Steelers News: Can the Steelers defense cause Sam Darnold to see “ghosts” again?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving into Week 16 of the NFL regular season, and as the team prepares for the New York Jets we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the next game starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at whether or not the Steelers defense can make young quarterback Sam Darnold to see “ghosts” again.

Let’s get to the news:

• Sam Darnold made huge news this season, but it wasn’t for stellar play on the field. It was for his sideline microphone picking him up saying “I’m seeing ghosts out there” when referring to the New England Patriots defense. Can the Steelers defense do the same?

Tim Benz: Steelers say game plan is to get Jets QB Sam Darnold to see more ghosts

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

En route to a 33-0 loss back on Oct. 21, the “Monday Night Football” microphones caught New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold admitting that he was “seeing ghosts” from the New England Patriots defense.

That comment occurred as Darnold was in the middle of a five-turnover meltdown.

He was ridiculed for being confused, rattled and overmatched by a good NFL defense. Darnold did nothing to put out that perception by throwing three more interceptions in a 29-15 defeat against Jacksonville the next week.

At least one Steeler says the team is planning to get Darnold to see more ghosts again this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

“That’s the plan,” Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds said Wednesday. “Just put a lot of people in his face. And hopefully make him make some false throws and get turnovers. That’s our game plan. That’s just how we play the game every week. So that’s how we are trying to carry it out.”

So how can the Steelers defense conjure the spooky spirits of “Christmas Present” to steal the ball away from Darnold?

“We’d like to try to confuse him,” said cornerback Joe Haden. “He’s still a (second-year) quarterback. So we’re trying to not just stand out there and let him know what defense we are in. Just trying to keep him on his toes. Once he snaps the ball, get a little movement in, so he has to realize what (type of coverage) we are in during the play. Just trying to hold our disguises and move around and keep him thinking.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Devlin Hodges doesn’t need a boost in the confidence department.

Steelers’ Devlin Hodges retains his confidence despite 4-interception game

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

In explaining his decision on Tuesday to leave Devlin Hodges in the role of starting quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin alluded in part to an analogy about his players playing basketball.

“They are the guy that when they were on their high school basketball teams had the ball in the waning moments of the game, etc.,” Tomlin said. “I am just calling on that.”

So it must have been awkward for Hodges when he sheepishly admitted to the media Wednesday that he did not play high school basketball.

“Basketball is the one sport I gave up just so I could go hunting more,” Hodges said, smiling.

With the Steelers hunting desperately for a win in order to inch closer to locking up a playoff spot, the confidence in him that Tomlin showed when he stuck with “Duck” was not lost on the undrafted rookie.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Steelers should give Le’Veon Bell a nice “welcome back” this Sunday at Metlife Stadium.

Kevin Gorman: Steelers should show love for Le’Veon Bell with group hug

By: Kevin Gorman, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers can’t begin to tell you how much they love Le’Veon Bell, as they bent over backwards Wednesday to talk about their respect for the running back.

David DeCastro cherishes his memories of blocking for Bell. Maurkice Pouncey calls theirs a brotherhood that is misunderstood. Bud Dupree says the Steelers only have a beef with Bell if he has one with them. Cameron Heyward said Bell was a great teammate when he was with the Steelers.

“I never had any ill will toward him,” Heyward said. “He came to work. You knew what you were getting on Sundays. I think he cared about what he was putting on the field. He cared about his teammates.”

That’s a long way from their attitude last season, when Steelers players publicly ripped Bell as he sat out in a dispute over having the franchise tag placed on him for a second consecutive year. Antonio Brown called for Bell to “show up,” Pouncey suggested that Bell “man up” and called him “selfish” for skipping out on the season.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Devlin Hodges Media Availability

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