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If you missed the official news from the last few days on the Steelers restricted free agents, Steelers.com has all of the info on the tendering of Willie Colon, William Gay, Daniel Sepulveda and Matt Spaeth. The only player we do not have clarification on yet is exclusive rights free agent Patrick Bailey.
Do not stay up late tonight says Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert. Colbert has said it will "be business as usual" for the Steelers when the new NFL year starts Friday. I doubt there will be a huge flurry league wide anyways. Teams will be much more calculated with the uncertainty.
The Minnesota Star Tribune is speculating that Vikings soon-to-be free agent running back Chester Taylor is expected to draw attention from a number of teams that includes the Steelers.
NFL.com has the Steelers offseason outlook posted on the website. The do list some good burning issues going forward that I think we all can relate to.
The McDonald's® Steelers Trivia Challenge contest began on March 01, 2010 and ends on April 30, 2010. You can win a trophy, and either home tickets to a Steelers home game or a VIP day at training camp in August. Entry form is here.
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and defensive lineman Ziggy Hood will sign autographs on Saturday, March 20 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Harrisburg Area IUP Alumini “Vintage and New Sports Card Show” on the lower level of Harrisburg Mall. I certainly hate to see these high prices being charged for autographs, but do understand why.
Charlie Batch will be inducted into the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2009. The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the EMU Student Center. Batch was named first team All-Mid-American Conference in 1995 and was EMU’s Most Valuable Player in 1997.
Steeler strong safety Troy Polamalu is back playing football. Well sort of. Polamalu played a pick-up game of street football with some kids in Maryvale, Arizona. Don't fret though, Polamalu only played quarterback. Good to see him out and about.
The 2010 NFL Combine is upon us and the NFL Network covers it like no one else. Coverage begins today at 2:30 PM ET with NFL Total Access at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine press conference coverage live from Lucas Oil Stadium.
Speaking of the combine Gerry Dulac list 10 players who the Steelers reportedly have interest in and will be watching closely at the combine. Defense would appear to be a large priority for the Steelers.
Scott Brown has an article on Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody along with listing the players from the Pittsburgh area and schools that will showcase themselves at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The Guest Book for Heather Sue Miller will go offline soon. If you do not remember, she is the Steelers fan who passed away recently at a very young age. It would be great if Steeler Nation chipped in to keep the Guest Book online forever. The charge is $79.99 and I plan on paying this. If you want to donate to the cause, contact me on site or Twitter to make a donation via PayPal.
Steelers Depot has moved to the Sweet 16 of the 2010 Pittsburgh Sports Blog Tournament. We sure would like to go to the Elite 8 with some help from our readers. Please vote here!
Steelers guard Chris Kemoeatu and brother Maake Kemoeatu of the Panthers along with more than 20 NFL players are in Hawaii and will be conducting football skills camps for youth and high school players Thursday and Saturday in addition to several school visits throughout the week. You can read about the Kemoeatu Brothers Foundation here!
Ed Bouchette's latest Steelers chat transcript is up on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Ed reports that Troy Polamalu is back training in California.
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A new segment of Hearing from Coach Mike Tomlin is up on the newly re-designed Steelers.com site.
ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker wrote a post yesterday on the State of the Steelers. The post is an interview with Steelers GM Kevin Colbert.
ESPN football guy, John Clayton, explains why the absence of salary cap in 2010 would curb, not increase, free-agent spending in the NFL.
Troy Polamalu is back in the Super Bowl again. This time it is in a commercial only as I posted this yesterday but in case you missed it, Polamalu is featured in a truTV Super Bowl commercial in which Troy plays Punxsutawney Polamalu. He sees his shadow and thus 6 more weeks of football are proclaimed. Below is the commercial and under that is the behind the scenes of the making of the Super Bowl ad.
Steeler Nation lost a little angel on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, as Heather Sue Miller passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family. Heather visited one of the Steelers mini camps last year. Here is her obituary if you feel compelled to leave a message.
It seems like yesterday, but it was one year ago today that Steelers won their 6th Super Bowl in Super Bowl XLIII 43. The link will bring back a few memories.
truTV is revealing its first-ever Super Bowl ad today, giving viewers an early glimpse at how the network will bring NFL fans what they've always wanted – six more weeks of football. The Groundhog Day-themed spot features Troy Polamalu and the ad promotes the new truTV series NFL FULL CONTACT, which premieres the day after the Super Bowl.
http://medialink.vo.llnwd.net/o21/mps/13/929/truTVSuperBowlwithLegal_FL8_480x360_for_16x9_INR_Letterbox.flv
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Speaking of Troy Polamalu, he was named to the NFL’s all-decade team for the 2000s. Polamalu is the only current Steelers player selected to the 53-man team.
Linebacker James Harrison intercepted a pass by Tony Romo in the Pro Bowl last night and it helped secure the win for the AFC. It is always nice to see a Steelers player own someone from the Cowboys. You can see the replay of the interception below in the video below at the 1:39 mark.
