http://forums.steelersfever.com/ The ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers fan message board. Talk to Steelers fans from around the globe and in your own hometown. en Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:38 GMT vBulletin 15 http://forums.steelersfever.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.steelersfever.com/ http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89158&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 04:40:10 GMT Thu, 17 May 2012 17:23:14 by JERRY DiPAOLA Andrew Sweat held the dream of playing in the NFL for 18 years, from age 5 ...Image: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/tribunereviewsteelers?d=djMOEv4s7Lw (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/tribunereviewsteelers?a=BkQTLGGFtTY:tbt51ERP5sY:djMOEv4s7Lw)...
Thu, 17 May 2012 17:23:14
by JERRY DiPAOLA



Andrew Sweat held the dream of playing in the NFL for 18 years, from age 5 ...


Read more... ]]> RSS Feeds Feed Robot http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89158 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89157&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 03:01:18 GMT *Danny Hrapmann Signs With Steelers* Posted by: Ken Trahan May 16, 2012 Image: http://media.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-sports/photo/9838397-large.jpg *LOCAL STAR TO COMPETE IN STEEL CITY* Former Holy Cross and Southern Mississippi kicker Danny Hrapmann has signed a free agent... Danny Hrapmann Signs With Steelers

Posted by: Ken Trahan
May 16, 2012



LOCAL STAR TO COMPETE IN STEEL CITY

Former Holy Cross and Southern Mississippi kicker Danny Hrapmann has signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In his career at USM, Hrapmann made 116-of-117 extra points and connected on 49-of-65 field goals (75%), scoring 263 points.

In 2011, Hrapmann was 61-of-62 on extra points and made 23-of-34 field goals for the Golden Eagles.

Hrapmann started his college career at Southeastern Louisiana in 2007 before transferring to Southern Miss.

The 5'9, 164" Hrapmann enjoyed a stellar career under Barry Wilson at Holy Cross.

He was a two-time All-District 8-5A selection and was named to the New Orleans All-Metro and the 5A All-State team with the Tigers.

http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/pre...-steelers.html ]]> Pittsburgh Steelers Hawaii 5-0 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89157 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89156&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 01:10:18 GMT Wed, 16 May 2012 17:23:13 by MARK KABOLY ... Image: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/tribunereviewsteelers?d=djMOEv4s7Lw (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/tribunereviewsteelers?a=3ju9i5amqPc:uXK65uui1Bc:djMOEv4s7Lw) Image: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/tribunereviewsteelers?d=qj6IDK7rITs ...
Wed, 16 May 2012 17:23:13
by MARK KABOLY



...


Read more... ]]> RSS Feeds Feed Robot http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89156 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89155&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 20:51:45 GMT I know money is already pretty much figured out with Decastro and Spence, but what do we have left? I think we cut Scott and his 2 milluon, but most of that if not all could go to Starks if they decided to bring him back. Reason I am asking, lets say FO really wants Wallace to be here long... I know money is already pretty much figured out with Decastro and Spence, but what do we have left?

I think we cut Scott and his 2 milluon, but most of that if not all could go to Starks if they decided to bring him back.

Reason I am asking, lets say FO really wants Wallace to be here long term, what can we work in for this year? Do we have to rework and player to get him in? Is there anyone that could be cut?

What is our current cap after all draft pics are signed? ]]> Pittsburgh Steelers pancake http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89155 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89154&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 18:30:19 GMT The Steelers have used this offseason to aggressively patch up the offensive line. That means changes for veteran Willie Colon, who confirmed he'll move from right tackle to left guard.

Read more... ]]> RSS Feeds Feed Robot http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89154 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89153&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 18:20:28 GMT *Report: Willie Colon Moving To Left Guard* Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 by Dave Bryan If you have followed this site religiously for a while you know that I have been a strong proponent of tackle Willie Colon kicking inside to guard for some time now. Several naysayers over the years have... Report: Willie Colon Moving To Left Guard

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 by Dave Bryan

If you have followed this site religiously for a while you know that I have been a strong proponent of tackle Willie Colon kicking inside to guard for some time now. Several naysayers over the years have stated that it would never happen and they included Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, who stated just last May, "The move is not going to happen. Cheerleaders on the sideline at Heinz Field will occur before Colon is moved to guard in this offense."

