Brandon Torrey

Nice Pick, CowherNice Pick, Cowher - A Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and ...Nice Pick, CowherHired in 2007 by the Steelers to take over a team that was one season removed from their fifth Super Bowl victory. Immediately took the Steelers back to the AFC Playoffs by winning the AFC North, despite a season where he lost many key players to ...Pittsburgh Steelers: 25 Famous Fans of the Black and GoldBleacher ReportPittsburgh...  

In tonight's edition of Around the AFC North, we take a look at linebacker James Farrior possibly returning to the Steelers to retire, another Bengals player with legal issues, and former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis filing for bankruptcy. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB James Farrior Talking to Team About Retirement We're saying goodbye to a couple of long-time Steelers this offseason. First, it was Hines Ward. Now, it looks like...  

Injuries and age have left some glaring holes in the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster heading into their 2012 training camp. Nowhere does this battle take center stage more than at running back, where the Steelers could be without star Rashard Mendenhall for considerable time after he tore his ACL in Week 17 against the Browns last season. That leaves the team with Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore as contenders for the starting job. At quarterback...  

Rashard Mendenhall Should Return to the Field This Season Time heals all wounds, including late-season ACL tears. The Pittsburgh Steelers were fearful just a few months ago that starting running back Rashard Mendenhall would miss the entirety of the 2012 ...  

Nice Pick, CowherSteelers lagging behind?CSNwashington.comIt didn't get a lot of attention with the Ravens on the practice field for an OTA at Owings Mills this week, but a trio of ESPN insiders got around to predicting the 2012 AFC North race, and their opinions were surprising, to say the least.Required Reading: Links to the Best in AFC North Coverage, 5/25 EditionBleacher Report'SportsCenter's' AFC North predictionsESPN (blog)Analyst Clowns...  

The Baltimore Ravens were selected by Herm Edwards and Marcellus Wiley to repeat as division champions, and all three analysts have the Steelers finishing third. In the 10-year history of the AFC North, Pittsburgh has ended the season in third place only ...  

A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Steelers in 2012. Dream scenario (13-3): Losing a handful of veterans this offseason won't impact the Steelers' play on the field. The Steelers show last year's division champion (the ...  

All four teams in the AFC North are set to have much-improved offenses in 2012, but the Pittsburgh Steelers will remain the best on that side of the ball. In both the passing and running games, the Steelers will look a bit different, but that will only ...  

I've watched the Broncos get railed in Super Bowl XII, and I've watched them squeak by the Raiders to get there in the 1977 AFC Championship. Both of those games kind of made sense. But one thing about that season never made sense to me. How the hell did Craig Morton and company make it past the Steel Curtain in the Divisional Round? I'm getting in my VHS powered time machine to check it out on Christmas Eve, 1977. via cdn.bleacherreport.net...  

Examining who faces the most challenging season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and why. The Steelers talked about running the ball more after parting ways with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. It remains to be seen how the offense will look ...  

Examining who faces the most challenging season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and why. The Steelers talked about running the ball more after parting ways with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. It remains to be seen how the offense will look ...  

Draft Summary:  The Browns traded up one spot from the 4th pick to the 3rd pick from the Minnesota Vikings to secure RB Trent Richardson of Alabama. Taking a running back this high in the draft he needs to be a sensational talent and Richardson is surely ...  

The NFL Draft has come and passed. The selections have been made, undrafted free agents are being courted and signed, and training camp is only months away. This is as good a time as any to look at the Steelers roster again, post-NFL Draft.Many experts believe the Pittsburgh Steelers were once again one of the big winners in the draft.With the acquisitions of Stanford Guard, David DeCastro, and Ohio State tackle, Mike Adams, Pittsburgh...  

Every season there are trendy picks to win the Super Bowl. Last season everybody jumped on the Philadelphia Eagles' bandwagon and the "Dream Team" didn't even make the playoffs. Meanwhile, every season the Pittsburgh Steelers quietly go about their business and more times than not they are a top contender in the AFC. After a disappointing first round loss to the Denver Broncos the Steelers are trying once again to get on top. Did the NFL Draft...  

The Steelers were 12-4 last season, and still didn’t win the AFC North. With Baltimore possibly not having their premier pass rusher for the season, that could result in the Ravens struggling in the phase of the game in which they are best ...  

The Pittsburgh Steelers learned exactly when and where all 16 games of the 2012 season will be played. The NFL released the entire 2012 schedule on Tuesday. The four teams of the AFC North will play against the four teams from the AFC West and NFC East.  

Of all the AFC North's Day 3 picks, the one that I want to see the most is running back Chris Rainey, who was selected in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rainey can bring an added dimension to the Steelers offense as well as handle ...  

SB NationGrade the Steelers' 2012 draftESPN (blog)By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com Each day, we'll look at the draft for one team in the AFC North and ask you to put a grade on it. Either post a comment below or send me one to the AFC North mailbag. At the end of the week, I will post a fans' report card ...Baltimore Ravens Need to Start Worrying About the Cincinnati BengalsBleacher Reportall 8 news articles »  

The Broncos ended their Super Bowl aspirations 23-29 in the Wild Card game last year ... Georgia P Drew Butler; Louisiana Tech CB Terry Carter; Duquesne WR Connor Dixon; Arizona DB Robert Golden; Southern Connecticut St. DE Ikponmwosa Igbinosun ...  

