A group of retired players filed a class-action complaint against the owners and current players in federal court Monday, saying they have been excluded from the mediation sessions taking place in an attempt to end the lockout. Former Steelers running back Franco Harris is one of the named plaintiffs. Albert Breer of the NFL Network brings you up to speed on the labor negotiations that are expected to continue today. Steelers safety Ryan Clark joined 93.7 The Fan this morning to talk about his trip last week to Samoa to help fellow safety, Troy Polamalu, with his football camp. Pat Kirwan of Read more [...]

Several teams might be possible suitors for free agent Willie Colon as he is looking for a fair deal according to Scott Brown. Although Colon would rather stay at tackle, he is not opposed to moving to guard if he returns. Colon, said. "We pull (left guard) Chris Kemoeatu so much that if I was to move to guard, I know I could add some balance. Colon's agent does not expect to hear from the Steelers about a new contract once the lockout ends. Jason La Canfora and Elliot Harrison of NFL.com debate if Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed the best safety in the league. There of course is a reader poll you can Read more [...]

The great UFO mystery from the 1979 Steelers Cowboys game at Three Rivers Stadium has been solved as it was only a kite. The aliens were not coming after big headed Roger Staubach like we thought. Nothing more to see here, move along now. Hines Ward said on NFL Total Access yesterday evening that he wants to play until the wheels come off and that likely means two more seasons if he stays healthy. You can watch the sit down here with Rich Eisen. Hines also participated in the live chat on NFL.com on Wednesday and laid a little smack on Baltimore in the process when asked about his thoughts Read more [...]

The Rich Eisen Podcast is moving to television on the NFL Network beginning on Thursday, June 16 at 8 p.m. ET and Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward will be joining the program to talk to host Rich Eisen. Eisen is no stranger to the viewers of the network as he has hosted NFL Total Access for some time now along with the NFL Game Day show on Sunday mornings during the season. Eisen has hosted his own podcast over the last several month and it has picked up quite a following in the process as it has been downloaded more than one million times since its launch. The weekly podcast will still be Read more [...]

Hines Ward was a presenter last night at the 2011 CMT Music Awards and wore his black cowboy hat and big belt buckle as he presented an award with Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. You can catch a quick glimpse of Hines at the 1:09 mark in the video recap below. A motion was filed on Wednesday to dismiss a federal tax case against Steelers Hall of Fame defensive back Mel Blount. Blount had owed over $650 K in back taxes and penalties and it is unclear if he has settled that amount as of yet. Episode #60 of The Terrible Podcast is now out and David Todd and I talk about the Terrelle Pryor Read more [...]

Steelers receiver Hines Ward was on 680 The Fan radio in Atlanta for an interview you can listen to and said it's difficult to take big hits out of football and suggests flag football and that the new guidelines clash with the physical nature of the sport. He made it pretty clear that he didn't agree with the new rules. The latest episode of The Terrible Podcast is up and David Todd and I talk about the Ohio State mess, the recent James Harrison comments on the new rules and it ends with an interview of Steelers kicker Swayze Waters. NFL.com writers Charles Davis, Jason La Canfora, Vic Carucci, Read more [...]

Pat Kirwan had an article on NFL.com back in 2008 entitled, "First-down success is the key to third-down conversions" and I rediscovered it by going through some of my old bookmarks recently. The article is pretty straight forward with quite an obvious tone. The more yards you get on first down the better the chance you will stay out of 3rd and long or avoid 3rd downs as often as possible. Not really an earth shattering revelation by any means, but not necessarily a measure of success though as you will see in the tables below. First let us start with the 2010 conversion rates like Kirwan did Read more [...]

Jory Rand caught up with Steelers free agent cornerback Ike Taylor who is training down in Orlando with Tom Shaw and friends and got some reiterated thoughts from Taylor on his want to return to the Steelers next year. Taylor just wants whatever his market value is and you can't blame him. Video of the interview is below and you can see how great of shape Taylor is. Former Steelers guard Alan Faneca announced his retirement yesterday after 13 seasons in the NFL. Jason Vida makes the case for Faneca to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 5 years when he is eligible. [phpbay]Steelers 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 [...]

Bob Labriola latest in his series of stories chronicling the 52 playoff games in Steelers history focuses on the 1975 playoff win against the Colts is up on Steelers.com. The Steelers 2011 regular season schedule was released Tuesday evening and my podcast partner David Todd has a look at the first 4 games of which 3 are on the road. John Harris has a draft value piece up on the Trib site and makes a strong argument for drafting a defensive or offensive line player instead of a cornerback. Gerry Dulac gives a more in-depth breakdown of the Steelers first round pick on this NFL.com Path Read more [...]

The Steelers 2011 pre season schedule was released last week and now the Steelers 2011 regular season schedule is slated to be released tomorrow, Tuesday the 19th at 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL.com. The Steelers 2011 opponents have been known since the end of the 2010 regular season and now the dates and times will be finalized Tuesday. Make sure to check back on Tuesday night for the official dates and times and order the games will be played. 2011 Steelers Opponents Home Browns Bengals Ravens Jaguars Titans Patriots Seahawks Rams Away Browns Bengals Ravens Texans Colts Chiefs 49ers Cardinals Read more [...]

Remember Steelers special teams ace Chidi Iwuoma? He is the latest former player that Teresa Varley talked to in her "Where Are They Now" series. Ed Bouchette has more from his recent sit down with Ben Roethlisberger and how he reminds himself daily of the Super Bowl loss to the Packers. John Harris goes over where several Steelers players are working out at during the lockout and the importance of it. ESPN.com is gearing up for it's annual blogger mock draft on April 25 and AFC North blogger James Walker will be taking reader input starting on Tuesday. Steelers Hall of Fame running Read more [...]

The latest Hearing from Coach Tomlin segment is up on Steelers.com and Mike Tomlin talks about pre draft visits, the draft process and other draft topics. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians would pass even more if it were up to them. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Judge Susan Richard Nelson told the NFL and NFL players that she will impose forced mediation on them early this week. Scott Brown reports that Steelers president Art Rooney II remains "optimistic" the 2011 season will not be interrupted by the league's first work stoppage Read more [...]

Bob Labriola has his latest piece up on Steelers.com about the 1974 AFC Championship Game win against the Oakland Raiders. Former Steelers offensive lineman Darnell Stapleton is now coaching the New York Sharks women’s professional football team. Stapleton says he would like to coach in the NFL one day now that his playing days are over. The latest mock drafts by NFL.com and NFL Network writers and analysts are now easier to find on NFL.com. Just click on any name to reveal entire mock. In the next edition of the Madden 12 football video game, concussed players won't be allowed to return Read more [...]

Former Steelers receiver Dallas Baker will sign with the Montreal Alouettes today of the CFL. Baker was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round (227th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. No, this is not an April Fools joke. In the latest two round mock draft put out by NFL.com Senior Analyst Pat Kirwan, he has the Steelers selecting Derek Sherrod in round 1 and Christian Ballard in round 2. Bob Labriola continues on with his series of stories chronicling the 52 playoff games in Steelers history and the latest is about the 1974 AFC Divisional win against the Buffalo Bills. Mike Tomlin Read more [...]