Tag: 2020 Steelers season

Pittsburgh has a perfect pair of backs for an efficient run game

James Conner and Benny Snell Jr. Could be a dynamic duo for the Steelers.

[jwplayer lNMqp3Xb-ThvAeFxT]

We all understand how Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin operates pertaining to the run game. If he has a lead back, that guy is going to get the carries. He doesn’t really platoon running backs and has never shown he is willing to use a running-back-by-committee approach regardless of the talent on the roster.

This means as long as he’s healthy, Conner is the guy. It also means if something happens to Conner, the team wants a player who is as close in skills as Conner for the sake of continuity.

I believe this is the main reason we have seen Benny Snell Jr. trim down in the offseason. In fact, going back to Le’Veon Bell, we’ve seen a pattern of Steelers backs coming in a little heavier and leaning out to see success. Bell did it after his first year and Conner did the same. Now we are seeing it from Snell and in rookie Anthony McFarland Jr. we already have a guy who fits the mold.

Considering how much trouble Conner has had with his health during his career, we really hope Tomlin decides to take these two guys who are basically clones of each other physically and utilize both so Conner can be healthy at the end of the season.

[vertical-gallery id=475248]

[lawrence-related id=475307]

Steelers 2020 training camp: 4 players who will benefit from the new format

These four Steelers veterans should have a better shot at reps thanks to no preseason.

We’ve dedicated a lot of energy to everything bad about the new training camp and preseason format. But this doesn’t mean it is a disadvantage for every player. For some guys, being the known instead of the unknown can really work to their advantage. Here are four members of the Pittsburgh Steelers who should benefit heavily from the changes to the offseason.

WR Ryan Switzer

Switzer came into the offseason squarely on the roster bubble. When the Steelers spent a second-round pick wide receiver Chase Claypool, his spot on the bubble got a little wobbly.

But make no mistake, Switzer has worked very hard in the offseason to come into camp in the best shape of his life and as a veteran, he is much less dependent on the preseason to get ready. Switzer also has the edge that he and Ben Roethlisberger have an excellent relationship and he could be a nice safety net for Big Ben.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

Steelers President releases statement about the start of the NFL season

The Steelers are excited to get this season going.

[jwplayer RaBE4TPi-ThvAeFxT]

Every NFL team is preparing for a season in circumstances none of us have ever seen. On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers veterans are scheduled to report for the 2020 version of training camp in hopes of bouncing back from a hugely disappointing 2019 season.

Steelers preside Art Rooney II released the following statement about the upcoming season:

We are excited to come to an agreement with the NFLPA on terms for a return to play for our upcoming training camps around the League. We are looking forward to having our players report to Heinz Field next week to start the conditioning and acclimation process in order to prepare for on-field action later in August.

It is great that we can move forward with the agreed-upon plans to get ready for what we believe will be an exciting season on the field, while we navigate through these uncertain times off the field.

The goal of this season for the Steelers and every team is to get a great product on the field while still maintaining as much safety as possible.

[vertical-gallery id=472116]

[lawrence-related id=472304]

Poll: Will any Steelers opt out of the 2020 NFL season?

Will any Steelers choose the stipend over playing this season?

[jwplayer RaBE4TPi-ThvAeFxT]

In just two days, the Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to report for training camp. It’s been a long road to bring the NFL and the NLFPA together on an agreement but we are finally here.

One of the options on the table for players is a stipend to be paid if a player chooses to opt-out of the season. Players have until August 3 to decide and there are two tiers. If a player opts out due to a medical condition that could make them more susceptible to COVID-19, the payment is $350,000. If the opt-out is simply voluntary, the amount drops to $150,00.

Our question is, do you expect any Steelers to opt-out before the deadline?

[polldaddy poll=10584465]

In terms of medical concerns, we aren’t privy to their personal lives so it is impossible to say if any Steelers have folks at home they are looking out for.

But if you are one of the UDFA who are sure to get released when the team trims to an 80-man training camp roster, this would be tempting. Cast your vote and tell us if you think any Steelers will take the money and run.

[vertical-gallery id=472264]

[lawrence-related id=472443]

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line ranked 1st in NFL heading into 2020

In their annual defensive line rankings, PFF has the Steelers at No. 1.

T.J. Watt ended 2019 with the highest pass-rushing grade (91.7) of any edge rusher in the NFL and added to that 81 total pressures. Bud Dupree had several career-high grades (run defense, pass rush and overall) and contributed 51 total pressures. (Rankings by PFF include edge rushers, which for the Steelers, aren’t technically defensive linemen.)

