Steelers Blog

This Week on Steelers TV

This week Steelers TV features the 2013 Mel Blount Celebrity Roast (Part 2 of 2).

This year’s annual Celebrity Roast honors LaMarr Woodley.  The event helps raise money for Mel Blount’s Youth Home which is a multi-service treatment program for young males who are victims of child abuse and neglect.

The show will air on CW Pittsburgh on Saturday, May18 at 11 p.m.

In addition the McDonald’s Steelers KidZONE show airs on the CW Pittsburgh every  Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Check back each week for the latest Steelers TV schedule.

This Week on Steelers TV

This week Steelers TV features the 2013 Mel Blount Celebrity Roast (Part 1 of 2).

This year’s annual Celebrity Roast honors LaMarr Woodley.  The event helps raise money for Mel Blount’s Youth Home which is a multi-service treatment program for young males who are victims of child abuse and neglect.

The show will air on CW Pittsburgh on Saturday, May11 at 11 p.m.

In addition the McDonald’s Steelers KidZONE show airs on the CW Pittsburgh every  Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Check back each week for the latest Steelers TV schedule.

Jarvis vs. Le’Veon

Today they are teammates, but it wasn’t always like that for Jarvis Jones and Le’Veon Bell.

After the 2011 season, Georgia went against Michigan State in the Outback Bowl, a game matching the No. 2 teams from the SEC and Big 10. In that game, Bell rushed for 48 yards on 17 carries, but he scored two touchdowns, of 8 yards and 1 yard, in what turned into a triple overtime victory for Bell’s Spartans. Bell also caught five passes for 39 yards in the game, and that 1-yard touchdown run of his came with 14 seconds left and was what sent the game into overtime in the first place.

“Big, strong, physical guy,” said Jones about Bell. “They beat us in double overtime. He’s one of the running backs that I definitely respect, and I love his game. And he’s going to have a bright future.

“He’s huge, and we were saying the same thing when we got the scouting report on him a couple of years ago,” added Jones. “But when you’re built like that and can move like him, you’ve got a bright future. I definitely know that being teammates now, we just have to come in and get the ball rolling.”

Jones decides on No. 91

The picking of a jersey number can be a significant moment for a rookie entering the NFL, especially for one who wore a number in college that’s suddenly illegal for his position. Jarvis Jones wore No. 29 during his career at Georgia, a career that ended with a 2012 season in which he led the nation in tackles for loss with 24.5 while also leading the nation in sacks with 14.5.

With No. 29 not available for linebackers in the NFL, Jones has decided on No. 91.

Most recently, No. 91 was worn with distinction by Aaron Smith, but he did it as a defensive end. The OLBs to wear jersey No. 91 for the Steelers were Jerrol Williams and Kevin Greene.

Williams was a fourth-round pick in 1989 from Purdue, and he played four seasons for the Steelers, during which he posted 17.5 sacks. Ironically it was Greene who was signed as an unrestricted free agent upon Williams’ leaving as a UFA for San Diego after the 1992 season. In three years as the Steelers’ LOLB, Greene rolled up 35.5 sacks.

No Round 1 mistakes this time

Used to be, the Steelers could count on their mistakes. Used to be that during the annual NFL Draft, the Steelers’ competition within the division would do foolish things, would make poor decisions in the first round, while they were using their picks in the same round to add starters and/or Pro Bowl players to their roster.

Like the time Cleveland took Kellen Winslow Jr. instead of Ben Roethlisberger, or the time it missed on Tim Couch, or the time it missed on Brady Quinn, or the time it wasted the third overall pick on Braylon Edwards, or that first overall pick it wasted on Courtney Brown. Like the time Cincinnati missed on Akili Smith, or the time it spent a No. 1 pick on Chris Perry, or the time it wasted the third overall pick on Peter Warrick, or the ninth overall pick it wasted on Keith Rivers. Like the time Baltimore, well, the Ravens don’t make mistakes on the first round either, and that’s probably why they always seem to be in the mix come late November.