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall tore his ACL last season and could miss the beginning of 2012, as well. With the 2012 NFL Draft and the bulk of free agency in the rearview mirror, NFL.com analyst Elliot Harrison is examining each team's ...  

With the 2012 NFL Draft and the bulk of free agency in the rearview mirror ... Brandon Weeden. The Browns spent five picks on defense, but the key selection might be second-rounder Mitchell Schwartz, who should be pencilled in at right tackle immediately.  

Year after year, no matter where they are picking, Kevin Colbert always gets it right. We can say the same this year. When it was the Steelers turn to pick, Stanford guard David DeCastro was there and the Steelers quickly chose him. DeCastro was the best ...  

The theme of the 2012 NFL draft for AFC teams was offense. Whether it was in the first round with skill-position players (five of the first seven skill-position players were selected by AFC teams) or with offensive linemen (Pittsburgh used its first two ...  

It was a successful draft for the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. How do I know? Well, I looked at Mel Kiper Jr.'s draft grades. The AFC North was the only division where each team received a grade ...  

Sheffield Steelers have added offensive defenceman Jim Jorgensen to their ranks after plundering him from Elite League rivals Braehead Clan. Coach Ryan Finnerty signed the American even though they had Rod Sarich and Matt Stephenson in that role last ...  

“It was great to get to work and get out here with these guys,” said Michael Adams, the former Ohio State tackle taken in the second round of the draft. One of the undrafted free agents on the Steelers’ roster is outside linebacker Brandon ...  

Christopher DiMarino of Steelers Depot breaks down the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2012 opponents. Bleacher Report's Nick DeWitt offers up his latest seven-round mock draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Baltimore Ravens have signed free agent cornerback and ...  

The secondary and interior defensive line is short on depth . Bottom line: The Bengals are finally positioning themselves for a bright future with the drafting last year of QB Andy Dalton (a second-round gem) and Green and the signing of RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis.  

Bleacher Report's Chris G. takes a look at the Pittsburgh Steelers' top offensive draft needs. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette delves further into Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin's decision to hire Todd Haley, among other news and notes.  

With the expansion of the Thursday night schedule, every team in the NFL is guaranteed at least one prime time appearance. Considering the strength of the division, at least the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens should have more ...  

The Monday night doubleheader features Cincinnati visiting AFC North rival Baltimore and San Diego traveling to AFC West rival Oakland. The NFL will also begin Thursday night games in Week 2 as Chicago faces NFC North rival Green Bay. The league also ...  

It's hard to rank the defensive lines of the AFC North side by side. The Pittsburgh Steelers run a 3-4 defense, the Baltimore Ravens were a hybrid 3-4 last season and both the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns operate out of the 4-3. As such, each ...  

Chris G. of Bleacher Report looks at recent 24th overall draft ... The Baltimore Ravens are apparently interested in free-agent quarterback Dennis Dixon, most recently of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Field Yates of Bleacher Report gives us an update on the ...  

Today's AFC North links roundup includes recapping two Bleacher Report community mock draft hauls, an update on the recovery of Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson and a little hint that the Cleveland Browns are high on Brandon Weeden.  

Looking at the rest of the AFC North, it has been a pretty quiet offseason around the division. The cap-strapped Pittsburgh Steelers released a handful of popular veterans and are holding their breath as they wait and see if another team makes a ...  

Breakdown: The Steelers parted ways with big-name veterans in Hines Ward and James Farrior, but they are still in demand. Pittsburgh is one of eight teams to receive five prime-time games. In a cruel twist by schedule makers, the Steelers begin ...  

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are the only AFC teams without official cheerleading squads. Luckily, the beautiful ladies from the 14 other cheerleading teams in the conference make up for the absence of the cheerleaders in Pittsburgh and Cleveland.  

No team is the same from one year to the next, but one can learn about where a team is going by studying where it has been. We've watched each Steelers game last year play-by-play and pulled out a certain amount of trend-setting and trend-extending plays that earned the Steelers both a 12-4 record and a first-round playoff loss. We'll highlight what each of those plays meant from a bigger picture perspective on the season that...  

This is the third and final piece to my thoughts about the offensive line and the Steelers draft to address it. Sorry to piecemeal this thing, but all the clutter in my head needed more than one manuscript. You can read the first part here. You can read the second part here. Enter Mike Adams, a mid-first-round talent who fell to the bottom of round two. He had a couple scrapes during his junior year with drugs and team rules at...  

Aaron Wilson of Scout.com tweeted Sunday afternoon the Steelers have signed fifth-round draft pick Chris Rainey to a four-year deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Rainey, out of the University of Florida and high school teammate and friend of Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey, will add another element of competition to a position shaping up to be the fiercest training camp battle. With incumbent Rashard Mendenhall tearing his ACL...  