Well it seems that Colon will now indeed kick inside and play left guard according to Mike Prisuta of DVE radio on Twitter. Prisuta reported today that Colon made it official today as he was quoted as saying, "I've made the transition to left guard. I like it. It's just a matter of learning the verbiage." Prisuta reports that Colon said the Steelers called him right after draft to tell him about a possible switch to left guard. Colon reportedly told the Steelers at that time, "My only issue would have been 'don't move me midway through camp."

With first round draft pick David DeCastro slated to start at right guard now, Colon told Prisuta that both he and DeCastro will be pulling quite a bit as he said, "You should expect both of us pulling. I think we're going to be a lot more balanced."

Glory, glory, halleluiah!

Colon has struggled to stay healthy the last two seasons after tearing his Achilles prior to training camp in 2010 and tearing his triceps in the week one game against the Baltimore Ravens just last year. He has played a total of just one game the last two seasons after being a picture of health the years prior. His move now inside means that there is a vacancy at right tackle. Marcus Gilbert started there last season after Colon went down, but was told heading into the offseason he should be prepared to move to left tackle in 2012. This of course was way before the Steelers drafted Mike Adams in the second round of the draft last month. Adams looks to be the long term solution at left tackle for the Steelers, but the big questions is whether or not he can be NFL ready by week 1 to protect the blindside of one Ben Roethlisberger.

The Steelers could very well still have plans to bring back veteran Max Starks prior to training camp to start the year at left tackle. This assumes that Starks will be 100% recovered from his ACL injury that he suffered in the AFC Wild Card against the Denver Broncos by then. Starks says he is ahead of schedule in his recovery, but time will tell. The Steelers also still have Jonathan Scott and his $2 million plus salary on the roster in addition. While Scott surely should not be considered at left tackle again like last year, he might be able to keep the right tackle spot warm until Adams is ready to start at either spot.

Gilbert is best suited for the right tackle spot, but he just might have to hold the left side down if Starks is not brought back. We will surely get a better idea of how the first team might stack up next week when the Steelers report for their first OTA session.

I guess the new Steelers cheerleaders will be on the sidelines at the OTA session as well. Right Gerry?

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/05...to-left-guard/ ]]> Pittsburgh Steelers Hawaii 5-0 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89153 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89152&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 13:21:05 GMT Wed, 16 May 2012 17:23:13 by Associated Press Two Allegheny County residents filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the National...Image: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/tribunereviewsteelers?d=djMOEv4s7Lw ...
Wed, 16 May 2012 17:23:13
by Associated Press



Two Allegheny County residents filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the National...


Read more... ]]> RSS Feeds Feed Robot http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89152 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89151&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 22:47:40 GMT ...at SMU. great article on a kid who truly is an inspiration and should be a role model to the youth. http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Beachum-delivers-commencement-address/26a054dd-21f2-4c66-a901-1eb6561e8f15 The former SMU offensive lineman was drafted by the Steelers in the... ...at SMU. great article on a kid who truly is an inspiration and should be a role model to the youth.

http://www.steelers.com/news/article...1-1eb6561e8f15

The former SMU offensive lineman was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh-round a few weeks ago, helping him fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL.

Then on Saturday, not only did Beachum receive his Master’s degree from SMU, but he also delivered the commencement address for his class at SMU’s Simmons School of Education & Human Development.

“It was a tremendous honor,” said Beachum. “I didn’t know all of these things would be happening for me. Getting drafted, addressing your peers at graduation. It’s an honor, a privilege and something you could never plan for.”

Beachum received his undergraduate degree in Economics from SMU and then continued his education earning his Masters in Liberal Studies with a concentration on organizational behavior in only 16 months.

“I don’t know the statistics on how many people go into the NFL with their Masters, but to be able to succeed on the football field and in the classroom go hand in hand for me,” said Beachum. “You have to work hard on the football field and in the classroom just to be able to stay on the field.”

It wasn’t easy for Beachum to find the perfect balance between football and his education, as football has been the dream and he wanted to keep that his main focus.

