Cedrick Wilson

There are certain NFL teams that make the headlines regardless of how well they play. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots. If they are good, everyone is talking about how good they are, if they are bad, chatter abounds on their troubles, and even if they are mediocre, fans lament their fall from greatness.  

For the most part, I've been fairly critical of the role of Pro Football Talk in the media landscape covering the NFL. At the same time, I respect the opinions of the site, and its founder, Mike Florio. They're entitled to those opinions, as am I, as are you. My main contention is the style in which he writes. Sometimes, it seems the presumptions he makes are a bit off-the-mark. And his offensive character assassination of Steelers...  

For Tennessee in 2012, it's not about who they brought in, it's who they're bringing back. And when the Steelers travel to Nashville for an early-season Thursday night game, they'll face a Titans team that overcame several hurdles in 2011 to finish a respectable 9-7, just out of the money for the post-season. It's unlikely the Steelers put the same kind of whipping they did in Week 6 of 2011, when the running game destroyed...  

It's unclear what former Steelers QB Kordell Stewart means by "needing closure." The 39-year-old former player who last suited up in 2005 - for the Baltimore Ravens...as a punter - announced his retirement from the NFL Wednesday, a move that was unexpected, in the sense that everyone assumed Stewart had done that very thing several years ago. Not to knock the guy too much - who knows, maybe he's coming out with a reality show in the near...  

On paper, the Eagles had lots going for them in 2011. Fresh off the signing of Nnamdi Asomugha, the momentum of Michael Vick, the ascension of LeSean McCoy, dynamic big play ability from DeSean Jackson. So what happened? Jackson's pre-season contract dispute, Vick's inevitable injury, Asomugha adapting to a new system, all these things took their tolls on the Eagles, and they limped to an 8-8 finish. The NFL should be wary of the...  

Tribune-Review reporter Mark Kaboly transcribed a bit of Steelers CB Ike Taylor's appearance on TribLive Radio, and it will very likely be the talking point for the rest of this session OTAs. Taylor spent the weekend in Las Vegas with his teammate, WR Mike Wallace, and Taylor said Wallace is frustrated with his contract situation. What he also said was much more newsworthy. Mike feels like he outperformed his last contract. But he...  

Despite the excitement of OTAs, it's still the off-season. So let's step back for just a moment and take a closer look at some players who will help to define the 2012 Steelers season. Because he's been in the news a lot this past week, I'm going to begin with Troy Polamalu. (The fact that he is my personal favorite Steeler has nothing whatsoever to do with this choice). Why has he been in the news? First, because he was at the...  

Steelers back-up quarterback hopeful Troy Smith has been a part of the Steelers for a few months, but he's already mixing things up with two traditional rivals. Speaking to AP reporter Will Graves, Smith mentioned a set-back he had with tonsillitis his rookie season, before saying he would have given Ravens QB Joe Flacco a run for for the team's starting quarterback position. Smith was a fifth round draft pick of the Ravens in 2007...  

The Steelers announced Tuesday they have come to terms with third round draft pick, LB Sean Spence. His signing, on the first day of the second OTA session, leaves only their first round pick, OG David DeCastro, unsigned. With Cincinnati having signed OG Kevin Zeitler, the 27th overall pick of the draft, on May 25, the table appears to be set for DeCastro's signing. Spence, though, is all set. The speedy if undersized linebacker...  

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...  

The Raiders are undergoing a complete overhaul from its previous administration. And with few draft picks on which to begin building a foundation (six picks, none in rounds 1 or 2), new head coach Dennis Allen has quite the undertaking. Hosting the Steelers in Week 3 doesn't make it any easier on him, or new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp or defensive coordinator Jason Tarver. Raiders Improvements It's hard to list just one. Or...  

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...  

PITTSBURGH (AP) When the Pittsburgh Steelers asked David Johnson to convert from tight end to fullback full-time in time for the 2012 season, the burly 270-pound Johnson's first thought was ''I need to go on a diet.''  

PITTSBURGH - When the Pittsburgh Steelers told tight end David Johnson they wanted to move him to fullback full time this season, Johnson told coach Mike Tomlin he'd do whatever is necessary to stay with the team.  

PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed third-round pick Sean Spence to a four-year contract. Financial details were not disclosed.