Second year wide receiver Justin Brown is looking at a familiar situation this summer. He’ll be on the roster bubble, fighting for the remaining receiver spot on the depth chart. With a year on the practice squad under his belt, he’s in a better position now than he was last year. According to various reports, he performed well at OTA’s, and coaches took notice.
Brown was running with first team receivers these past few weeks at OTA’s, and the 6’3″ receiver knows the significance of that. “It is definitely good getting some reps with the ones,” Brown said. “When my number is called, I am just trying make sure that I’m ready and I know what I am doing. I’ve noticed (the coaches see what I’m doing), and it’s definitely encouraging.”
Justin Brown was drafted by the Steelers in the 6th round last year. In 2012, Brown totaled 75 receptions for 879 yds, including 5 touchdowns, and amassed over 200 yards in punt returns. While not one to get separation at the top of his route with elusive speed, he demonstrated frequently that he was an instinctual hands catcher, and used his long frame to attack the ball in the air. Even though he transferred from Penn State after the 2011 season, he quickly became Landry Jones’ go to chain moving target.
Brown’s friend and former teammate at Penn State- Derek Moye- is his biggest competition this summer for a roster spot. “We’re all out here competing, we’re all out here trying to get better,” Brown said via ESPN. “Derek’s my boy so there’s no hard feelings at all. We’re always trying to help each other out with our games.”
Moye made the 53 man roster last year, but saw a very limited amount of playing time (53 snaps). He echoed Justin Brown’s sentiments. “It’s going to be a good competition. At the same time we’re out there helping each other out, making sure we all push each other to be better.”
Both Brown and Moye were putting in extra time working out with Ben Roethlisberger back in February, as was Markus Wheaton. While OTA’s are just ‘football in shorts’, it certainly seems like the extra work is paying off in Brown’s case. The wide receiver position battle is going to be a very interesting one to watch in August.
The times for the funeral and public viewings of former Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll have been announced. Noll died at his home in Sewickley Friday night.
Public visitation will be held at John A. Freyvogel Sons funeral home Sunday night from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and on Monday from 2 to 4, and again at 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning at St. Paul Cathedral. You can see further details for viewing services at the funeral home’s website here.
If you wish to attend, you can see the map and get directions to the funeral home below.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”ChuckNollfuneral”]
Here is the map to St. Paul’s if you are interested as well.
Charles Henry Noll left behind a legacy of greatness. His likeness became the symbol for hard work and tradition, and set the ethereal standard of success for future generations of Steelers players and fans. Coach Noll was a reluctant celebrity who avoided the limelight. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Landry, Lombardi, Shula, or Madden’s name’s misspelled, but The Emperor still gets the inevitable silent K from time to time.
The man who coached the Steelers Dyansty of the 70’s touched countless lives during his 23 years as Steelers head coach and beyond. Here is a very small sample of reactions from fans, coaches, former players and more around the web today.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement about Noll’s passing earlier today.
What set Chuck Noll apart was his remarkable ability as a teacher. His subject was football and his students became four-time Super Bowl champions. Coach Noll’s quiet leadership produced extraordinary results that deeply inspired players, coaches and fans. He always put the team, his players, and the game first. His legacy of excellence will forever be an important part of the history of the Steelers and the NFL. We extend our condolences to Chuck’s wife Marianne, his son Chris, the Noll family, and the Steelers organization.
Art Rooney II was on 97.3 The Fan this morning sharing his thoughts on Chuck Noll. Art II described him as a tremendous person and a great person to be around. He also agrees that Coach Noll was the most important component of the Steelers development into a Dynasty. You can listen below.
The following interviews are also from 93.7 The Fan today. Coach Cowher, Mel Blount, and Merril Hoge all share their feelings on the passing of the iconic Steelers coach. Cowher
Blount
Hoge
Many former Steeler greats shared their thoughts via the Steelers website. I’ll just include a couple, but I recommend following the link to see the rest.
Terry Bradshaw:
“It’s certainly sad for Marianne and Chris to lose a husband and a father. In Marianne’s case, Chuck was her best friend. There is nothing sadder. And you start thinking about Chuck and when all of the wonderful things that come to mind, you realize he’s in heaven and spending eternity in peace. That’s very refreshing. I’m proud to have played for him. It was a great honor.
My relationship wasn’t good, as you well know, but he made me understand my job responsibilities, because I had to grow up. I came out of an environment with nothing but pats on the back and love. With him it was nowhere near that. I had to go through all the developments emotionally of how to deal with it. He was a tough coach to me, and I spent more time with him than anybody, so I know. I learned how to be mentally tough with him, and for that I can never say thank you enough, because that got me through divorces, Super Bowls, and those times when I had bad moments in big games. He made me mentally strong, which I wasn’t. And he instilled in me a great work ethic. I had a good work ethic, but preparation was paramount with him, so we spent a lot of time going through preparations for the games.
