The Steelers have begun signing their 2010 draft picks on Thursday as fourth-round linebacker Thaddeus Gibson was signed to a three-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Gibson started 23 games at defensive end for Ohio State University, replacing Vernon Gholston for the 2008 season. In 35 career games, Gibson totaled 82 tackles, including 25 for a loss and 10 quarterback sacks, and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after the 2009 season. Gibson declared for the 2010 NFL Draft after his junior year, citing his mother’s health issues as playing a role in his decision.

Kicker Jeff Reed said on Wednesday that his chances to sign a long-term contract with the Steelers by July 15 are 50-50. If he does not have a new deal in place by that time, he will play out his existing franchise tag, one year deal and become a free agent after the 2010 season. Reed claims he wants to stay in Pittsburgh and I think this deal will get done as long as he keeps his nose clean the rest of the Summer and is not a distraction. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation released audio and video taped statements on Wednesday from the closed sexual assault investigation of quarterback Ben Read more [...]

A new Steelers DVD is being released, but likely not one that you hoped to see as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is set to release more than 50 DVDs relating to the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault case today. Even though Roethlisberger was not charged in the case, Georgia law requires authorities to release evidence if requested. Steelers right tackle Willie Colon might not ever secure a long term deal with the team according to his agent, Joe Linta. Linta told the Tribune that Colon is destined to play for another NFL team in another year or two and that no talks have taken place between Read more [...]

John Harris explains how he thinks the Steelers brass is not completely sold on head coach Mike Tomlin and why a contract extension has not been reached just yet. Harris goes on to suggest that if Tomlin is not extended by the start of the season, it's a vote of no-confidence in Tomlin. The NFL has ordered the Baltimore Ravens to cancel their final organized team activities because of a violation of workout rules as they "violated the rules concerning the intensity and tempo of drills conducted on the club's organized team activity days. The Steelers have swapped backup long snappers after Read more [...]

The Steelers have released long snapper Jared Retkofsky and signed long snapper Matt Stewart to take his place on the roster. Stewart was a 2001 fourth-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons and was in training camp with both Arizona and Dallas over the last two seasons. Retkofsky played in 11 games for the Steelers over the past two seasons when Greg Warren went down injured.

Teresa Varley of Steelers.com writes about how defensive end Aaron Smith is starting to get back in the flow of things following rotator cuff surgery last season. Smith is a leader that was surely missed down the stretch on defense along with Troy Polamalu. Scott Brown writes about the Steelers bringing back linebacker Larry Foote, cornerback Bryant McFadden, Quarterback Byron Leftwich and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El this offseason. Ed Bouchette wrote about former Steelers linebacker draft pick Bruce Davis and how production at a big-time college means nothing when translating how a kid Read more [...]

Jason La Canfora speculates that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could have a sit down type interview with Oprah Winfrey or Larry King to get all of the laundry aired out before training camp. I think the Winfrey or King angle is a bit over the top myself, but perhaps a Jim Gray or Jeremy Schaap taped interview would be more in line. Roethlisberger only took two of the many questions the media had on Thursday. Ed Bouchette says that quarterback Dennis Dixon has not practiced with the first team much of any and it has become obvious that Byron Leftwich will open the season as the starting Read more [...]

Below is the video and transcript of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger press conference following the Thursday OTA practice session. It is the first time Ben has met the media since being reinstated to practice with team. Opening Statement: I know you guys have been waiting to talk to me, and I have to you. I just want to let you guys know how good it is to be back on the field. It’s been a long time away. It’s been hard, but I’ve been putting in a lot of time and effort, and working hard, both on and off the field, while I’ve been gone. It’s not the same. I love football to death, but Read more [...]

The Steelers continued on in their OTA session on Wednesday and head coach Mike Tomlin met the media to answer a few questions. You can listen to the audio below from the PPG. Scott Brown has the transcript as well. Wide receiver Hines Ward and center Justin Hartwig have been limited during offseason practices thus far, but Tomlin addressed the Hartwig situation when asked on Wednesday. He is still recovering from the shoulder surgery he had in the offseason and Tomlin sees no reason to rush him back. He reportedly be ready come the start of training camp. Running back coach Kirby Wilson Read more [...]

The biggest news on Tuesday was that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was back practicing with the team and looked loose and noticeably thinner according to reports. Ben did not address the media, but rumor is he might by the end of this OTA session. Byron Leftwich was an excused absence on Tuesday. Rookie wide receiver Antonio Brown and second-year cornerback Keenan Lewis went toe to toe during the Tuesday OTA session and had to be separated by teammates. Lewis is showing some feistiness from other reports this Spring and is battling hard to make the roster. This is welcomed news indeed after Read more [...]

Teresa Varley writes about how the Steelers offensive line is looking at consistency as being a major goal for the 2010 season. Varley caught up with Trai Essex and Willie Colon for their thoughts. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to practice Tuesday for the first time this Summer since NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him April 21. Roethlisberger passed his evaluation, but not much if anything is known about what type of test or evaluation he was given. Two clinical psychologists not involved in the Roethlisberger gave thoughts on what might have taken place during the behavioral Read more [...]

