Mark Madden is at it again and this time he calls linebacker James Harrison an embarrassment for Pittsburgh and thinks the Steelers should suspend Harrison for the week one game against the Ravens. Perhaps Madden needs to think about taking some anger management classes as well. Speaking of Harrison, the recently retired Mike Vrabel doesn't believe he should be fined for his comments about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and if he is, think the NFLPA will likely take issue with it. The NFLPA executive committee members began arriving in Washington, D.C., today and will meet through Tuesday Read more [...]

Gerry Dulac still thinks the Steelers will re-sign free agent cornerback Ike Taylor according to his Sunday story. Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported on Sunday that the rookie salary system is a major discussion point as talks roll on today. Even the twin brother of Tiki Barber, Ronde Barber, does not think it is realistic that Tiki ends up with the Buccaneers. So much for that short list Tiki had as he better make another one. Mark Madden weighed in last night on the Hines Ward DUI charge that took place early Saturday morning. Madden says Ward will get a pass with Pittsburgh fans. Read more [...]

Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley came in at #82 of the top 100 players of 2011 as voted on by players around the NFL. The NFL Top 100 released the numbers 90-81 last night and also revealed that only 4 Steelers players in total made the top 100 list. The final segment of “On The Road” with Kevin Colbert is up on Steelers.com as he details the final draft preparations, the actual three-day 2011 NFL Draft and what lies ahead for the Steelers during the spring and summer months. TMZ caught up with Hines Ward coming out of a restaurant and he said he thought he was being Punk'd when he Read more [...]

Gerry Dulac reports that unless Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin today who will back-up Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, it may very well remain a mystery until game day. My money is on Charlie Batch right now as he has earned it and Byron Leftwich could use the extra time to continue to rehab that knee. THE PPG Plus blog is great and this morning Ed Bouchette offers up a few Chuck Noll lightning stories in honor of the delayed start time last night due to lightning. Back-up nose tackle Chris Hoke returned to practice Monday after injuring his knee against Tampa Bay and missing the last Read more [...]

Steelers quarterback Byron Leftwich told PPG beat writer Ed Bouchette that he’s shooting for a return to play against Tennessee, the second game of the season. I think that is a little optimistic on Leftwich's part. I would look for a return against his former team, Tampa. Left cornerback Bryant McFadden returned to practice on Monday and likely will start Sunday against the Falcons. McFadden has been out since injuring his pectoral muscle against the Giants in preseason. Mark Madden is finally getting around to commenting on the Ben Roethlisberger suspension length compared to that of Read more [...]

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of the Thursday Mike Tomlin press conference was the word that Jonathan Scott would work at right tackle with the first-string offense after Flozell Adams exits. We broke down Adams 11 snaps earlier in the week and he was not even close with his pass blocking. Adams hopefully will improve leaps and bounds this week as we will be watching both very closely. The fact is that neither measure up to Willie Colon thus far from where we are standing. John Harris wrote about the battle for the left cornerback position between Bryant McFadden and Keenan Lewis. Lewis Read more [...]

Mark Kaboly writes that the future may be now for Maurkice Pouncey at center and judging by his play Saturday, I totally agree. I suggested long ago that Justin Hartwig was not a lock to make the 53 man roster and Pouncey is making it more likely he won't. Sure it was just one game, but it was an impressive one at that. Mark Madden reminds everyone settle down and that it's just one preseason game. Madden goes on to state the obvious that Byron Leftwich will be the starting quarterback come week one, even if Leftwich stinks in the remaining exhibitions. As far as Flozell Adams goes at right Read more [...]

Doug Farrar has a great two part feature story on defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who will be going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. Read part 1 and part 2 on Yahoo. Scott Brown blogged that inside linebacker James Farrior has not lost a step, but was merely out of position last year, but out of position a couple of times at the wrong time, according to linebacker coach Keith Butler. I think it was a combination of both and hope Potsie can get back to his old form. Ron Cook also has a great read as well on Farrior in the PPG. Mike Bires of the Beaver County Times writes Read more [...]

The hearts of Steeler Nation go out to the Cowher family as most know that Kaye Cowher lost her battle with skin cancer on Friday at the age of 54. Mackenzie Carpenter has a great read on Mrs. Cowher in the Sunday PPG. Steelers, first-round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey had been training under the watchful eye of Tom Shaw at ESPN Wide World of Sports up until a few weeks ago. Pouncey is said to be in good shape and ready to report as soon as his contract is done. I have a good feeling it will be wrapped up late this week. Steelers second round draft pick, linebacker Jason Worilds, joined Troy 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 [...]