He was an amazing guy. I watched him more than he watched me (laughs). I had a great amount of fear for him. He’s kind of like a father from whom you want approval and you don’t quite get it, and in the advent of that journey you work harder and harder, you try to get better and better, and then when it’s all said and done he says, “Thank you. You were a great quarterback.” And you say, “Wow!” He was different than anybody I had ever been around and played for. He was smart, really smart. His game plans were spot on. He figured out the 3-4 blitzing schemes. He figured out the flex. He was just an amazing football mind. I would say I know I more about defenses than I do offenses because that’s what he taught me. He taught me defenses. If you know defenses you can run offenses.”
Franco Harrris:
“I am a little shocked by this, and sad. My condolences and my heart goes out to Marianne. She’s a great lady. These are times when we reflect on all the great memories and the great times that we had. And there’s no doubt that these memories that we had, probably people consider them the best of times in pro football. That goes for Chuck, the organization and the team he put together.”
Lastly, here are a few thoughts I selected randomly from some of the members of our community-
“I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut.
Such a great man. I don’t often say I have an idol, but he was one.
Rest well, dear friend. We never met, but you touched my life just the same.
My deepest sympathies to his friends and family. Steeler Nation has lost an icon.”
“Gracias por todo lo que hiciste por nuestro amado equipo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“Rest in peace you were the greatest coach of the greatest team ever assembled in any sport! I am so glad for being a little part of the Steeler Nation, that was brought to greatness by you. Thanks again Mr. Noll RIP.”
“One of the most important Steelers ever. He, Dan Rooney and Joe Greene transformed the Steelers. RIP Emperor the greatest coach the Steelers will EVER have.”
“Wow. I almost feel like a member of my family has died. In one sense, I guess that’s true, he’s a member of my Steelers’ family. Simply put, he was the most dignified and the classiest head coach ever to walk the sidelines of an NFL stadium. I’ve heard the word “stoic” attributed to Noll but I don’t think that’s true. A person who is stoic is essentially indifferent to what’s going on around him. Ask Jerry Glanville if he’d describe Noll as stoic. Ask Bradshaw or any player that had the privilege of playing for him if Coach Noll was indifferent.
One of my favorite Noll memories was Super Bowl XIV when the Steelers were trailing the Rams 13-10 at halftime after a lackluster first half. Steeler fans, including me, were nervous because the team just didn’t seem to be clicking that day and the underdog Rams seemed primed for an upset. But as the team was leaving the field Noll starting walking toward the locker room with a CBS camera man back pedaling with a camera in his face. Noll then began jogging slowly with the camera guy still back pedaling. Then Noll decided to have a little fun. He sped up to a sprint for a few steps and the poor camera guy finally decided to give it up. Noll laughed heartily as he continued on to the locker room. I knew then that the Steelers had the Rams exactly where they wanted them going into the second half. We’ll sure miss you, Chuck. May God bless your family during this difficult time.”
“Rest in peace, Coach.
I met him once and he was just as dignified in person as he always seemed on TV. He is definitely on the Mt. Rushmore of NFL coaching legends.”
“Goodbye to the much loved, much trusted leader and friend to a team, its many players, its owners, an entire city, and the fans who stand loyal worldwide. Blessings to all who will mourn him, and many thanks to a great guy.”
“RIP Coach Noll. You will never be forgotten. Any Steelers fan young and old will always have you to thank for the greatest franchise in the history of sports. Without your guidance there would never have been the dynasty that set this team to be the best ever.
I’ll never forget meeting you at a hunting and fishing club after catching some trout all day. I should have spent more time with you, Rockey, Ham, Russell and the few others up at the club house but the trout were really biting that day. I remember my dad coming down to pry me away from the lake to meet all of you but as an 8 yr old at the time I had no idea of what a true iconic legend really was.
RIP Coach.”
You can share your own thoughts with other members of Steeler Nation in the forum thread here, or in the comments below.
Former Steelers head coach Chuck Noll has passed away tonight. Noll coached the Steelers for 23 years, until Bill Cowher took the helm in 1992. He was the most successful coach in NFL history in terms of super bowl victories, and finished his career with a record of 209-156-1. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Noll’s health had been declining over the years, and he was reportedly under doctor’s care for an undisclosed illness. Severe back pain forced him to walk with two canes, and caused his public appearances to wane over recent years. According to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner, Coach Noll died of natural causes at his home in Sewickley. His wife Marianne called 911 after finding him unresponsive.
There’s so much to be said about Chuck Noll. The man was a legend and was literally my idol growing up. He epitomized the hard working, lunch pail philosophy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
I’ll close this with a couple short videos. Share your memories of Coach Noll in the forum thread here.
