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> <channel><title>SteelBlitz Steelers Blog &#187; Steelers Player News</title> <atom:link href="http://steelblitz.com/category/steelers-player-news/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /><link>http://steelblitz.com</link> <description></description> <lastBuildDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 18:28:26 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency> <generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1</generator> <item><title>Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Sixth Round Pick LB Vince Williams</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-sixth-round-pick-lb-vince-williams/3319/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-sixth-round-pick-lb-vince-williams/3319/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 18:28:26 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3319</guid> <description><![CDATA[Hey #SteelersNation we have signed the second of our two sixth-round draft picks from the 2013 NFL Draft, linebacker Vince Williams. &#8212; Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 20, 2013 The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed the second of their nine draft selections today by signing sixth round pick Vince Williams. The first selection to sign was fourth round pick Shamarko Thomas. All draft picks will sign four year deals and Williams deal should be for around $1.7 million over four years. With the 206th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Florida State inside linebacker Vince Williams. Williams gives the Steelers another potential option as a long-term replacement for Larry Foote with Vince Williams out of Florida State. The Steelers were high on Williams and brought him in for a pre-draft visit. I think they would have looked at Michael Mauti here out of Penn State, but since Williams is still on the board he was the easier pick here because of Mauti’s injury issues and Mauti may be had as an undrafted rookie free agent. Vince Williams, drafted second in the the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, showed something special to the Steelers organization during rookie minicamp.  While some believe he will struggle to make the cut following training camp, there is a real possibility that Williams has more to offer than first expected.  Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest certainly thinks that is the case. Labriola was a guest on the Steelers Live show, Tuesday.  Labriola was asked about the performances of the rookies, and a player he admitted had caught his attention was Williams.  “A couple of the things that I liked about him, were, first of all, it wasn’t very long into the on-field sessions when [Vince] Williams was instructing teammates about where they needed to be…and shifting…Williams did a [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-sixth-round-pick-lb-vince-williams/3319/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line Preparing for a Better Year in 2013</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-offensive-line-preparing-for-a-better-year-in-2013/3315/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-offensive-line-preparing-for-a-better-year-in-2013/3315/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 15:21:00 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3315</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has been one of the biggest weak points on the team over the past few years. Injuries and inconsistent play have taken a toll not only on the line, but on the offense as a whole. Over the past three years the Steelers run game has continued to drop in production. That number could be targeted at the offensive line&#8217;s play over the past few years. Last season, the Steelers ranked 20th in the league in rushing attempts. That is their lowest league ranking since 1971. The Steelers only ran the ball 412 times during the 2012 season, which is their fewest attempts since the 1991 season when they ran the ball 394 times. What’s worse is unlike many of their good rushing seasons the Steelers yards per carry were not good coming in at a measly 3.7 yards per attempt. That 3.7 yards per carry ranked the Steelers 28th in the league. Pittsburgh finished the season with only 1537 rushing yards and a lackluster 8-8 record. Heading into next season one of the Steelers biggest goals is to turn the running game around and get back on track. Getting the running game going will take a lot of weight off the rest of the offenses&#8217; shoulders. Surprisingly the Steelers still ranked second in the NFL last year in time of possession. However, a strong running game would allow them to hold the ball even more, which would help take pressure off of the defense that ranked first in total yards in 2012. Even so, that number one ranked defense was ranked sixth in points per game given up 19.6 points per game last season. That is their fourth worst total points per game on defense in the past ten years. It&#8217;s also the first time under Dick [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-offensive-line-preparing-for-a-better-year-in-2013/3315/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Recent Pittsburgh Steelers History Says Reggie Dunn Has a Shot at Making the Roster</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/recent-pittsburgh-steelers-history-says-reggie-dunn-has-a-shot-at-making-the-roster/3308/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/recent-pittsburgh-steelers-history-says-reggie-dunn-has-a-shot-at-making-the-roster/3308/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sun, 19 May 2013 16:04:58 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3308</guid> <description><![CDATA[So far the most talked about player heading into off-season workouts and training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers is not a second or third year player, or a draft pick, but an undrafted rookie free agent. Reggie Dunn played three years for the Utah Utes and became one of the best return men in the country. He was so well known for his return skills that teams kicked away from him. Last