Category Archives: Former Steelers

CMAuKwtUAAADhbx

Fans Claim Jeff Reed Thrown Out Of HOF Game For Fighting, Reed Denies It

Leave a reply

Former Steelers kicker Jeff Reed has been known to make a bad decision or two in his time. <fake cough> paper towel dispenser <fake cough>. After Sunday night’s game, Reed drew quite a bit of attention on social media after many fans said that he was thrown out of the Hall of Fame game for fighting with fans.

The following is a series of tweets from people at the game that night. After some digging, some of these people who are featured in stories on Deadspin, TheBigLead, etc… are Browns fans. I feel that’s worth noting.

https://twitter.com/OUtkean/status/630555156560674816

https://twitter.com/LRJenkinshungry/status/630603461877370880

EDIT- One of the fans at the game who claimed to have gotten into a fight with Reed, has since deleted his tweet and set his account to private. It appears that he got a little hungry for attention, or perhaps Jeff hurt his feelings…

He can delete tweets, but he can’t delete screenshots I take of stuff. 🙂

2015-08-11_10-24-36

https://twitter.com/tomlade25/status/630567113321771008

https://twitter.com/tomlade25/status/630573225265774592

https://twitter.com/bbelden330/status/630577826329161728

https://twitter.com/bbelden330/status/630579827888771072

https://twitter.com/OUtkean/status/630566644633468928

So, based on the accounts from people in the stands, you might be inclined to think that Reed, being the bad-boy, partying, paper towel dispenser punching ruffian that he is, had a few too many beers and decided to straighten a fan or two out.

According to the former Steelers kicker, the media and observer reports from that night are completely false.

https://twitter.com/TheRealJeffReed/status/630796169191493632

He shared his version of the story on Facebook.

https://twitter.com/PaulZeise/status/630809158858743809/photo/1

https://twitter.com/PaulZeise/status/630809391403507712/photo/1

I could see it being a case where Jeff Reed is just trying to enjoy the game with his friends, and a couple obnoxious fans start trolling him about punching a paper towel dispenser, or pulling up shirtless rooster photos on their phones, and, after a while of trying to be polite, it escalates. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle.

Yesterday afternoon Reed told 97.3 The Fan that he called Mike Tomlin about the Kicker opening, but hasn’t heard back yet.

justin brown

Bills Claimed Justin Brown Off Waivers

Leave a reply

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.

Chris_Carter_(linebacker)

Bengals Sign Former Steelers LB Chris Carter

Leave a reply

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed former Steelers linebacker Chris Carter today according to ESPN.

https://twitter.com/caplannfl/status/540221208760160256

Carter was drafted by the Steelers in the 5th round of the 2011 draft. The veteran linebacker was cut by the Steelers at the end of August, and spent time with the Colts before being released in October.

With the Steelers facing the Bengals twice in the next 4 weeks, the addition isn’t a surprise. It’s not uncommon for teams to add former players of their upcoming opponents in hopes to get an edge in preparation.

If he sees the field at all this Sunday, it will be to contribute on special teams.

 

James Harrison

James Harrison To Visit Arizona Cardinals Today

Leave a reply

Former Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison is travelling to Steelers West today according to multiple media outlets.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/504619124598009856

Silverback corroborated his travel plans via Twitter this morning.

https://twitter.com/jharrison9292/status/504590612449214465

The five time pro bowl selection was released by the Bengals in March. Many have wanted to see James Harrison return to Pittsburgh for another year. While the chances of that happening are hovering above zero at this point, last time a former Steelers player was on his way to Arizona, he was in Pittsburgh signing a contract later that day.

Adam Podlesh

Lions Cut Drew Butler, Cardinals Cut Max Starks

Leave a reply

While teams have until 4:00 pm tomorrow to trim their rosters down to 75, many are already doing so. In today’s cuts, some former Steelers are finding pink slips in their lockers.

Aside from Dennis Dixon, former Steelers punter Drew Butler and long time Steelers tackle Max Starks were waived/released. Starks was battling for a backup position on the Cardinals’ offensive line, but like last year with the Chargers and Rams, he couldn’t find a spot on the team.

Butler made the Steelers 53 man roster last year, but was waived a few days later when the team signed his replacement. The Bears cut him in May, and he was with the Lions throughout training camp. I imagine many Steelers fans will ask “will the Steelers sign Drew Butler?” and I can’t imagine the answer being anything but no.