In wake of the recent NFL Draft, the Steelers have parted ways with two players - CB Antonio Smith and RB Chad Spann. Spann is the more well known of the two, having been the practice squad call-up in the Steelers' 2012 season of dreams for back-up running backs. After RB Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Dwyer were both placed on the IR, and RB Mewelde Moore nursing a knee injury, Spann joined fellow practice squad mate John Clay on...  

Chuck Finder of CBS Sports reported Friday morning undrafted free agent QB Alex Tanney has left the Steelers, opting to go through rookie minicamp with the Buffalo Bills instead. Finder wrote Tanney, a Monmouth product, went to Buffalo due to the fact the Steelers brought in Oregon QB Darron Thomas, and apparently, didn’t want to compete against him. Thomas is in the athletic mold the Steelers seem to like in their project back-up...  

As Tommy Boy famously said, "A lot of people go to college for seven and a half years." "Yeah, they're called doctors." Maybe they're called Steelers quarterbacks too. I kid, I kid...congratulations to Ben Roethlisberger, who, as Miami University tweeted, received his degree Saturday, presumably in physical education.That was his listed major on his Miami University RedHawks athletics page. Congratulations to @steelers QB #BigBen...  

When the Pittsburgh Steelers followed up on their 1st round selection of Stanford guard David DeCastro by selecting Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams in the 2nd round last Friday, a lot of fans and media members around Steeler Nation were quite concerned. The concern had nothing to do with the team using a 2nd straight draft pick to select an offensive lineman. No, the concern came from the fact that the Steelers selected a...  

Call him The Coliseum. Alameda Ta'amu signed a four-year rookie contract with the Steelers, the team reported Sunday. His size inspires the nickname - a play off Oakland's Alameda County Coliseum - but his ability led the Steelers to trade up with Washington in the fourth round to take the Washington Huskies product. Ta'amu will compete with third-year man Steve McLendon for playing time this season, as both of them will look to...  

Charlie Wilmoth of SB Nation Pittsburgh compiled an interesting piece (via ESPN's Adam Schefter) regarding some reactions of the suspensions in wake of the bounty scandal in New Orleans. As probably suspected, those reactions were colorful, aggressive and not in support of the verdict handed down by Commissioner Roger Goodell. OLB James Harrison, the Steeler fined and suspended the most often by Goodell, was at no loss for words...  

As the site regulars have probably noticed, I’ve been rather busy lately assessing the Steelers’ drafts from the past decade. During the course of this I discovered something curious. In the upper rounds the Steelers were quite successful in comparison to most of the league. But in the fifth round they were next to worst, only exceeded in incompetence, if incompetence is the problem, by Cincinnati. The Steelers were in the bottom...  

We're smack dab in the middle of a transitional period among the Steelers defensive line. The hallowed group that helped bring the Steelers to two Super Bowl championships looks to be on its last breath. In seeing that coming down the pike, the Steelers have drafted defensive linemen quite a bit (two first round picks in 2009 and 2011, and a fourth round possible future starter in 2012). In one of the more intriguing Steelers...  

As someone who follows the NFL Draft on a casual-to-serious level, I always find it funny how quickly I can become enamored with a certain player based on just reading a review of his measurements and skill-set, even if I didn't know that player existed all throughout his college career. I soon become convinced that this is the player that the Steelers MUST take with their first round selection. If they don't, I know I'll be...  

The Steelers announced the signings of a pair of 7th round picks, Oregon TE David Paulson and CB Terrence Frederick, as they continue to mow through contracts for their 2012 selectees. OT Mike Adams (2nd), DT Alameda Ta'amu (4th), RB Chris Rainey (5th) and WR Toney Clemons (7th) signed earlier, leaving just OG David DeCastro (1st), LB Sean Spence (3rd) and OG Kelvin Beachum (7th) left unsigned. Paulson, a multi-faceted TE/H-back...  

It's been confirmed by Ed Bouchette that Willie Colon will be moving from right tackle to left guard, in an article which you can read in its entirety here, which means both Steelers rookies David DeCastro and Mike Adams will have a chance to start early. "The move from his spot at right tackle, paves the way for their top two draft choices to start immediately. David DeCastro will be put at right guard and Mike Adams at left tackle...  

It’s been really interesting to see the reactions to discussions about the ‘character concerns’ with three of our newly-drafted players. For a distinct subset of our community, the issues with these players are non-starters. They don’t see anything wrong with smoking marijuana, and they think the NCAA rules are stupid. The people who feel this way apparently haven’t noticed a critical point, though—the Steelers organization consider...  

I used to get excited seeing the No. 66. Seeing it on a broad-chested, rattlesnake-mean player moving at the speed of a semi-truck in fourth gear and climbing made me think "run the ball behind Big Nasty for the rest of the bleeping game." And the Steelers did quite often. No. 66 represents ground-and-pound Steelers football. It's not quite like No. 21 for the Pirates - never to be worn again - but the Steelers aren't exactly like...  