year, during his senior season, Dunn only received 10 kickoff return attempts. However, even with few attempts to return Dunn made the most of them. He finished the 2012 season with a 51.3 yard per return average. That average is inflated because four of those ten kickoff return attempts were taken back for 100 yard touchdowns. During Utah&#8217;s Pro-Day Dunn was clocked between 4.24 and 4.32. That may make him the fastest player on the Steelers roster at this time and means he could be a weapon in the return game. The only question surrounding Dunn is whether or not the Steelers would be willing to carry a return specialist on their roster and give up that roster spot for a true one-trick pony. Another hurdle for Dunn will be showing that he can also return punts. While at Utah he only returned on punt for seven yards, but it seems even more unlikely the Steelers would carry a player that can only return kicks. However, if he can also handle punt return duties he may have a chance at making the roster. During Mike Tomlin&#8217;s first season as the Steelers head coach the team traded a seventh round pick for Allen Rossum. Rossum is labelled as a corner, but his true position is as a return specialist. During the 2007 season Rossum returned punts and kicks for [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/recent-pittsburgh-steelers-history-says-reggie-dunn-has-a-shot-at-making-the-roster/3308/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Plaxico Burress May Struggle to Earn a Roster Spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/plaxico-burress-may-struggle-to-earn-a-roster-spot-with-the-pittsburgh-steelers-in-2013/3304/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/plaxico-burress-may-struggle-to-earn-a-roster-spot-with-the-pittsburgh-steelers-in-2013/3304/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 21:44:50 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3304</guid> <description><![CDATA[Last year the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to only carry four wide receivers on their 53-man roster to start the season. More receivers came in later on due to injuries, but Todd Haley&#8217;s offense uses two-tight end sets and pass-catching running backs, which makes four to five receivers plenty. With some younger and less experienced receivers expected to play a role for the Steelers in 2013 it seems likely they will carry five receivers this year to have some extra depth. Right now the Steelers starting receivers are expected to be Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. The players competing for spots behind those two are rookies Markus Wheaton, the Steelers third round pick, and Justin Brown, one of the Steelers sixth round picks, as well as veterans Jerricho Cotchery, David Gilreath and Plaxico Burress. Wheaton, as the team&#8217;s third round pick, is guaranteed to make the roster as a rookie. He is also expected to make an instant impact on the team with his speed and route-running abilities. If he impresses the coaching staff during OTAs and training camp he could potentially serve as the team&#8217;s third receiver and play in the slot. He could also play on the outside in three receiver sets, which would allow Brown and Sanders to see time in the slot, both of whom have experience there and have the size and speed to excel in that role. Outside of those three players there will be another two roster spots up for grabs. That is unless the Steelers chose to only carry four receivers for the second straight year. They could also carry six receivers, but the only way that seems likely is if undrafted rookie Reggie Dunn wins a roster spot and if he does it will be as a return man more so than as a [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/plaxico-burress-may-struggle-to-earn-a-roster-spot-with-the-pittsburgh-steelers-in-2013/3304/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Larry Foote Upset About Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Season and James Harrison’s Choice to Join the Cincinnati Bengals</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/larry-foote-upset-about-pittsburgh-steelers-2012-season-and-james-harrisons-choice-to-join-the-cincinnati-bengals/3300/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/larry-foote-upset-about-pittsburgh-steelers-2012-season-and-james-harrisons-choice-to-join-the-cincinnati-bengals/3300/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2013 00:28:31 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Offseason News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3300</guid> <description><![CDATA[Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote is making his feelings well known. First, he&#8217;s not too happy about the Steelers disappointing 8-8 season in 2012. It&#8217;s unlikely that anyone would/could be happy about a season that ended as poorly as the Steelers season did last year, but as one of the leaders on the defense Foote will have to lead the team to a turnaround in 2013. “We’re pissed off we didn’t make the playoffs. On top of that, our rival won the Super Bowl. I know guys are taking it personally. It’s just a whole different mindset to the off-season. I know guys are ready to get back where we need to be,” Foote said in an interview with &#8220;Go Blue Wolverine&#8221; the magazine. The 2012 season was the worst year the Steelers have had under head coach Mike Tomlin. During his tenure with the team Tomlin has taken the Steelers to two Super Bowls and won one. They have won three division titles with Tomlin as the coach, but consistency has been a problem for the Steelers since 2007. In 2007, the Steelers won the division with a 10-6 record; the next year they won the division for a second straight year with a 12-4 record. They also went on to win the Super Bowl that season. However, in 2009 they fell to third in the division with a 9-7 record. A year later they turned things around with another 12-4 record, which was good for another division championship. They also went to the Super Bowl that season, but lost to the Green Bay Packers. 