“Football has always been my priority,” said Beachum. “My priorities are God, family and football. Football always came before school, even though I was a student-athlete. It was difficult to get to the Master’s degree and make sure I was caught up. I took on the challenges to make sure I was successful. My focus on football has never changed.
]]> Pittsburgh Steelers tony hipchest http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89151 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89150&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 18:53:09 GMT Esiason: Bears would appeal to Cowher

May 14, 2012

NFL analyst Boomer Esiason shared his thoughts Monday on the Chicago Bears' need to commit to the passing game and whether he ever could envision Bill Cowher coming out of retirement and perhaps pacing the Soldier Field sidelines.

“The only two coaching spots that I think that he would ever come out of retirement for ... one would be the New York Giants and the other one would be the Chicago Bears, because he’s that type of guy,” Esiason said of Cowher, his CBS Sports colleague, on "The McNeil and Spiegel Show" on WSCR-AM 670.

“Being so close to him over the last few years and watching him go through his total personal-life upheaval with the death of his wife and watching how he’s handled that with great dignity and professionalism, I’m just telling you, there is no dirt on that man. This guy is as good as he seems. He’s everything that you’d expect him to be.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,1841577.story ]]> NFL Football Hawaii 5-0 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89150 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89149&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 18:32:09 GMT *Post Draft State Of The Steelers Quarterbacks* Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 by Dave Bryan It is time to wrap up the offense today by taking a look at the quarterback position post draft. There are not any surprises to be found here on the Steelers depth chart, so let this serve as more of a... Post Draft State Of The Steelers Quarterbacks

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 by Dave Bryan

It is time to wrap up the offense today by taking a look at the quarterback position post draft. There are not any surprises to be found here on the Steelers depth chart, so let this serve as more of a recap of where the main three are as they head toward training camp. If you have missed any of the previous positional post draft looks at the roster you can read them at the links provided here: offensive line, defensive line, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends & fullbacks.

Ben Roethlisberger - Roethlisberger says that he is still having minor problems with the ankle he injured against the Cleveland Browns last season as he claims that it is still not fully healed. He has plenty of time still to get it ready by the start of training camp and in the mean time he will focus on learning the new offense and terminology being put into place by new offensive coordinator Todd Haley and help the others on offense learn it is well. The Steelers unquestioned leader received a few gifts during the 2012 NFL draft in the form of David DeCastro, Mike Adams, Chris Rainey and Toney Clemons so he has to be excited about that. DeCastro will be a week one starter and Rainey could possibly contribute sooner than later and give Roethlisberger yet another weapon on offense. Team president Art Rooney II stated after the 2011 season that Roethlisberger needs to tweak his game a bit in an effort to not take as many hits as he has in years past, but you can bet that Roethlisberger will still on occasion do what he does best, and that is to extend plays at times. The Steelers chances of adding a seventh Lombardi Trophy to the case this year all depend on the play of Roethlisberger and he certainly has the ability to get it done with the weapons that he is surrounded by. You can expect that he will have a few "come to Jesus" type moments on the sideline this season with Haley, but that should be expected. How he handles those moments will show his level maturity and his ability to adapt heading into the golden years of his career. He remains one of the top quarterbacks in the league right now even if he needs help putting a shoe on a dinged up foot supported by a bad ankle.

Byron Leftwich - Leftwich was re-signed to a one-year deal just prior to the draft starting. There were rumors that former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians had interest in bringing him to the Indianapolis Colts to help mentor Andrew Luck, but that never came to fruition. The biggest challenge Leftwich has on his plate this season is to show that he can survive the preseason without getting injured. He broke his arm last year during the preseason against the Atlanta Falcons and in 2010 he suffered a knee injury in the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers that kept him sidelined for several weeks. The last regular season snap that Leftwich has taken came against the Browns in the week 17 season finale, so he certainly could use some preseason action out of training camp to knock off the rust. Hopefully he never has to see the field in 2012 outside of mop up duty, but he can't even do that if he can't keep himself in one piece prior to the season beginning. Although it is not a given, he should be able to beat out Charlie Batch for the backup job behind Roethlisberger.

Charlie Batch - Like Leftwich, Batch was also brought back on a one-year deal and he figures to serve as the third string quarterback this year assuming Leftwich stays healthy. Batch started the week 16 game last season against the St. Louis Rams and he played well in that game. He showed he still has a little elusiveness in the pocket as well in that lone start as he ducked under what seemed to be two certain sacks in that game. Father Time has long caught up with his arm, but Batch is as experienced as they come in regard to reading defenses and managing the offense. He generally has made good decisions with the football over the last few seasons in his limited playing time. The biggest role Batch could play in 2012 is being a buffer of sorts between Haley and Roethlisberger, as there are sure to be a few heated moments on the sideline that will need buffering. Batch is a consummate professional, and while the hope is that he never has to take a snap in 2012, the Steelers could do worse for an emergency third string quarterback.

