May

May 9, 2008   

ILB Timmons has starting job in his sights

Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons' rookie season was something of a disappointment; he suffered a groin injury in minicamp and never seriously threatened for consistent playing time on defense. Expectations remain high for Timmons in his second NFL season, and he's positioned to have a chance to fulfill them, the way we hear it. Word is Timmons will push hard for ILB Larry Foote's starting job. Foote is stronger vs. the run, but Timmons has superior speed, and we hear Timmons looked more instinctive and sure of himself at the Steelers' latest minicamp. An ILB tandem of Timmons and James Farrior would bolster an already strong Pittsburgh pass defense. Farrior, 33, is said to be as quick as ever. And there is no doubting Timmons' wheels.

April

April 23, 2008   

OT Starks gets starter's money, but starting job could be tough to come by

Max Starks

The Steelers gave OT Max Starks the transition tag and waited to see if a market would develop for the massive former starter. None developed, and Starks signed his one-year, $6.895 million tender on Monday. Where Starks fits in the Steelers’ lineup figures to be one of the more interesting training-camp storylines for Pittsburgh. We've heard the Steelers’ coaching staff is not sold on the idea of re-inserting Starks into the lineup at right tackle in place of Willie Colon, who struggled at times in his first season as a starter. However, head coach Mike Tomlin, in the week leading up to the draft, said that Colon would get a look at guard in the offseason. Colon replaced Starks at right tackle after the latter had an ’06 season to forget. Considering the problems the Steelers have had at this position the past two seasons, the play of both Starks and Colon figures to be scrutinized throughout the summer. At the very least, Starks will be the first tackle off the bench.

April 18, 2008   

Steelers may add a bigger complement to RB Parker in draft

The pre-draft chatter from Pittsburgh is that the Steelers wouldn't mind finding a bigger back to complement, and reduce the wear-and-tear on, RB Willie Parker. However, we're hearing it's unlikely the Steelers would add a back in Round One. The top big back in the draft, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart, is expected to be off the board before the Steelers exercise the No. 23 pick. But with one pick in each of Rounds Two through Six (Nos. 53, 88, 123, 156 and 188, respectively), the Steelers will have a chance to bring in competition for Najeh Davenport and Gary Russell, currently the backs next in line were Parker to miss any time because of injury, as he did a season ago. Former Vikings RB Mewelde Moore, who is most effective in space, is likely to see consistent work in passing situations. However, he's of similar build to Parker and would probably, at most, share carries were Parker to go down.

April 4, 2008   

Steelers may add players at cornerback and safety for a variety of reasons

Whether the Steelers will address the NFL's third-ranked pass defense from a season ago in the draft is one of the most interesting subplots surrounding the club. The team’s play at free safety left something to be desired once Ryan Clark (spleen) left the lineup in October, with both Anthony Smith and Tyrone Carter having struggled. Cornerback may also be a need: RCB Deshea Townsend will be 33 in October. The team’s No. 3 cornerback, Bryant McFadden, will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. LCB Ike Taylor is signed for three more seasons, but he has never been a perfect fit in the Steelers’ defense, which requires a lot of zone coverages as a safety net against blitzers who don’t get to the quarterback.

March

March 26, 2008   

Release of Wilson saves money but puts Steelers on defensive

The Steelers' release of WR Cedrick Wilson early on March 20, a day after he was arrested for allegedly punching his girlfriend, reportedly saved the team more than $2 million in salary-cap space. It also opened team chairman Dan Rooney to criticism after he explained how the team handled the cases of Wilson and Pro Bowl OLB James Harrison. Earlier in March, Harrison was arrested on charges of simple assault and criminal mischief after allegedly slapping his girlfriend. Rooney told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Wilson's and Harrison's cases were "different," as Harrison wanted to take his son to be baptized where he lived and his girlfriend declined the request. The Steelers later released this statement: "To clarify the comments made earlier regarding the conduct of our players, in no way do we condone domestic violence of any kind. Each incident must be considered on a case-by-case basis. In the situation with James Harrison, he contacted us immediately after his incident and has taken responsibility for his actions. In [the] decision with Cedrick Wilson, we determined the situation was severe enough to warrant the player being released immediately. We trust that [the] roster move will indicate our intentions and send a message that we will not tolerate this type of conduct." The way we hear it, Wilson was a candidate to be released even before his arrest, as the team was in need of salary-cap space and Wilson was not one of the club's top three receivers.

March 21, 2008   

Steelers get involved in free agency's second wave

The Steelers were not aggressive at the outset of free agency, passing on the opportunity to jump into a market where impact free agents were few and the cost of doing business was rather steep. But they never stopped looking for players who could help them, scheduling frequent visits with free agents. And, quietly, they have been more active market participants than they were a season ago. They agreed to terms this week with former Panthers C Justin Hartwig; if, as expected, Hartwig joins the fold, he would be the Steelers’ third signing of an unrestricted free agent in the new league year. The Steelers added only two veteran free agents — RB Kevan Barlow and C Sean Mahan — last offseason. Barlow was cut before the season, and Mahan struggled as a starter, so much so that Hartwig would figure to make a strong push for his job, if not win it outright. Hartwig can also play guard and would give the Steelers another option if Chris Kemoeatu does not pan out at left guard.

