Steelers News: The Steelers could see a youth movement in depth at safety

With the 2019 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 season is fast approaching, and the news surrounding the black-and-gold is far from over. As the team now turns their attention to more offseason workouts, OTAs and minicamp, there is no shortage of news.

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how the Steelers, while having a very deep veteran presence at many positions, safety certainly isn’t one of them.

Let’s get to the news:

• Many felt the Steelers would have been better off drafting a safety with one of their early draft picks, this after letting Morgan Burnett walk after his release. But the team stayed put with Terrell Edmunds and Sean Davis as their primary starters. After that? Not a lot of confidence.

Steelers OTA preview: Safety roles could expand for young players

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The third and final phase of the NFL’s offseason conditioning program begins May 21 for the Steelers with the first of 10 OTAs.

Phase 3, as it is known, spans four weeks, with the final one featuring the team’s mandatory three-day minicamp. Players cannot wear pads except to cover the knees and elbows. Helmets can be worn, and teams can participate in 11-on-11 drills, but no hitting is permitted.

Today: Safety

Who’s back: Sean Davis, Terrell Edmunds, Marcus Allen, Jordan Dangerfield

Davis returns at free safety for the second year in a row, the first time he has enjoyed such modest stability at a position in his four NFL seasons. Edmunds, after being thrown prematurely into a starting role as a rookie, will be at strong safety. Dangerfield played primarily special teams last season, and Allen appeared in just two games.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Is there anything to take away from the Steelers’ Rookie Minicamp?

Anything to cull from Steelers’ rookie minicamp?

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

Of the 60 players who were in attendance this weekend, a little more than half will still be around when the Steelers begin the next phase of their offseason program May 21.

Of those, most will make it to training camp when it begins in late July. But the majority of those won’t be around a month after that when the team starts trimming its roster. And by the time the Steelers get down to 53 players, there will likely only be 10 or so players who were in attendance at rookie minicamp who will still be with the team.

So, what was to be gained from this process? For the coaching staff, it was an opportunity to get a look at a new draft class and throw a bunch of other players against the wall to see who sticks.

The key for the coaches was seeing who stood out. Who are the quick learners? Who doesn’t need to be told how to do something multiple times?

To read the full article, click HERE

• Cameron Heyward knows how to be a positive role model in the community, and he was at it again with the Boys and Girls Club.

Heyward gives back, brings smiles

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

Heyward hosted kids from the Boys & Girls Club at Dave & Busters at the Waterfront for fun, games, in an afternoon that was filled with smiles and laughs.

“My dad grew up in the system of the Boys & Girls Club,” said Heyward of his late father, Craig Heyward. “I want to celebrate them, celebrate the kids, let them know people care about them, and have some fun with them. Everyone always appreciates it.

“The kids look forward to just having a good time. It’s not always like that for them. Sometimes, because of their backgrounds, they have to grow up so fast. We have to let them know that it’s okay to be a kid. It’s okay to develop relationships along the way, which we have accomplished in years past. I love having fun at this.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• While Antonio Brown is now a member of the Oakland Raiders, he still had some business to take care of in Pittsburgh. He did so, and at this point I doubt he ever comes to back to Pittsburgh unless he absolutely has to.

Antonio Brown returns to Pittsburgh, in court on reckless driving charge

By: Michael David Smith, ProFootballTalk

Former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has returned to Pittsburgh. Briefly.

Brown was in the Allegheny County Courthouse today dealing with a reckless driving charge, which he was able to get reduced to a lesser charged that will result only in a fine, KDKA reports.

“To all my fans in Pittsburgh, I never got to say goodbye,” Brown said in a video he posted on social media. “I’m here today in the downtown Pittsburgh Court.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• Social Media Madness