http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/ Pittsburgh Steelers news, message board, forum, fan site, downloads, and blog that includes up to date Steelers news, Steelers history, Steelers downloads, Steelers player interviews, and interactive features for all members. en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:12:34 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/ http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37861-Aaron-Hernandez-Questioned-in-Murder-Investigation?goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:30:15 GMT Has not been named a suspect yet but he is linked to the rental car which has been called the "key piece of evidence."

I blame Haley and Rooney.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/ey...-investigation

SI.com has a more thorough article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl...#ixzz2WbiGOtye ]]> Steelers Talk TarlsQtr http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37861-Aaron-Hernandez-Questioned-in-Murder-Investigation http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37860-Miller-believes-in-the-Steeler-TE-Group?goto=newpost Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:19:14 GMT Miller believes tight end position in good hands *For years, it was the one guarantee of every Steelers season: They would talk about throwing to... Miller believes tight end position in good hands

For years, it was the one guarantee of every Steelers season: They would talk about throwing to the tight end but wouldn't do it.

They finally did so under offensive coordinator Todd Haley a year ago, when Heath Miller caught a team-high 71 passes — only the second time since 1966 a tight end topped the Steelers in receptions.

But with Miller out indefinitely following knee surgery — he was injured in December — the Steelers might go into the season without not only their top downfield threat from a season ago in Mike Wallace but also their most reliable receiver in Miller.

Surprisingly, Miller doesn't think there will be a drop-off with what he believes might be the Steelers' best group of tight ends since he was a first-round pick out of Virginia in 2005.

“We have a really good room, a lot of capable guys in there,” Miller said. “I think maybe one of the best top to bottom that I've been starting camp with. Hopefully we'll be able to keep everybody healthy, and I think everybody is capable of contributing and doing a good job.”

If Miller can't start the season — and that appears to be a strong possibility — the starting tight end is likely to be Matt Spaeth, who is renowned for his blocking but never has caught more than 17 passes in six seasons, four with the Steelers. He caught 13 passes for 78 yards and three touchdowns the past two seasons in Chicago, where he was frequently utilized in two tight end sets.

Spaeth insists he didn't sign a two-year, $2 million deal with the Steelers just because he knew Miller might not be ready to start the season.

“I came back here because I love this organization, I love this team, and I enjoyed it all four years I was here,” Spaeth said. “That's why I'm back.”

He understands he probably won't see the ball as much as Miller did even if he is the starter, and he is comfortable with that. He knows his role; last season, Pro Football Focus rated him as the best blocking tight end in the league.

Don't think that wasn't attractive to Haley and coach Mike Tomlin, who have emphasized the necessity of re-establishing an effective running game. The Steelers, who have led the league in rushing since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, were 26th in rushing last season.

A strong blocking tight end could help trigger that running game, especially when Miller returns and can line up with Spaeth in twin tight end formations. Last season, Leonard Pope and rookie David Paulson were the primary backup tight ends.

“I'm a role guy, I know I've got a role, and I never worry about how many balls are being thrown to me,” Spaeth said. “My goal is to go out every day and every game and play as well as I can, whether that's catching passes or blocking, it doesn't matter.” ]]> Steelers Talk coldrolled http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37860-Miller-believes-in-the-Steeler-TE-Group http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37859-Pittsburgh-Coach-Tomlin-says?goto=newpost Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:45:25 GMT DeAndre Hopkins among offseason rookie standouts By Chris Wesseling Around the League Writer Published: June 16, 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers... DeAndre Hopkins among offseason rookie standouts By Chris Wesseling Around the League Writer

Published: June 16, 2013

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin provided our annual reminder not to read too deeply into offseason practices because it's just "football in shorts." The most important function is to install the offenses and defenses that the players will take into training camp.

For the incoming draft class, though, it's our first chance to see how they are integrating at the next level. Which rookies are leaving the biggest impression on coaches, teammates and beat writers? Here's a sample of nine first-year players standing out from the pack.

DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans wide receiver

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Under general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak, the Texans habitually have dispensed the notion of competition when it comes to first-round picks. They are drafted to be thrown into the fire as immediate contributors. Kubiak's praise for Hopkins already has run the gamut from "extremely special" to "obviously very gifted" and "very competitive."

Asked how quickly Hopkins might be ready for a major offensive role, Kubiak replied, "I'm expecting it right off the get-go." Between Hopkins and a healthy Ben Tate, the Texans finally might possess enough playmakers to get past the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC playoffs.

Johnathan Cyprien, Jacksonville Jaguars safety


The No. 33 overall pick in the draft was the team's organized team activities/minicamp MVP "in a landslide," according to The Florida Times-Union. This comes after Cyprien was "a man among boys" at rookie camp. We expect him to emerge as the Jaguars' premier defensive player as a rookie.

Manti Te'o, San Diego Chargers, linebacker


The Chargers have done a commendable job of sweeping Te'o's fake-girlfriend scandal under the rug. All of the talk out of offseason practices was about Te'o's on-field impact. The former Notre Dame star appears to be one of those rare NFL-ready rookies with instincts who just "gets it." Te'o might not be a three-down linebacker, but he's going to start from Day 1.



D.J. Swearinger, Houston Texans safety


As Ed Reed waffles on his availability for Week 1, the No. 57 overall pick continues to impress the Texans coaching staff with confidence, instincts and ball skills. "He's very smart in picking things up with what we're doing," Kubiak said last week.

"I think he's going to be a big contributor early."

Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals tight end


Coach Marvin Lewis' first on-field reaction was that Eifert is "as advertised" as a receiver as well as a blocker. The Bengals plan to move him around the offense to create mismatches against linebackers and cornerbacks.

"From Day 1 nothing has seemed too big for him," quarterback Andy Dalton said. "That's why we picked him with the first pick, and he's really well-deserving."



Matt Elam, Baltimore Ravens safety


The last pick in the first round is impressing teammates as a quick study who always is around the ball. "He's tough, he's fast, he gets football," secondary coach Teryl Austin said, "and I think he is going to be a fine player for us soon."

Elam already is playing in both base and nickel packages. "That's pretty impressive," veteran cornerback Corey Graham explained. "You don't see that much, especially in the first couple of months of being on the team."

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Sio Moore, Oakland Raiders linebacker


A pre-draft favorite of NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, Moore has had normally reticent head coach Dennis Allen gushing in offseason pracices.

"I like Sio," Allen said last week. "He's a big, powerful man. And he's got a little bit of pass-rush ability to him. So, I like some of the flexibility that he gives us. His work ethic and his understanding of the game of football is what's going to allow him to be a good player for us."

Moore should be penciled in as the starting outside linebacker opposite Kevin Burnett.

Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals safety


As expected, the man formerly known as Honey Badger was "buzzing around plays" as an immediate starter in nickel packages during OTAs. "He gets things the first time the coaches tell it to him," head coach Bruce Arians said. "He's got natural instincts to play football. I'm really happy for him. He's playing really well."

Quarterback Carson Palmer has compared Mathieu's closing speed to that of long-time nemesis Troy Polamalu.



Vance McDonald, San Francisco 49ers tight end


McDonald "may have been the biggest standout" this offseason among the 49ers' rookies, according to the Sacramento Bee. The No. 55 overall pick was a favorite target of all the quarterbacks and showed a knack for making difficult catches. He's expected to fill Delanie Walker's role as the No. 2 tight end, complementing Vernon Davis.

Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling. ]]> Steelers Talk coldrolled http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37859-Pittsburgh-Coach-Tomlin-says http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37858-Should-Clark-be-Extended?goto=newpost Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:42:23 GMT There were some grumblings as of late weather or not Ryan Clark should be extended... What are your thoughts and feelings? There were some grumblings as of late weather or not Ryan Clark should be extended...

What are your thoughts and feelings? ]]> Steelers Talk Zachintosh66 http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php/37858-Should-Clark-be-Extended