March 12, 2008   

Steelers might be defensive-minded with No. 23 pick

The way we hear it, the Steelers could address the NFL’s top-rated defense from a season ago in Round One of the 2008 draft. The offensive line is regarded as the Steelers’ most pressing need, but the depth of the class overall — and particularly at tackle — may allow Pittsburgh to wait to add a young lineman. The top OT prospects are all but certain to be off the board when the Steelers exercise the No. 23 overall pick. The top guard, Virginia’s Branden Albert, can also play tackle, which enhances his value and may lead to him being selected before Pittsburgh picks. Hence, the Steelers' best bet may be to add more talent to an already formidable defense. Pittsburgh is not without needs on that side of the ball, especially along an aging D-line. But it's the line on the other side of the ball that appears to need the most work.

March 5, 2008   

Moore to fill variety of roles for Steelers

Lost in the news of QB Ben Roethlisberger signing an eight-year contract extension with the Steelers on Monday was the addition of former Vikings RB Mewelde Moore. Moore, 25, is likely to make his biggest contributions as a kickoff and punt returner and as a receiving option out of the backfield on passing downs. The 5-11, 209-pound Moore also bolsters the Steelers’ RB depth, which was put to the test late last season when Willie Parker suffered a broken leg. Pittsburgh was looking for a returner after releasing Allen Rossum; Moore becomes the favorite to win that role. He may also be asked to contribute on the Steelers’ coverage units, as Pittsburgh is trying to bolster that group. 

February

Feb. 29, 2008   

Are Steelers preparing to strike in free agency?

The Steelers have long been known for being patient, and perhaps reluctant, free-agent shoppers. Yet, we're hearing they may be in the market for DL help, and perhaps early in the signing period. The Steelers want to bolster their DE depth, and it would not be surprising to see them make a play for a young veteran lineman, especially if they can lower OT Max Starks' salary-cap figure by signing the transition player to a long-term contract. Even if they don't add a defensive lineman in free agency, it would be a surprise if the Steelers didn't draft one; at present, the team's youngest starting D-lineman, DRE Brett Keisel, turns 30 in September.

Feb. 22, 2008   

Steelers commit to Starks, but at what position?

With OLG Alan Faneca expected to depart in free agency, the Steelers moved to keep reserve OT Max Starks in the fold, giving him the transition tag a little more than a week before the start of the signing period. Starks, 26, received a one-year tender for $6.895 million; player and team would prefer to strike a longer deal. Starks’ role on the offensive line is unclear; he could fit in at left tackle if Marvel Smith’s back continues to give him problems or at right tackle if Willie Colon moves inside to guard. Starks began the ’07 season on the bench but played well when he replaced the injured Smith at the end of last season. “Max was our sixth lineman this year, so he’s probably going to factor in more so than he did last year when he did lose his (ORT) job to Willie Colon,” said Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert. “How much he plays, that will be up to Coach (Mike) Tomlin, but I think it shows the organization’s commitment to keeping that player in the mix, so we have a decision to make. We’d rather have a decision to make with more guys than less.”

Feb. 15, 2008   

Steelers keeping grass surface at Heinz Field

It’s official: The Steelers will keep playing on a grass surface at Heinz Field, even after the turf condition deteriorated in the second half of the ’07 season, most memorably in a Nov. 26 Monday-night game vs. Miami played in quagmire-like conditions. “The majority of our players have told us that they prefer natural grass to any artificial surface, and grass is also the preference of our coaches and athletic training staff,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said Monday. “We also discussed this with University of Pittsburgh officials to make sure everyone is comfortable moving forward.” Before the Steelers announced their decision, NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw said he wanted FieldTurf at Heinz Field and noted that a union survey of Steelers players two years ago indicated the players didn’t like the field conditions. However, the Steelers have long been committed to a grass field, and will continue to do so for the “foreseeable future,” according to the club. Per the team’s Web site, the Steelers will continue to use the DD GrassMaster blend of Kentucky bluegrasses reinforced with polypropylene fibers as the turf. The Broncos, Eagles and Packers also currently use GrassMaster.

Feb. 1, 2008   

Roethlisberger says Steelers are well-positioned for '08

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger believes his team, which has 20-of-22 starters under contract through at least 2008, is set up for success next season. “I think we have a lot of the tools, and I think we have a lot of the players that are (an) essential core for next year,” he said from Arizona during Super Bowl week. “There are some things we all need to work on, myself included, and I think we’ll be just fine, because we have each other. Everybody we have in that room is talented, and we’ll get it done.” OLG Alan Faneca and LOLB Clark Haggans are the only free agents among the ’07 starters; Roethlisberger has lobbied for Faneca to return. Haggans may be a long shot to return considering the strides that rookie LaMarr Woodley made down the stretch.