As you know, the Steelers signed Maurkice Pouncey to a five year extension yesterday. Initial reports revealed that the 5 year deal included a total value of $44 Mil, with a $13 Mil guaranteed signing bonus. Thanks to additional numbers provided by Jason LaCanfora, Tom Pelissero, and Aaron Wilson, I can break down the contract for you. FYI, anyone who says they aren’t using numbers provided by the latter two to give a full breakdown, are straight up full of it.
Pouncey’s total deal is for 6 years, $48 Mil. The contract includes roster bonuses that are due the 5th day of 2015 and 2016 league years, which are for $3.75 Mil and $3.5 Mil respectively. Pouncey’s 2014 salary has been reduced to $1 Mil, and now has just over a $5 Mil cap number. His 2014 cap number has been lowered a couple hundred thousand.
[table]
Year, Base Salary, Prorated Bonus, Roster Bonus, Cap Hit, Dead Money
As you can see, the deal is actually very team friendly, and is structured so that the team can get out easily in the last couple years. Don’t get too wrapped up in that ‘total value’ number. The only money that is truly guaranteed is the $13 Mil signing bonus. If he is on the roster in March of ’15, and ’16, he’ll receive those roster bonuses. Hopefully Steeler Nation is feeling a little better about this now.
*Edit. I’ve added a column for dead money by year should he be released.
The Steelers officially announce what I reported yesterday– 3rd round pick Dri Archer has been signed.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/477461988801409025
With Archer now under contract, Stephon Tuitt is the only remaining unsigned draft pick. While the CBA makes rookie signings much easier than they used to be, there is some wiggle room in his contract, which is what is likely causing the delay in his signing.
According to the National Football Post, the total value of Archer’s four year deal is $2,748,000, with a signing bonus of $506,016. My estimates from last month were a little off. The signing bonus money was a couple hundred dollars off, and the total value was less. Here is how Archer’s contract effects 2014.
[table]
Base Salary, Prorated Bonus, 2014 Cap Hit
“$420,000”, “$126,504”, “$546,504”
[/table]
After displacement, his signing should only move the 2014 salary cap needle by $51,504.
The Pirates game was rain delayed tonight, but earlier in the day, Ben Roethlisberger was at PNC Park working on his swing.
https://twitter.com/abbeyway11/status/477180865789702144
Abbey Way of 93.7 The Fan shared this brief video of the Steelers quarterback swinging for the fences this afternoon.
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While the video is very short, it’s always fun to get random peaks at what players are doing when they’re not wearing a Steelers helmet. It’s also refreshing to see Ben wearing the gloves, and not having it turn into the topic of controversy.
Steelers back up center Cody Wallace missed the last few practices at OTAs. More often than not, the organization keeps its collective lips sealed about such absences. Even though OTA’s are completely voluntary, they certainly aren’t without value. When a player who isn’t Polamalu has an extended absence, a fraction of the fanbase wonders ‘is he injured?’. ‘Is it serious?’.
Fortunately, according to Scout writer Jim Wexell, Cody Wallace has missed the end of OTA’s due to the birth of his child. Congratulations to mom and dad.
Wallace was a free agent this offseason, and the team re-signed him to a three year deal in March. Originally a 4th round pick, the versatile lineman proved to be a valuable addition to a line that was plagued with injuries last season.
Back to OTA’s- With Pouncey not participating in team drills today, Chris Snow filled in as first team center. Wallace’s backup role was filled by rookie jack-of-all-trades Wesley Johnson.
The Steelers have signed their 3rd round pick Dri Archer today, according to ESPN reporter Field Yates. The team has not made an official announcement yet.
With the signing of the speedy running back, the team only has one draft pick who remains unsigned, and I imagine Stephon Tuitt will be doing so in the near future. Here is a look at the salary cap numbers I’ve projected for Archer.
[table]
Player, Total Value, Signing Bonus, 2014 Cap Hit
Dri Archer, “$2,906,784”, “$506,376”, “$546,594”
[/table]
As you can see, Archer’s 2014 salary cap impact is minimal. After displacement of the top 51, he should only move the 2014 Steelers salary cap needle by $51,594 (give or take) by my estimation. I’ll update when the specific numbers are available.
According to various media reports this morning, the Steelers and center Maurkice Pouncey have agreed in principle to a five year extension.
https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/477078744230666240
The exact contract details obviously aren’t available yet, but the initial numbers point towards Pouncey becoming the highest paid center in the NFL, in terms of new money. Preliminary reports indicate that the 5 year extension is worth just over $44 Mil, and includes a $13 Mil signing bonus. With the last year of his rookie deal remaining, it’s six years for just over $48 Mil.
The Browns signed Alex Mack to a 5 year, $42 Mil contract last year matching the Jacksonville Jaguars offer sheet. The Steelers are obviously happy with Pouncey’s knee recovery, and wanted to lock up their star center before he became a free agent next year.