Harrison explained to Scott Brown that his sack total was down in 2009 because he was blitzing less and dropping into coverage more during the season.
The 2009 season was a disappointment overall for Steelers fans, but it did offer up some very enjoyable and memorable plays. Below I have ranked what I believe to be the top 15 most memorable plays of the 2009 season. The countdown will start at #15 and go backwards to #1.
#15 The Big Legursky - Backup center Doug Legursky got to play fullback on a short touchdown run by Rashard Mendenhall against the Chargers. Legursky makes a nice block on the play, but it was the last time we saw him in that role in 2009.
#14 Rashard Extra Effort - Rashard Mendenhall had a great sophomore season for the Steelers and proved he can handle the role of an every down back. His second effort and ability to bounce outside made for a great touchdown run against the Raiders.
#13 Getting Ziggy With It - Rookie Ziggy Hood gets a pleasant gift after LaMarr Woodley hits Joe Flacco and the ball pops out into Hood's hands. The turnover all but sealed the win against the Ravens in a must win game.
#12 Throwing Mewelde - Mewelde Moore showed off his passing ability against the Chargers with a bullet to Heath Miller in the back of the endzone.
#11 Big Ben Mikey Bomb Part I - Mike Wallace had only 2 catches in the game versus Green Bay. This one started the game and was the first play from scrimmage. I think we all remember his 2nd catch of the day as well. More on that later.
#10 Big Ben Mikey Bomb Part II - Big Ben Roethlisberger nearly hits rookie Mike Wallace right in stride on this long bomb for a touchdown in the final week of the season. Ben shows he still has the arm in his 16th game of the year. Wallace shows why he was a steal in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft.
#9 Dixon Shows Bootlegs - Dennis Dixon showed off his legs on a key bootleg run for a touchdown run against the Ravens. The play put the Steelers ahead in the 4th quarter and gave the Steelers a shot at winning in a tough situation.
#8 Carter Pick 6 - Tyrone Carter started in the place of Ryan Clark in Denver and showed why he is a much better free safety than strong safety. Carter picked off Broncos QB Kyle Orton and returned it for a 48 yard touchdown.
#7 Dixon Comes Of Age - Dennis Dixon really took a huge step forward in the week 12 game versus the Ravens. Dixon started in place of an injured Big Ben and Charlie Batch with limited practice snaps with the first team and played great in a hostile enviroment. Dixon showed off his strong arm with as he throws his first TD pass of his career to Santonio Holmes.
#6 Hines Steals One - In the first meeting against the Browns, Hines Ward cut in front of Santonio Holmes and caught a touchdown pass intended for Holmes. At the time, it was the longest play from scrimmage of the 2009 season.
#5 Heath Miller On His Toes - Heath Miller had a career year for the Steelers making catch after key catch. His best catch of the season probably came in the last game versus the Dolphins. Miller shows off his body control and awareness with a great catch in the back of the endzone for a touchdown.
#4 Run Woodley Run - The strip of Brett Favre by Brett Keisel led to a long and exciting rumble by LaMarr Woodley. The Vikings were driving deep in Steelers territory at the time and this was one of 3 key plays for the Steelers in an action packed game.
#3 Sly As A Fox - Keyaron Fox had a great 2009 despite playing limited snaps on defense. Fox would likely be a starting linebacker on 31 NFL teams. The interception and return for a touchdown was a huge turning point in the Vikings game.
#2 Polamalu One Handed Pick - The Troy Polamalu interception in week 1 versus the Titans was one of the best interceptions all year in the NFL. Little did we know that a little bit later in the game that Polamalu would suffer an injury that affected the entire 2009 season.
#1 Mikey Does Santonio Imitation - The touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to rookie Mike Wallace against the Packers was reminiscent of the game winning catch Santonio Holmes made in Super Bowl XLIII. The catch was only his second off the game as well. The Steelers hopes of making the playoffs would of gone out the window had Wallace not made that catch.
If you missed the interview I did with newly signed CFL linebacker Derrick Doggett, you can read it here. Doggett told me the Steelers plan to try him as a linebacker instead of a safety.
Tim Graham of ESPN has a short article on new offensive line coach Sean Kugler. Graham reports the Bills offensive-line woes in 2009 weren't Kugler's fault.
The Steelers have not yet named a new special teams coach and the Redskins Danny Smith might stay with the Redskins and former Bills ST coach Bobby April might be waiting for the biggest offer. The Steelers have been in talks with both, but to what true extent is not yet known.
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Yesterday we mentioned that Troy Polamalu will be in a Super Bowl commercial this year for truTV. Here is a promo for the show that starts this February. truTV and NFL Films will provide unprecedented, exclusive access to what really goes on behind the scenes of professional football. The series, which premieres Monday, Feb. 8, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT), will follow the action from draft day to the Super Bowl, showing football fans what happens beyond the playing field. Sounds like a must see for the offseason blues.
Make sure to vote for the Mike Wallace game winning touchdown at the end of the Packers game for the Sprint Can't-Miss Play of the Year. Tune in to NFL Network at 4:00 PM EST on Saturday, February 6th for the Sprint Can't-Miss Play of the Year announcement. Lets make sure the rookie wins this.