When I posted Part I of this series, I don’t think it was quite what many people were expecting it to be when they clicked on the link. OR60faithfull commented "When I first read the title of the article I had pondered that you might be offering insight on how best to integrate our new influx of talent," and others may have well been thinking the same. That isn’t really my metier, though—many on this site are far more qualified to...  

Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall bounced to the outside, one of those unpredictable moves a running back must make routinely, trusting his legs to handle the stress of constant change of direction with ease. Unfortunately for Mendenhall, it was one time his prize-back legs didn't follow the plan. He crumpled to the ground along the right sideline, clutching his right knee. Without any contact initiating the fall, the immediate...  

As Jim Wexell pointed out on Twitter Wednesday morning, the report of a trade between the Steelers and the Jets nearly being consummated during April's draft says, among other things, the Steelers did not have Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower at the top of their board in terms of expected picks. Had Bruce Irvin not been drafted by Seattle, the Steelers would have moved up to No. 16 in the draft, and selected OG David DeCastro. The Jets...  

Many have checked in with Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey recently, and most noted Pouncey's statement he's full recovered from off-season ankle surgery. While it's not fair to suggest Pouncey's ankle is entering into "Fred Taylor's Groin" territory as the most injured anatomical piece of any NFL player, it was hurt enough last season Pouncey wasn't as effective as he was in his rookie campaign. Fact is, though, Pouncey will return to...  

Wednesday's announcement that OT Willie Colon is now LG Willie Colon creates competition for the Steelers' right tackle position. It could even influence the left tackle position. What it ultimately does, though, is completely transform the Steelers offensive line, which is probably overdue at this point. The Game of Musical Linemen Continues The Steelers led the NFL in offensive line combinations last season (I saw there were 22...  

I'm sure many laughed as hard as I did upon listening to ESPN's Adam Schefter list Seahawks first round pick Bruce Irvin's rap sheet. Also, like many others, I had no idea the Seahawks taking the gamble on the West Virginia defensive end would ultimately mean the Steelers would land their No. 1 target without having to sacrifice any picks. If Irvin wasn't drafted there, according to NFL.com reporter Jason La Canfora, the Jets and...  

Mike Prisuta reported Wednesday afternoon Steelers OL Willie Colon will move from right tackle to left guard, a move often discussed throughout Colon’s tenure with the team. A report indicates the Steelers notified Colon of their intentions to move him to the left guard position after the draft, when they selected Stanford OG David DeCastro in the first round. This strongly indicates DeCastro will remain at right guard, the...  

Pittsburgh formally has two SMU products on the roster. Seventh-round pick Kelvin Beachum agreed to a four-year deal with the team Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Beachum, a 6-foot-1, 306-pound offensive guard, joins WR Emmanuel Sanders as SMU football alumni for the Steelers. He'll look to add to the depth of the suddenly formidable Steelers offensive line. Even with the selection of David DeCastro in the first...  

Per dollar, it's easily the Steelers' best positional unit. Pittsburgh has been stockpiling talent at running back, a position that's become interchangeable in the NFL over the years. Gone are the days of league MVPs Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson. The high volume passing era has led to the stable philosophy, as opposed to the pure prize back. Because, well, running back is a classic example of the rhetorical question...  

A good friend of mine hosts a really rockin' party at his home twice a year, and dozens of people show up to have a great time and mingle. Beings that I'm a newly single man, I was really looking forward to doing some mingling of my own and just having some fun. Unfortunately, instead of any of that, I had one too many rum and (whatever cola drink may sponsor this site), and I barely remembered anything about the night, except...  

The 2012 NFL Draft was considered a success for the Pittsburgh Steelers by experts and fans alike. However, that is all just meaningless speculation. The real winners of the draft will not be determined for at least three years. However, as fans, we still want to analyze and predict what our draft picks will do. The Steelers had nine draft picks, one in the first five rounds, and four in the seventh. Obviously, as you get later and...  

Even with the four-game suspension doled out to TE Weslye Saunders for failure of the league's substance abuse policy, the Pittsburgh Steelers boast one of the league's deeper and more versatile tight ends group. The question is how will all of them meld together, and which roles might they be playing? Outside of TE Heath Miller, how is this all going to work? Miller is one of the game's best all-around tight ends, a...  

Editor's note: This interview was conducted, and the article written by, 1blkgldfan, a.k.a. Annette Filippone. She made contact with former Steelers free safety Chris Hope through his publicist, and he was more than accommodating. She did a fantastic job, and really got a lot of good quotes out of the Steelers' starting free safety for many of great Steelers teams of the last decade and a half. I'd like to thank her for the effort...  

The significance of the visits of veteran free agents K Dave Rayner, ILB Brandon Johnson and OLB Matt Roth aren't exactly earth-shattering. They do represent a push to solidify training camp competition, if not add depth to the 53-man roster. At least with the two linebacker candidates, Johnson and Roth, the Steelers could use some depth, and both Johnson and Roth could be spot starters. Having a player like Johnson, a savvy 4-3...  