2012 saw the Steelers win a second consecutive 12-4 record, but they still finished second in the division. Last year, they fell off again with an 8-8 record, which ranked them third in [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/larry-foote-upset-about-pittsburgh-steelers-2012-season-and-james-harrisons-choice-to-join-the-cincinnati-bengals/3300/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Pittsburgh Steelers Rankings in NFL&#8217;s Top 100 Players Perfectly Show Flaws in the System</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-rankings-in-nfls-top-100-players-perfectly-show-flaws-in-the-system/3295/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-rankings-in-nfls-top-100-players-perfectly-show-flaws-in-the-system/3295/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 15:05:12 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3295</guid> <description><![CDATA[The NFL Network has been counting down the top 100 players heading into the 2013 season. The top 100 players last year showed that there were many flaws in the system and the players even asked who had voted for these rankings. According to the network the players themselves were the one&#8217;s voting. These issues, coupled with some of the players that made the list, showed that there were many flaws in the system. When the network announced that they would be doing a top 100 for 2013 I figured it would be more of the same and chose not to pay much attention to the list. However, taking a quick look at the players listed 61-100 (the rest of the lists have not yet been released) you can see that the list is once again flawed. In fact, as Steelers fans we need only look at the Steelers players that have so far been rated to see that this list has many issues. So far the only Steelers players on the list are Heath Miller at number 97, Troy Polamalu at number 91 and Ben Roethlisberger at number 61. Now first I will mention that this list is supposed to be based on the 2012 season with a look at who will make the biggest impact in 2013. Therefore, Miller&#8217;s ranking could be lower due to the fact that he is coming off of an ACL injury that could affect his play next season. However, Miller and Polamalu are both ranked lower than Dwight Freeney, number 80, and Charles Woodson, number 85, both of whom are struggling to even find homes for next season. Freeney being rated at number 80 is a huge flaw in this years rankings. Last season he had five sacks and twelve tackles. No that [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-rankings-in-nfls-top-100-players-perfectly-show-flaws-in-the-system/3295/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>5</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Cameron Heyward May Start at Defensive End for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/cameron-heyward-may-start-at-defensive-end-for-the-pittsburgh-steelers-in-2013/3290/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/cameron-heyward-may-start-at-defensive-end-for-the-pittsburgh-steelers-in-2013/3290/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 04:07:37 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3290</guid> <description><![CDATA[When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Cameron Heyward in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft they had every intention of turning him into an eventual replacement for Brett Keisel and starter. In 2013, Heyward may see his name enter the starting line-up depending on how he performs during training camp and the pre-season. However, it is unlikely that Heyward will be starting in place of Keisel as was previously expected. Instead, Heyward, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, will have a chance to replace Ziggy Hood in the starting line-up this year. Bouchette said in his weekly chat on Tuesday that he has been told Heyward is better than Hood and will get the chance to unseat him in 2013. Last year Heyward only played on twenty-seven percent of the Steelers defensive snaps. Keisel played on eighty-seven percent of snaps and Hood played on eighty-two percent of the defensive plays. Based on snap counts Heyward would project to have more sacks and tackles than Hood if given the same number of plays. During the 2012 season Hood recorded a tackle once every 19 plays on defense. Heyward, on the other hand, recorded a tackle once every 13 plays and he also recorded a sack every 175 plays, which is almost 100 snaps less than it took Hood to record one quarterback take-down. Hood has played four seasons with the Steelers at this point and is yet to force a turnover. Heyward, however, has recorded one forced fumble in less total defensive snaps than Hood played last year alone. That, in itself, is just one of the reasons that Hood has become labelled as a bust for the Steelers after he, like Heyward, was drafted in the first round. Many are also ready to add Heyward to that [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/cameron-heyward-may-start-at-defensive-end-for-the-pittsburgh-steelers-in-2013/3290/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>3</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Fourth Round Pick S Shamarko Thomas to a Four Year Deal</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-fourth-round-pick-s-shamarko-thomas-to-a-four-year-deal/3280/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-fourth-round-pick-s-shamarko-thomas-to-a-four-year-deal/3280/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 15:04:08 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Offseason News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3280</guid> <description><![CDATA[According to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed the first of their 2013 draft picks today by signing the first of their two fourth round picks, Shamarko Thomas, to a four year deal. Based on last year&#8217;s draft signings Thomas&#8217; deal should be worth around $2.7 million over four years. With the 115th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft the Pittsburgh Steelers selected safety Shamarko Thomas of Syracuse. The Steelers needed a safety and as I said as the draft was starting the Steelers could make a move to get a higher pick for a