Troy Smith - The former Heisman Trophy winner was signed to a futures contract this past offseason and will attempt to beat out Batch for the number three spot on the depth chart. Smith has a career 51.7 completion ratio and has made just 8 starts since being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2007. He was not on an NFL roster last season and saw limited action in the United Football League with the Omaha Nighthawks instead. His best shot at making the 53 man roster would be if an injury happened above him on the depth chart. He might make it to training camp in Latrobe, but he likely will not be there to see the end of it.

Jerrod Johnson - Like Smith, Johnson too was signed to a futures contract this past offseason. Although there have been reports that he has improved both his arm strength and accuracy since going undrafted last year out of Texas A&M, there simply will not be enough snap to go around for him should he make it training camp. He is a long shot at best to make it through the early roster cut-downs and an even longer shot to warrant a spot as a developmental quarterback on the Steelers practice squad.

Post Draft Prediction 53 Man Roster Quarterbacks:

Ben Roethlisberger
Byron Leftwich
Charlie Batch

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/05...-quarterbacks/ ]]> Pittsburgh Steelers Hawaii 5-0 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89149 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89147&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 16:30:09 GMT Sure, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got off to one of the worst starts in sports history with the franchise losing their first 26 games in a row. But how does that 1976 team that went 0-14 stack up against other bad Buccaneers teams over the year? Was it really the worst team in franchise history? You... Sure, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got off to one of the worst starts in sports history with the franchise losing their first 26 games in a row. But how does that 1976 team that went 0-14 stack up against other bad Buccaneers teams over the year? Was it really the worst team in franchise history? You decide. Here then are the five worst teams in Bucs' history.

Read more... ]]> RSS Feeds Feed Robot http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89147 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89146&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 13:21:55 GMT NEW YORK (AP) Bill Cowher wants to teach men about melanoma, a disease whose ravages he knows all too well. Read more... (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=12ro4dadt/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/news/cowher-joins-campaign-educate-melanoma-130555911--nfl.html) NEW YORK (AP) Bill Cowher wants to teach men about melanoma, a disease whose ravages he knows all too well.

Read more... ]]> RSS Feeds Feed Robot http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89146 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89145&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 05:19:24 GMT *Steelers Could Have To Wait A Little Longer To Get David DeCastro Signed* Monday, May 14th, 2012 by Dave Bryan The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed seven of their nine draft picks thus far and while their third round pick, linebacker Sean Spence, is expected to sign sometime this week or... Steelers Could Have To Wait A Little Longer To Get David DeCastro Signed

Monday, May 14th, 2012 by Dave Bryan

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed seven of their nine draft picks thus far and while their third round pick, linebacker Sean Spence, is expected to sign sometime this week or next, it could end up being a little longer before first round pick David DeCastro is under contract.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the hold up is likely because of a wait to see which team draws the line in the sand first in regard to fully four-year fully guaranteed contracts for the players drafted near the end of round one.

As Florio points out, last year the first 20 picks received four-year, fully-guaranteed contracts and Indianapolis Colts lineman Anthony Castonzo, who was drafted 22nd overall, had three of the four years guaranteed of his rookie deal. Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor, the 21st overall selection last year, came to terms on a deal that made more than half of his fourth-year base salary guaranteed, with the remaining balance shifted to a roster bonus due on the first day of the 2014 League Year.

Agents are doing their best to try to pull the four-year guarantee line deeper into round one now. Last week the Chicago Bears signed Shea McClellin, the 19th overall pick, to a fully guaranteed deal and next up are the Tennessee Titans and Kendall Wright, the 20th overall selection. Wright is expected to also get a fully guaranteed deal and the onus will then be on the New England Patriots to draw the line in the sand with the deal that they try to get done with their first round pick, Chandler Jones.

Should Jones and his agent succeed at getting a fully guaranteed deal, the buck will continue to pass down to the next pick and so on until a team decides to play hard ball and draw the line between three and four year guaranteed deals.

