Here is a link to a list of prospects the Steelers have, or are scheduled to meet with this week at the combine. This list is compiled from the prospects themselves or via media reports from the combine. It will be updated frequently.
http://thesteelersfans.com/steelers-draft-prospect-meeting-tracker/
The joint practices with the Bills that were planned for this summer have reportedly been cancelled. According to Jerry Dulac, the Steelers will not be practicing with the Bills in New York.
https://twitter.com/gerrydulac/status/568544235248435201
The odds of going to Pittsford dropped considerably when it was announced that the Steelers will be playing an extra game this summer, when they face the Vikings for the Hall of Fame game. The fate of the joint scrimmages were also up in the air when Rex Ryan was hired last month.
The Hall of Fame game is August 9th at 8:00 pm. It will air on NBC.
Former Steelers Safety Ryan Clark announced his retirement yesterday on ESPN. Clark returned to Washington as a free agent last season after the Steelers declined to make him an offer.
During Clark’s 8 years with the Steelers, he started in 109 games, totaling 656 tackles and 12 interceptions. Clark will hold a press conference in Pittsburgh next month to announce his retirement with the Steelers. “That’s where I made my career, that’s where I became who I am,” he said on Wednesday. The veteran safety will continue working at ESPN full time.
https://twitter.com/Realrclark25/status/568429827478441984
Thanks for the hard hits and memories, 25. Your weird socks will be missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z13P_wzwSE
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert took the podium yesterday and answered a variety of questions from reporters. You can listen to Colbert talking about the draft strategy and scouting process in the audio below.
Colbert also talked about Cortez Allen’s future yesterday. Allen’s season was very disappointing, but Colbert expressed faith in him. “It’s up to Cortez,” Colbert said. “We’re certainly going to be there to help him find his game because, if he finds his game, he’s going to make our defense that much better. Obviously, we felt that when we invested in him.” He added that Allen had some confidence issues, but he has a fresh start.
When asked about LeGarrette Blount, Colbert said the Steelers had no regrets whatsoever about letting him go.
On free agent linebacker Jason Worilds, Colbert said that the Steelers want him back, but they are going let him test the free agent market, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. He also reaffirmed that the team could potentially tag Worilds again (something that probably has a 0% chance of happening).
“He understands that if he doesn’t get tagged, which we could still do, he will explore the market and see what is out there,” Colbert said. “We will stay in communication. Maybe he comes back. Maybe he moves on. But he’s been a good player for us and we would love to have him back if it all fits.”
Here is an excerpt from the presser.
Veteran defensive end Brett Keisel was donning a hospital gown again today, after undergoing a procedure to have his shoulder cleaned up. The 36 year old defensive lineman posted a beardless selfie from his hospital bed this morning.
https://twitter.com/bkeisel99/status/565156270341369856
Keisel’s future with the Steelers is uncertain. He has one more year on his contract, and carries a cap number of $1.75 Mil in 2015. If the team released him, they would create $1.5 Mil in cap space. After replacement and displacement, the savings is less though.
“Da Beard” had surgery in December to repair a torn triceps. The team placed him on IR on December 1st. Before the injury, Keisel was playing some good football. While it took some time to get to full speed, he ended up with 1 sack, 12 solo tackles, and 9 stops throughout his 451 snaps in 2014.
Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell was admitted to a rehabilitation program today, that when completed, will result in his marijuana charges from last summer being dropped.
The 15 month Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program requires Bell to stay free from drugs and alcohol, undergo any court recommended treatment, and take a safe driving test. His driver’s license is suspended for 60 days.
“He’s relieved to have the matter finally resolved with the opportunity to earn dismissal and expungement,” said Bell’s lawyer via the Post Gazette. “I expect Le’Veon will not be a repeat offender.”
With the legal matter finally coming to a close, the NFL should soon move forward with their discipline against Bell. A one or two game suspension to start the 2015 season seems likely.
The Steelers have re-signed long time long snapper Greg Warren. The signing is for one year, and while the financial details are not yet available, I can tell you it will almost certainly be for the veteran minimum including a minimal signing bonus.
Warren is 33 years old and has been the Steelers “old reliable” long snapper for ten seasons now.
It appears former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has found a new gig. According to The Tennessean, the Titans are expected to announce his hiring on Thursday.
https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/status/562779325783879681
LeBeau is reportedly going to be joining the Titans staff as the assistant head coach, and he will be in charge of the defense. Ray Horton will remain on staff as the Titans defensive coordinator.
According to reports, Ken Whisenhunt reached out to LeBeau multiple times and convinced him to come to Tennessee. It will be interesting (and sickening) to see which veteran Steelers defensive player (if any) wears a Titans jersey next year.
Brett Keisel and James Harrison were adorning suits this morning as they and several others were in attendance to watch former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau receive the key to the city. The City Council declared that February will be known as Dick LeBeau Month.
https://twitter.com/ScottBrown_ESPN/status/562638389048918016
You can see a video of LeBeau being honored in this forum thread: LeBeau at City Council.
According to reporters in attendance this morning, LeBeau got poetic about some of the players he coached during his time in Pittsburgh, and said the numbers put up by the 2008 defense may never be surpassed.
https://twitter.com/ScottBrown_ESPN/status/562641930258223104
https://twitter.com/RyanRecker/status/562637747002028035
https://twitter.com/KDPomp/status/562638645270945792
LeBeau closed his speech with a nod to his many “Twas The Night Before Christmas” recitations.
https://twitter.com/RyanRecker/status/562641961338019840
Keisel spoke briefly about LeBeau saying, “I will forever be grateful for Coach LeBeau’s influence on my life and I love you.”
https://twitter.com/PghIP/status/562642988099448832
The Steelers waived WR Justin Brown on December 30th, after the last game of the season. The team made the move to make room for the signing of RB Ben Tate, who was signed as a security blanket due to Le’Veon Bell’s knee injury.
Since the Steelers waived Brown after the final regular season game, any waiver claims wouldn’t be known until after the Super Bowl. Now that the Brady Bowl is behind us, those claims are now public information. The Buffalo Bills successfully claimed Brown off waivers. The Steelers drafted Brown in the 6th round of the 2013 draft.
Brown caught 12 passes for 94 yards last season, and was inactive for the last 10 games.