Zaxby's has released some new commercials featuring Steelers Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Speaking of Bradshaw, new Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has admitted to kicking Bradshaw in the head while with Buffalo. Maybe that is why Terry seems to have a screw loose these days. The video of the incident is below.
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will be in a second quarter Super Bowl commercial for the cable channel truTV. The spot will promote "NFL Full Contact," a new show promising a behind-the-scenes view of professional football. Let's hope there is no jinx like the Head and Shoulders/Madden/Coke Zero jinx of 2009.
The latest chat transcript from Ed Bouchette is live on the Post Gazette website. Ed thinks the Steelers will make a serious push to re-sign nose tackle Casey Hampton.
If you missed the news I broke yesterday, the Steelers signed CFL special teams ace Derrick Doggett to a futures contract on Tuesday. Doggett's only legitimate chance of making the Steelers 2010 final 53 man roster will likely be as a special teamer, something the Steelers desperately need after the dismal 2009 showing. He certainly is worth watching in training camp.
Scott Brown of the Tribune-Review looks back at the 2007 draft and how the Jets snaked cornerback Darrelle Revis one pick before the Steelers drafted that year. The Steelers ended up drafting Lawrence Timmons, who has played well, but one can't help but wonder how Revis would of looked in the black and gold.
ESPN AFC North blogger James Walker reports that unless something changes with the current CBA, the Ratbirds will not be able to sign a free agent this offseason until one of its own free agents signs with another team. Walker explains that if that happens, any new free-agent signing has to match up dollar for dollar. This will hamper the Ravens chances of making a huge free agent splash this offseason.
Hines Ward gave a candid end of season interview with Steelers.com and said he has plenty left in him going forward and is motivated to win his 3rd Super Bowl championship next season.
The Steelers 2009 season showed many holes that the Steelers need to address during the 2010 NFL draft. Below I will list I what I feel the draft needs are going into the draft. These are in no particular order and I will have my mock draft up pretty soon in the coming days.
Nose Tackle - Regardless if the Steelers decide to franchise Casey Hampton or not, the Steelers need a young 3-4 nose tackle in waiting. There are rumblings a future shift to a 4-3 defense may be coming in future years, but I do not see this happening while Dick LeBeau is still in charge of the defense. If one is drafted, you could see one that is a bit lighter and mobile that could transition into a 4-3 interior defensive tackle.
Inside Linebacker - James Farrior has definetly lost a step. A 3 down inside linebacker that has leadership qualities is needed badly. One that can play the pass as well as the run. A future captain for the defense could very well be drafted this year and play both inside and outside while delivering on special teams in his rookie year.
Cornerback - The Steelers drafred Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis in 2009. Burnett is still learning and Lewis barely saw the field. Neither showed qualities of being a shut down corner. William Gay and old man Deshea Townsend are both free agents and both are only fringe nickel corners at best if either are brought back.
Safety - Other than Troy Polamalu, the Steelers are weak at the both strong and free safety. Ryan Clark and Tyrone Carter are both free agents and even if Clark is brought back, father time has caught up with him. You could see both a strong and free safety addressed in the draft. Hopefully both are hitters who can make an instant impact on special teams.
Offensive Line - You can never have enough good offensive linemen. The Steelers have 4 of the 5 starters under contract and Ramon Foster proved he can be a swing guy. A left tackle that can play both sides early on would be a welcome sight. A center needs to be groomed for the future as well.
Running Back - Rashard Mendenhall showed he can fit the role of a 3 down running back, but with Willie Parker likely gone and Mewelde Moore being a 3rd down back only, it leaves the Steelers with a bulky Frank Summers and practice squaders Isaac Redman and Justin Vincent as the only true backups to Mendenhall. If Summers is groomed as a pure fullback, then the Steelers are even thinner at the position.
Right Defensive End - Brett Keisel will be 32 in mid September and Nick Eason is a free agent. A young right defensive end is needed to get groomed fast. Rookie Ziggy Hood is better suited on the left side, but regardless, the defensive line needs younger bodies.
Tight End - Matt Spaeth is a free agent and not a blocking tight end. Heath Miller will be the man for a while, but the other tight ends on the roster are mostly H-Backs. A true duel threat tight end that can both block and catch should be addressed. If nothing else for depth in case Miller were to go down or need a breather.
Below are the pre-game inactive players list of both the Steelers and the Dolphins. The inactive list are released 90 minutes before game time.
Steelers Inactives
S Troy Polamalu
QB Charlie Batch (3rd)
T Tony Hills
G Kraig Urbik
WR Joey Galloway
DE Brett Keisel
DE Ra'Shon Harris
CB Trae Williams
Dolphins Inactives
QB Tyler Thigpen (3rd)
DE Ryan Baker
CB Evan Oglesby
OL Andrew Hartline
T Andrew Gardner
DE Lionel Dotson
DE Ikaika Alama-Francis
WR Patrick Turner