As a comparison, Cameron Jordan, who was the 24th overall selection last year by the New Orleans Saints, received a four-year $7.73 million contract of which just three years were guaranteed. That deal included a $4.12 million signing bonus. It figures that DeCastro will receive a deal very close to that of Jordan and it should only have three years guaranteed as well. Until DeCastro is boxed out of a four-year guarantee though by a contract ahead of him, he will likely remain unsigned.

Despite the delays, DeCastro should be signed well before training camp gets underway.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/05...castro-signed/ ]]> Pittsburgh Steelers Hawaii 5-0 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89145 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89144&goto=newpost Mon, 14 May 2012 22:12:15 GMT *Steelers Cornerbacks Bringing A New Dynamic To The Table* Monday, May 14th, 2012 by Cian Fahey Image: http://img0.yardbarker.com/media/3/5/357e83d8dac4b905897f03e6358124289d1d0404/medium/Pittsburgh_Steelers_2009_edec.jpg?stamp=1336752302 Prior to last season, I wrote that Keenan... Steelers Cornerbacks Bringing A New Dynamic To The Table

Monday, May 14th, 2012 by Cian Fahey



Prior to last season, I wrote that Keenan Lewis would add a new dynamic to the Steelers defense, even though he wasn't a full-time starter, Lewis did do that playing the outside position in the team's nickel defense. What I didn't realize at the time was that Lewis was only the first step in a certain revamping of the Steelers' style.

Over the past few years, the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has been led by shorter more agile cornerbacks to fit their zone scheme. With players like Deshea Townsend, Bryant McFadden and William Gay on the roster, the rangy Ike Taylor was the exception rather than the rule for Steelers' cornerbacks.

Townsend, McFadden and Gay were all pivotal parts of Super Bowl teams, but limited in man coverage as the Steelers' 3-4 defense didn't ask them to play too much man coverage. The biggest difference between cornerbacks of the Steelers' recent past and the current crop of corners is their length.

Ike Taylor is the only constant between the Steelers' old cornerbacks and the current crop. Taylor stands at 6-2 and easily towered above Townsend, 5-10, Gay 5-10 and McFadden 6-0. The tallest corner out of the old guard is the same height as the shortest corners on the Steelers' current roster.

Lewis and Curtis Brown are listed at 6-0 while Cortez Allen is 6-1.

Those may seem like minimal discrepancies but can make a massive difference on the football field. This is something that stood out as quickly as last season when the Patriots arrived in Pittsburgh. During that game, Allen showed off his size and physicality to essentially shut down Rob Gronkowski. However, that was not the only notable performance that day.

That day Dick LeBeau, whether it be through injuries or choice, drastically altered the style of his defense to pressure the Patriots with his rangy cornerbacks and give his pass rushers a chance to disrupt the timing of the Patriots offense.

In the past, Tom Brady had come to Pittsburgh and easily picked apart the Steelers' zone coverage as the team's corners and safeties were slower mentally to react to Brady's quick decision making and precise throws. This year, the Steelers corners were able to focus on their assignments with greater ease because they were less complex.

The Steelers now have the personnel to play the "pick'em" defense. The idea that defenders can just point to an attacker and say "He's mine." With four cornerbacks capable of competing with receivers' size and speed, the Steelers will be better suited to play more man coverage and even shift their defenders into press coverage.

The ability to play press coverage on defense is as valuable as an established running game is to an offense. Press coverage, when done well, tightens throwing windows and disrupts the timing of routes. It takes longer for the ball to come out of the pocket giving rushers more opportunities to get into the backfield.

Most importantly however, it allows intelligent safeties to take advantage of less complex defensive schemes. It is no coincidence that Ryan Clark had one of his better years last year in the Black and Gold uniform. Clark is a very intelligent footballer and with better coverage ahead of him, and complex zone assignments, Clark was able to get to his first Pro Bowl.

The Steelers are fortunate—or rather owe an awful lot to the outstanding drafting of GM Kevin Colbert—that the new crop of corners have a lot of scheme versatility. They may not excel in zone coverage the way Deshea Townsend and Bryant McFadden did, but they are certainly better there than the old cornerbacks were at man coverage.

