Monthly Archives: June 2014

james-harrison-antonio-brown

[Video] Antonio Brown Gets A Silverback Ride

Antonio Brown is helping former Steelers (and Bengals) linebacker James Harrison stay in shape, not that he needs the help. In this video posted from James Harrison’s Instagram account, the outside linebacker does a series of pushups with the 190 lb wide receiver on his back.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”SilverbackAB”]

Harrison, who was cut by the Bengals almost 3 months ago, is still a free agent. It’s been widely reported that Silverback would like to return to Pittsburgh, and Ike Taylor reiterated as much just a few weeks ago.

In that recent interview, Taylor said Harrison’s ‘hands were like bricks’, and that he was in great shape. “He’s probably in the best shape of his life. Right now he looks like the Hulk,” said Taylor.

Personally, I’d love to see him back for another year in a backup role. However, there has been no indication by the team that it’s a possibility.

 

steelers contracts

Steelers Sign First Round Pick Ryan Shazier

The Steelers announce that they have signed first round draft pick Ryan Shazier today.
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The signing of Shazier means that 6 of the 9 members of this year’s draft class are now under contract. Shazier’s contract will be for four years, with the option for a fifth year. The terms of the deal will look essentially like this-

[table]
Player, Total Value, Signing Bonus, 2014 Cap Hit
Ryan Shazier, “$9,507,198”, “$5,234,328”, “$1,728,582”
[/table]

Expect the team to sign Tuitt, Archer, and Bryant (not necessarily in that order) in the very near future. If you’re curious about their salary cap numbers, I laid out the estimates for their contracts a few weeks ago. You can view them here: http://thesteelersfans.com/2599/breaking-rookie-salaries-cap-implications/

Steelers news

Jason Worilds And Will Johnson Absent From OTA’s Today

Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds is absent from OTA practice today. Worilds suffered a left leg injury last week, the details of which are still not known. He was at practice performing rehab activities yesterday, and was said to be moving around without noticeable hinderance. His absence today may very likely just be a precautionary one. They are voluntary afterall.

Troy Polamalu and Jordan Zumwalt are the only others who are absent today.

Edit- Will Johnson is absent as well. He hurt his left ankle yesterday and has it in a boot as a precaution. According to Jim Wexell, Johnson says he expects to return next week.

Nick Williams is still rehabbing his knee (and likely will be for the duration of OTA’s).

Tight end Michael Palmer left practice early due to a lower leg injury that he suffered today.

 

steelers

Steelers Waive WR Jasper Collins, Sign WR CJ Goodwin

The Steelers make it official this morning and announce that they have signed former California University WR CJ Goodwin.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/474191412162875392

WR Jasper Collins has been waived to make room on the roster. Collins was a small, small school receiver who saw time with the Dolphins and Browns last year, before being signed to a futures contract by the Steelers in January.

 

derek moye

Steelers Reportedly To Sign WR CJ Goodwin

According to multiple media reports, the Steelers are signing former Cal U Vulcans wide receiver CJ Goodwin.
https://twitter.com/dlolleyor/status/473930440647012352
https://twitter.com/WKKX/status/473873184140574720
https://twitter.com/WKKX/status/473873465704189952

Goodwin is 6’3, 190 lbs according to media releases from the Pennsylvania college. Johnson was new to the Vulcans roster in 2013 after transferring from Fairmont State. He only started in the last one or two games of the 2013 season and finished with 11 receptions, 126 yards, and 1 touchdown. He also returned 1 kick for 25 yards last year.

Steelers scouts were in attendance at his Pro Day, where he ran a 4.41 40 yard dash, and posted an impressive 40 inch vertical jump. That would have tied for 2nd highest at the national combine. Goodwin wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he did participate in one of the regional combines. Here’s the video of his performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC3frn8jpxw

steelers

[Video] Sean Spence Shows Quick Footwork

Tribune beat reporter Mark Kaboly shared a couple videos from OTA practice today, presumably ones that he took with his phone. I think it’s safe to assume that’s the case, as he shares little quick cell phone vids from time to time.

In this first brief video, the linebackers are participating in a type of shuffle read drill. You can see that Spence appears to be moving very well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFGHeTxOkzs

In this next video, the backers are working the bags. You’ll notice Ryan Shazier early in this one. You can see Spence on the right towards the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOOqlC4gVbA

We’re almost three months shy of the two year anniversary of Spence’s horrific injury. While these few second glimpses into padless drills can’t tell you very much, it’s good to see the linebacker looking unencumbered.

 

Steelers news

Ike Taylor Reports To OTA’s And Other Tuesday News

Ike Taylor has arrived to OTA’s according to various media reports from the practice facility. It’s not uncommon for Ike to arrive after the training activities are well underway. Taylor, who is coming into his 12th NFL season, has been working more on explosiveness in his offseason training.

The veteran cornerback typically spends much of his offseason training with renowned sports trainer Tom Shaw down in Florida. “I am working more on explosiveness,” said Taylor via the Steelers website. “Coach Shaw has gone back to the old school New Orleans workouts, you have to pass out before you come and talk to him. We drink the water, but we are going all the way in. I have been at my best when we had that mindset in the offseason. I said coach put me to the breaking point.”

Back to OTA’s, Dri Archer is also back to practice after missing most of last week due to the NFLPA Premier event. As I mentioned last week, his absence was mandatory. Most rookies would rather be with their team during that time.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is absent today from OTA’s, reportedly due to a family matter which required his attention. Troy Polamalu and Jordan Zumwalt are the other two players who are absent. Zumwalt will not be back with the team until after UCLA’s finals conclude. He’ll be back again when minicamp convenes.

Jason Worilds and Nick Williams are rehabbing today according to Scout.com writer Jim Wexell. Williams for his knee, and Worilds for his leg that he hurt a week ago. According to Worilds at the time, it was just cramping. According to a beat reporter at the scene, it looked like a hamstring injury. Clearly it wasn’t just cramping.