Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds is about to enter his third season since being drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. Several in Steeler Nation are still struggling to understand why inside linebackers Sean Lee or Navarro Bowman weren't the pick instead of Worilds. Linebackers coach Keith Butler was asked that very question during his press conference following the selection of Worilds and said, "We like those guys. We like Bowman, I especially like Sean Lee. But those guys are inside linebackers right now. And we have a pretty good quartet of guys at inside linebacker. Read more [...]

The 2012 NFL draft is almost here and every year about this time I like to go back through the Pittsburgh Steelers roster and identify the stone cold locks for the 53 man roster on both sides of the ball. This gives clarity to obvious draft needs as well as upcoming roster battles to start looking forward to. First up is the offense and below is the breakdown of the players I would bet my house on to make the 53 man roster baring some sort of injury or suspension. While you could make arguments for several others I do not have listed, I think you would have a hard time selling me that they are Read more [...]

The annual Willie Colon move to guard talk is back in high swing and so you knew the annual Ziggy Hood move to nose tackle talk would not be far behind it. It is more talked about this offseason it seems being as Casey Hampton has a strong possibility of starting the year on the PUP list as he recovers from his knee surgery. Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked on Tuesday about the possibility of Hood playing nose tackle and he replied, "Hood is potentially part of that. He is a very talented and strong guy, but I think Steve McLendon proved that he is a capable backup a year Read more [...]

By Cian Fahey William Gay is officially no longer a Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, there is a gulf that needs filling in the team's secondary. Gay may not have been a fan-favorite in Pittsburgh, but he did have an impressive season last year while playing a versatile role. Gay started outside in the team's base defense, but moved to the slot in nickel packages as Keenan Lewis moved outside. Lewis should step into Gay's starting role outside, but the nickel corner position will now need to be filled by one of the team's rookies from last season. Despite the fact that Curtis Brown was expected Read more [...]

I posted the other day about the questions at the BUCK linebacker spot now that James Farrior has been released, and how Larry Foote would be the obvious choice to succeed Farrior initially. Stevenson Sylvester, who I really think is better suited for the MACK linebacker position based on his limited playing time the last two seasons, will apparently get a shot to compete against Foote for the starting BUCK spot according to Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert today. Colbert, who is currently down in Florida at the owners meetings, was on SiriusXM NFL Radio today and he talked Read more [...]

It is now being confirmed that Pittsburgh Steelers unrestricted free agent cornerback William Gay has indeed signed with the Arizona Cardinals and will not be returning to the Steelers in 2012. Gay started at the left outside cornerback spot for the Steelers in 2012 from week 2 on after Bryant McFadden lost the spot following the week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. When the Steelers would go to their nickel sub-package last year, Gay shifted inside to the nickel corner spot and Keenan Lewis came in as the left corner. Lewis appears to be the odds on favorite now to replace Gay initially, but Read more [...]

By Christina Rivers Last week, I posted an article about Rashard Mendenhall's unfortunate position within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization that took quite a bit of heat.  While pointing out that Mendenhall was sometimes viewed by fans as not having the team's best interests at heart and the fact that he'd been criticized for public comments, I also pointed out the obvious; Mendenhall will sit on the PUP list for all or most of the 2012 season.  Mendenhall will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2012 season, and Steelers Depot writer Dave Bryan even suggested that Mendenhall may Read more [...]

Steelers fans know who Ryan Clark is.  He's usually the tandem safety with Troy Polamalu.  Clark has set himself apart this year by leading the team in tackles with 100 combined (71 total, 29 assisted).  Due to a sickle cell condition, Clark will not be able to play against the Broncos at Mile High Stadium on Sunday due to the altitude.  Head Coach Mike Tomlin discussed Clark's condition with the team's medical staff and made the final decision that another Ryan (Mundy) would play in Clark's spot.  Clark said that he and his family would have prayed about it before-hand, but that he respected Read more [...]

Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden will not start at left cornerback Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts as Ed Bouchette reports that defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau stated today that he would stick with the same secondary he used against Seahawks this past week. That means that William Gay will make a second straight start outside and Keenan Lewis will come off the bench to play outside when the Steelers play the nickel. Gay would then slide inside to his accustomed nickel corner spot in those situations. McFadden has been slowed all preseason with his hamstring injury that forced Read more [...]

Below is the defensive participation chart for the Steelers week 1 game versus the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday. The only real noticeable things in week 1 of course is the playing time that Larry Foote received in place of James Farrior. Foote was on the field for 22 of 61 non-penalty defensive plays. Jason Worilds also spelled James Harrison for a few plays and mostly at the end of the game after Harrison injured his knee. Rookie defensive end Cameron Heyward saw just 5 snaps, while Ziggy Hood saw just 10 snaps. I suspect both will get more playing time in week 2. Click on the image Read more [...]

Below is the defensive participation chart for the Steelers fourth and final preseason game Thursday night versus the Panthers. The final preseason game is usually used to look at the bottom end of the roster and this game was no different for the Steelers as they rested several veteran starters like Aaron Smith, James Harrison, James Farrior and Troy Polamalu. Injured cornerback Ike Taylor sat out again as did Bryant McFadden. Jason Worilds saw extensive work at both right and left outside linebacker spots as he logged a team high 59 plays on defense. Mortty Ivy saw 47 snaps and Ryan Munday played Read more [...]

Below are the offensive personnel packages, play counts and participation chart for the Steelers fourth and final preseason game Thursday night versus the Panthers. The fourth game is usually used to take a long look at the bottom end of the roster to gives players one last shot to make the roster. The starters only saw limited action and several veteran starters sat out all together. Nothing stuck out as far as the rotation went, but the most noticeable thing was the amount of plays that Emmanuel Sanders played. 26 plays is proof positive his feet have healed and he looked good while on the field. Read more [...]

Below is the defensive participation chart for the Steelers third preseason game Saturday night versus the Falcons. Like the offensive chart this week, nothing sticks out as far as the rotation into the game. The starters, as expected, saw a great deal of work as the starting linebackers and safeties topped out at 60 plays. Chris Carter is missing from this list as he injured his hamstring early on special teams. Crezdon Butler led the way with 75 well needed plays on defense. Click on the image below to see the full PDF version of the defensive participation chart. #PlayerPOSPLAYS Read more [...]

Below are the offensive personnel packages, play counts and participation chart for the Steelers third preseason game Saturday night versus the Falcons. The third game is usually used as a dress rehearsal of sorts so it is no surprise that the starting unit received 27 plays of work. The order of the substitutions used after the starters exited also included no surprises. The only thing really to note, albeit not a surprise, was the fact that rookie Marcus Gilbert received a few snaps at right tackle after his night was done on the left side. Personnel package wise the Steelers used 5 wide receivers Read more [...]

Below are the offensive personnel packages, play counts and participation chart for the Steelers second preseason game Thursday night versus the Eagles. Not too many things stick out as far as play counts go. Tony Hills and Jonathan Dwyer received extended playing time as expected. Personnel package wise the Steelers added the 13 package this week with the use of one running back and three tight ends as well as the 20 and 22 personnel package that uses two running backs on the field. The other packages added were the 0 and 01 which required 4 and 5 receivers on the field with no running backs. Click Read more [...]