The biggest news on Thursday was that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell advised the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger that he is cleared to return to team activities beginning next week. No word on if the suspension has been shortened to 4 games yet, but there is no hurry for that word to come down. The Steelers resume practices on June 1st. Art Rooney II also issued a short statement on the matter. Scott Brown has a story on new Steelers special teams coordinator, Al Everest. Everest uses an interesting analogy in describing special teams play. "I always say if there's 20 hostages, and you save Read more [...]

Based on the reports and recommendations of our medical experts, Commissioner Goodell advised the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger today that he is cleared to return to team activities beginning next week. The commissioner will continue to monitor Roethlisberger’s progress as he begins the next phase of his recommended plan and will meet with Roethlisberger again at the appropriate time. There has been no decision on any modification to the length of Roethlisberger’s suspension. In his April 21 disciplinary decision, Commissioner Goodell announced that Roethlisberger is suspended without Read more [...]

First-round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey got a scare on Wednesday as he had his toe stepped on by Trai Essex, who weighs 300 plus pounds. Pouncey escaped serious injury thankfully and got some work in at center with starting center Justin Hartwig and backup Doug Legursky both sidelined. All of the coaching staff is raving about the progress Pouncey is making and he surely could threaten Essex for the starting right guard spot. Running back Rashard Mendenhall said on Wednesday he would enjoy running behind a true fullback. “A fullback in the backfield he can probably see a lot of things a tight Read more [...]

Rookie linebacker Jason Worilds is slowly making the transition from left defensive end to a stand up right outside linebacker. Worilds is slowly being groomed to be the heir apparent to Pro Bowler James Harrison. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has notes from the Tuesday OTA practice session and lets you know who did and did not practice. It is interesting that center Justin Hartwig still slowed from off season surgery. Not a huge deal in May mind you, it just bares watching. Ed Bouchette's latest Steelers chat transcript is now up on the PPG website. Ed claims that rookie running back Jonathan Read more [...]

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is not expected to attend mini camp, OTA practice Tuesday as the Steelers are still awaiting word from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on when he can re-join the team. Steelers linebackers James Harrison and Patrick Bailey took to the runway as models in a star-studded charity event. Pictures are posted at the link provided as well. Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood and punter Daniel Sepulveda will take part in a youth football camp that the Steelers are hosting June 12 at Tecnologico de Monterrey, Santa Fe Campus, in Mexico City. The Steelers as most know have Read more [...]

2nd year receiver Mike Wallace joined Vinnie and Cook on 93.7 the Fan for an on air interview to discuss his new role with the Steelers. On Sunday, Ed Bouchette took a look at the role of fullbacks in Steelers history and shows the position's evolution from runner to blocker. Eric Knopsnyder of The Tribune Democrat caught up with Steelers broadcaster Bill Hillgrove in Johnstown, PA and got his thoughts on Ben Roethlisberger winning back the team and fans. Joe Starkey had a rant on Sunday that he has had enough with the Ben Roethlisberger stories. The Sports Illustrated cover piece ought Read more [...]

Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau was spotted wearing a Aaron Smith's jersey during Thursday's OTA session after wearing James Farrior's on Wednesday. LeBeau is a master at motivating his players, earning their respect and sending them messages. Nick Fierro of the Morning Call has an article on the opportunity former Steelers 2009 draft pick A.Q. Shipley has to make the Eagles roster. Shipley is a Penn State grad. Ed Bouchette caught up with current #3 quarterback Charlie Batch to find out about his thoughts on possibly being the starter. Batch is the consummate professional, but Read more [...]

Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison and defensive end Brett Keisel did not practice on Wednesday so Andre Frazier and Nick Eason worked in their places respectively. Ziggy Hood has been working at left end this OTA. Keyaron Fox, Justin Hartwig and Hines Ward also did not practice and Troy Polamalu is back in California. Channel 4 Action Sports' John Meyer sat down with Steelers first-round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey on Tuesday for a candid interview. Teresa Varley of Steelers.com wrote about how Hines Ward has taken on a new role during the Steelers OTAs this offseason of mentoring Read more [...]

The Steelers resumed OTA mini camps on Tuesday and head coach Mike Tomlin held a press conference afterward s. Here is the transcript. The QB rotation remained Byron Leftwich No. 1, Dennis Dixon No. 2 & Charlie Batch No. 3 as the OTA's continue on through this week. Mike Tomlin has said he'd know who his new starter is when training camp opened. Scott Brown notes the weight Leftwich has lost. The Ed Bouchette weekly Steelers chat transcript was posted yesterday afternoon for reading. Ed puts to bed the laughable JaMarcus Russell and Terrell Owens talk. Ohio State rookie outside linebacker Read more [...]