There were a number of interesting and thought-provoking comments to my last article, Maximizing the Steelers’ 2012 Draft Class, Part III. A couple of them touched on a subject I felt made a suitable addendum to that article. Here’s the first, from WolfpackSteelersFan: [I]f one wants to succeed, you won’t get there by feeling sorry for yourself. You will get there by choosing to do the things that are required to get you where...  

It’s a great day for some Pittsburgh Steelers notes and musings. Without much of an agenda, a loose and informal structure and geared fully to illicit conversation within the greatest Steelers community web site on the planet (presumably, the universe), we’ll start off diving into the offense. Haley’s Offensive System How different will offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s offense be from where it was last year? We’ve heard QB Ben...  

While the rest of the Steelers' defense has gotten younger over the past two seasons, the safeties have remained the same. SS Troy Polamalu, FS Ryan Clark and FS/SS Ryan Mundy will still be the Steelers' three-deep come 2012, and it's hard to take exception to that. The backend anchor to the league's top passing defense, the unit may not have forced many turnovers (four interceptions between the three of them) but by and large...  

The Steelers have been fortunate enough to not be embroiled in a quarterback controversy since roughly the last quarter of Week 2 of the 2004 season. QB Ben Roethlisberger has been unchallenged since then, giving the Steelers an advantage every team without it envies; a franchise passer. This will prove to be the ultimate test to Roethlisberger's talent, character and leadership abilities. Who Moved Ben's Cheese? Some of you...  

The Steelers announced the signing of seventh-round draft pick WR Toney Clemons to a four-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Clemons, from the University of Colorado, led the Buffaloes with 43 catches and 680 receiving yards. He has good size (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) but is said to have a case of the dropsies - certainly something that can be fixed with effort and repetition. Perhaps most importantly, Clemons looks...  

Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson worked Friday's rookie minicamp - his first coaching action since being burned in a house fire in January. His return to the field is nothing short of amazing, so much so, even rookie RB Chris Rainey was impressed. According to WPXI, Rainey went out of his way to note his admiration: "I told him, ‘God bless you that you're still here and I'm praying for you,'" Rainey said. "He's glad to...  

The 2013 Draft is a long way's away so at this point it is better to identify some college football prospects in the Steelers possible areas of need and watch them throughout the College Football season. Once the College Football seasons starts, this list will be updated every week to update you guys on each of the players progress. I am trying to focus on guys who are not projected as top 15 picks as of now because none of us...  

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace has little leverage left in his contract negotiation. Not only is teammate, WR Antonio Brown, rising fast among other NFL wide receivers, but he's taking some of the spotlight from Wallace. Two dogs, one bone. Or, two great receivers, one big Steelers pay day. Does Wallace's alleged threats to hold out matter? No. The Steelers have the ability to reduce his $2.7 million tender offer to 110...  

Ex-Steelers WR Limas Sweed had a workout with the New York Giants over this weekend. It reportedly did not go well. Mike Garafalo of the New Jersey Star-Ledger reported Sweed worked with other veterans and rookies in the Giants minicamp, but he dropped three passes, and slipped in a route that led to an interception. Wrote Garafalo: Sweed came here trying to make an impression. It's extremely unlikely at this point it was a...  

Ed Bouchette tweeted Tuesday evening the Steelers signed OT Mike Adams to a contract, without citing any terms. Adams, a highly touted but baggage-laden second round pick from Ohio State is the fourth Steelers draft pick to sign following 4th round pick Alameda Ta'amu, 5th round pick Chris Rainey and 7th round pick Toney Clemons. #steelers come to terms with Mike Adams, 2nd pick — Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) May 9, 2012 Adams...  

The outside linebacker is the glory hog of the Steelers defense. Not that James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley don't deserve the praise they get, but their other front seven contemporaries are setting them up for success. They're used to success. They've had a lot of it. But what the best tandem of 3-4 OLBs in the game haven't shared much together is injuries. Harrison and Woodley missed a combined 12 games last season, more than...  

With Mother's Day quickly approaching, the recent NFL draft, and football season right around the corner, what's a better idea than getting that special lady and mother in your life all the Steelers bling she can hope for on this Mother's Day? These gift ideas are the perfect way to combine this special day, have her decked out from head to toe in Steelers gear, and get her ready to root for her favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in style...  

At the 2012 NFL Draft the Pittsburgh Steelers increased their chances of competing for the Super Bowl by improving the offensive line. It's never too early to look ahead at next year's draft and wonder who the Pittsburgh Steelers will draft in the first round next season. These are 10 college football players for Pittsburgh Steelers' fans to watch next season because they could be on Pittsburgh's wishlist. These are by no means the ten best...  

Tribune-Review reporter Mark Kaboly tweeted Tuesday former Steelers receiver Hines Ward may be taking the route Jerome Bettis did in 2006. Straight from Pittsburgh to the broadcasting booth. While Bettis immediately signed with NBC as part of their new Sunday Night Football package after winning Super Bowl XL, Ward is still allegedly weighing his options. Ward had been preparing himself for a second career in broadcasting. He joined...  

