By Jeremy Hritz In 2005, the Pittsburgh Steelers won a Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks with receivers Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El, and Cedrick Wilson. Again in 2008, the Steelers captured their sixth Lombardi against another NFC West opponent in the Arizona Cardinals with Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Nate Washington. Wilson, Randle El, and Washington were solid, Holmes was clutch, and Ward is a future Hall of Famer. Outside of Washington, none of these guys were burners who could successfully get vertical, but they were all reliable and able to be depended on for earning crucial first Read more [...]

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians spoke to the Indianapolis Colts media today after being named the teams new offensive coordinator. Arians talked about returning to Indianapolis, Peyton Manning and the upcoming opportunity to possibly work with a young quarterback. He also took questions about his offensive philosophy and of course about his time in Pittsburgh. Below are the transcribed questions and answers pertaining to the Steelers. Re: On his main philosophy in running an offense Arians: Balance. You cannot be one dimensional. I like to go back and look at Read more [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor joined John Harris on Trib Live Radio on Tuesday for his weekly "Ike Taylor Show" and Taylor talked on several topics during the almost half hour spot. Taylor specifically was asked about the change at offensive coordinator and how if it were up to him, he would want the offense to run. Taylor gives his reasoning why in the interview from the perspective of a defensive player. You can listen to the full interview here and below are the three questions and answers concerning the running game transcribed below for your convenience. Harris: The recent changes Read more [...]

Fresh off of his first Pro Bowl appearance, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown called into 93.7 The Fan this morning from Hawaii to answer a few questions about his experience playing in the annual NFL All-Star game. Brown talked about playing defense and getting mentored by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. Brown then answered questions about what the loss of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians means and how he thinks it would be great if quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner were to get promoted. Brown goes on to say that the offense does not need much tweaking and that not much Read more [...]

The Senior Bowl is now in the books and so kicks off the march towards the 2012 NFL draft. The next big event of course is the NFL combine that begins February 22nd and that is followed by the individual college pro days and pre draft visits. I purposely waited to release my first version of the 2012 Steelers mock draft so I could watch the Senior Bowl week coverage and game as to allow me to see several of players play and practice. With that said, I also like to research extensively to get a feel of what rounds players are expected to go in. As we have seen time and time again, several players Read more [...]

The Pittsburgh Steelers had five players in the 2012 Pro Bowl game Sunday in Hawaii and all 5 made contributions. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes Sunday to help lead the AFC to a 59-41 win over the NFC in the annual NFL All-Star game. In addition to the two touchdowns, Roethlisberger completed 6-of-11 passes for 181 yards as he started the game at quarterback for the AFC squad. He connected with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green for a 34-yard touchdown for the AFC’s first points of the game and found Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall for a 74-yard Read more [...]

Nike will become the official uniform provider for the NFL in 2012 as they take over for Reebok and today you can get a glimpse of the new Nike Vapor Jet gloves during the 2012 Pro Bowl. Nike made the announcement on their Facebook page a few days ago and you can see the Steelers version of the new Nike gloves below that Steelers players Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Ryan Clark figure to be wearing today. You may even see linebacker James Harrison wearing them as well, but one thing you will not see from Harrison today is tweets on Twitter. Harrison finds the double standards appalling and tweeted Read more [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Ryan Clark has been added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster in place of Baltimore Ravens injured safety Ed Reed. This will be the first trip for Clark to the NFL’s annual all-star game. It was announced just a few days ago that linebacker James Harrison was added to the Pro Bowl as he will replace Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. At least three Steelers players have made the Pro Bowl every season dating back to 2001. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Mike Wallace, center Maurkice Pouncey, safety Troy Polamalu and kick returner Antonio Brown were voted in to Read more [...]

The recent report by ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen suggest that Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II did not retain offensive coordinator Bruce Arians for 2012 because Rooney wants the team to shift the offense back toward its blue-collar identity of years past. Well, what exactly does he mean by blue-collar identity? That could mean several things, run more, work ethic, etc. I know what Mortensen is likely implying here and of course the media and fan base will jump right to the idea of running more as he hints in his report. First, there remains a ton of speculation to the Read more [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison will have to put his snow plowing job search on hold as it was announced tonight that he has been added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Harrison reportedly will be replacing Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who will miss the game with an injury. This will be the fifth straight trip to the Pro Bowl for Harrison. He recorded 9 sacks and 59 total tackles in 11 regular season game this past season. Harrison will join teammates Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown on the AFC roster. Maurkice Pouncey and Troy Polamalu were also voted Read more [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will not play in the 2012 Pro Bowl in Hawaii due to an injury according to the Denver Broncos website. Polamalu will be replaced on the AFC roster by Broncos safety Brian Dawkins as a result according to the site. Polamalu had 91 tackles during the regular season and recorded 2 interceptions, 1 sack and recovered 1 fumble that he returned for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts back in week 3. Polamalu was selected to his seventh Pro Bowl this year, his sixth as a starter and also earned Associated Press first team All-Pro honors as well. Earlier Read more [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery was on 93.7 The Fan this morning and talked candidly on several subjects. Cotchery, who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent, talked about his want to stay in Pittsburgh and his meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin after the season ended. Cotchery also talked about the rumor that offensive coordinator Bruce Arians might be gone next year and how he enjoyed playing in his system. He also discussed the great year that Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders had, but thinks they could still use a veteran presence in the lockerroom. Below Read more [...]

One of the biggest gripes you will hear from Steeler Nation concerning the play calling of Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is his use of the wide receiver bubble screen. Everyone screams bloody murder when one goes for negative or minimal yardage and to hear the fan base talk, Arians uses it 10 times a game and 10 times too much. The bubble screen is predominantly used as a run game alternative and is effective in getting the ball in the hands of your best play makers using a high percentage throw. The use of it can help in keeping defenses honest in regards to over-committing Read more [...]

Peter King wrote in his MMQB piece how the New York Giants would have been fine drafting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger if San Diego Chargers GM A.J. Smith had played hardball with then-Giants GM Ernie Accorsi as the clock wound down on the fourth overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft. Hines Ward was on NFL Total Access yesterday and talked about losing to the Denver Broncos and how he still wants to continue to play for the Steelers. Tackle Marcus Gilbert talked with Teresa Varley of Steelers.com at the end of the season about what he learned his rookie season. Mike Bires asked wide receiver Read more [...]

Season 2, Episode 68 of The Terrible Podcast is up and with David Todd tied up in New York, Nick Richetta helps co-pilot the show today and I get the thoughts from Nick from the AFC Wild Card Game against the Denver Broncos from an offensive perspective to start things off with after we get through the latest headlines. Nick and I talk about the offensive line, running backs and wide receiver in addition and get to several questions from Twitter followers and emailers as well. Make sure to follow Nick on Twitter at @SteelerCityKid117 and if you want to buy him a cup of coffee, you can send him Read more [...]