Category: NFL

Fitzpatrick seeks to become vocal leader for Steelers

Fitzpatrick seeks to become vocal leader for Steelers
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick let his on-field play do the talking during his first two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This year, the two-time All-Pro intends to be more of a vocal leader. Pittsburgh acquired Fitzpatrick in a trade with Miami in 2019 and he immediately improved the Steelers’ defense with dynamic plays. Fitzpatrick has nine interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in less than two seasons with Pittsburgh. He has even drawn comparisons to Hall of Fame Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

Watt Not Practicing Because of Contract

Steelers’ Butler: Watt not practicing because of contract
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler acknowledged that linebacker T.J. Watt isn’t practicing because he has yet to sign a long-term contract. Watt has been on the field doing individual work, but he hasn’t practiced with his teammates during training camp workouts at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

Steelers Use Strong 2nd Half to Beat Cowboys 16-3

Steelers use strong 2nd half to beat Cowboys 16-3
By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers followed a stumbling first half with a strong final 30 minutes to beat Dallas 16-3 in the first NFL preseason game in two years. Last season’s exhibition games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So maybe the enthusiastic crowd was an indication that even for a match between teams using very few regulars, the hunger for pro football has not faded. Or maybe it was simply a matter of two of the league’s most popular franchises being on the field in the Hall of Fame game, regardless of how many backups were in action.

Today is “Jimbo Covert Day” in Beaver County

(AP Photo)

(Beaver, Pa.) Today, July 30, 2021, is officially Jimbo Covert Day in Beaver County. Beaver County Commissioners Jack Manning, Daniel C. Camp III and Tony Amadio made a proclamation declaring today as “Jimbo” Covert Day in Beaver County.

Covert, will enter the NFL Hall of Fame as a member of the Centennial Class next Saturday along with Steelers Coach Bill Cowher, Steelers Safety Troy Polamalu, Donnie Shell and Alan Faneca.

Covert was a star football player and wrestler at Freedom High School in the late 1970s, hw starred at the University of Pittsburgh in the early 1980s. Were he was named an All-American twice.

Beaver County native Mike Ditka who was the head coach of the Chicago Bears drafted Covert sixth overall in the1983 NFL Draft.

Covert was a two-time first-team All-Pro who was part of a Bears team that won six division championships, and the 1985 Super Bowl Championship.

Smith-Schuster Returns to Steelers Seeking Strong Season

Smith-Schuster returns to Steelers seeking strong season
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a voluntary pay cut during the offseason. Roethlisberger’s restructured deal helped the Steelers free up enough money to persuade wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to return to the team on a one-year deal. Smith-Schuster decided to stay in Pittsburgh rather than leave in free agency, citing a sense of loyalty.

Steelers Maintain Super Bowl Expectations Despite Turnover

Steelers maintain Super Bowl expectations despite turnover
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers experienced a significant amount of turnover during the offseason, yet they opened training camp on Thursday with the same lofty Super Bowl expectations. Veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger returns for his 18th season, this time behind a revamped offensive line. There’s also a renewed focus on the running game behind first-round draft pick Najee Harris out of Alabama. The Steelers’ defense also underwent plenty of changes.

Steelers Open Camp with New Faces, Same Expectations

Steelers open camp with new faces, same expectations
By The Associated Press undefined
The Pittsburgh Steelers open training camp with plenty of new faces on offense following a busy offseason. Perennial Pro Bowl offensive linemen Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and Alejandro Villanueva are gone. In their place are newcomers such as rookie center Kendrick Green and free-agent signee Trai Turner. How quickly the line jells is vital. Pittsburgh is hoping rookie running back Najee Harris takes some of the pressure off veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Finding competent line play will help speed up Harris’ learning curve.

Cowher Caps Unlikely Success Story with Hall of Fame Nod

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
Bill Cowher’s long road from journeyman linebacker to Pro Football Hall of Famer is complete. The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next month, 15 years after his coaching career ended. Cowher guided the Steelers to victory in one Super Bowl and a berth in another after being hired to replace four-time champion Chuck Noll. Cowher was just 34 when he was asked to take over for Noll in 1991. Cowher says he never worried about trying to live up to the standard Noll set, because it was impossible.

Pitt Grad and Vikings Rookie Jaylen Twyman Recovering From Gunshot Wounds

Vikings rookie Jaylen Twyman recovering from gunshot wounds
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman is recovering from four gunshot wounds. Bullets that hit a vehicle he was riding in caused scary but superficial injuries. Twyman does not need surgery and is expected to make a full recovery from the exit wounds to his arm, shoulder, buttocks and leg, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus. The Vikings also confirmed the shooting after being in contact with Twyman and family members. Twyman was selected in the sixth round out of Pittsburgh in the NFL draft two months ago. The incident occurred in his native Washington, D.C.

New Steelers OC Canada To Lean On Roethlisberger, Run Game

New Steelers OC Canada to lean on Roethlisberger, run game
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) — New Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada intends to build off the strengths of two-time Super Bowl winner Ben Roethlisberger while also placing a renewed emphasis on the run game. The Steelers promoted Canada after Randy Fichtner’s contract wasn’t renewed following a first-round playoff loss to the Browns. They hope Canada injects some life into an offense that sputtered down the stretch last season. The run game that finished last in the NFL in 2020 is expected to feature rookie Najee Harris this season. The Steelers hope the former Alabama standout they drafted in the first round will provide an immediate boost.