It looks good. It looks really good for the Steelers after the events of this past weekend. I admit that I am riding as high as anyone over the quality of the draft. The optimism is deserved. One could find fault in one aspect or another of the draft; the character concerns of Adams and Rainey, should we have invested in other players. These are issues that at the end of the day have to be dismissed as quibbles. Generally it is...  

The consensus opinion of the Pittsburgh Steelers' draft in 2012 was they made out very well. It's tough to argue a world-beating David DeCastro at one of the team's biggest needs, a potentially outstanding offensive tackle in the second round, or a future starting nose tackle in the fourth. Add in an all-purpose machine like Chris Rainey in the fifth, and they walked away with stronger pieces than what they had to start. The one...  

Tribune-Review columnist Dejan Kovacevic has an interesting column in regards to Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's somewhat passive-aggressive response to an off-season that saw him called out for extending plays, fired his buddy offensive coordinator and a supposed overhaul of the offensive scheme.Kovacevic's column isn't slanted the way the headline "Kovacevic: Get Over It, Ben" implies. It's actually more pro-Roethlisberger, but...  

I'm feeling pretty good about doing the Check Down this week. With the start of OTAs there are plenty of interesting stories to highlight. For many of the past several weeks I've been feeling like someone tasked with serving a banquet armed only with a bag of saltine crackers and a can of sardines. Where to begin? How about starting with a story that will get your hackles up. ESPN predicts Steelers finishing 3rd in the AFC North A...  

It's a simple proposition for Steelers 5-time Pro Bowl OLB James Harrison. If suspended Saints LB Jonathan Vilma loses in his lawsuit against NFL Commission Roger Goodell, he feels it shows Goodell has too much power. If Vilma wins, however, according to Harrison, "the floodgates will open." The floodgates of media attention will open over Harrison's comments, that's for certain. It won't be long before the cat-calls over Harrison...  

Ralph Cindrich, the agent of former Steelers LB James Farrior, said his free agent client is in discussion right now with the Pittsburgh Steelers about retirement. Cindrich said this on FM 93.7 The Fan radio in Pittsburgh Friday afternoon. Farrior, a free agent, was released by the Steelers this off-season in the team’s roster purging. WR Hines Ward was also released, only to return to Pittsburgh to announce his retirement...  

We've seen a few storylines emerge as the Steelers powered through the first week of Phase 3 OTAs. Some good things, some bad things, and a lot to look forward to starting with the next set of three OTA sessions beginning May 29. Johnson vs. Johnson The conversion of David Johnson to fullback and his subsequent battle with rookie UDFA Will Johnson, the Workout Warrior of West Virginia, is something that may heat up quickly from...  

It's as if the local fish wraps were hunting for CB Keenan Lewis exclusively after OTAs finished up in Pittsburgh Thursday. And he had plenty to say, such as quotes in both the Tribune-Review and the Post-Gazette indicating Lewis sees himself joining the AFC's Pro Bowl team in 2012. Lofty individual expectations are good. They show where a player's head is. Lewis, apparently, is very optimistic about his chances of starting...  

Steelers CB Cortez Allen appears to be the man to beat for the nickel back position this season, writes Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly. That seems the easiest of what promises to be a training camp full of positional battles. If Allen showed anything his rookie year, it's the ability to handle slot coverage duty, and could very well grow to be better in that area than his predecessor, William Gay. Allen, a former fourth-round draft...  

It is mid-May and the sports world is not focused on the NFL. But hardcore fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers are already getting excited for the 2012-13 season. While I previously lamented how hard this offseason of goodbyes was going to be, I think the Steelers organization is making all the right moves to make the 2012-13 season a great one.  

Former NFL kicker Mike Vanderjagt, who cut a controversial swath through a nine-year NFL career, is in trouble again. The first kicker in NFL history to go through an entire season without missing a field goal or extra point (he did that in 2003), Vanderjagt is better known for two incidents related to the postseason. In the 2005 playoffs, he missed a 41-yard field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers with seconds left in the game -- not...  

One of the most popular teams in the NFL is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their fans are a diverse bunch, ranging from old men all the way down to toddlers. Whether your mom is new to the Steeler Nation or a longtime fan, picking out a Steeler-themed Mother's Day gift is sure to be a big hit. These are some of the best gifts for mom featuring her favorite football team.  

The Steelers depth at cornerback should be one of their strength in 2012, but it's also one of its biggest question marks. Such is the way of things for NFL cornerbacks. Every play, hero or goat. Riding that thin line between greatness and ridicule, it is, next to quarterback, the toughest mental position on the field. The Steelers will ride into training camp with one definite starter, CB Ike Taylor, and three younger players vying...  

In the interest of providing comprehensive coverage of all things Steelers as well as taking advantage of the current lull resulting from the off season, I am redirecting the focus toward Steeler Nation, particularly its fans. The supporters of the team are just as much a part of the story of Steelers football as are the players and other members of the organization. Usually once a week, Wednesday night, I spend some time with Arla...  

