Category Archives: Steelers News

Ben-Roethlisberger

Steelers Hope To Extend Roethlisberger “The Sooner The Better”

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Staying true to what he said last year, Steelers team president Art Rooney II confirmed his plans to extend QB Ben Roethlisberger during this off-season. While the Steelers have been known to extend their quarterbacks typically two years before their contracts expire, Art Rooney II told Ben Roethlisberger last year that they planned to extend him after the 2014 season.

“The sooner the better,” said Rooney in a meeting with local media this morning when asked when they wanted to extend Roethlisberger. While making it clear that it was a priority, Rooney refused to put a time table on the new deal.

“Obviously we would like to get it done this offseason, and I think it’s fair to say the sooner the better,” said Rooney via Bob Labriola, “but I’m not going to put any particular time frame on these things.

It’s kind of hard to predict how long it takes to get something done, but we certainly want to get something done this offseason. That’s for sure. It takes two to tango when it comes to contract negotiations. I’m not expecting a problem, but again, I hate to put predictions on those kinds of things.”

Last year, the Steelers believed the cap would go up in 2015 (which it will), and that played a large part in their decision to hold off on extending Roethlisberger.

“We believe the cap will go up again next year,” said Art II last year, “and so from a cap planning standpoint, next year will be a better situation for us to address a franchise quarterback type of contract.”

It’s hard to say exactly how Ben’s new deal will be structured. After having coming off a career season, his value definitely went up. I wouldn’t expect his 2015 cap number to change dramatically one way or the other, though. Roethlisberger’s slated to carry a cap number of $18,395,000 in 2015.

Steelers sign

Rooney: We’ll Remain A 3-4 Under Butler

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Steelers president Art Rooney II spoke with local media today about the state of the team, and made one thing perfectly clear: the Steelers will remain a 3-4 defense under Keith Butler.

Many fans hoped or expected the defensive scheme to change when Dick LeBeau stepped away, but as Butler indicated last week, and Rooney confirms this morning, the team will remain a 3-4 defense.

https://twitter.com/EdBouchette/status/557931430559621121

“I don’t see any dramatic changes to the design of the defense,” said Rooney. This shouldn’t be a surprise. Surely Butler will put his stamp on the defense, but after coaching under LeBeau for so long, very little change should be expected.

Art II said that improving the defense during the offseason is a priority, but praised the unit for improving throughout last season. “All things considered, and with some of the personnel changes that we went through, over the course of the season they got better and that’s what you strive to do.”

When asked about former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Rooney said he was sorry to see him go. “It was a difficult situation,” said Rooney via Kaboly of the Trib. “Personally, I would’ve loved to see Dick stay. Look, Dick made a decision. The words he used to describe what he wanted to do were his words. I am not going to dispute that. Those were the words he used”

“I was sorry to see Dick go, but as we all know, these things happen in this business,” he added.

 

Dick LeBeau Pittsburgh Steelers

Report: Arizona Finalizing Deal With Dick LeBeau…As Linebacker’s Coach

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Since former Steelers defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau “resigned” a week and a half ago, the writing has been all over the wall indicating his move to Arizona.  According to Alex Marvez, the two sides are finalizing a deal for LeBeau to become Arizona’s new linebacker’s coach.

https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/status/557760503339286529

As inevitable as the move to Arizona seemed, taking a role as a linebacker’s coach is pretty unexpected. Linebacker’s coach is a pretty big drop off from defensive coordinator or defensive consultant in Arizona. It will be interesting to see exactly what role he ultimately plays in Arizona.

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NFL Investigating Patriots For Deflating Balls

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The New England Patriots are reportedly being investigated by the NFL for under inflating their game balls during yesterday’s victory over the Colts.

https://twitter.com/bkravitz/status/557189134234959872

According to a league source, via ProFootballTalk, several irregular balls were removed from the game yesterday. The phrase “DeflateGate” is being thrown around.

The NFL rule book mandates that each team makes 12 balls available for inspection before kickoff. The home team must make 12 backup balls available, and the visiting team may bring another 12 backup balls for games to be played outdoors.

