about it. “This is our bed, we created it, ” Mike Tomlin said. “We’re going to lay in it.” On the injury front linebacker Rocky Boiman – (calf strain), running back Willie Parker – (shoulder), and Brett Keisel (neck discomfort) will all be limited early in the week in practice. Meanwhile, Hines Ward has hamstring injuries in both legs. How much Ward has left in him this season remains to be seen. “Hines is miserable,” Mike Tomlin said,Read More »
Woodley elevating his game in second half of the season
By Mike Bires One reason why the Steelers can be dangerous if they get into the playoffs _ and that’s still a big if _ is the possibility of Troy Polamalu lining up again at strong safety. But another reason is LaMarr Woodley’s continued rise toward stardom. Right outside linebacker James Harrison, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, received nationwide claim the past two seasons for the havoc he’s wreaked on opposing defenses. But last year in the playoffs, Woodley, the Steelers’ left outside ‘backer, had a six-to-one edge over Harrison in sacks. “He’s been that kind of guy since he’s been here,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Woodley. “His rookie year, he came on late in the year. Late last year, he was playing good football. He’s a guy that’s on the rise at the appropriate time and that’s what makes him a good player.”Read More »
Keisel Talks About His New Deal
KEISEL TALKS ABOUT HIS NEW DEAL Since winning Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers have re-signed six returning starters to contract extensions. The latest to do so was defensive end Brett Keisel, who got a new five-year deal reportedly worth $18.885 million that includes a $5 million signing bonus on Monday.
NFL: Keisel, Steelers on verge of 5 year deal
The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive end Brett Keisel are on the verge of a new contract. Following the Heath Miller signing, Keisel became the Steelers top priority. Negotiations began a week into training camp. An announcement is expected to be made this week, possibly as early as this afternoon. Steelers insider Ed Bouchette reports, the deal will be a five year deal. Early indications are Keisel will receive $6-$7 million in guarantees. Keisel who is Ben Roethlisberger’s best friend off the field, had 41 tackles in 10 regular season games last season. Keisel also added 5 tackles (4 solo) in Super Bowl XLIII. Among the strongest backers in re-signing Keisel has been head coach Mike Tomlin. With Keisel on the verge of being locked up, the Steelers are done until after the 2009 season. The team is not engaged in talks with Casey Hampton or running back Willie Parker. NoneRead More »
NFL: Keisel not Hampton is the Steelers primary target
The Pittsburgh Steelers have informed the representatives for Casey Hampton that the team will not open contract talks with Hampton until after the season. Hampton entering the final year of contract is looking for another big pay day and the Steelers aren’t willing to pay top tier money to a 32 year old DT who also has conditioning issues The team has limited cap space after the Heath Miller signing but they remain confident that will strike a deal with
Day 7: Afternoon Practice: Insider Report
By Dale Grdnic LATROBE, Pa. — Ben Roethlisberger returned to practice Thursday afternoon, but is still showing signs that he is working his way back into shape as far as his arm strength goes. While he was sharp on the short and intermediate routes, Roethlieberger’s arm lacked some long-ball zip again Thursday, as one bomb was picked off by cornerback Roy Lewis, while another fell harmlessly short of the receiver and defensive back. After practice, Roethlisberger was carted up the hill with several ice bags wrapped to his shoulder. “Ben’s getting better, but we all are,” veteran quarterback Charlie Batch said. “I know I’m still shaking off the rust from last season, but we’re coming along little by little. It’s a process, as they say.” There was one drill where Roethlisberger displayed his accuracy. The Steelers linebackers covered the backs and tight ends off the line, and inside linebacker JamesRead More »
Wednesday Afternoon Practice: Big Ben Gets A Little Rest
By Dale Grdnic LATROBE, Pa. — Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got Wednesday afternoon off after throwing a lot of passes the first four days during the opening week of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College. Roethlisberger threw an interception in each of the opening three afternoon practices and nearly was picked off Tuesday, but rookie cornerback Joe Burnett dropped it. Other than that, Roethlisberger was pretty sharp. Then, during Wednesday morning’s red-zone drill, he fired three touchdown passes and appeared that the arm strength he was looking for had returned. But Roethlisberger might have
Scouts favor Keisel over Hampton
Keisel, Hampton have one year remaining on their current contracts There has been a growing sense since the Steelers drafted DT/DE Ziggy Hood with their first round pick that Brett Keisel will be the odd-man out as the Steelers have not held any substantive talks on a new contract with Keisel’s camp. Infact, the Steelers have also held minimal talks with defensive tackle Casey Hampton. Hampton, 31, enters the season with a $6.6 cap hit and has not been a dominating force down the middle since the 2006 season. The Steelers drafted Ziggy Hood with the idea of him eventually moving to defensive end which would put Brett Keisel’s future in doubt but scouts around the league favor the 30 year old Keisel over Hampton for the present and the future. Inside the Numbers
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Penguins voted ‘hard yes’ on 24-team format
Pittsburgh Penguins players were among the 29 teams to vote in favor of the NHL’s 24-team playoff format. In what would have been a major surprise to the Penguins organization for one, a report from Pittsburgh Hockey Now surfaced on Friday night stating Penguin player...