Steelers News: The Steelers hit-and-miss strategy with drafting linebackers

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season is over, but if you think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is over — think again. For the drama-filled Steelers, things are just heating up, and this is where the daily links article comes in. You might have missed some key news, and we fill you in and give you the latest, and sometimes greatest, news surrounding the Steelers.

Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the Pittsburgh Steelers have had some hits, and some misses, under Kevin Colbert when drafting linebackers in the NFL Draft.

Let’s get to the news:

• Everyone in Steelers Nation wants the team to draft a linebacker in the first round, but history shows the Steelers have been very hit-or-miss when doing this in the draft process.

Analysis: Bad luck, bad drafting left Steelers short on talent at linebacker

By: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It’s been mostly fear and loathing in Pittsburgh when it comes to the linebacker position over the past five years or so. The once proud position of the defense that produced All-Pros annually fell on hard times, and it’s been plenty of hard luck that got them there.

The Steelers do have one shining star on the rise in T.J. Watt at left outside linebacker. He made his first Pro Bowl in his second season in 2018 while leading the team with 13 sacks. Otherwise, it’s been tough luck and poor drafting for the past several years.

To read the full article, click HERE

• While the most noise surrounding the possible changes of the NFL rules was the fact pass interference can now be a challenged play, there were other rules which were changed worth noting.

NFL owners reject onside kick alternative proposal

By: Jeremy Bergman, NFL.com

However, these playing rules were adopted:

1. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the kickoff rule changes that were implemented during the 2018 season.

2. By Competition Committee; Expands protection to a defenseless player.

3. By Competition Committee; Changes the enforcement of double fouls when there is a change of possession.

4. By Competition Committee; Simplifies the application of scrimmage kick rules for missed field goals.

5. By Competition Committee; Allows teams to elect to enforce on the succeeding try or on the succeeding free kick an opponent’s personal or unsportsmanlike conduct foul committed during a touchdown.

To read the full article, click HERE

• There was actually some talk the Steelers could open the season by playing the Patriots in Foxborough for the opening Thursday night game. This has happened before, and most fans despise the thought, but it seems if the Steelers were to play New England, it wouldn’t be until Sunday night. Why? The NFL is opening the season with the 100th anniversary of Bears vs. Packers.

NFL season to open with Packers-Bears

By: Associated Press

Usually, the Super Bowl champion is the home team for the prime-time opener, but the league wants to salute historic rivalries in 2019. None fits better than Chicago-Green Bay. The teams have met 198 times since 1921, when the Bears were the Chicago Staleys. Green Bay leads the series 97-95-6, including the clubs splitting two postseason games.

Staging the Thursday night game at Chicago’s Soldier Field — even if it is a modernized version of the stadium — adds to the theme. There will be a free fan festival and concert in nearby Grant Park and, for the first time, the league has approved a free viewing event of the game in the park.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Mike Tomlin has had a lot of “Tomlinisms” in his tenure with the Steelers, and sometimes it is disappointing to hear him use the same ones over and over again. This was the case when he referred to both Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell regards to wanting ‘volunteers’ and not ‘hostages’. Despite my disappointment, the crux of the comments remain true.

Tomlin on Brown, Bell: ‘Can’t do this with hostages’

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

“I’ve just taken the position that we’ve taken as an organizational standpoint — that we can’t do this with hostages,” Tomlin said. “We need volunteers. We need good players and good guys who want to be there. If guys can’t check those boxes, it’s probably best for all involved that we go our separate ways. That’s the only thing that’s appropriate to say about that circumstance and Le’Veon Bell’s circumstance. It’s been highly chronicled, perhaps too chronicled. I think some things have been said that may or may not be true. All I know is that neither one of those guys are members of our team anymore. I understand that and what that means, and we focus our energies on those who are and their readiness and preparation.”

In that respect, Tomlin feels comfortable with his team moving forward. While Brown and Bell have been two of the best players in the league at their respective positions, both caused more than their share of headaches, as well.

To read the full article, click HERE

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