Watching the development of Brown and Allen in particular, as well as Lewis, next year is going to be a fascinating venture.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/05...-to-the-table/ ]]> Pittsburgh Steelers Hawaii 5-0 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89144 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89143&goto=newpost Mon, 14 May 2012 19:13:24 GMT Talkin' Tight Ends: Steelers Boast Versatility and Depth

by Neal Coolong on May 14, 2012



Even with the four-game suspension doled out to TE Weslye Saunders for failure of the league's substance abuse policy, the Pittsburgh Steelers boast one of the league's deeper and more versatile tight ends group.

The question is how will all of them meld together, and which roles might they be playing?

Outside of TE Heath Miller, how is this all going to work?
Miller is one of the game's best all-around tight ends, a characteristic that seems to be dropping in value, in the eyes of many, due to the influx of receivers being moved in-line. Saints TE Jimmy Graham is among the worst blockers at his position, but his gawdy receiving numbers landed him in the Pro Bowl in 2011. Don't expect those kinds of numbers from Miller, or any Steelers tight end, but they certainly can improve on their 67 combined receptions (Miller 51, David Johnson 12, Saunders 4).

Under offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Steelers will still likely utilize 2-TE formations, but oftentimes that extra tight end will come in the form of an H-back - a combination of a tight end and a fullback. The H-back is frequently in motion, and can be used as a lead blocker, a short-route receiver and an edge protector. Johnson was utilized in this capacity fairly often last year, and he will likely man that spot again.

Free agent signee Leonard Pope has played this role for Haley in both Arizona and Kansas City. While his pricetag is amenable, he may end up serving essentially as a body to help the other tight ends, and the rest of the offense, learn Haley's structure, and to play in spot duty while Saunders serves his suspension.

What is Saunders' situation?
While under suspension, he is technically exempt from the roster. The Steelers haven't released him and he's free to participate with the team during training camp and preseason. When the regular season starts, Saunders can have no access to the team or its facilities. Upon his return, the Steelers will need to clear room on the 53-man roster if they wish to keep him.

Given the amount of snaps he was taking toward the end of the season, it's likely they'll keep him around after his suspension. While it wouldn't be unheard of for them to keep a fourth tight end, it seems more likely either Johnson (playing out his 1-year restricted free agency deal) or Pope (also a 1-year deal) will get the ax.

Saunders showed enough in his route running to suggest he could be an effective receiving weapon, although his blocking, not unexpectedly, could still use some work. Entering his second season, and previously undrafted, Saunders has already repaid the team's initial investment, and as soon as he gets out of the doghouse because of his suspension (speculation suggested it was a positive test for ADHD medication for which he had a prescription, but failed to disclose it to the league), he'll likely continue his upward swing in the depth chart.

Will we see the tight end utilized more in the red zone?
Seeing any position used more effectively in the red zone would be a welcome change, after finishing just south of the middle of the pack at 50.91 percent of red zone trips resulting in touchdowns in 2011. Of the team's 21 touchdown receptions, four of them came from tight ends. The theory is taller, bigger bodies moving off play-action within the red zone can be a quarterback's favorite throw. To do that, a team must run the ball consistently to show the threat of the run before it can sell a play-action pass. Pittsburgh simply didn't run consistently (in frequency and quality) in 2011.

If they are to employ the tight end more in receiving, they'll have to earn it off the speed of the running backs. Incidentally, though, Haley's Chiefs finished dead last in the NFL in red zone scoring at 33.33 percent. They were 8th in the NFL in 2010 though (59.62 percent).

Does Wes Lyons have any better of a chance of making the team as a tight end than he did a wide receiver?
I don't think he really does. While it would be fun to brag out the Steelers' NBA front court of tight ends (Pope is 6-foot-9, Lyons is 6-foot-8, Miller is 6-foot-5), Lyons' best bet is to make the practice squad, and continue to learn the position. What he represents, though, is a breath of fresh air and offensive ingenuity, two things Haley brings to the franchise that's been led offensively by Bruce Arians since 2007. Finding more creative ways to create mis-matches is Haley's trademark, and the possible development of Lyons is, if nothing else, at least a sign he's willing to think outside the box.

That and a buck fifty will get you a cup of coffee and a Snickers, but the mentality could spring out other places this upcoming year.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com...-david-johnson ]]> Pittsburgh Steelers Hawaii 5-0 http://forums.steelersfever.com/showthread.php?t=89143