With these guys coming off the edge and a unit that includes Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt, it’s no surprise Pro Football Focus gave the Steelers line top billing as they ranked every defensive line in the NFL.

PFF’s Sam Monson wisely points out that “replicating the level of play they all reached last season will be tough to do” this season.

So, therein lies the rub. Will a Steelers line that finished last season 11th in run blocking and first in pass protection be able to boost and mirror those numbers?

Elsewhere in the North, the Bengals and Browns were ranked 10th and 12th, while the Ravens are at No. 17.

[vertical-gallery id=471328]

[lawrence-related id=465237]

It’s make or break for these 4 Steelers in 2020

How many of these veteran Steelers will survive the season?

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2020 season with Super Bowl aspirations. But to hit their goals it is going to take an effort by every player on the roster when called upon. This means several veterans are at a point in their careers when it’s make or break if they want to be part of this team’s plans going forward.

S Jordan Dangerfield

Dangerfield has stuck around with the Steelers for four seasons primarily because of his ability to impact the special teams. But the Steelers can only have so many safeties on the roster and they need to be able to help on defense as well. The addition of Antoine Brooks Jr. is a step in the right direction and puts a lot of pressure on Dangerfield.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

LOOK: Steelers players swap jerseys with opponents in 2019

No jersey swaps in 2020.

[jwplayer uipp5LSQ-ThvAeFxT]

Earlier this week, the NFL announced a few new game day protocols. Among them, in an effort to further limit contact between players postgame, the league put the kibosh on jersey-swapping in 2020.

The tradition will be done away with as a precaution to minimize potential transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be copious amounts of contact during the game, along with breathing and sweating on each other — but yet the No Fun League has put a stop on the time-honored postgame switcheroo.

Exchanging jerseys became a phenomenon in the early 2010s in the NFL, but the ritual dates back decades in the sport of soccer.

Let’s take a look back at the Steelers’ 2019 jersey swaps because, apparently, it won’t be happening in 2020.

[vertical-gallery id=471328]

[lawrence-related id=471369]

NFL lays out more rules for the safety of players and staff

The NFL is rolling out all the new rules for the upcoming season.

[jwplayer uipp5LSQ-ThvAeFxT]

The NFL has begun putting out the protocols for game days when the NFL season finally gets going. These changes would also be in effect during the preseason, assuming the NFL chooses to have one.

All these precautions are done to minimize potential transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these rules might seem trivial and excessive but many players have spoken out about their worries with having games this season.

What do you think about these changes for the season? Is all these necessary but do you feel like the league is taking things too far? Let us know.

[vertical-gallery id=471081]

[lawrence-related id=471231]

Pittsburgh Steelers announce if you attend games, you wear a mask

If you want to attend a Steelers game this season, they will require a mask.

[jwplayer uipp5LSQ-ThvAeFxT]

Pittsburgh Steelers public relations director Burt Lauten shared some information with fans about the continued plans of the Steelers when it comes time to start the regular season.

According to Lauten, fans who attend home games this season will be required to wear masks.

Our goal is to still have fans at Heinz Field this year with the understanding that social distancing, as well as all fans being required to wear masks, will play a role in the capacity to ensure a safe atmosphere. We will continue to work with the NFL and public health officials to finalize plans for fans to attend our home games.

There’s been no official word about how many fans the Steelers will allow into Heinz Field on game day but they have withheld sales of half the regular-season tickets in case they are forced to trim numbers and offered refunds to season ticket holders for this season.

[vertical-gallery id=470976]

[lawrence-related id=471170]

NFL looking to player salaries to cut costs during season

The NFL wants to hold onto a portion of player salaries this season.

[jwplayer uipp5LSQ-ThvAeFxT]

Every professional sport is battling with how to carry on business during a global pandemic. The NFL is just days away from training camp, they are still debating the preseason and there has been almost no word on what the regular season will look like.

According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, the NFL is proposing to hold 35 percent of player salaries in escrow to help mitigate potential losses and league costs. Even with a full schedule, NFL teams could still lose billions if they are forced to play without fans in the stands.

In business terms, this is absolutely protocol. Employees all over the country have had to accept pay cuts, furloughs and even layoffs to help their employers continue to do business during the pandemic. But as with all things, NFL players will hold themselves above the standards of typical employees and won’t go for it.

[vertical-gallery id=470977]

[lawrence-related id=471184]