NFL: Greg Jennings contract will be a starting point in Santonio Holmes contract talks

Off-season Look ahead A top priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers this off-season will be signing star wide receiver Santonio Holmes to a long-term extension. Holmes is currently in the fourth year of a five-year, $8.11 million contract he signed in July of 2006 as a rookie. Coming off a sensational 2008 playoff run, the reigning Super Bowl M.V.P. is having a career year in 2009. After somewhat of a slow start, Holmes has 78 receptions for 1,243 yards and 4 touchdowns through 15 games, all career highs. The former first round pick draws the oppositions top cornerback tandem on a weekly basis as Holmes is establishing himself as a top 10 wide out in the league. Is Holmes in line

Tomlin must fix dissension in the locker room

Steelers lack a team concept There continues to be signs that there is a locker room divide among the Steelers veterans. It’s a problem for the Super Bowl champions that is not going away. According to former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, “Too many players have their own agendas and not enough of a team concept. There’s a problem among the players, and the Hines Ward/Ben Roethlisberger problem has not gone away despite the Ward apology. Expect changes.” Hines Ward questioning the courage and toughness of Ben Roethlisberger has had a reeling effect on this team. As NBC analyst Rodney Harrison {former teammate of Brady’s} said two weeks ago, “If Tom Brady had a hangnail, never would any of the guys

Post-Cleveland Judgements

The Pittsburgh Steelers chances of earning a playoff berth took another serious blow Thursday night as the Steelers lost their 5th straight game in what has become a stunning collapse for a team that had the look of being another Super Bowl contender, through the first eight weeks of the season. The AFC playoff picture is bunched up and even if the Steelers found a way to turn things around and win out, which appears very unlikely, their conference losses (6) has them needing Jacksonville to lose 3 games, Baltimore to lose 2 games and the Jets losing 2 games for a chance to clinch the 6th seed. JAX 7-5 (Miami, Indy, at New England, at Cleveland) BAL 6-6 (Detroit,

Steelers playoff hopes sacked by lowly Browns

Steelers lose fifth straight game Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin promised changes following the Steelers embarrassing 27-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders in week 13 but Thursday night it was more of the same as the Steelers playoff hopes were dashed by the 2-11 Cleveland Browns. The Browns handed the Super Bowl champions their fifth straight loss, defeating the Steelers 13-6 for their first win against Pittsburgh since 2003. The win for Cleveland was their Super Bowl, while barring an foreseen miracle, the Steelers title defense is all but over before the playoffs even started. After a 6-2 start, the Steelers stunning collapse in the second half of the season has happened at the hands of three of the

Steelers being exposed as losing streak reaches four

The Steelers losing streak extended to four games Sunday afternoon as the Steelers suffered yet another stunning loss, this time to the Oakland Raiders and a journeyman quarterback who didn’t have a job at the start of the regular season. Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski threw 3 fourth quarter touchdowns including a 11 yard touchdown pass to Louis Murphy with nine seconds remaining as the Raiders stunned Pittsburgh 27-24. The Steelers went ahead 24-20 on Ben Roethlisberger’s 11 yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward with 1:56 remaining, only to have Gradkowski and the Raiders go 10 plays and 88 yards for the game winning score. The loss puts the Steelers (6-6) in serious danger of missing playoffs, after winning the Super

Ravens beat Steelers 20-17 in OT

Post-Game Reaction Under the circumstances, Dennis Dixon put on a good performance throwing a 33 yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes, and running for a 24 yard touchdown to put Pittsburgh up 17-14 in the fourth quarter with less than 6:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. In regulation, Dixon did everything the Steelers could have expected and surprisingly put the Steelers in position to win the game but the Steelers defense was unable to hold off the Ravens from tying the game.

Steelers begin quest for 7th Super Bowl Title

The road to Miami kicks off Thursday night as the six time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers begin their title defense at home against the Tennessee Titans. Trying to repeat as champions is the hardest thing to do in sports. The Steelers found that out in 2006. The focus for the Steelers has been on the upcoming season not what they accomplished in 2008. Some believe the Steelers are deeper and more talented than last year. Opening up the season with the 4th easiest schedule in the NFL, expectations are high and it all starts Thursday night at 8:30 p.m.

Redman remains a longshot to make the roster

Redman needs to contribute on special teams Photo: David Hague – Inside Pittsburgh Sports Undrafted rookie running back Isaac Redman has not shown the ability to be a consistent performer on special teams, which will be his downfall to make the roster. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin indicated today again, that if Redman doesn’t show the ability to play special teams, he won’t make the team. For a number of players on the bubble, Tomlin has stated all summer that versatility is the key. Despite Redmans’ performance in the preseason and in practices, the chances are slim that he would see the field in a regular season game over Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall or Mewelde Moore. Therefore, the Steelers

Steelers Notebook: News and Notes

The Latest Steelers Buzz A numbers of talent evaluators around the league believe the 09 Steelers will be the best Steelers team of the decade. That is saying a lot, considering the Steelers have won two Super Bowls this decade but it is a strong argument. Holmes motivated to have a big year * Santonio Holmes appears primed to have a breakout season in 09. The buzz around Holmes is that he has matured as a person since the Super Bowl and entering year four, he has the chance to set his price on his next contract. His value is extremely high right now and if he reaches his potential statistically and has a 75-80 catch season, with 1,000+ receiving

NFL: Parker absent from Steelers OTA workouts

This morning the Steelers conducted their first OTA workout of the off-season. While the workouts are voluntary, players are basically required to show up. Running back Willie Parker, 29, entering the final year of his contract is among 8 players missing