But the Browns and the Bengals got it right this time. Their selections in Round 1 of the 2013 NFL Draft were good ones, and the players they added will be ones the Steelers — and the Ravens for that matter — will have to deal with soon.

The Browns picked Barkevious Mingo, who figures to be an OLB in the 3-4 defense Ray Horton is putting together up there, and Mingo has a lot of traits that simply cannot be taught. Suffice it to say the Steelers would have been tickled to have a chance to draft him.

The Bengals picked Tyler Eifert, the best tight end talent available in this draft class. He’s going to be a factor in the Bengals’ passing attack, maybe as soon as 2013.

The Ravens, with the last pick of the first round, added Matt Elam, who will be someone who eventually takes the sting away from losing the two veteran safeties off their Super Bowl team. He’s not another Ed Reed, but then again, who is?

This Week On Steelers TV

This week Steelers TV features players Draft Day Memories.

The show will air on CW Pittsburgh on Saturday, April 27 at 11 p.m.

In addition the McDonald’s Steelers KidZONE show airs on the CW Pittsburgh every  Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Check back each week for the latest Steelers TV schedule.

Steelers unveil Immaculate Reception Monument

History was re-visited on Saturday afternoon when the Steelers’ celebrated the 40^th Anniversary of the Immaculate Reception by unveiling a monument on the exact spot where the iconic play took place.

The Immaculate Reception, which occurred on Dec. 23, 1972 in a 13-7 win against the Oakland Raiders, has been selected the greatest play in NFL history by NFL Films and Franco Harris and Frenchy Fuqua, two of the key components in the play, were on hand for the unveiling.

“It makes me feel good and hopefully it will make everybody feel good,” said Harris of seeing the monument., located just outside of Stage AE on General Robinson Street. “ I smile when I think about it. What makes you feel better is we know all of the great years that were to follow. That brings a bigger smile to your face looking at the next 39 years.”

Steelers’ President Art Rooney II, Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, and many of Harris and Fuqua’s teammates were on hand for the celebration, which will continue at halftime of the Steelers-Bengals game on Sunday.

“Its great to have this mark the spot where the reception happened because it’s such a great part of Steelers history,” said Harris. “They did a great job.
“When I hear (Steelers’ radio play-by-play commentator) Jack Fleming make that call it still brings goose bumps. I just love it when he says ‘hold on to your hats.’ So much happened with that play, the emotions afterwards.  Everything surrounding  it….it was a great day, still is a great feeling and all of the excitement surrounding it.”

Steelers Huddle Guests – 12-18

The Steelers Huddle Show will air on KDKA-TV on Saturday’s at 11:35 p.m.

Show tapes at Heinz Field and is hosted by KDKA’s Bob Pompeani with a special Steelers gues each week.

There is a $5 admission charge. Parking is available in the Stage AE Parking Lot for $5.

6:30 PM – Doors Open

7:30 PM -Show Taping Begins  

The first four weeks taping is in the FedEx Great Hall and then moves to the East Club Lounge the last four weeks.

Taping Schedule 

Wed., Sept. 12 - Steve McLendon and Heath Miller (FedEx Great Hall)

Wed., Sept. 26 - Brett Keisel and Maurkice Pouncey (FedEx Great Hall)

Tues, Oct. 9 -  Larry Foote and Antonio Brown   (FedEx Great Hall)
     
Wed., Oct. 24 -  Mike Adams and Casey Hampton (FedEx Great Hall)
 
Wed., Nov. 7 –   Franco Harris and Jonathan Dwyer (East Club Lounge)

Wed., Nov. 21 –  Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis (East Club Lounge)
                        
Wed., Dec. 5 –   Max Stasrks and Antonio Brown (East Club Lounge)

Tues., Dec. 18 – David DeCastro and Ziggy Hood  (East Club Lounge)

Coordinator’s Corner: Haley & LeBeau

Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley

How did Ben Roethlisberger look today?
He looked good. I don’t think there were any setbacks, so I think it was a positive day.

