Category Archives: Steelers News

Colbert With Justin Gilbert Last Night, At Pro Day Today With Tomlin

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Oklahoma State held their Pro Day today at Sherman E. Smith Training Center, where at least 20 teams had representatives in attendance. Of course, the only team we care about is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had Kevin Colbert on hand to observe prospects. Most notably, CB Justin Gilbert. Coach Mike Tomlin and other Steelers coaching staff members were also in attendance.

Tomlin and Colbert were also in Michigan yesterday to see CB Darqueze Dennard in action at Michigan State’s Pro Day. According to Tony Pauline, Colbert and other coaches (Tomlin included most likely) were meeting with Gilbert last night before today’s Pro Day.

Gilbert did nothing to hurt his already superb draft stock today. He opted out of some events that he did at the combine (40 yd, bench), but did some footwork and positional drills. Gil Brandt noted that he looked exceptional in his positional drills today, especially in his backpedal.

Regardless of the team’s moves in free agency, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where Gilbert is on the board at #15 and the Steelers pass on him.

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DE Alex Carrington To Visit Steelers Tonight

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According to Steeler Nation’s favorite reporter Ian Rapoport, the Steelers will host former Bills DE Alex Carrington for a visit tonight.

Carrington is a name that I mentioned being on the Steelers radar in the forum, and the interest makes a lot of sense. The 6-5, 309-pound DE was limited by a quad injury last year, but he showed promise, and could be a good value (low risk) signing for the Steelers.

Jacksonville Jaguars Sign DE Ziggy Hood

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to terms with Steelers free agent defensive end Ziggy Hood today. Hood was drafted by the Steelers in the 1st round of the 2009 draft. This move doesn’t come as much of a surprise. If you follow my writings, I’ve considered the DE free agents to be huge question marks- Ziggy Hood most of all.

Hood was arguably the most reviled defensive player in recent Steelers history. While serviceable, he never lived up to expectations. I believe that he’ll live up to his early hype on a 4-3 defense. While ProfootballFocus has consistently ranked Hood at or near the bottom of their 3-4 defensive ends, he’s a much better player than those grades reflect.

This signing makes the second Steelers defensive lineman signed away in free agency. Al Woods was signed by the Titans last night, and the Steelers are now extremely thin at defensive end. One would think that Brett Keisel’s stock just went up, but we’ll have to wait and see what the Steelers do in the coming days. I’ve wanted Keisel to return for a low, one year deal since the season ended, and signs are pointing to that being a reality.

With the loss of Hood and David Johnson, the Steelers now have no one left from the 2009 draft class. Part of that, of course, is due to the success of that year’s draft.

 

Jonathan Dwyer Signs With The Arizona Cardinals

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Free agent running back Jonathan Dwyer has signed a one year deal with the Arizona Cardinals TSF has learned. The running back market is pretty tepid, so it’s actually a little surprising that he found a contract so quickly.

Dwyer has been a serviceable back in Pittsburgh, who flashed at times, and reportedly “tapped out” at others. His strongest suit was probably pass blocking, though. Aside from that, he might arguably be remembered most as the running back who took a lot of heat for being overweight.

Dwyer was cut before the 53 man roster selection last year, but was re-signed a week or so later. I wouldn’t have minded seeing Dwyer back for small contract, because he’s shown improvement, but he reportedly was not in the Steelers plans going forward.

New Report: Al Woods Signs With Titans

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Despite earlier false reports, Al Woods has apparently been signed by the Tennessee Titans. This time, it appears to be for real, and has been confirmed by a credible Titans beat reporter.

The details of the contract are not available as of yet, so it’s hard to speculate as to whether or not Woods left for money, or for a better chance at starting (or both). Losing Woods isn’t the end of the world, but it certainly makes the potential lack of defensive line depth a more serious issue.

I’ll provide an update with his contract details when they become available.

Emmanuel Sanders To Meet With Bucs After Jaguars Visit

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After free agent WR Emmanuel Sanders is done with his visit in Jacksonville, he’s slated for a meeting with Tampa Bay, according to Jason La Canfora.

Sanders should have no trouble finding a decent sized contract with a new team. A few other teams have been rumored to be interested in Sanders, so if he doesn’t walk away with a deal from today’s meetings, you can expect to hear about more meetings scheduled in the coming days.

Report: Ziggy Hood And Emmanuel Sanders Visiting Jaguars Today

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Adding to the list of Steelers free agents who are drawing attention from other teams, WR Emmanuel Sanders and DE Ziggy Hood are reportedly in Jacksonville meeting with the Jaguars.

According to Adam Schefter, Sanders’ visit is going very well.

Sanders not returning to the Steelers shouldn’t come as a surprise. Though, I’ve long suspected that Ziggy Hood may not return. That’s just speculation on my part of course, but 1st round picks seem to have a tendency to demand 1st round pick money, and Hood hasn’t earned that type of contract here. Obviously defensive line depth is a concern this year. We’ll learn more in the near future.

TE David Johnson Signs With Chargers

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The Chargers have signed free agent TE David Johnson to a two year deal. Johnson missed all of 2012 due to an ACL injury. He was activated from the PUP list at the beginning of the 2013 season, but only saw limited snaps until injuring his wrist during week 6 against the Jets.

Johnson spent the remainder of the 2013 season on IR due to his dislocated wrist. While Johnson was a solid blocker, and not properly utilized during much of his time here, I think many will be glad to say that the David Johnson experiment is over.

No Deal For Woods Yet, Other Teams Interested

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Updating the previous article that reported Al Woods was rumored to have signed with the Titans, Tennessee beat writer Jim Wyatt refutes that rumor, stating the Titans have in fact not signed Al Woods.

According to Wyatt, the Titans have no deal in place with him, and he still has visits scheduled with the Packers and Cardinals this week.

It’s possible the Steelers underestimated the interest he would garner on the market, and they’ll now make a push to sign him. It’s also possible that he’s not part of the Steelers plans moving forward. The Steelers will not get into a bidding war for him, though. That much is pretty certain.

[Rumor] Al Woods To Sign With Tennessee

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According to Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette, free agent defensive lineman Al Woods is signing with the Tennessee Titans. This hasn’t been officially announced or confirmed yet, so it is considered a rumor at this point.

Woods provides solid depth at the NT and DE positions. Positions that already seriously lacks depth on the Steelers roster. Stay tuned for updates as they happen.