There have been many accolades given to Steelers SS Troy Polamalu in regards to his athletic ability. With the presence of outstanding leaders on the defensive side of the ball, though, he's never had to assume a strong leadership role. Starting with OTA Phase One, which began in Pittsburgh Tuesday, that is changing. Polamalu typically works out in Los Angeles with Marv Marinovich, his trainer, during OTAs, but his presence, he...  

It's pretty safe to say that a huge segment of Steeler Nation still loves the running game. It's Steelers football. It's our identity. If you make any case for why franchise quarterbacks and passing the football are the way to win in today's NFL, you'd probably get five counter-arguments from Steelers fans emphatically stating that a good ground attack is always the best way to win a football game. "Forget about the trends! It doesn...  

Mike Wilkening of Pro Football Weekly penned a solid piece on Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer, and what he's up to this off-season. From Wilkening's accounts, Dwyer is ready to compete for an increase in playing time, something he hasn't had much of since being chosen six picks before Pro Bowl WR/KR Antonio Brown. Wrote Wilkening: Entering his third NFL campaign, "you want more," Dwyer said Thursday. "You want to be out (there) more...  

Amid the pre-screening for local media of the Steelers 2011 highlight video (titled "Heart"), the team announced the narrator for the video, KDKA radio host Larry Richert, will be the Heinz Field public address announcer as well. It's unique in the sense that when you hear "Roethlisberger's pass is complete to Miller," it will be the same voice that melts through the Steelers' highlight videos, giving each stat announcement a...  

OTAs start on Tuesday, thank God! We are about to reach our next little oasis in the Death Valley that is the offseason. You would have thought that this would be a particularly slow news week, but there actually have been a few noteworthy developments, including some continuing encouragement coming out Steelers camp. But we begin with... Jonathan Vilma sues Roger Goodell New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma received the...  

Big Blue View editor Ed Valentine does a great job in summarizing the specifics of what OTAs are, and what Steelers fans can expect to happen at the start of Phase One of OTAs, which is set to begin Tuesday in Pittsburgh. The main goal of Phase One is based around conditioning and rehabilitation. In other words, this time will mostly be spent with strength and conditioning coaches conducting variations of track practice or military...  

Tomorrow, the Steelers begin their OTA's, and for die-hard fans, it's at least a little taste of football, so to speak. We'll get to see our boys in action again, albeit only in shorts, and we'll get another glimpse of the new rookie crop...........well, except for DeCastro and Adams. Speaking of that, Mike Wallace also won't be there because of his contract dispute, and his absence will probably dominate much of the talk. Coach...  

I just turned 40 recently (brief self-serving pause for "Happy Birthday" wishes), and it's a weird feeling. To paraphrase comedian Louis C.K., you're older, but you're not really old. And you're still youthful, but you're not really young anymore. Turning 80 is an even bigger milestone, and 2012 just so happens to be the 80th year anniversary season of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that was founded in 1933 by the late Arthur J...  

With new offensive coordinator Todd Haley kept under media lockout, analysts and fans alike have been making projections as to what the Steelers offense will look like in 2012. There's a hint or two here and there, but the biggest wrinkle will no doubt be the inclusion of the fullback position once again. It appears as if David Johnson will assume a dual-role this year, one part blocking back, other in-line protector. Clearly, this...  

I had written after the draft Steelers rookie OG David DeCastro would be able to attend the Steelers Organized Team Activities (OTAs), which begin Tuesday in Pittsburgh. I was wrong, DeCastro will not be able to attend OTAs because of a completely nonsensical NFL rule prohibiting rookies to practice with their pro teams until the academic calendar year of the school they attended is over. All rookies can attend their team's rookie...  

Once More Unto the Offensive Line Breach, Dear FriendsI find it ironic that the amount of in-game and pre-game fluctuation among the offensive line was one of the reasons behind the justified savagery of the Steelers offensive line. Yet, the transfer of Willie Colon three spots west of where he used to be (and essentially hasn't played) has gotten Steeler Nation so excited. I'm excited as well, but looking down the road, it's worth...  

Tribune-Review reporter Scott Brown, amongst others, reported Friday the Steelers released OT Trevis Turner, and signed CB Andre Freeman, an UDFA out of Slippery Rock. The move to release Turner was likely in part to the recent signing of OT Kyle Jolley, who also looks to contend for the last tackle spot the team will carry with it on its full 53-man roster. Turner would still be practice-squad eligible. Steelers waive OT Trevis...  

Yahoo Shutdown Corner editor Doug Farrar had draft guru Greg Cosell on his podcast Thursday, talking about the early projections of the 2012 draft classes of the AFC North. They both rightfully lavished heavy praise on the draft class of the Cincinnati Bengals, both this year and last year. The Bengals' trade-down move behind Pittsburgh to select Wisconsin OG Kevin Zeitler while the Steelers selected Stanford OG David DeCastro, a...  

A Forbes Magazine report lists Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin at $5.75 million, tying him with Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt as the 6th highest paid coach in the NFL, and 8th highest in professional sports. Tomlin, a two-time AFC champion and winning coach of Super Bowl XLIII, is 55-25 in five seasons at the helm in Pittsburgh, most recently, a 12-4 2011 campaign. He's helped set the bar so high in the legendary...  