Do you see him being able to make all the throws?
I think yes. Yesterday was the biggest test with the wind, and it was cold and all the factors that were involved. You didn’t see any major limitations. That’s a decision Coach Tomlin will make. I thought yesterday was a positive day and today too.

Does his rib injury limit his mobility?
I haven’t seen any of that. You have to ask him. Just watching him move around, he looks like himself, for the most part. I don’t know how he is feeling when he does some of those things but he looks like he is moving pretty well.

Are there limits to what plays you can call because of his rib injury?
We might keep the quarterback draw out [Laughs].

Do you have to pull him aside and tell him to be extra careful this week?
No. Ben is a pro. He is a tough guy. I think he understands his body better than anybody. He is the one that has to make the decisions. We will just try to put him in the best positions to succeed.

Re: Injuries to receivers:
They call themselves the “Bugatti Crew.” I call them the “Boo-boo Crew.” Today they were back out here and were moving around a lot better. As the week progresses they should feel better. Hopefully by game time we will have the full cast and crew.

Would you anticipate dressing four or five receivers this week?
Again, that’s a Coach Tomlin question. We try to get as many as we can at all offensive positions but special teams and those things factor in.

Is Willie Colon going to be back this week?
You guys are all asking me head coach questions. That will be a decision made by Coach Tomlin, Colon and the doctors. Today, he was out here. He practiced. That’s a good thing as far as I’m concerned.

Does getting the ball out of Ben’s hands this week serve him better due to his recent injuries?
I think that will serve him well all the time. That will give us and him the best chance to succeed. That’s why we were doing it. The fact that he had a bunch of games under his belt, and it’s obvious he was getting more comfortable with how we were trying to do things, and try to limit “Ben being Ben” plays, although they are still there and necessary. I am grateful he has that ability. In certain situations and times you need it. I think he is going to get back on track. He needs to get out there, first of all, then get into a rhythm and get back to doing things and progressing the way that he was, and have success doing them.

Are there any throws you would like to see from him before the game that you haven’t seen?
By the time we get through a week of practice, if he is taking most of the reps, like he is now, you see [the throws]. He’s testing himself now. We will watch the tape and see what we all think and see how he feels. Hopefully there are no setbacks and that he is feeling better tomorrow than he did today, just like he was better yesterday than he was last week. The name of the game is to keep making progress and avoid any kind of setbacks for any of these guys.

Re: The reps he has taken this week:
I’d say he took probably almost the full boat today.

Re: Plaxico Burress having chemistry with Ben:
Burress came in at a time when Ben wasn’t throwing. Really, today and yesterday, and you have to think about the couple of times they are in there together at the same time, and the ball happens to be going that way, there has been limited exposure. They are both veterans who know each other. They know each other’s strengths and tendencies. Burress is still trying to get his feet under him and get comfortable with the terminology and calls. But he’s been working hard. He looks great, physically. We will just have to see how things play out and when those opportunities arise. Hopefully he is ready to step up and make plays.

Re: Throwing the ball to Heath Miller:
I said it early on, as an outsider and someone that did some work on him when he was coming out of college. Then I had to compete against him in a bunch of different settings. He is a really good football player, specifically a really good tight end. My opinion of him has only escalated. Everything about him – when you hear the term “true professional” or “real pro,” those phrases, he is everything you want in a football player. He is tremendous in the run game for us and excellent in the pass game. He is just dependable and reliable. He is the same guy every day. That same guy is pretty good.

How difficult is it for a guy like Burress to come to a team and have a secondary role?
I would think [it’s tough] but you also have to consider he hadn’t been on a team for most of the year. I think he has been around long enough to understand where he fits right now. That doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way. With injuries and things like that, he could be playing more or less. He has been around long enough to understand how it goes. He is mature enough to handle it. He is a grown man that understands what he is trying to work towards, and he’s just getting ready for his opportunities for when his opportunities come.