While this is a newsworthy story, it wasn’t the difference between a win and a loss yesterday. The Colts looked like a high school team yesterday, and a softer ball didn’t help LeGarrette Blount run for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Here is footage from the game where the refs stopped play due to the balls.

[xyz-ihs snippet=”PatsDeflateBalls”]

Hopefully a political cartoonist somewhere is drawing Bill Belichick in the Evil Emperor’s robes, waiving his hand at two refs saying, “these aren’t the balls your looking for…”.

Dick LeBeau Pittsburgh Steelers

Obituary Says That LeBeau’s Departure Contributed To Woman’s Death

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Eleanor Gallagher’s obituary starts off like many other obits do. The 81 year old great-grandmother of Nanticoke, PA “peacefully passed away surrounded by family and friends”. It’s not until the 5th paragraph where things begin to get a little weird.

According to the obituary, Ms. Gallagher’s family thinks that former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s departure played a part in the 81 year old’s death.

“Eleanor was a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and the family firmly believes that the recent separation of Dick LeBeau and the Steelers’ poor performance this season might have inadvertently contributed to her demise,” the family wrote in her obituary.

To be fair, the Steelers did win the division and make the playoffs. If LeBeau’s “resignation” did contribute to premature deaths, I can only imagine how many babies were brought into this world as a result of Arians’ “retirement”.

In all seriousness, I’ve suggested before that being a Steelers fan does take time off your life. Rest in peace, Ms. Gallagher.

shawn lemon

CFL DE Shawn Lemon Reportedly To Sign With Steelers

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Earlier in the week I reported that the Steelers were hosting a couple CFL prospects for tryouts. Well, according to the Calgary Sun, the Steelers will be adding Lemon to their offseason roster.

https://twitter.com/SUNMitchell/status/556214976252092417

The 6’3, 251 lb pass rusher will be released by the Stampeders before he officially becomes a free agent in February, so that he can sign with the Steelers, according to sources. Lemon registered 13 sacks last year, and tied the CFL record of 8 forced fumbles.

It was not made clear when the signing would reportedly happen. Here are some of Lemon’s CFL highlights.

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

isaiah lewis

Steelers Sign S Isaiah Lewis To Futures Contract

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The Steelers have signed former Bengals SS Isaiah Lewis to a reserve/futures contract.

https://twitter.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/555133824523186176

Lewis is 5’10, 208 lbs. The Bengals signed the former Michigan State safety as an undrafted free agent last spring, but waived him before the season began last August. Lewis began his college career as a nickel corner, but started at SS for the last 3 years.

Lewis was projected to be a mid round prospect going into his senior year, but an arthroscopic knee surgery early in the season effected his play, and subsequently his draft stock. Here are some of his highlights from Michigan State.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQJPe0N8_XM

Steelers Preseason

Butler On Being 3-4 Or 4-3

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Keith Butler was named Steelers defensive coordinator today. A move which has been anticipated for many years. One question that has been on the minds of many Steelers fans lately is- Will Keith Butler’s scheme differ from Dick LeBeau’s scheme, and if so, how much?

Bob Labriola of Steelers.com spoke with Butler today, and asked a few questions to get a better understanding of what the new coordinator’s defensive philosophy is.

“It’s not much different than most people’s philosophy would be. We definitely have to stop the run, we have to make offenses one-dimensional if we can, and we have to put pressure on the quarterback. If we can do those things, then we can help the offense. We have to get the ball back for the offense – that’s our main goal,” said Butler.

I like it. I like it.

When asked if he’s a 3-4 guy, Butler says, “I would consider myself a whatever-it-takes-to-win guy.”

“If it’s a 3-4, that’s fine, if that fits your players. I think you have to be able to fit your defense around the players you have. With what offenses are doing nowadays in the National Football League, they’re playing a lot of three wide receivers and a tight end and a running back, for the most part. In those situations, we’re going to be in kind of a 4-3 anyway, but we’re still going to be able to run the 3-4 also. It gives you a little bit more versatility, I think.”