Most people are aware Steelers WR Mike Wallace is not attending OTAs. Most are even more keenly aware he's doing it because he wants a contract extension, and not the $2.7 million restricted free agent tender offer the Steelers have given him. There seems to be a split in SteelerNation on whether Wallace is doing the right thing - or even the ethical one. Turns out, there's a long list of Steelers who will not graduate OTAs with 100...  

Many Steelers fans have been waiting for former LB Greg Lloyd to weigh in on the NFL's current direction of offensive emphasis and general "safety" initiatives. The wait is over. Lloyd, speaking to WXIX-TV in Cincinnati while at Bengals coach Marvin Lewis's charity golf tournament (Lewis was Lloyd's position coach in Pittsburgh), minced no words over the matter, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who remembers Lloyd from his...  

The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the road in Week 1, and will take on the team that ousted them from the playoffs in January, the Denver Broncos. Taking a look at where the Broncos are in May, it will be a daunting task. But one the Steelers need to get used to. With perhaps the toughest schedule overall they've had since 2008, this isn't the last good team they'll play in 2012. They're only the first. Broncos Improvements Obviously...  

A rematch of the 2010 AFC Championship Game for the home opener sounds like the makings of another great game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets. Two teams that ended their 2011 seasons on down notes, two teams looking to climb back to the top of their respective divisions. Two teams needing every win they can get to keep pace with an outstanding rival within their division. Jets Improvements The last few years...  

Allegedly, former Colts K Mike Vanderjagt still knows how to choke. Only this time, it wasn't at the end of a playoff football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the throat of a student after he taunted Vanderjagt by chanting "Wide Left! Wide Left!" in reference to his missed kick at the end of the 2005 NFL Divisional Playoff game between the Colts and Pittsburgh. Vanderjagt, a volunteer coach...  

NFL Around The League writer (and BTSC friend) Brian McIntyre wrote an interesting piece on Steelers NT Steve McLendon, expounding on the work done by Tribune-Review writer Mark Kaboly. The subject of both articles was to show McLendon as a potential starter among the Steelers defensive line. They both certainly make a good case for it, but they seem to be missing the forest for the trees. Odds are excellent McLendon will be the...  

Reports indicate Giants WR Hakeem Nicks' foot surgery was successful. hat's a good thing for Nicks and the Giants. And Steelers fans should be resigned to understanding why WR Mike Wallace is not participating in OTAs. Nicks broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot Thursday while running a route in the defending champs' OTA session. He had surgery the following day and is expected to be inactive for the next 12 weeks (although...  

Following up on a story we ran Friday in regards to the possibility of former Steelers linebacker James Farrior retiring, his agent, Ralph Cindrich, responded to a question posed via Twitter about it. Cindrich's response suggested Farrior, the 13 year veteran, is waiting for a "championship opportunity." Will one of those present itself for Farrior? It's an interesting question. He's just getting around to the retirement part. On...  

According to an ESPN poll of a random sample of 1,500 Americans, the Steelers are the third-most popular team in the NFL. The poll was conducted by asking participants 12 years of age and older which team was their favorite. Since 1994, this survey has polled 390,000 Americans, and the results are cumulative. The Dallas Cowboys were No. 1 with 8.8 percent of the vote. The Green Bay Packers were No. 2 at 7.2, barely edging out the...  

In the 2010 draft, the Steelers liked Jonathan Dwyer enough to take him seven picks before Antonio Brown. Brown, a sixth-rounder like Dwyer, has become one of the keys to the Steelers’ offense, a formidable receiving threat opposite Mike Wallace. He’s also a Pro Bowl kick returner.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to work Tuesday with a new offensive playbook but without Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Wallace, who is working out on his own in Louisiana as he tries to finalize a new deal with the team.  

The Cincinnati Bengals brought in the best haul of the division for the second straight year. But not far off are the Pittsburgh Steelers.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed second-round draft pick Mike Adams and seventh-round picks David Paulson and Terrence Frederick. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.  

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison says that regardless of the outcome, all NFL players stand to benefit from Jonathan Vilma's defamation lawsuit against Roger Goodell.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) Alameda Ta'amu's ''welcome to the NFL'' moment didn't come when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected the massive nose tackle in the fourth round of last week's draft.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) Sean Spence walked toward his locker during his first day as a Pittsburgh Steeler last month, saw the number hanging from the hook and couldn't quite believe it.  

OXFORD, Ohio (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has graduated from Miami University in southwest Ohio, about nine years after leaving for the NFL.  

Three key Steelers will be missing when the team kicks off its offseason team activities on Tuesday, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sunday.  

Top teams have big holes to file when the NFL draft starts on Thursday.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed seventh-round draft pick Toney Clemons to a four-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed seventh-round draft pick Kelvin Beachum. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  

Update: Wallace is not expected to be in attendance when Steelers' OTAs start on Tuesday, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) Brandon Lindsey spent last weekend gathered in a room with his family waiting for the phone to ring.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) They don't celebrate NFL backups in southern New Jersey. Trust Isaac Redman on this.