Re: San Diego Chargers’ defense:
They are a good defense. They are a top-end defense that’s really good against the run. Their front 4-5 guys – and I know number-98 just went on their Reserve/Injured List, so I’d expect to see more of Larry English, but they have a bunch of really good front rushers and run stoppers. They are a complete group up front. I think it shows why they are really good against the run. They have Quentin Jammer, a big-time cornerback that has been in the league a long time. Antoine Cason has become a real good player that is a consistent performer every year. Eric Weddle is kind of the guy that makes it go, along with Takeo Spikes. You can see those two guys are the leaders of their defense. They get after it. We have our work cut out for us. We need to come out and play one of our best games, because they do a great job against the run and we obviously want to run the ball. They are good at creating turnovers. They have returned a bunch of interceptions for touchdowns. We have to be on our game and play really good football against these guys or it will be real difficult.

How did Jonathan Dwyer do last week?
He did a good job. I thought he answered the bell. With the opportunity given, he went out there and he made a real big play for us. I thought he did a good job across the board. He obviously is being tested but he passed that first test. Now he has to come out and back it up.

Does it give you a little more freedom on offense knowing that Shaun Suisham has been so consistent all season?
It’s always good to have a guy at that position. I was with him in Dallas when he was a youngster. He has really developed into a heck of a player. As an offensive coordinator, any time you move into field goal range, whatever it is on that particular day and direction you are heading, it gives you great comfort that if you do the things the way you are supposed to do them, and you don’t take sacks, you at least know you are going to have a good chance to get three points. That kind of gives you an opportunity to move the ball towards the endzone a little bit. I think it’s a very comforting thing for everybody involved when you have a kicker you can count on.

Re: Suisham now compared to five years ago:
He’s come a long way. He was young. That was in 2005 or 2006. You can see he has developed into a heck of a kicker. When those young kickers come into the league, it’s big, especially when you come into Dallas. He was filling in for somebody that didn’t pass the test. I think we were shuffling kickers that year. That’s a lot of pressure. He is doing a good job.

Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau

Re: Getting S Troy Polamalu back but losing CB Ike Taylor:
There’s not much to say. They’re both great players. We’re sure happy to have Troy back. We’re sure sorry to have Ike sitting on the sidelines but I know he’ll get back as quickly as he can. Just count our blessings that we’ve got Troy back. The guys that are in there will just have to step up and play well, and Ike will get back to us as quickly as he can.

What’s it like not having Taylor since this is the first time you haven’t had him available?
I don’t think he’s ever missed one game since I’ve been here. But he got hurt in the first series, so that was technically one game.

How much tougher is it to play pass defense now as compared to when you played?
I would say day and night. I think we would have lasted about one year under these rules. It’s significantly more difficult. You can’t make contact after five yards, that’s the biggest difference and it opens the game up for the passing game. We’ve become pretty efficient at passing and catching in this country, so it’s difficult to defend. I’ll never argue that.

How have you been able to have success limiting other team’s passing attacks when it is much tougher to defend?
It’s team defense. You’ve got to have pressure, you’ve got to play coverage together and you’ve got to hold up in the back end. We’ve got a pretty good bunch of guys. We’re not always where we want to be all the time. If you take the record overall, they’re fighters and I’m proud of them. We’re looking to get better.

How close is LB James Harrison to getting back to where he was a few years ago?
I think some time ago James turned the corner in terms of complete rehab and football conditioning and things like that. He’s been getting better every week. But I think he’s playing at a very high level right now.

What did you see from Polamalu against Baltimore, and did it seem like he had an appreciation for being back out there?
It’ll do that for you. You never miss the water until the well runs dry. You’re playing every day and then you’re not playing for a while, you do miss it. Troy’s instincts are so great and that’s something you don’t lose. From the first snap that he went in there, you could tell it was Troy in there. He’s just a special player. We’re happy to have him back.

Is it frustrating that rules change for the offense and not for the defense?
It’s not frustrating. Everybody wants to tell you how hard their job is. If you look at the popularity of our National Football League game, I guess they know what they’re doing. It’s just harder on the defense, that’s all. It’s the same for everybody. It’s the same for all defenses.

