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 [...]

The Las Vegas Review-Journal has a story on Frank Summers who is recovered from back surgery and looking to make up lost time from his rookie season. Running backs coach Kirby Wilson said the Steelers will use Summers at running back as well as on special teams this Summer. The Steelers resume spring OTA practices today, but likely will still be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger again as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has yet to clear Roethlisberger to rejoin the team in their workouts at the team's facility. Roethlisberger is indeed back in Pittsburgh though and made a public appearance Read more [...]

Steelers.com latest article by Bob Labriola focuses on new special teams coach Al Everest and the task he has ahead to improve the overall poor play last season on the special teams unit. Ed Bouchette explains how the upcoming capless salary cap season might make it tough for the Steelers to sign linebacker LaMarr Woodley to a long-term contract. Woodley is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract this upcoming season. Sporting News writer Dennis Dillon has a 7 question interview with head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin does not reveal much, but does say the Steelers will not approach Read more [...]

Steelers linebacker James Harrison and Bears linebacker Lance Briggs were named to the All-Pro second team after the Associated Press called for a re-vote due to suspension of Texans linebacker Brian Cushing. Harrison and Briggs tied for fourth in the AP recount, leaving them to share the spot next to fellow Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley as the second-team outside linebackers. Steelers.com has a new "Hearing from Coach Mike Tomlin" interview up. It is not very revealing, but something to chew on nonetheless. 79 more days until training camp, folks. The Bengals claimed running back Walter Read more [...]

Ben Roethlisberger has reportedly completed his behavioral evaluation, and he and the Steelers now await word from the NFL on when he can return to full participation training with the team. The evaluation ordered by commissioner Roger Goodell was completed last week but Roethlisberger could have receive further evaluation or treatment. The weekly entertaining and informative Steelers chat transcript with Ed Bouchette is up now on the Post-Gazette. Ed says talks with kicker Jeff Reed and a new contract should resume June 1st. Mildred Harrison, the mother of linebacker James Harrison, was Read more [...]

To no surprise the Steelers placed wide receiver Limas Sweed on the injured reserve list on Tuesday thus ending his season. Sweed injured his Achilles last mini-camp and had surgery to repair it the following week. He was Waived/Injured on Monday and has since cleared waivers. He will now not count against the Steelers 80 man roster. To fill his place on the roster, the Steelers signed first-year wide receiver Isaiah Williams.

Steelers guard Trai Essex, center Justin Hartwig and h-back Sean McHugh dropped in to visit patients who were getting treatment at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. It is so good to read about stories like this. Defensive end Aaron Smith is ready for the upcoming season as he has rehabbed from major shoulder injury and ready to fool everyone in 2010 at the age of 34. Smith's son Elijah has also made remarkable progress recovering from cancer and all signs point to him making a full recovery. I can't wait to see Smith back on the field. Scott Brown blogged about defensive line coach John Mitchell Read more [...]

Teresa Varley has a story up on Steelers.com about rookie running back Jonathan Dwyer and his wait to be drafted on draft day. Fans can also submit Dwyer a question through the Ask The Steelers section. The agent for kicker Jeff Reed met with Steelers executives Kevin Colbert and Omar Khan in Pittsburgh on Tuesday to negotiate a multiyear contract before July 15. Reed is currently the the franchise player and he must sign a new contract by July 15 or his one-year tender of $2.814 million will take effect. Steelers all-time great center Dermontti Dawson is a coaching intern with the Bengals Read more [...]

The Oakland Raiders released former No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell on Thursday after a three-year tenure marked by his high salary and unproductive play on the field. Hard to believe even Al Davis is admitting defeat so soon, but in a non salary cap year, it is a chance to get out from under the future cap charge. NFL.com has Russell as the No. 1 all-time bust. WTAE-TV reporter, Josh Taylor, tweeted a little known fact yesterday that Jamarcus Russell has the 2nd worst completion percentage of any quarterback drafted 1st overall. Terry Bradshaw has the worst. Steelers.com is accepting Read more [...]

Sports Illustrated writer, David Epstein, speculates if the head injuries suffered by Ben Roethlisberger over the years may offer any insight into his recent alleged behavior. Carl Prine touched on this as well for the Pittsburgh Tribune last month. Ben Roethlisberger jersey sales have taken a nose dive in the month of April. Roethlisberger had ranked 11th in the NFL for the year ending March 31st. Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow saw his jersey was at No. 1 for the month of April. Steeler Nation has been asking how the 49ers got around the 30% rule with the new Patrick Willis contract. Read more [...]

The fallout continues for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he will appear on the cover of the latest edition of Sports Illustrated. The feature article is titled “The Hangover” and details what the magazine calls “the ultimate expression of athletic entitlement run amok.” Ed Bouchette's ever entertaining and ever educating Steelers chat transcript is up on the Post Gazette as of yesterday afternoon. Ed writes that he doubts an extension gets done with head coach Mike Tomlin this season. Hines Ward is toting the company line to running the ball more in 2010. Ward believes Ben Roethlisberger's Read more [...]