Dennis Dixon

Bills Cut Former Steelers QB Dennis Dixon

Leave a reply

The Bills have cut former Steelers draft pick Dennis Dixon according to ESPN reporter Mike Rodak and other media outlets.

https://twitter.com/mikerodak/status/503898817222418432

Dixon was signed to the Bills practice squad last October after spending time with the Eagles and Baltimore Ravens. After drafting the former Oregon Duck in the 5th round of the 2008 draft, Dixon saw playing time in only 4 games over his 4 years in Pittsburgh. Dixon got snaps as the Bills #2 quarterback during preseason, and their QB depth is poor, but Dixon couldn’t crack the roster.

Isaac Redman

Former Steelers RB Isaac Redman Done With Football Due To Neck Injury

Leave a reply

After the news of Le’veon Bell’s and LeGarrette Blount’s marijuana charges broke the other day, many people were calling for Isaac Redman to return. No really, they were. Anyway, the calls for his return on social media must have prompted him to reveal that he can no longer play football due to a spinal injury. Here’s what he had to say about it via his Twitter account.

“To those who are wondering why I am not playing anymore. Last season I tried my best to play through a neck injury but I wasn’t myself on the field. After being released I wen Cali to see Dr. Watkins. (donctor who did Payton Manning’s neck surgery) after 2 MRI’s and a cat scan he then told me I had suffered a career ending injury to my spinal cord. Various teams have called but as you can see I was unable to go. I would like to thank all my fans for the tremendous support throughout my career.”

https://twitter.com/ired33/status/502826137207455744

Redman was named starter last year, but was waived by the team on October 21st.

Chris_Rainey

Apparently A Fire Extinguisher Led To The Colts Cutting Chris Rainey

Leave a reply

Like many people sitting at home tonight, Chris Rainey was watching a NFL preseason football game. That’s probably about where the similarities end though. Rainey was cut by the Indianapolis Colts a little over a week ago for undisclosed reasons. While watching the Colts play the Jets tonight, Rainey used Twitter to show that he may be a little bitter over his release.

When former teammate Dan “Boom” Herron scored a touchdown against the Jets, Rainey wrote: “Nice TD Boom even tho u was in the hallway with me that nite when we was horsing around with the fire extinguisher. Man up like i did.” The running back continued, “Yea im piss watchin the colts game when i should be out there too. Even tho i didnt break no f**kin team rules, not even.”

Chris Rainey Twitter

Rainey has since deleted the posts from his Twitter account, though I imagine some damage is already done. When you’ve been recently cut for disciplinary reasons and are looking for a new team, making headlines with Twitter rants probably doesn’t make getting work any easier.

Max Starks

Max Starks Signed By Arizona Cardinals

Leave a reply

Former Steelers tackle Max Starks has been signed by the Arizona Cardinals today. I’ll try not to make a Steelers West joke.

https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/495252474748354561

They also released Hrapmann, who had a couple brief stints with the Steelers. Starks spent 9 seasons with the Steelers and later signed with the Chargers and Rams. The Chargers released him before the 2013 season started, and the Rams released him a few weeks after signing him last September.

Starks rejoins Coach Bruce Arians in Arizona. It’s been said that the 32 year old tackle has lost a lot of weight and is moving very well. Perhaps he’ll stick in Arizona as back up OT.

Adam Podlesh

Chris Rainey Cut By Colts And Other Former Steelers Updates

Leave a reply

The Colts have released former Steelers running back  Chris Rainey according to Adam Schefter.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/493731671498162176

According to Indianapolis Star reporter Stephen Holder, the move was conduct related.

https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/493747481738739712

Without knowing the details, one would have to think it was something fairly serious. The Colts just lost running back Vick Ballard to a season ending injury and Colts coach Chuck Pagano was just talking Rainey up a couple days ago.

The Steelers drafted Rainey in the 5th round of 2012 draft. The team released Rainey last January after he allegedly slapped his girlfriend in the face. Rainey was arrested for aggravated stalking in 2010, when he infamously texted “time to die” to his then girlfriend.

In other former Steelers news, P Drew Butler was signed by the Detroit Lions on Friday. Butler was waived by the Steelers last September after making the final roster cuts.

Lastly, the Browns signed LB Jamaal Westerman last week. Westerman was signed by the Steelers last December, but never wore a helmet on Sunday.