Is the plan to exploit the Chargers’ offensive line since they have been battling injuries?
Yeah, that’s what we do. I never answer any questions about game plan.

Re: Guys stepping up when other guys are injured:
Well, we’ve got a long way to go yet and we’ll see how we shake out here this last month of the season. We start from the coaching sessions, right up through training camp. We don’t try to get four defensive backs ready to go, we try to get 8-10 because we know before the season is over, we absolutely will be playing 9-10 defensive backs in the games. Experience has proven that. These guys are taught by Coach [Carnell] Lake from day one as if they’re going to be starters and that they have to embrace their role for that day that they’re going to be. Never did it pay us more benefits in Baltimore than when Ike went down, literally, on the first snap.

Vote for Batch

Steelers inactives vs. Ravens

QB Ben Roethlisberger

QB Byron Leftwich

RB Rashard Mendenhall

WR Jerricho Cotchery

T Mike Adams

LB LaMarr Woodley

CB DeMarcus Van Dyke

Steelers Huddle Guests – 11-21

The Steelers Huddle Show will air on KDKA-TV on Saturday’s at 11:35 p.m.

Show tapes at Heinz Field and is hosted by KDKA’s Bob Pompeani with a special Steelers gues each week.

There is a $5 admission charge. Parking is available in the Stage AE Parking Lot for $5.

6:30 PM – Doors Open

7:30 PM -Show Taping Begins  

The first four weeks taping is in the FedEx Great Hall and then moves to the East Club Lounge the last four weeks.

Taping Schedule 

Wed., Sept. 12 - Steve McLendon and Heath Miller (FedEx Great Hall)

Wed., Sept. 26 - Brett Keisel and Maurkice Pouncey (FedEx Great Hall)

Tues, Oct. 9 -  Larry Foote and Antonio Brown   (FedEx Great Hall)
     
Wed., Oct. 24 -  Mike Adams and Casey Hampton (FedEx Great Hall)
 
Wed., Nov. 7 –   Franco Harris and Jonathan Dwyer (East Club Lounge)

Wed., Nov. 21 –  Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis (East Club Lounge)
                        
Wed., Dec. 5 –    (East Club Lounge)

Tues., Dec. 18 –   (East Club Lounge)

Steelers notes for Redskins game

Check out the Steelers notes for this week’s game against the Washington Redskins.

Steelers Game Notes

Three ruled out for Sunday’s game

The Steelers will be without safety Troy Polamalu (calf), tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle) and linebacker Chris Carter (hamstring) this week when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday night at Paul Brown Stadium.

Gilbert left last Thursday’s game against the Tennessee Titans with an ankle injury, and after seeing a specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina on Monday it was determined he won’t have to have surgery.

“He has a tendon injury in his ankle,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “It does not require surgery. He is week to week. He will be out this week. But it was a positive meeting in that the injury does not require surgery.”

Two other linebackers are also battling injuries, including Brandon Johnson (hamstring) and Stevenson Sylvester (right shoulder/AC sprain). Tomlin characterized both of them as questionable for Sunday. And they aren’t the only ones in that boat.

“We have some other guys that could be categorized as questionable as we sit here today,” said Tomlin. “In that group is Rashard Mendenhall with his Achilles situation, Maurkice Pouncey with his right knee and Isaac Redman with his right ankle. All of these guys we are going to deal with day to day and engage their availability on their participation in practice and workouts. We are optimistic, but at the same time we are going to take it day to day.

“We have some capable men if those guys can’t participate and we will expect those guys to uphold the standard which is the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

Stallworth and Shell at Steelers-Eagles game

Steelers greats John Stallworh and Donnie Shell are at the Steelers-Eagles game, cheering on the Steelers and showing their support  for breast cancer awareness with the pink Terrible Towels.

“My Pittsburgh Steelers” Winner

Benjamin and Brian Neas from Cinnaminson, New Jersey are this week’s “My Pittsburgh Steelers” winner and were featured on today’s game ticket.