safety and they did just that by moving to pick 111 with the Cleveland Browns to get a replacement for Troy Polamalu or Ryan Clark moving forward. Mike Mayock compares Thomas to Bob Sanders who, when healthy, was an All-Pro safety for the Colts. If Thomas turns into the next Bob Sanders, minus the injury issues, he will have been a steal for the Steelers in the fourth round of the draft. He will also have been well worth a future third round choice. Height is the main reason why Thomas did not get selected earlier in the draft. He stands at just 5’9″, but it will be interesting to see how he looks next to Troy Polamalu, who is listed at only 5’10″. Despite being a bit shorter than Polamalu Thomas is actually bigger at 215 pounds. “We viewed him as valuable as a third-round pick would be,” Colbert said. That should also mean that they viewed him as being worthy of a third round pick in this NFL Draft. However, with Thomas still available in the third round the Steelers decided to pass on drafting a safety and drafted Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton, who many had graded as a [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-fourth-round-pick-s-shamarko-thomas-to-a-four-year-deal/3280/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Mike Wallace Thinks Ryan Tannehill Can Throw Farther Than Ben Roethlisberger</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/mike-wallace-thinks-ryan-tannehill-can-throw-farther-than-ben-roethlisberger/3279/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/mike-wallace-thinks-ryan-tannehill-can-throw-farther-than-ben-roethlisberger/3279/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 14:53:38 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3279</guid> <description><![CDATA[New Miami Dolphins wide receiver, and former Pittsburgh Steeler, Mike Wallace believes that his new quarterback will be &#8220;great.&#8221; Wallace will have to hope that Tannehill becomes a great quarterback because he just left a great quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger to play with him. Although, let&#8217;s be honest, Wallace&#8217;s move to Miami had more to do with money than the quarterback. “Both have strong arms. Ryan has a cannon, can really fling it,” Wallace said via NBC Sports. “Ryan may be able to throw the ball a little farther than Ben. Obviously, Ben is more experienced in game time experience. The way it’s going, it won’t take long for Ryan to be one of the great quarterbacks. I feel like we can make a lot of big plays.” Roethlisberger is not known for his deep ball, like say Joe Flacco is in Baltimore, even though he does have a very good arm. Instead Roethlisberger is known for his play-making abilities and his accuracy; his career completion percentage is 63.1% and his worst season was 59.7%. “By the time we get to training camp, we’ll be fine. We throw two to three times after practice every day,” Wallace said. “I like this team. I like how everybody works. Not much talking, just grinding. That’s the way it should be. I’m one of the older guys on this team, so it’s different than being in Pittsburgh.” Being one of the older guys in the locker-room means that Wallace will need to be a leader for the Dolphins. Based on comments from Steelers players this off-season, however, which all seem to condemn Wallace for his behavior in 2012 that may be an issue. Though, Wallace did get paid to play in Miami and there is a good chance that his large pay day may [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/mike-wallace-thinks-ryan-tannehill-can-throw-farther-than-ben-roethlisberger/3279/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item><title>Reggie Dunn Unlikely to Make Steelers Final 53- Man Roster, Unless&#8230;</title><link>http://steelblitz.com/reggie-dunn-unlikely-to-make-steelers-final-53-man-roster-unless/3273/</link> <comments>http://steelblitz.com/reggie-dunn-unlikely-to-make-steelers-final-53-man-roster-unless/3273/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 13:57:08 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>Kyle Curry</dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Steelers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Steelers Player News]]></category> <guid
isPermaLink="false">http://steelblitz.com/?p=3273</guid> <description><![CDATA[The Pittsburgh Steelers signed fifteen undrafted rookie free agents following the 2013 NFL Draft, but one of them is a but more intriguing than the rest. His name is Reggie Dunn and if you are an avid Steelers&#8217; fan you have probably already heard all about him. He played wide receiver at Utah and during his college career he played three seasons for the Utes and totaled 31 receptions for 355 yards and one touchdown. Those receiving stats don’t exactly jump off the page. Even if they were for only one season they wouldn’t exactly be strong statistically. However, it’s not the receiving abilities that make Dunn intriguing, instead it’s his abilities in the return game. During his sophomore season Dunn returned 12 kicks at a 29.6 yards per kick average and one he returned for a touchdown. The next year he returned 26 kickoffs at a rate of 23.6 yards per return, but it was his senior season that made him a big time return prospect and one of the best return men in college football. Last year as a senior teams were kicking away from Dunn not wanting him to beat them in the return game. Due to that fact he only had ten kick-off return attempts in total. Even so, Dunn took four of those ten kicks back for touchdowns and averaged an unprecedented 51.3 yards per return. If Dunn had also showcased strong abilities in the receiving game he would have been a much stronger prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft and may have been in similar talk as Tavon Austin. He has decent size at 5’10″ and 180 pounds and blazing fast speed with a 4.24 forty-yard dash time. If he can be groomed as a receiver he could make a very nice deep threat or weapon in [...]]]></description> <wfw:commentRss>http://steelblitz.com/reggie-dunn-unlikely-to-make-steelers-final-53-man-roster-unless/3273/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>