Steelers – Bengals Pre-Game Buzz: Mendenhall to be active; Bengals 24-20 over Steelers?
BENGALS (8-6) @ STEELERS (7-7) Time: 1:00 p.m. Odds: Pittsburgh -3.5 What’s on the Line?: The Steelers and Bengals both control their playoff destiny. A win by Cincinnati eliminates Pittsburgh from playoff contention and keeps them in the hunt for the AFC North Title and the No. 4 spot in the conference. The Bengals have played 29 seasons without back to back playoff seasons. That can change today. Meanwhile, for the Steelers, if they take care of business at home today and next week at home vs Cleveland, they are heading to the playoffs. Stat that Stands Out!:The Bengals have a plus-17 turnover differential over the Steelers. Cinncinati has a +3 turnover differential, while Pittsburgh has an awful -14 mark. Pittsburgh
Linebackers James Harrison and Jason Worilds activated off PUP list
The Steelers this afternoon activated veteran linebackers James Harrison and Jason Worilds from the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) List. Harrison, 34, entering his ninth season with the Steelers, has been hampered by a knee injury all off-season but remains a possibility to play in the week 1 opener. Worilds, the Steelers second round pick in 2009 and primary backup outside linebacker, has been recovering from off-season wrist surgery. The Steelers released running back Jason Ford, who was signed earlier in training camp to clear a roster spot.
Mendenhall activated off PUP list
Big news in Latrobe for the Steelers on their last day at camp.
Willie Colon informed he’s moving to left guard
COLON SHIFTING TO LEFT GUARD It was only a matter of “when” not if the Steelers move Willie Colon to left guard, and Colon has already started making the transition to left guard. Colon was quoted today via Mike Prisuta of DVE saying he’s moving to left guard. “I’m making the transition to left guard, ” Colon said. “I like it, it’s just a matter of learning the verbiage.” The Steelers informed Colon about the move immediately after the draft. Colon is now penciled in at left guard with first round pick David DeCastro at right guard. The move of Colon to left guard and DeCastro at right guard, pushes Ramon Foster out of the starting lineup. Foster is due
Ravens defense to take huge hit for 2012
The Baltimore Ravens vaunted linebacking corps won’t be so vaunted in 2012. After losing Jarrett Johnson to free agency, the hits keep coming to the Ravens front-seven and the latest hit is a significant one, losing 2011 defensive player of the year Terrell Suggs to a torn achilles that is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season. There’s not a player on that defense who impacts a game more than Suggs who led the Ravens with 14 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 7 forced fumbles in 2011. This is like Pittsburgh losing Troy Polamalu for the year. The biggest concern for the Ravens moving forward is the sudden drop they are likely to have in the
Latest Steelers Draft Chatter: Will Steelers find dominant guard to put next to Pouncey in round 1?
LATEST STEELERS DRAFT CHATTER The NFL draft is just two days away and chatter is heating up on the Steelers going offensive line with the 24th overall pick. The Steelers have drafted an offensive lineman the past two years in either round 1 or round 2, and there’s a distinct possibility the team goes in that direction this week. [instory] Head coach Mike Tomlin has long sought a potential dominant guard to team next to Maurkice Pouncey for the next several years, which had Tomlin very interested in trading up for Pouncey’s twin brother Mike Pouncey last April if Pouncey were to fall into the 20’s. Ramon Foster has emerged as a dependable starting right guard but the Steelers have
2012 Steelers Schedule: Ben vs Peyton in Week 1 among marquee matchups
Steelers open season in Denver The Pittsburgh Steelers will open the 2012 season in primetime, traveling to Denver for a week 1 showdown with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Pittsburgh returns to Denver who stunned the Steelers in the playoffs, but the Broncos will have a different look with no Tim Tebow and now one of the best QB’s to ever play the game behind center in Peyton Manning. It’s a week 1 matchup that will be a ratings galore for NBC. Pittsburgh’s primetime matchup in week 1 will be one of five primetime matchups this season for the team. Pittsburghâs nationally televised primetime games at Heinz Field include one against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, Nov. 12
Steelers sign tight end Leonard Pope to 1 year deal
The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on a one year deal with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Leonard Pope, the team announced this afternoon. Pope who was played the past five seasons under Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft out of the University of Georgia. After spending his first three seasons in Arizona (2006-08), Pope played for the Kansas City Chiefs the past three years (2009-11). Pope has started 49-of-87 career games played, including 10 of 16 in 2011. Pope set career highs in receptions (24) and receiving yards (247) last season with the Chiefs. For his career, Pope has registered 102
Updated Steelers Draft Visit Tracker: Scouting Reports – RT Bobby Massie visiting today
STEELERS DRAFT VISIT TRACKER Here is an updated look at the Steelers Draft Visit Tracker that includes scouting reports for all draft prospects who have visited the Steelers that count against the 30-maximum prospects the Steelers can host. The scouting reports are in order of the projected round the draft prospects are expected to be drafted in. Draft Visits: OT Mike Adams, WR Ty Hilton, DT Derek Wolfe, OG Brandon Brooks, CB Keith Tandy, LB Jerrell Harris, RB Isaiah Pead, RT Bobby Massie Latest Scouting Reports: Bobby Massie (April 4th visit), Brandon Brooks (March 30th visit), Isaiah Pead (Apri 3 visit), Jerrell Harris (April (3rd visit), Keith Tandy (April 3rd Visit) ***Updated April 4th*** SCOUTING REPORTS OT Mike Adams –
NFL News: Tebow a Jet; League comes down hard on Saints
NFL NEWS — Tim Tebow is a New York Jet. The Jets this afternoon acquired Tebow from the Denver Broncos inexchange for a 4th round pick. The Broncos will also receive a 6th round pick, according to reports. The Tebow media frenzy will now be out of control in New York. — The NFL struck down on the New Orleans Saints for their involvement in bounty gate: Among Notable Sanctions *Saints head coach Sean Payton has been suspended for one year and the suspension begins April 1st *Saints GM Micky Loomis has been suspended for the first 8 games of the season *Former defensive coordinator Greg Williams (current Rams DC) is suspended indefinitely and is expected to be suspended for