When linebacker James Farrior was released early in May by the Pittsburgh Steelers, so too was the leader of the defense. Farrior, along with wide receiver Hines Ward, who was also released along with Farrior, were the grandfathers of the team both on and off the field. Their exits means new leaders must now pick up the leadership torch that both of those players have carried for many years. On offense that role will obviously fall squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, as it should. With Ward now gone he is the oldest player on offense at the age of 30. Team President Read more [...]

By Jeremy Hritz We are moving closer to the NFL Draft, and closer to the conclusion to the Mike Wallace speculation. Once Wallace signs his tender or new contract with the Steelers, or once he signs with another team, the direction of the Steelers in the draft will become clearer. For now, considering all of the releases, other roster moves, and external factors such as player visits or organization representation at Pro Days, below is my first attempt at a Mock Draft for the Steelers for 2012 assuming that Wallace stays with the team. Like the Depot’s brain trust, Mr. Dave Bryan’s, my projections Read more [...]

By Christina Rivers While 31 teams in the NFL turn free agency into haberdashery, selling and buying up players like they're playing the stock market, the Pittsburgh Steelers use March to reflect, inspect and quietly make their moves. The Steelers organization has always appeared to play chess during the period instead of following the 'trend'. The don't get caught in the scrum, and they usually walk away with hardly a scratch and a nice payoff. It reminds me of the movie Braveheart; young William Wallace being told that before he learns how to use his sword, he must use his head. The Steelers Read more [...]

NFL Insider Jay Glazer reports Saturday night on Twitter that he is hearing that when the 2012 salary cap is set on Monday it'll be right around $120.6 million, which would make it $225,000 more than the 2011 cap number. Teams also should be able to roll over their remaining cap space from 2011 as well, but in the case of the Pittsburgh Steelers that equates to just over an extra $500,000. So in essence the Steelers will be initially working with a cap number of roughly $121.1 million. The league is also allowing three, $500,000 credits in 2012 on three veteran players with 5 or more seasons that Read more [...]

By Cian Fahey The Pittsburgh Steelers added the names of Hines Ward, Aaron Smith and Chris Kemoeatu to a lengthening list of players who will not return for the 2012 NFL season. Smith, Kemoeatu and Ward join Bryant McFadden and Arnaz Battle as casualties of the team's bloated salary cap. However, now that Omar Khan, the team's cap manager, has managed to bring the team below the expected salary cap, the team must begin to look at its own free agents. The Steelers are in the unusual position of needing to focus on their restricted free agents moreso than their unrestricted free agents. Prior Read more [...]

Troy Polamalu a fast food cook? No, but the Pittsburgh Steelers all-everything strong safety is now in the fast food business, but it is healthy fast food. Polamalu is a part owner in a new restaurant in Palo Alto, California called LYFE Kitchen, and it's a healthy fast food restaurant that was the brain child of Polamalu himself. Polamalu was interviewed by Gary Radnich of KRON 4 News in San Francisco on Friday to talk a little about his role in the restaurant that started as an idea of his. Radnich asked Polamalu about how he got involved with LYFE Kitchen and Polamalu said, "Actually it was Read more [...]

It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers had serious salary cap issues heading into the 2012 season and it was easy to see the pending salary cap hell that was coming. I wrote about the forthcoming hell last September as the numbers told the story pretty easily. Lately several have been questioning the abilities of Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and chief contract negotiator and capologist Omar Khan and wondering how they could let things get to where they are right now. Most of the issues that the Steelers have right now date back to the 2010 uncapped season. Both Colbert and Read more [...]

Continuing on with our player by player look at the Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Free Agents as do a complete breakdown of their 2011 season and look ahead to their pending 2012 free agency situation. The post we focus in on restricted free agent safety Ryan Mundy. Please check out the links at the bottom to the other free agent player analysis already completed. Player: Ryan Mundy Position: Safety Experience: 3 Years Free Agent Status: Restricted 2011 Salary Cap Hit: $525,000.00 2011 Season Breakdown: The Steelers former 2008 6th round draft pick was very reliable in 2011 as he was Read more [...]

Troy Polamalu is the 6th most marketable player in the NFL, according to an exclusive survey of sports business execs, analysts and media members conducted by Street and Smith’s Sports Business Daily. Ben Roethlisberger finished tied for 20th on the list. US Ambassador to Ireland and President Emeritus of the Pittsburgh Steelers Dan Rooney has a Youtube video message for the Irish aimed at explaining the sport to the Irish. Gerry Dulac thinks the interview given to Todd Haley was made very public for a reason and thus he thinks the chances of Haley getting the offensive coordinator Read more [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel is at the Super Bowl this week and making the rounds on radio row as part of a promotion with Head and Shoulders. Keisel sat down with Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio to talk with host Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg about his beard, the promotion and what it feels like to lose in the Super Bowl. Keisel is also asked about Pittsburgh's season-ending loss to the Denver Broncos, James Harrison being targeted by the league, the departure of Bruce Arians and more. Below is the transcript of the few pertinent questions in relation to the Steelers Read more [...]

A very interesting tweet from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark just a while ago, and reading between the lines it infers that his teammate and best friend, Troy Polamalu, pulled out of the 2012 Pro Bowl so Clark would be able to go for his first time. Clark was named as a second alternate behind Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, who ended the season with a neck injury. It was looking like Dawkins might not be able to play. Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed pulled out of the game and when both he and Polamalu did, it opened up a spot for Clark on the AFC roster. It was reported that Polamalu Read more [...]

By Jeremy Hritz It’s never too early to talk about the NFL Draft, and it’ never to early to speculate about the direction that the Pittsburgh Steelers will go in the first round. While the needs on the offensive line are well known, there are some other positions that need to be considered with the 24th overall pick. The pundits have wasted no time in showcasing their 2012 Mock Drafts on espn.com and nfl.com. In looking at those projections, the following seven players have surfaced: Safety, Mark Barron from Alabama Defensive End/Tackle, Fletcher Cox from Mississippi State Guard, Read more [...]

Season 2, Episode 72 of The Terrible Podcast is up with David Todd tied up in New York, Nick Richetta is back co-hosting as we open up by talking about the recent comments made by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in regards to the loss of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and his desire to talk to Art Rooney II when he gets back to Pittsburgh about the direction the offense will now take. We stay on Roethlisberger and discuss how much playing time is too much for him in the Pro Bowl this weekend. Nick wishes he wouldn't play at all. What about players being able to tweet on Twitter Read more [...]

ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine combined to put out list of the 20 current players who a 20-member Pro Football Hall of Fame panel and ESPN's very own John Clayton believe could excel in any era of the NFL. The top 20 was finalized today and four current Pittsburgh Steelers players made the top 10. Finishing 10th was linebacker James Harrison, finishing 8th was wide receiver Hines Ward, finishing 3rd was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and finishing 2nd was safety Troy Polamalu. Harrison finished 4th as far as linebackers went behind Patrick Willis (7th), Brian Urlacher (5th) and Ray Lewis (1st). 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 [...]