Sounds good. Sounds good.

Butler goes on to say that the 3-4 is important due to what offenses are doing today.

“I think there’s still a place for it is because you also have to be versatile as a defense as offenses are trying to be versatile. So we don’t want to blow it up and say we won’t run the 3-4 anymore. We will run the 3-4, but we will run some 4-3 also, in our sub-package.”

Makes sense. Though, isn’t that essentially what the Steelers have been doing defensively?

The Steelers will not hold a press conference to announce their new DC. I’m sure however that we’ll hear much more from Butler in the coming days and weeks, and will soon grow as tired as him from hearing 4-3 questions.

 

keith butler

Steelers Officially Name Keith Butler New Defensive Coordinator

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In what will come to be known as the most shocking, most surprising bombshell announcement in the history of the Steelers organization, the Steelers have announced that Keith Butler will be the new defensive coordinator. Sorry for the satire, I couldn’t help myself.

I reported earlier that the team planned to make the announcement as soon as today, but didn’t expect it to be before lunch.

Butler has been long ordained as the heir to Dick LeBeau’s throne. The team has either blocked interview requests with the longtime linebacker’s coach, or he has turned down interviews for other defensive coordinator positions over the past several years.

Don’t expect Butler to turn things completely upside down, but don’t be surprised if the defense looks different from what you’re used to. While some are calling Butler “LeBeau Jr.”, that’s most likely not the case at all.

With Butler being promoted to DC, there is now a vacancy at linebacker’s coach. The only two likely candidates that spring to mind are Defensive Assistants Jerry Olsavsky and Joey Porter, with Olsavsky being the more likely of the two. It shouldn’t be long before we find out.

 

Steelers sign

Keith Butler Likely To Be Announced New Defensive Coordinator Soon

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The Steelers are expected to announce the new defensive coordinator soon, possibly as soon as today according to reports. When Dick LeBeau was forced out stepped down this weekend, the Steelers organization surely wasn’t as surprised as some reports would have us believe.

It has essentially been a forgone conclusion (for some time) that longtime linebackers coach Keith Butler will take Dick LeBeau’s headset on the Steelers sideline. While a lot of people had fun speculating what big name the Steelers might bring in, it was reported yesterday that the team has no plans to bring in outside candidates.

According to WTAE, Butler met with Coach Tomlin yesterday, and a 3 year deal is being finalized. The announcement might come as soon as today. So, what do we know about Butler?

Butler was a linebacker for the Seahawks from 1978-1987. He took a coaching position at Memphis in 1990. He served various roles there including coaching linebackers, defensive ends, and special teams. Butler is credited with designing a surprise 3-4 alignment that helped Memphis upset the Volunteers, led by Peyton Manning at the time.

Butler left U of M to take the defensive coordinator position at Arkansas State in 1998. After one year there, he moved up to the NFL and took a linebackers coaching position with the Cleveland Browns. While there, he worked with some familiar names- Bruce Arians (OC), Romeo Crennel (DC), Todd Bowles (secondary), and Chuck Pagano (secondary). The Browns ran a base 4-3 during those years.

In 2003, he was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since his arrival, he’s been the linebacker’s coach, and has led some pretty distinguished linebackers over the past dozen years.

There is a belief that Steelers ownership is forcing LeBeau’s replacement on Tomlin. Butler predates Tomlin in Pittsburgh, and it was reported a few years back that Butler had a gentleman’s agreement with the team ensuring that he would replace Dick LeBeau when he stepped away.

The hole in this narrative is that Tomlin knows Keith Butler very well. Aside from being his manager for the last several years, he knew Butler before the NFL. Mike Tomlin also worked at Memphis and Arkansas St. with Keith Butler. He was a defensive backs coach for the Red Wolves while Butler was the defensive coordinator.

Ultimately, I think Steelers fans should be excited about Butler taking the clipboard. He’s got some huge shoes to fill, but he’s studied under LeBeau for years, and has worked in a variety of defensive systems. His hire should hopefully equate to a smooth transition into the next era of Steelers defense.