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 whether the addition of Benny Snell Jr. to the stable of existing running backs, James Conner and Jaylen Samuels, mean the Steelers are set for a return to the fan-favorite smash mouth style of football.

Let’s get to the news:

• Throwing passes deep down field is exciting, and has been a staple in the Steelers’ offense since the days of Bradshaw going up top to Swann and Stallworth. But no matter how much you like the passing attack, there is something about watching an offensive line, and running back, impose their will on a defense. Think back to those punishing days of Jerome Bettis. Could the Steelers be heading that way again?

Carter’s Classroom: Return to smashmouth

By: Chris Carter, DKPittsburghSports

When the Steelers finished 2018 with Ben Roethlisberger leading the NFL in passing attempts, completions and yards, he also led the NFL in interceptions while the team coped with the loss of All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell.

Although James Conner had a very good season, the Steelers knew they needed a boost at running back to balance the offense and Benny Snell of Kentucky was the answer in the fourth round. Here’s why that could mean big changes for the Steelers’ offense in the form of a return to an old-school Steelers’ style of finishing games:

I’ve written about why the Steelers need to balance their offense to help Roethlisberger and how that could be through the running back position, but I thought that would be through a faster running back in the draft, like Memphis’ Darrell Henderson or Oklahoma State’s Justice Hill, to counter Conner’s power running style.

Instead, the Steelers opted for Snell, another power running back who set records at Kentucky. Snell made his name by being the center of Kentucky’s offense which helped them compete in the SEC. His senior season was his best when he ran for 1,449 yards on 289 carries and 16 touchdowns. That helped Kentucky to its best season in years — a 10-3 record and a win in the Citrus Bowl against Penn State.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Antonio Brown is long gone, and some major changes will occur within the Steelers’ wide receiver room. But will they be able to, as a group, make sure there isn’t a huge drop off in production?

Steelers OTA preview: With Brown gone, change comes to WR room

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Today: Wide receiver

Who’s back: JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Ryan Switzer, Eli Rogers, Tevin Jones, Trey Griffey

Smith-Schuster moves up to the No. 1 spot in just his third season. He is coming off an 111-catch, 1,426-yard season but will command much of the extra coverage this year. Washington will get the first crack at being the No. 2 receiver. Switzer and Rogers are likely competing for one spot as a slot receiver. Switzer played 27 percent of the offense snaps in his first season with the team. Rogers contributed in three games after being activated from the PUP list. Jones and Griffey were on the practice squad last year and face an uphill climb to win roster spots.

To read the full article, click HERE

• There have been times when members of the Steelers have responded to an article we write on the site, and Marcus Gilbert had some comments about an article we ran here just the other day. He wasn’t too happy with a quote he gave Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, which I took and turned into a free-standing article. He wants to clear the air now...

Marcus Gilbert seeks to clarify comments that he ‘disappointed’ Steelers fans

By: Chris Adamski

A day after an ESPN report came out that relayed comments Marcus Gilbert made shortly after a March trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Arizona Cardinals, Gilbert sought to clarify his words.

“Very disappointed, misrepresentation,” a post to the verified Twitter account of Gilbert read Friday.

It appears, however, that Gilbert’s issue wasn’t with ESPN’s reporting but with that of another outlet that aggregated ESPN’s report. Gilbert directed a message at a Pro Football Talk writer and said: “crazy how you write a headline to attract people to reading your story. Pathetic.”

Gilbert’s primary message read, “PSA: A recent article came out about my trade to Arizona that did not accurately reflect my feelings. #1 I am ecstatic to be an Arizona Cardinal. I’m excited about being with the Cardinals organization and looking forward to this season. #2 The only counseling I’ve had this past year was family counseling with my fiancee.”

To read the full article, click HERE

• The Ravens are taking a lot of former Steelers recently, and ILB Jon Bostic might be the next.

Ravens reportedly work out another former Steelers linebacker, Jon Bostic

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Four months after signing Matthew Thomas, the Baltimore Ravens are reportedly kicking the tires on another former Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker.

Jon Bostic was brought in for a workout, presumably with the intention to consider signing him, The Athletic reported Friday.

A six-year NFL veteran who has started at least one game every season since he was drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bears in 2013, Bostic started 14 games last season for the Steelers. But the Steelers cut him after the draft when they traded up to take inside linebacker Devin Bush at No. 10 overall – a move that came six weeks after the Steelers signed inside linebacker Mark Barron to a two-year, $12 million free-agent contract.

To read the full article, click HERE

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